Where to Stay in Niagara on the Lake (Accommodation Guide)

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Looking for Great Niagara on the Lake Accommodations? Here Are Our Tips!

Searching for the best places to stay in Niagara on the Lake? You are not alone! A visit to NOTL is one of the best things to do in Ontario because it’s one of Ontario’s most popular wine regions. There are so many hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other accommodations in Niagara on the Lake all across the wine region. Luckily, we’ve travelled to Niagara on the Lake numerous times and are familiar with the area and the historic town of NOTL itself!

There’s a good chance you are looking for the best hotels in Niagara on the Lake. You might even be looking into the actual town of Niagara-on-the-Lake close to Lake Ontario! From the classic Niagara on the Lake hotels downtown like the Prince of Wales Hotel to the best Niagara on the Lake hotels with spas like the 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa – our guide will help you find an accommodation that is right for you!

We’ll dive into the best Niagara on the Lake accommodations by style, budget, and amenities and then outline a few of the best areas to stay in Niagara on the Lake with top accommodation examples in each. This way, you’ll find a NOTL accommodation whether you’re travelling as a couple on a romantic getaway, with friends, or as a family with kids!

If you are planning a trip to Niagara on the Lake and/or Niagara Falls, also check out these other posts!

**Friendly Disclosure: We paid for the accommodations we stayed at ourselves and were not told to include them in this article.

Where To Stay In Niagara on the Lake – Accommodation Types

Before we dive in, a quick note about the Niagara on the Lake region. Tucked away between Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls, it makes for an easy day trip from Toronto if you have a car. The region is famously packed with popular wineries, history, shoreline, and spa hotels (to enjoy in all seasons). So, this beautiful part of Canada also makes for a nice weekend getaway in Ontario!

NOTL Clarification: Niagara on the Lake (without the dashes) usually refers to the whole larger wine region. Niagara-on-the-Lake (with the dashes between words) is the historic small town located within that region at the northern tip.

The town is the main “downtown” area in the region that people might be familiar with visiting and using as a base to explore wineries that are out in the larger, surrounding region.

There is a wide variety of mainly hotels, B&Bs, and inns – with a few holiday homes and resorts you can stay at in Niagara on the Lake. Because the region is so popular (especially in the summer months), it’s a good idea to book as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment.

Let’s first dive into the accommodation options in Niagara on the Lake by type. This way, if you know the type of accommodation you’re looking for, you can narrow down your search right now. You can also browse the bottom section of this post to learn more about the areas to stay in if you need more information.

This is also a good time to mention that you should stay open-minded about what “type” of accommodation a property is listed as. Some hotels seem like inns, some inns are actually bed and breakfasts, holiday homes can be cottages, etc. Just focus on what the accommodation offers you – if it fulfils your needs, you can’t go wrong.

Popular Niagara on the Lake Accommodations By Type

Hotel Top Pick: Prince of Wales Hotel – A Historic Hotel in Downtown NOTL

Bed and Breakfast Top Pick: Historic Wilson-Guy House – A Cozy and Historic B&B

Inn Top Pick: Riverbend Inn & Vineyard – An Upscale, Elegant Inn with Vineyard

Apartment Top Pick: Staybridge Suites – Niagara-On-The-Lake – A Suite-style Aparthotel

Cottage/Holiday Home Top Pick: Simcoe Estate – A Bright, Private Holiday Home

Resort Top Pick: White Oaks Conference & Resort Spa – A Modern and Upscale Resort Hotel

Hotels In Niagara on the Lake

wooden hotel and inn with white windows and blue door niagara on the lake accommodations
Harbour House Hotel is one such great hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake!

Niagara on the lake hotels (or NOTL hotels, as they are often called), are a very popular accommodation option. Niagara on the Lake has plenty of great hotels – with a mix of boutique, non-chain hotels downtown, and some chain hotels (but very popular, well-rated ones) located in the south end of the region.

The best hotels in Niagara on the Lake offer a mix of amenities. Some have amazing onsite restaurants while other hotels come with pools, parking, and more. As a romantic getaway in Ontario, there are also a number of Niagara on the Lake spa hotels some of which you can find below.

