Niagara Falls Reviews - Winter Get-away 2012 - Embassy Suites & Keg Restaurant

Every February for the past 12 years we make the 1-3/4 hour drive to Niagara Falls, Ontario for our anniversary. We have stayed at many different hotels over the years, but for the last five we have always returned to the Embassy Suites Niagara Falls.

All Embassy Suites by Hilton are spacious 2-room suites and you receive two free drinks and light snacks at a managers reception every evening of your stay along with a cooked to order breakfast. As you can see from the above photo, I am standing in the second room which has a couch, another TV & phone, and a table that seats four. We love this as if one of us wakes up early we can just go watch TV in the other room, and it acts as a buffer for hallway noise, but we still hear the other guests doors slamming shut. Why can't hotels make doors that close quietly?

Oh and then there is the King of all King size beds!. Its actually two queen box springs put together, as I even checked out the custom made sheets and spreads to fit this enormous bed. Count the pillows! Yes eight of them.

As you can see from a 2009 photo, my husband is 6'1" and even stretched out sideways he can not reach each end of the bed.

The jacuzzi is a nice size, biggest one of all the hotels we have stayed at, and always clean!

View of the The Tower Hotel from our room in 2010, every year we keep ending up in a higher floor, much to my husbands dislike with his fear of heights. This year we were about even with the top floor of the tower. You might remember this tower as being the Seagrams Tower, or the Minolta tower, and in 2002 it became a hotel, previously operated as a Ramada.

The view from our room on the 31st floor

We have been watching the prices rise over the years, so now more than ever its important to shop for a good deal. The Saturday night at the Embassy cost us $195. and we got a package deal for Sunday for $165. which included $40 to use at the Keg Steakhouse or T.G.I.Friday's located in the hotel, $20 game play at Dave & Busters plus lazar tag, and a $45 manicure at Petti Salon & Spa across the street at the Fallsview Casino. We also received a $25 voucher for IHOP. We read on Tripadvisor that a breakfast for two can cost up to $48 so we didn't use the voucher as we already had a free breakfast included at the Hotel.

T.G.I.Friday's is located in the lobby level of the Embassy Suites, and The Keg Steakhouse Lounge is also on the lobby level with the main Restaurant on the 9th floor overlooking the falls. (the row of windows just above Friday's is the view from the Keg facing the falls)

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar Fallsview is huge and a very busy place, even for weekends in the winter months. I love their prime rib and onion straws, and also their warm bread, but the crowds and noise we don't care for. We enjoy it when its an off night, but even on Sunday night it was packed, and the hostess did not listen to me when I asked for a quiet area. We didn't request a falls view, as we have that all weekend from our room.

The breakfast buffet is also served in the Keg, with cooked to order omlette and egg stations. Again breakfast time is very crowded with long lines. We fill up a tray and take it to our room and have our own falls view in peace and quiet:-)

Oh and did I mention the $30 valet parking fees per night at the Hotel? We don't park here, we park across the street at the Casino as we get free parking there with our casino cards. We are seriously re-thinking our 5 years in a row staying at the Embassy. There is nothing wrong with the hotel, its clean, but just very busy, congested, the elevators are slow and you can not check in until 4pm. Last year it was 5 p.m until our room was ready.

We love the Hilton chain, its our #1 choice.

Niagara Falls hotels we have stayed at over the years:

Honeymoon Hotel (now Travelodge) - Clifton Hill

Michaels Inn - River Road

Best Western Fireside - River Road (converted to River Road Retirement Home)

Days Inn - Centre Street

Howard Johnsons- Victoria Street

Marriott Courtyard - Victoria Street

Marriott Fallsview - Fallsview Boulevard

Embassy Suites - Fallsview Boulevard

Hilton Hotel & Suites - Fallsview Boulevard

Clarion President Hotel (currently Ramada) - Stanley Avenue

DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa by Hilton - Fallsview Boulevard

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DoubleTree Fallsview Resort & Spa

We have nothing but good things to say about the DoubleTree Fallsview Resort and Spa by Hilton Niagara Falls. For the past two years we have stayed there on the Friday night, of our three night stay in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
We love it so much, that next year we are considering staying here the whole time.

