The Giacomo

The Giacomo is the American side's most characterful place to stay, and our pick for couples who want style over scale on the New York bank. It occupies a restored Art Deco tower in downtown Niagara Falls, built in the late 1920s as an office building in the city's industrial heyday, and the renovation kept the period character: a dramatic lobby, ornate detailing, and individually styled rooms and suites with high ceilings and a classic, slightly European feel. It is a small hotel, which means personal service and a quiet atmosphere a world away from the casino towers. The highlight is the lounge on an upper floor, with views across the rooftops toward the upper rapids, the mist of the falls and the Canadian skyline; it is a lovely place for a drink at sunset or after the illumination. Rooms on the higher floors share some of that outlook. The location is excellent: Niagara Falls State Park, Prospect Point and the brink of the American Falls are a few minutes' walk away, Goat Island and the Cave of the Winds a little further, and the Rainbow Bridge to Canada is close by. Downtown Niagara Falls, New York is quieter and less polished than the Canadian side, with fewer restaurants, so plan dinners ahead or walk to the casino resort nearby. Best for: couples and independent travelers who want a stylish, historic boutique base on the American side, at rates that are usually well below the Canadian falls-view towers. Families who want pools and waterparks will be happier across the river. Rates and amenities change over time in a small hotel, so check current inclusions, parking and lounge hours when booking.

Niagara Falls, New York grew rich on hydroelectric power and the industries it attracted in the early twentieth century, and its downtown was built with confidence in that era, including the Art Deco tower that now houses The Giacomo. As the city declined later in the century, many such buildings fell empty; the hotel's restoration was part of a wider effort to bring life back to the downtown area near the state park, and it remains one of the few boutique options on the American side.

Choosing a room: ask for a higher floor for views toward the rapids and the falls area, and consider a suite for more space, as layouts vary in a converted office tower. The period details are the charm, so do not expect a minimalist modern room. The lounge is the hotel's social heart; check its hours, as they can vary by season. Breakfast arrangements and parking details also vary, so confirm them before arrival.

Base math: walk to Niagara Falls State Park in a few minutes for Prospect Point, then cross to Goat Island for Terrapin Point, the Three Sisters Islands and the Cave of the Winds. In season, the Maid of the Mist leaves from below Prospect Point. Walk across the Rainbow Bridge with the right travel documents to reach Clifton Hill and the Canadian falls. Drive north to Old Fort Niagara and Lewiston for a half-day of history. For full resort amenities on the same side of the river, the Seneca Niagara resort is nearby; for falls views from bed, cross the bridge to Fallsview.