⇒ Check here for hotels in Niagara on the Lake

If you’re looking for a Niagara on the Lake hotel, we’ve divided up the hotels by type so you can see the ones that might align with your style/needs and budget!

Popular Hotels in Niagara on the Lake

old hotel on street corner with red brick and gardens in niagara on the lake
The one, the only – The Prince of Wales Hotel in downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake.

While there are a number of great hotels across Niagara on the Lake, there are a few that stand out as a top choice for those exploring the region. As we’ve already said, there are many nice spa hotels in Niagara on the Lake (many are located in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake).

If you are travelling to Niagara on the Lake on a budget, you’ll find a number of cheaper hotels that make for a great base to explore the wineries from.

Whatever the reason you travel to Niagara on the Lake, there is a hotel for you! Consider these top hotels in Niagara on the Lake:

Boutique Hotels in Niagara on the Lake

red brick gate to large hotel with white column entrance behind at queens landing
Queen’s Landing is an accommodation with water views and more!

While it’s true that the region is dominated by cozy bed and breakfasts and simple hotels, there are a number of Niagara on the Lake boutique hotels that you can stay in. Boutique hotels usually offer a more upscale stay and are synonymous with some of the more luxury hotels in Niagara on the Lake (mainly downtown).

Some of these boutique hotels are bright and trendy while others lean on their historic roots in their design. Generally, these hotels are known for their amenities, location, service, dining, attention to detail, etc.

If you’re looking for a boutique hotel in Niagara on the Lake, check out some of these lovely places to stay:

Bed and Breakfasts in Niagara on the Lake

If you are looking for a cozy stay in a smaller home with a lovely host and a nice breakfast in the morning, a B&B in Niagara on the Lake is likely for you. It is easy to find a Niagara on the Lake bed and breakfast since the region is absolutely covered with them.

It’s hard to define the best bed and breakfast in Niagara on the Lake since there are just so many and they are all different. Some NOTL B&Bs are in the town itself and many others are scattered among the vineyards and fields for maximum tranquility. Some highlight the history of the house while most have pleasant hosts that cook you a nice breakfast.

We’ve stayed at a few bed and breakfasts in Ontario in our time travelling and we honestly love the cozy aspect. If you don’t require some of the extra bells and whistles like spas and bars, then go with a B&B in wine country!

⇒ Check here for Bed and Breakfasts in Niagara on the Lake

Below, we’ve included just a few of the top-rated B&Bs to give you an overview of some amazing bed and breakfasts in the region:

Inns in Niagara on the Lake

green sign for hotel inn with gardens on property niagara on the lake pillar and post
Eric stayed here at Pillar and Post Inn & Spa and it was fabulous.

Another great Niagara on the Lake accommodation choice is an inn. Given that the area is such a historic region, there is no shortage of historic and charming inns to choose from. Like, picture a quaint country inn in your mind. There’s a strong chance that what you are imagining exists in Niagara on the Lake.

To make sense of inns, know that Niagara on the Lake inns are generally smaller and cozier than the larger hotels. That said, they usually offer similar amenities – like dining – while upholding a high quality of stay. Another way to think about it is that inns differ slightly from what full-blown hotels offer yet they are larger than the bed and breakfasts we mentioned above.

Eric stayed at the Pillar and Post Inn & Spa once when he visited Niagara on the Lake for a friend’s wedding. It’s one of the more popular inns/hotels in the region and it did not disappoint! As we also mentioned above, some accommodations in Niagara on the Lake interchange the words inn and hotel.

To be fair, they are often similar but for this section we tried to highlight classic examples of inns in Niagara on the Lake. Below we’ve included a few inn properties to give you an overview of some of the best inns in the region:

Apartments/Airbnbs in Niagara on the Lake

Although hotels and bed and breakfasts tend to make up a majority of the accommodations in Niagara on the Lake, you can also find a number of apartments, aparthotels, or suite-style hotels (as well as Airbnbs). Apartments or suites with kitchenettes/full kitchens make for a nice base to call home as you explore the wine region for a few days.

There are a few apartments for rent in Niagara-on-the-Lake but there are also aparthotels (hotels with a reception but your room is an whole apartment) closer to the QEW highway. These are often a good accommodation option for families or for larger groups that want to stay together and/or save money by cooking a meal or two.