The minute you arrive, you pull your car under a fully covered area, shielded from the cold February weather, which makes it very nice to unpack. The reservation staff are very welcoming and knowledgeable, as are all the staff, and with DoubleTree you always receive two warm chocolate chip cookies upon check-in. Being a Hiltons Honor member, we also received two complementary bottle of water.

There was a great view of the American Falls and the Horseshoe falls from our room on the 18th floor. All the rooms in the DoubleTree Face the falls, but only the higher levels can actually see them.

 There is also a good view of Victoria Street and Clifton Hill and even the Seneca Casino on the U.S. side.

  The room is always exceptionally clean and the bed comfy and inviting!

Although not as big as the Jacuzzi's in Embassy Suites, they are still a nice size with a good view and also very, very clean!

The downfall for us going in February is that they have no shuttle service and it can be a cold walk to the Casino or Clifton Hill. They do have an excellent on-site restaurant, Buchanans Chophouse and also the Moose and Squirrel Coffee Pub which is a small lounge serving drinks, light fare and Starbucks coffee.

This photo of Buchanans Chophouse is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The food and service were both outstanding, and the ambiance was quiet and relaxing the way we like it. My husband had the Filet Mignon with garlic mashed potatoes. I wish I would have taken a photo, as there was a sprig of rosemary about 4 inches high abounding from the mashed potatoes. It looked like a tree:-)

I had the grilled tiger shrimp and scallop skewer with fries and the seafood was very fresh and a good size for both the shrimp and scallops. Both dinners came with a perfectly sauteed mixture of green beans, carrots and asparagus, which we both finished all our veggies.

 

This photo of Buchanans Chophouse is courtesy of TripAdvisor

We sat at the round table (left in above photo) which overlooked Stanley Avenue. The best part about the dinner was the service. So many times when I order seafood at certain restaurants, I will be told that they don't have tarter sauce. When I asked our accommodating server, she replied "If we don't have it, I will make it for you!" That gained her a big tip! After all, how hard is it to mix some mayo and relish together. 

She was happy to inform me that they did indeed have tarter sauce and it was very tasty. When I asked for some melted butter for my seafood, she was back with it in a flash. We didn't have to wait for anything! Wonderful!

Click here for Buchanans Dinner Menu
 
There is an indoor 30-lap pool, with splash pool for kids and and indoor whirlpool. Last year I remember them having a special hour for adults only in the pool, which we really like. There is also a Spa on site.

Parking is self-park for $12, which is much cheaper than the usual $20 - $30 most hotels charge, and the nice thing is your car is right there for you when you need it! 

We will surely stay at the DoubleTree Fallsview Resort and Spa on our next anniversary trip, and quite possibly for the full three days. We only wish we could get a two-room smoking suite.

Nik Wallenda is On Top of the World! Approved to cross Niagara Falls.

Nik Wallenda, a seventh generation of the famous Flying Wallenda family, triumphed in his bid to get permission from Canada to cross the mighty Niagara Falls on an 1,800 foot long, 2-inch wide wire rope. You might think this has been done before, but no has over ever crossed over the actual falls. In 1859 the acrobat Charles Blondin crossed the gorge on a tightrope, but his stunt was downstream from the actual waterfalls.

I have been following Niks dream to cross the falls for awhile now and was so happy when he got permission from New York State officials, but he then ran into a road block with the Niagara Parks Commission.

The NPC's reasoning was that safety and their responsibility to preserve and protect the Falls, for all those who wish to view its beauty, was their paramount concern in denying Niks request. They also stated that one of the reasons the Parks Commission was created was to eliminate the carnival-like atmosphere around the falls themselves. Hmm, isn't that a part of the history of Niagara? Thanks to another meeting with Ontario Tourism Minister Michael Chan, Nik got the green light from NPC.

Signorina Maria Spelterini crossing the Niagara Rapids on a tightrope.

Photo courtesy of Library Archives Canada

Now the whole world will be able to relive those bygone days that we could only envision from old black and white photos.

My husband and I visit the falls at least one a year, luckily its only a 1-3/4 hour drive for us. We go every February 25th for our anniversary and this year it will be 12 years. One thing about visiting in February, you get great rates on the hotels, and some years the snow and ice build-up in the gorge is just stunning. And you are always guaranteed to see a rainbow, no matter what time of year!

