Niagara rises

From the Toronto Star:

For a city whose main attraction perpetually plunges 53 metres, Niagara Falls has conspicuously lacked depth for decades. On your next visit, get away from the kitsch and vapid casino culture and you might be surprised to see elegant, soulful shoots emerging in this city that attracted about 14 million tourists last year.

Sterling Inn and Spa, marketed as the only boutique hotel in the Falls, opened three summers ago and is the city’s top-rated lodging on TripAdvisor.com, based on 254 customer reviews on the social media website as of June 24. The hotel’s location and exterior are deceiving. It’s a few blocks from the Horseshoe Falls and is on the same stretch as economy options. From the outside, it may even be mistaken as one of those budget places.

The hotel provides no view of the natural wonder. It’s in a squat, rectangular building surrounded by parking spots. The slate grey façade includes a giant milk bottle that stretches above the lobby. It remains as a homage to the building’s first incarnation as a dairy barn and ice cream producer. In another city, it might seem charming but in Niagara Falls, the first impression it leaves is of another faux creation that misses the mark.

One step inside, though, and doubts disappear.

Thanks to regular contributor Dan M for sending me the link…

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