The Argos Inn is the sort of hotel that makes a city feel like a destination. It occupies a historic building in downtown Ithaca, within walking distance of the pedestrian Commons, the Ithaca Farmers Market area and a fine run of independent restaurants, and it pairs old brick and wood with a modern, design-led interior. It is popular with couples, parents visiting Cornell, wine travelers and anyone who wants a stay with personality. A stay here makes Ithaca's waterfalls, gardens and lakes easy to reach, and the evenings are often as lively as the days.
Guest rooms are individually styled, with comfortable beds, good lighting and a mix of historic details and contemporary furnishings. Some rooms look onto the courtyard or the street, and a few suites provide extra space, so it pays to request your preferred type. The restaurant and bar are major attractions, serving seasonal, locally sourced food and craft cocktails that often draw residents as well as guests.
Because the inn is boutique-sized, service is personal, and the staff can give excellent advice on gorges, wineries and shows. Confirm current offerings, since boutique hotels adjust menus and hours seasonally.
The location is a gift for exploration without a car. In the morning you can walk to coffee, to Cayuga Lake's southern shore or to the Cornell campus by local transit, and in the evening you can walk back from dinner or live music. Buttermilk Falls and Robert H. Treman are a short drive, Taughannock Falls is about twenty minutes, and Watkins Glen lies about an hour away. The Cornell Botanic Gardens are also close by, and Corning is roughly an hour.
Fit and trade-offs
It is a hotel with character, and with that comes some compromises. Rooms can be compact, noise from downtown may be audible on weekends and parking arrangements need checking in advance. Graduation, parents weekends and the autumn season push rates and minimum stays, so book early. Compared with the Statler, the Argos Inn feels more independent and intimate, while the Statler offers a larger, more traditional hotel experience on campus. For couples and food-focused travelers, the Argos is one of the best choices in the region.
Book as far ahead as you can for university weekends and fall color, and ask about parking, which can be limited downtown. If you are a light sleeper, request a room away from the street. Reserve a table at the restaurant when you book your stay, since popular times fill. Pack comfortable shoes for the cobbled and sloping streets, and plan a morning walk to the Commons for coffee before you set out for the falls.
Why stay here
- ✓Downtown Ithaca location
- ✓On-site restaurant and bar
- ✓Boutique, individually styled rooms
- ✓Walk to the Commons and restaurants
- ✓Courtyard setting
- ✓Short drive to Buttermilk Falls
- ✓About twenty minutes to Taughannock Falls
- ✓Personal, local service
Good questions
Is the Argos Inn walkable to downtown?+
Yes. It is in downtown Ithaca near the Commons and restaurants.
Is there parking?+
Check parking arrangements when you book, since downtown properties vary.
How far are the waterfalls?+
Buttermilk Falls is a short drive and Taughannock Falls is about twenty minutes away.