You can check here for great apartments/suites in Niagara on the Lake. Listed below are a few lovely apartments or suites in great locations:

Again, you might also look into the option of an Airbnb. If this is you, you can find a number of properties (unsurprisingly) located close to downtown NOTL but also scattered around the region.

Cottage/Holiday Home Rentals in Niagara on the Lake

Often also referred to as “vacation homes”, “holiday homes” or “cottages”, these accommodations are generally smaller, whole-house rentals that you can rent for longer periods at a time. Some of the top properties are very close to the water in Niagara on the Lake with waterfront views.

We walked along Delater Street towards Queen’s Royal Park and passed no less than seven rental properties in quiet, tranquil locations near the water. The nice thing about these holiday rentals was that they were still quite close to the main street in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In any case, all of these rentals are in a great location so it’ll come down to the smaller details.

These properties are great for larger groups and/or people wanting to stay a little bit longer in the region – like for a week in the summer season. Be sure to book well in advance if you know you are looking for a cottage or holiday home.

You can check here for rentals in Niagara on the Lake and you may also look on Airbnb for available properties. Specifically, check out these top rentals that make a great holiday home in the Niagara on the Lake!

  • Simcoe Estate – A bright, private holiday home nestles between downtown NOTL and the waterfront (Our Pick)
  • The Swayze Cottage – A cozy and historic home right in downtown NOTL
  • The Read House – A English-style home surrounded by greenery a short walk from downtown NOTL

Resorts in Niagara on the Lake

Lastly, you might be searching for a resort in Niagara on the Lake. Even though Lake Ontario and the Niagara River are so close, Niagara on the Lake resorts are harder to come by. This is for the simple reason that – generally speaking – the region caters more to those looking for a weekend getaway with in a spa hotel rather than, say, a family with kids or those looking for a cottage by the water.

That said, there are a handful of resorts in Niagara on the Lake and a few more near Niagara Falls (located just south of the region a short drive away). You actually can find a Niagara on the Lake spa resort or two, but there aren’t as many to choose from. Resorts in the region do often have amenities like a pool, spa, fitness centre, restaurants, barbecues, fire pits, etc.

Check out a few different styles of resorts in Niagara on the Lake or very nearby:

Where To Stay In Niagara on the Lake – By Town/Area

Now that we have gone over the accommodations by type, it’s time to go over the best places to stay in Niagara on the Lake. To be honest, a vast majority of the accommodations are clustered in or around the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

However, you will find a few other accommodations in among the green, rural vineyards, in smaller towns/communities like Virgil or Queenston, and closer to the QEW (a highway that runs between Toronto-Niagara Falls). These are also great places to stay and you’ll see why below.

For this section, we will start by telling you about the area: where it is, what’s close by to see and do, and what kind of traveller it might be a nice fit for. Then, we’ll highlight a bunch of great accommodation choices for you.

If you’re saying “forget reading, I’m ready to book” and you aren’t too picky about type, budget, or location, then you can always get searching right now. Have a look at our top accommodation picks in each of the areas listed below in this post!

Top Pick By Niagara on the Lake Area

Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake – Great for Sights/Waterfront. Top Pick: Historic Wilson-Guy House

Close to Niagara-on-the-Lake (Town) – Great for Value/Location. Top Pick: Pillar and Post Inn & Spa

Queenston, Niagara River, Virgil – Great for a Quaint Getaways. Top Pick: South Landing Inn and The Kent

Near Highway QEW – Great for Budget/Shopping. Top Pick: Staybridge Suites – Niagara-On-The-Lake

Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake – For Sights/Waterfront

old town hall with brick cenotaph and cars on the street niagara on the lake downtown
Downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake is a popular, charming places to stay!

Located at the northeastern tip of the whole region at the mouth of the Niagara River, the actual town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is a very popular place to stay. This historic old town is easily one of the prettiest small towns in Ontario (and all of Canada). With colourful flowers in summer and the Ice Wine Festival in winter, there is a real draw to staying here.

The main street that runs through town – Queen Street – is where you find the best shopping, food, drinks, ice cream at Cows, and more. Close by, there are historic attractions like Fort George and the waterfront at Lake Ontario makes for a nice little wander, too. We wrote a whole post on things to do in Niagara on the Lake and many of the things were located right in town.

