I was going to use this site for resort reviews only, but I feel that the current situation at this hotel should be shared on as many platforms as I can, so here it is.
There's two sides to my review - I kind of feel bad for giving a hotel I very much like a bad rating, however I feel that I have no other choice given their lack of transparency about their current situation.
I have been going to this hotel for *years* - literally started staying here while in Niagara Falls with my *first* ex-husband - that was over 20 years ago.
This hotel is beautiful, with a gorgeous Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired lobby (usually...........). They have a wonderful spa just off the lobby with exceptional staff, and most reception employees are very nice.
Super easy to get stuff sent to the room (extra towels, toiletries, coffee, etc) - they respond very quickly to messages in the app.
Their beds are 100% the most comfortable beds I have ever experienced in a hotel anywhere. Although this isn't a true "fallsview" hotel (like the Marriott or Embassy Suites, for example), the view of the American falls and of the nightly fireworks is amazing.
Their prices for on-site parking have gone up, but are still very competitive for the area (we checked).
So overall, this is a great place to stay when in Niagara Falls, right? Which is why we always come here. I've stayed here about 15 times with my Boyfriend since 2020.
But here is the issue we encountered this time around.
Upon check-in we noticed a very different atmosphere in the lobby. A large desk had been installed in a corner by the lobby with several - I'm talking 6 or 7 - security guards at that table, and a couple other stationed at different other spots in the lobby. A large white board propped by the stairs that lead to the pool/gym, with a "transport schedule" on it. The hotel's steakhouse restaurant, Buchanan's, was closed for an "event". Curious, we asked the front desk employee what was going on - why the many security guards? She told us that a large group was staying at the hotel """for an event""" and that they had brought in their own security.
Now even more curious. We could tell the "large group" were Indigenous people and Boyfriend being part Native, we started trying to figure out what the "event" could be. Couldn't find anything anywhere online. We were a bit worried because they were rowdy... a couple of men were actually sitting, obviously drunk or high, in the parking lot, and special-needs looking children were running around wild in the lobby.
Long story... not short... we finally found out, from some hotel staff, what is going on. This large group isn't staying at the hotel for an event at all - thanks Doubletree for lying to us. They are a group from an indigenous town or village in Thunder Bay that had to be relocated because of a contaminated water situation. They have been staying in Niagara Falls SINCE LAST FEBRUARY. The government is paying the bill for their stay - obviously the hotel management must love this, because they are making lots of money and filling the hotel rooms during what is usually the low season.
Buchanan restaurant is being used as some sort of "cafeteria" for them - that's why it's closed.
These guests of the government are given Wal Mart gift cards daily for their needs - food, etc (hence the bus schedule on a board, it takes them shopping every day) - and we were told that many of them sell or trade these gift cards in town to buy alcohol and drugs.
Overall, were we *personally* really inconvenienced by these long term guests? Not really. They apparently have been given their own (lower) floors and we were staying on the 17th floor. All we truly witnessed was: drunk/high people in the parking lot and lobby, and rowdy kids/teens in the lobby. Dirty elevators, which never used to happen in this hotel. But the whole hotel atmosphere was different.
My problem is, the lack of transparency from the hotel about this situation. I feel they should advise people prior to booking, and absolutely if I had known, I would NOT have stayed here unless a special rate or discount was given to make it up to "regular" guests. We paid $300+ per night, plus taxes & parking, to stay here - at that cost, I'm not putting up with an unsafe environment.
Staff told us they aren't sure when the "government's guests" will be leaving. If you are considering staying at this hotel in the near future, I would strongly advise contacting the hotel and asking some questions beforehand. If they aren't forthcoming, contact the spa
