Distance from Buffalo/Niagara Intl. Airport: 27 miles ($55 Taxi Ride)
Length of stay: 4 Nights
Average nightly rate: $100 USD/Night
These past 2 weeks have been a breath of fresh air. I decided to cross the Canada border and experience Niagara from the USA side. I must say they are 2 completely different trips, the Canada side is full of life and attractions and the USA side is calm and lonely but will take you on a more intimate adventure. As much as I love eating and talking about food I wasn't able to find any good food in Buffalo. This post will concentrate more on Niagara falls and the surrounding attractions
The Flight
Since the most recent merger with US Airways and American Airlines I have started to see a huge change in service and quality of planes. American is really doing a great job upgrading their planes and providing a better in flight service. American Airlines is now officially the largest airline in the world. I am currently close to my goal of reaching the highest level of Elite Status with AA which is Executive Platinum. In order to reach this an individual must fly 120 flights in a one year period. I currently hold Platinum status and have 115 flights this year, only 5 more flights! Once i reach my goal I will basically fly first class to all my destinations for free next year on top of other elite benefits.
I've been getting lucky lately with the lay down seats, the first class seats on these Boeing 757's allow you to recline almost all the way. It makes flying a pleasure when I can sleep comfortably and enjoy a nice breakfast in the morning before reaching my destination.
The Hotel
Sheraton is part of the SPG alliance, I don't have much status with them but I got treated like a king at this hotel. As I always stress in my post, If you don't ask you don't get! When I checked in I politely asked the front desk agent if the executive lounge was included in my reservation. I might have told her a little lie and said that they usually accommodate me on the top floor and give me access. She took a look at my reservation and said "sure I think we can take care of that for you". On top of giving me a room on the top floor and access to the lounge she gave me 2 drink coupons for the hotel bar, as well as some casino match play coupons for the Seneca Casino across the street.
Most people that travel don't even realize what an executive lounge exist, so why do I love them so much? They serve free breakfast every morning, it's good breakfast too not muffins and bagels. They also have a reception at night usually lasting 3 hours with hot appetizers and free beer and wine. Throughout a 4 night stay this can save you around $200 considering breakfast for one person at a hotel restaurant can cost $20-$30 and a drink is usually $8-$10.
(Executive Lounge Night Reception)
(Canadian Beer! :))
SPG is probably the biggest chain of hotels that I've seen that stresses green living. They actually compensate you if you help them in their efforts, If you turn down housekeeping they will give you a $5 restaurant voucher or 500 SPG points just for saving them the use of cleaning towels, sheets and the housekeeping time.
They are also one of the few hotels that restock free water in your room every day, most hotels will charge you $5 a bottle. Its not a big deal but the nice gesture makes a difference.
The Experience
I was really exited to be so close to the falls, I just kept replaying the memories from my childhood in my head of being right in front of the falls as the water drops. Being in Canada the week prior was nice but ehhhh. When you see the falls from the Canada side it just looks like a big painting, it is very difficult to note any detail or really understand what is happening. Me and my girlfriend left the hotel an started running around like little kids trying to get to the falls. It was extremely cold out and the wind was so strong I couldn't feel my face or my ears. I was shocked at how empty this town is, It was a complete ghost town. I guess Canada steals all the tourism away since they actually have stuff to do on that side. After 8pm on the USA side it was hard to even find a restaurant open to eat a meal. Regardless of this I was exited because the park is open 24 hours. Last time I was at Niagara as a kid I got to see a glimpse and I wasn't able to cross over to Goat Island which ended up having the nicest view.
(Walking into Niagara Falls State Park)
The color of the trees and the leaves all over the floor just made the experience that much nicer. After walking about 4 blocks from the hotel we finally made it to the exact spot where I came as a kid.
We decided to come see the Falls every night of our stay. We would cross over to Goat Island and stand in the spot right over the falls. Standing there for almost 30 minutes every night I was able to completely absorb my surroundings.
Maybe I'm crazy and I spent to much time observing the water but I feel like the falls taught me a lesson. When you are at the top all you can see is the loud aggressive water flowing down the current. The water and whatever is flowing with the water has no idea what is about to come, it is a plunge that could potentially finish it. Once the water falls and lands in the Niagara river it is calm as can be, it is mind blowing that it can go from this crazy current and fall to flat calm water. This water is now on a new path, This transitions into our lives and how sometimes we are suddenly faced with obstacles and problems that put us down when we least see them coming. Little do we know that after we over come that fall we are on a new path, maybe with a new purpose or a new goal. When we fall we are given the chance to learn and to grow and to hopefully see something we didn't see before. It's Important to have faith, whatever we are faced with we are capable of handling. If you are traveling to Niagara Falls or have questions about travel in general feel free to message me through Google Circles.
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