It’s true that downtown NOTL is where you can find some of the best Niagara on the lake hotels. As a trend, accommodations closer to the old town centre are generally more expensive but this isn’t always true and you can still find a deal on Niagara-on-the-Lake downtown hotels.

As far as locations go, you’re right in the heart of the action but often farther from the wineries which are scattered around the rural areas so keep that in mind. Even if you have a car, it may be worth looking into whether accommodations here offer shuttles to specific wineries leaving from the properties – then you don’t have to worry about driving!

Below you’ll find some great accommodations right in the heart of the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Prince of Wales Hotel – Check Now

  • Style: A Historic and Charming Hotel
  • Price Range: Upper Range
  • Location: At the corner of King Street and Queen/Picton Street right in the heart of the historic town
  • Amenities: Onsite restaurant & lounge, indoor pool, spa, free onsite parking

Harbour House Hotel – Check Now

  • Style: A Charming and Cozy Hotel/Inn
  • Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
  • Location: Overlooking the marina, a short walk to “downtown” Queen Street
  • Amenities: Free shuttle to town, cozy rooms, free onsite parking, and a daily wine and cheese afternoon reception

Historic Wilson-Guy House – Check Now

  • Style: A Cozy, Historic Bed and Breakfast
  • Price Range: Mid-Range
  • Location: Nestled in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake, steps from Queen Street and Lake Ontario
  • Amenities: Nice breakfast, excellent hosts, outdoor terrace/patio, free parking onsite

124 on Queen Hotel & Spa – Check Now

  • Style: A Chic, Upscale Hotel with Spa
  • Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
  • Location: Right off of Queen Street in the heart of downtown NOTL – everything close by
  • Featured Amenities: Excellent spa facilities and dining, free parking, Starbucks onsite

Old Ivy Walk – Check Now

  • Style: A Historic, Classic Bed and Breakfast
  • Price Range: Mid-Range
  • Location: Right downtown nestled between Queen’s Royal Park (lakefront) and downtown Queen Street
  • Amenities: Friendly hosts, amazing breakfast, private bath in each room, free parking onsite

Close to Niagara-on-the-Lake (Town)- For Value/Location

For those of you looking for a place to stay in Niagara on the Lake that isn’t right on the centre of the old downtown, there are lots of accommodations very close by. The surrounding residential neighbourhoods are very green with trees and historic homes. Many of these homes are bed and breakfasts you can stay at.

This area – defined as not being right in the heart of town – is generally quieter and more tranquil. However, depending on where you book, you could still walk to Queen Street for dinner or some shopping. The farther from town you get, the more rural it becomes and you begin to see more country inns and wineries.

Technically speaking, Eric stayed in this area at Pillar and Post and it was definitely lovely, green, and quieter for sleeping. You can even walk or bike to the closest wineries if you are keen – like Peller Estates or Two Sisters Vineyards.

Below you’ll find some great accommodations in the area surrounding downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake. There are plenty of options here so we wanted to give it its own area. You are still close to the top things to see and do but will have an easier place to park, more relaxed vibes, and a little more nature.

Pillar and Post Inn & Spa – Check Now

  • Style: An Upscale, Classic Inn/Hotel
  • Price Range: Upper Mid-Range
  • Location: A more residential, quiet end of town – still easily walkable to the main hub of Queen Street
  • Amenities: Indoor + outdoor pools, spa/hot springs, easy parking, restaurants and bar

Riverbend Inn & Vineyard – Check Now

  • Style: A Charming and Elegant Inn/Hotel
  • Price Range: Upper Range
  • Location: To the east of the Main Street, near Fort George and the bus depot for free shuttles into “downtown”
  • Amenities: Free parking, private lush vineyard grounds, dining/bar onsite, good breakfast

Finlay House Bed and Breakfast – Check Now

  • Style: A Cute and Cozy B&B
  • Price Range: Mid-Range
  • Location: In a quiet area near a green park, steps from downtown shops
  • Featured Amenities: Nice breakfast included, free parking available

Vineyard Villa – Check Now

  • Style: A Cozy yet Trendy Bed and Breakfast
  • Price Range: Mid-Range
  • Location: A short bike/drive from downtown NOTL with vineyards all around – you can walk to wineries
  • Featured Amenities: Good breakfast, green, natural grounds, lovely hosts

Queenston, Niagara River, Virgil – For Quaint Getaways

Beyond the actual old town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the area just surrounding it, the region is mainly home to amazing wineries and the fields for the fruit and wine grapes. That said, there are a few other places to stay scattered around the rest of the region.

