The Statler Hotel is both a hotel and a classroom. It sits on the Cornell University campus and serves as a teaching property for the university's hospitality program, which gives it a particular energy: service is polished, standards are high and students are part of the team. Visitors here can walk to campus attractions such as the Johnson Museum of Art and the Cornell Botanic Gardens, and downtown Ithaca is a short ride away. It is a natural choice for parents of students, conference guests and travelers who want a full-service hotel with a distinct sense of place.
Rooms and suites are comfortable and traditional, with quality bedding, desks and good bathrooms, and many offer views over campus or the surrounding hills. The property typically includes a restaurant, a casual dining option and meeting facilities, and the service culture reflects its teaching role. Because the hotel hosts conferences and university events, it can be busy during graduation, reunion and move-in periods, and rates reflect demand. Check the current list of amenities and dining options at booking, since offerings can change with the academic calendar.
The location lets you structure a campus-centered visit. Walk to the gardens, to the art museum with its lake views and to the gorge bridges that make Cornell famous. Downtown Ithaca and the Commons are a short drive, and Buttermilk Falls and Taughannock Falls are within twenty minutes. Visitors can also visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology nearby, and Watkins Glen lies about an hour away. Corning, with its glass museum, is also around an hour by car.
Fit and trade-offs
It is a larger, more formal hotel than the Argos Inn, and you will find more services but less intimacy. Expect higher prices and tighter availability during university events. It suits families visiting students, business travelers and anyone who values full service. If you want a cozy downtown boutique, choose the Argos; if you want a campus base with strong amenities, choose the Statler. Book far ahead for graduation weekend, football weekends and fall color season.
Check the university calendar before choosing dates, since commencement, reunions and large conferences affect availability and prices. Ask for a room with a campus view, and find out which dining options are open during your stay. Parking and shuttle details are worth confirming in advance. The hotel is well placed for walking, so leave the car for the falls and explore the gardens and the Johnson Museum on foot. Ask about packages tied to campus events, which sometimes include breakfast or parking.
Why stay here
- ✓On the Cornell campus
- ✓Teaching hotel with polished service
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Conference and meeting space
- ✓Walk to the Botanic Gardens and Johnson Museum
- ✓Short drive to downtown Ithaca
- ✓Within twenty minutes of two big waterfalls
- ✓Full-service hotel amenities
Good questions
Is it on the Cornell campus?+
Yes, the hotel is on campus and operates as a teaching property.
Can I walk to the gardens?+
Yes, the Botanic Gardens and campus museums are within reach on foot or a short ride.
When does it get busy?+
Graduation, move-in, reunion weekends and fall color season, so book early.