Excellent view at a high volume property

100   Recommended
Room 2309
July 10, 2017 by

 Map | 1 Review | 100% Recommended
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview
 Map | 1 Review | 100% Recommended

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Room 2309

Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
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While the hotel has a challenge being an all-suites property of a major tourist destination, the views are amazing and probably some of the best of any property in the area.

Check In

So, I booked a standard room (Cityview) on the website as a full points reward stay. Initially, I was charge 63,000 pts, but was able to rebook down to 60,000 points. I am not going to stay that I got a high value per point (versus a paid stay), but I wanted to points for a leisure stay without paying for a premium award.

As a Diamond, I was hoping for a Fallsview upgrade (doesn't everybody?). My reservation was changed day of check-in, and only at that point did I do online check-in.  Rooms on the Falls (both Horseshoe and American) from the high teens to low twenties were available to me on the app. I picked a room on the 23rd floor that was closer to the triangle edge on the falls side.

Interesting note, if you happen to get 'stuck' with a Cityview room for your actual stay, the property gives you access to a special Fallsview viewing area to use anytime during your stay.

At check-in, I was told that the "Convenience Fee" (aka resort fee) was waived as a Diamond. I am not sure if this fee is mandatory or not. It doesn't seem to include much except a few bottles of water, a Wego pass and Internet use which is not much of a need as a Honors elite.

I did not get my elite benefit initially for ES (salty/sweet/soda), but later someone did send candy and pretzels to the room. The soda was never provided.

Room

Just wow. I actually think the rooms in mid-level (high teens/low twenties) actually have a better view than way higher floors (where you have to look down at the falls and cannot as easily see them from your bed room at eye level).

During the summer season, I was able to see the 5 minutes firework show and watch the lights until 2am. I can also crank open the window a bit to here the waterfalls (as they never go off...)

The room I got in particular had space for 6 (two queen beds plus a sofa bed). A shower separate from a whirpool tub and three sinks (two outside the bathroom). There was also a microwave and refrigerator.

Just a great room overall that looked to be in decent shape.

Service

So, one of the weak points is the elevator system because there are so many guests who appear to be moving all at the same time.

For breakfast, someone from staff happen to be visting my floor and had us use the service elevator. This seems to be a daily situation to manage the elevator delay issues due to everyone trying to get to the same place at the same time.

Do note that there is no courtesy check-out, the property is ready to charge anyone beyond 11am $25 for an extra two hours. It is just not worth the situation. Make sure you check-out via the television before 11am.

Dining

The main meal I had was the complimentary breakfast. I knew it was going to be crowded, lots of people and lots of craziness. It did not disappoint, but if you go with the flow, you can get your breakfast items easily.

There was a rather long line to even enter the breakfast hall, but Gold and Diamonds are able to skip the line and head straight to the check-in desk.

Usual breakfast with made to order omelets, lots of buffet items and various stations with different items (condiments/beverages/fruit). Pastries were there as well. I still think I saved $50 to $70 CDN on breakfast versus a restaurant visit.

Aside from the breakfast voucher, I also received coupons for the on-site restaurants (Ruth Chris, TGI). The coupons were of significant value, but I did not use any of them.

I've mentioned in the other ES brand standards thread about how this property does a afternoon manager reception and not a evening manager reception. Unfortunately, I missed this early event.

Location

As an elite in various programs, I had choices of MR, SPG and HH properties. I didn't like some of the lounge access rules for families on the Marriott side and Hilton didn't seem that exciting either.

Let's be real, if you stay here and get a Fallsview room, it is probably one of the best located hotels compared to a natural wonder in the region. The views of the falls were just spectacular and a great benefit of staying at this property.

Like others, I did park at the Fallsview Casino (enter the structure on Fallsview). It was a bit more expensive than others reported as my cost was $30 to depart, but you are able to walk easily along the Falls view path to the ES property. The tourist store across the street from the hall seemed to offer $20 overnight parking, but I am not sure on its availability. The valet parking at ES is not a good value I think. I saw many people in a long line to get to the car on a shuttle. Go park at the Casino. DO NOT park on property unless you do not need your car and like to overpay for valet parking.

A number of people have complained about the only easy way to the Falls is via a rather expensive incline. I ended up buying an Adventure Plus Pass that includes unlimited use for two days of the incline. Buy your pass before you arrive and show your ticket to be able to use the incline without charge to get to visitor center on the lower area. You will want to use the incline I think.

At the bottom of the hill, you can use Wego easily to get all of the major sites (all the way to the Butterfly garden and even NoL during peak season via the bus). Most Niagara passes include free Wego access.

Overall

This property gets top marks for view and location. Upgrades appear to be recognized and elites do well as mentioned with the breakfast fast pass and no resort fee charge.

Breakfast is fast and furious, but is a major benefit of cost and savings if you are patient.

This property probably doesn't follow the spirit of ES as it should, but that doesn't seem to impact demand.

I couldn't see having a better stay at any of the other properties in the region if my desire was to enjoy the falls.

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