Back in September of 2005 when visiting the falls, I noticed a high wire and was dissapointed that I had missed seeing Jay Cochranes walk from the Fallsview Casino to the Skylon Tower. Unsure what the wire is in the above photo I took, but after a closer look I can see the incline railway to the right. It could be a leftover support wire. Since I have been a fan of the Wallenda family since the early 60's I am really excited about Niks walk and hope I can get a good room with a view. I can't wait to find out the date! And I'll post it here along with an update to www.facebook.com/DayTrippingOntario

The first time in your life you see the falls in person, you are in awe of its majestic beauty, the sound, the power of nature. I would highly recommend a visit to the IMAX theatre (pyramid shaped building in above photo) to see the movie, Niagara Legends and Daredevils. It will give you a better understanding of the history of Niagara Falls. I saw the movie many years ago, and am planning to see it again this upcoming weekend.

Another Niagara icon is Marilyn Monroe. The Club Rialto is a charming place with Marilyn memorabilia and at one time it had a center dance floor surrounded by a moat, which you crossed over little bridges to get to the dance floor. I think its still there, but without any water:-( The Club Rialto is attached to the rear of Caso d'Oro Dining Lounge on Victoria Avenue, which is one of my recommended places to have dinner.

If you have never been to Niagara Falls, you are missing out on one the worlds greatest wonders. Its wonderful for romance and also a great family vacation. I never saw the falls until my adult years, and even though my Mother & Father and two brothers all have visited the falls, we never saw it together as a family, but all did experience it on our own at different times in our lives. So make it a point this year, 2012 to visit the falls and be a part of a chapter of Niagara Falls History.

Nik Wallenda on top of the ferris Wheel at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

I can see it now, Nik how about a promo leading up to your main event, on the Niagara Falls Skywheel?

Watch for updates, as I will have recommendations with reviews on where to stay, where to eat, and important announcements of Nik's walk across the falls. Hmm, I wonder if he will have to stop at customs on his way across:-) The world will be watching!!

Picton Harbour Inn - Picton, Ontario

In 2011 I have stayed at the Picton Harbour Inn, numerous times for business. Located in the heart of Picton, Ontario in Prince Edward County, the Picton Harbour Inn has a great view of the Picton Harbour and wonderful county style breakfasts.

The above photo shows the back of the Picton Harbour Inn facing the Picton Harbour. There are three levels, and a fourth wing show on the right. All levels are ground level, except for the third level. When you approach the Inn from Bridge Street, the second level you see above is actually the ground floor in the front parking area.

The relaxing view of Picton Harbour from the third floor balcony, where you can watch and hear the huge fish jumping and splashing about, the great blue herons and ospreys soaring through the skies.

Picnic tables and BBQ's are available for a waterside shore dinner or picnic.

The best part about staying at the Picton Harbour Inn is the Lighthouse Restaurant, open only for breakfast and lunch. Its a favorite of the locals, and sometimes its so busy you might get turned away, or have a long wait for a table.

The hash browned potatoes are prepared with mushrooms and peppers and onions, and the farmers sausage is a popular choice of frequent visitors.

The two above breakfast photos are courtesy of sakeandcheese.blogspot.com

The Lighthouse restaurant at Picton Harbour Inn

Picton Harbour Inn

33 Bridge Street

Picton, Ontario

Local: 613-476-2186

Toll Free: 800-678-7906

For directions or e-mail, click here.

Off The Hook Seafood Emporium - Whitby Ontario

A friend and I were recently discussing that there are very few dining options, other than Red Lobster, for seafood only restaurants in the Whitby/Oshawa area. This past December we noticed an advertisment in our local newspaper for Off The Hook Seafood Emporium opening in Whitby with a 25% off coupon. We were thrilled, and decided to try it out before the coupon expired.

I checked out the reviews and most were good, except for a few complaints about service, but that is understandable with a new restaurant. We had no complaints about the service, it was excellent.

We arrived just after noon time, and were the first customers of the day. The commodious dining area was amply decorated in a fitting nautical theme.