There are a couple of smaller “towns” like Virgil or Queenston which have amenities such as grocery stores, and things to see, etc. You can find a few properties (mostly B&Bs or holiday homes) in these little towns. Virgil is even close to many wineries. Given that you will likely have a car (or even a bike) to explore the region during the day, these areas make for a great place to stay as they are usually quieter and often a little cheaper than downtown NOTL.

Of note, we’d suggest staying in an accommodation along the Niagara River in Queenston in the southeast end of the region. This would be a great idea since the area is very green and includes a river walking pathway to follow. There are also wineries and farmers’ markets along the road (the Niagara Parkway) like Reif Estates or Inniskillin, to name two. Queenston also has a number of historic attractions to visit like the Laura Secord Homestead!

Below you’ll find a few really nice places to stay in Queenston with the Niagara River nearby:

South Landing Inn and The Kent – Check Now

  • Style: A Quaint and Popular Guest Accommodation (Inn)
  • Price Range: Budget (for the region)
  • Location: Located in quiet historic Queenston, close to the Niagara River and historic attractions
  • Featured Amenities: Rooms with balconies and fridges, Nespresso coffee makers, parking

The Red Coat B & B – Check Now

  • Style: A Historic and Homely Bed and Breakfast
  • Price Range: Mid-Range
  • Location: In the heart of historic little Queenston, close to the Niagara River
  • Featured Amenities: Tasty breakfast, free parking onsite

Niagara Guest House – Check Now

  • Style: A Cozy Guest Apartment
  • Price Range: Mid-Range
  • Location: Close to Virgil in the middle of the region, close to many great wineries
  • Featured Amenities: Fully-equipped apartment, free parking onsite

Near Highway QEW – For Budget/Shopping

Last, but certainly not least, there is also a cluster of hotels in the south end of the region close to the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) highway. This is technically called Glendale and there is an outlet mall close by. The highway area is useful for those looking for Niagara on the Lake hotel deals/cheaper hotels.

The lower price tag comes from the location because you are not right in the heart of the region and not because the hotels are in any way bad. In fact, this location works well for many travellers. Staying near the highway means easy access (with a car) to get to the wineries as well as being able to easily drive away from the region to continue on an Ontario road trip, get back to Toronto, down to Niagara Falls, etc.

Tip: If you want hotels near Niagara on the Lake, you can book a hotel here but you can also search for hotels in Niagara Falls – for which we have a detailed accommodation guide. Below you’ll find some great accommodations around the QEW area of the region. Remember: These accommodations work best for those travelling by car.

Staybridge Suites – Niagara-On-The-Lake – Check Now

  • Style: A Popular and Reliable Aparthotel
  • Price Range: Budget (for the region)
  • Location: Right off the QEW in the south end of the region, outlet mall close by
  • Featured Amenities: Suite-style rooms, nice buffet breakfast, indoor pool, free parking onsite

White Oaks Conference & Resort Spa – Check Now

  • Style: A Modern and Upscale Resort Hotel
  • Price Range: Upper Budget
  • Location: Close to the QEW highway, across the street from the outlet mall
  • Featured Amenities: Bar/restaurant onsite, great spa facilities, indoor pool

Hilton Garden Inn Niagara-on-the-Lake – Check Now

  • Style: A Bright and Simple Hotel
  • Price Range: Budget
  • Location: In a nice area also close to the highway but more green and secluded
  • Featured Amenities: Bar/restaurant onsite, indoor pool, nice breakfast, free parking

And there you have it – a rundown on where to stay in Niagara on the Lake. Whatever your style and budget, we’re hopeful that you will find a great hotel, bed and breakfast, resort, inn, or whichever other kind of accommodation you are searching for. Just remember to book early (especially for the summer season) since the popular places can book up well in advance!

As always, Keep Exploring, eh?
-E&L