If your a shellfish lover, they have an extensive selection of clams, mussels and oysters.
I wasn't daring enough to try a Vodka Oyster shot.

I started off with pan seared Nova Scotia scallops paired with a bacon and jalapeno cream sauce. They were excellent. I usually order Digby Scallops when I visit Barootes in Toronto, and I must say Off The Hook has them beat! I am craving them again looking at the below photo.

Off The Hooks menu is extensive for the fresh seafood lover, but I can be picky when I dine out. I only like shrimp, scallops, lobster, halibut and clams if they are fried or battered. And fried is the way I prefer most of my seafood. That left me with zero choices when it came to battered, except for the haddock but I'm a halibut lover.

I chose my favorite seafood for my lunch entree, Canadian lobster tail, which was only $13.99 minus my 25% off coupon. It was a nice size tail and came easily out of the shell. I did find it a bit overcooked, as it was so chewy, almost to the point that I couldn't chew it, but very tasty indeed. I had to ask for a steak knife to cut it. It came with steamed fresh vegetables and I chose a baked potato. Next time I will try the fresh cut fries, and I will give the lobster tail another try.

A cozy sitting area in front of a fireplace (above photo) was an inviting spot to have a few drinks before dinner or waiting for a dinner date. We entered through the doors to the left of the fireplace, and although it was a seasonably warm day, I did notice a draft. Perhaps on bitter cold days, they might close this door and use the other entrance further down to the right near the reservation desk.

Off The Hook, is located at 1600 Champlain Avenue, at the corner of Champlain and Thickson, just off the 401, in the plaza where Don Cherrys was formerly located.

Hilton Toronto -How to get a Great Deal!

Every January since 2002 we have been attending the Toronto International Boat show. This helps us through the long winters when we are only dreaming of being back on the water.

Circraft was a cool little round boat/jet ski. Something new this year.

The Sheraton and Westin in Toronto would offer special boat show rates, so in 2004 we decided to take advantage of the $69. rates. It has become an annual tradition for us. The boat show special is now up to $99. a night and you have to make your reservation by mid-December. For a few years we stayed at the Westin or Sheraton, and even the Mariott, but now our hotel of choice is the Toronto Hilton.

Duma the Water-skiing dog is a big hit at the Boat Shows Indoor Lake.

The Hilton does not offer a special boat show rate, but with early reservations and my Hilton Honors points, I booked a weekend for only $57. a night. Can't beat that! If I had waited until the week prior to my arrival to book a room, that room would have cost me $289. per night.

The view from our room on the 25th floor. The little building on the left is the US Consulate.

This was the second year we have stayed at the Hilton and we love it. We live 30 miles east of Toronto, but to avoid parking and traffic we take the GO train into the city. The Toronto Hilton is easily accessible from Union Station in Toronto by the underground PATH system, the worlds largest underground shopping complex, so you don't have to go outside to access most of downtown Toronto.

The King bed was very comfortable. But room service could have done a better job of making the bed.

Nice sitting table/desk. Electric outlets where the lamp attaches to the table.

A full walk in shower, with hand held massager and a rain shower-head. Great water pressure too. The photo does not do it justice, the shower stall is the full length of the bathroom. The only problem, and we had this last year in a different room, was that the door does not close properly and you get a room flood:-) Oh and the best part is the soap. It was a full size bar, with massager nubs on it. But use it for a few showers and the nubs are gone.

The sink was really different looking also. But the same as last years room, we had to pull the drain plug out, as it wouldn't stay open.

Friends of ours stayed across from us at the Sheraton (pictured above). We didn't know what room they were in, or even if they were facing us. So we texted them Friday night and we both agreed to flash our lights off and on, and low and behold, they were in a left corner room 15 floors from the top.

You can see Nathan Phillips Square with Toronto's futuristic looking City Hall, behind the Sheraton. And there is a nice ice skating rink, that is missing from the photo.

The lounge chaise in the room is really cool and comfy.

There is a really neat air purifier in the room.

Ruths Chris steakhouse is located on the lower level of the Toronto Hilton. We ate there last year and had an enjoyable meal. A bit pricey, but you don't mind paying when the food is good!

Looking forward to next year. We love the Toronto Hilton!