Charming Fine Dining and Full-Scale Spa Beside Niagara Falls
As the crashing sound of Niagara Falls thunders through the area, those inside Sterling Inn & Spa’s AAA Four Diamond restaurant will likely only hear lively conversation as executive chef Cory Linkson assembles dishes featuring regional and seasonal ingredients. Though a three-story milk bottle rises at the inn’s entryway—the only obvious reminder of the building’s origins as a creamery built in 1928—more will opt to enjoy a bottle of wine, especially considering the eatery’s list of VQA Ontario varietals. Between the charming restaurant, the stress-melting spa, and nearby Niagara Falls’ spectacular scenery, Sterling Inn & Spa appeals to those looking for a relaxing honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Within the restaurant, known as AG Inspired Cuisine, chandeliers glitter down upon cranberry-colored accent walls and bar stools in a cozy setting. A menu of seasonal fare comes infused with ingredients from local growers, with entrees ($23 CAN–$35 CAN) ranging from regional duck roasted in juniper to whitefish gilded with fennel pollen and golden beets. After dinner, a quick jaunt across the Niagara River and the international border takes visitors to the Seneca Niagara Casino for an evening of penny slots and live-action poker.
Back at the Sterling Inn, traditional rooms surround beds with hardwood floors, modern furniture, and red-framed fireplaces. Luxurious bathrooms feature an all-glass sink pedestal and a rain shower stall that doubles as a mini steam room. For more full-scale pampering, the onsite spa specializes in couples treatments, including side-by-side hot-stone massages.
Niagara Falls: Thunderous Falls Amid Peaceful Surroundings
Perhaps North America’s most storied waterfall, Niagara Falls is best viewed from Canadian shores, where the 2,500-foot (762 m) brink reaches more than twice the height of its American counterpart. Though the falls never completely freeze, an ice bridge sparkling with frozen stalactites often forms at the cascade’s base from December through mid-March. To turn a visit to the legendary landmark into a romantic date night, VIP vouchers for two at five local Niagara wineries are included in the deal.
Recently, several entertainment venues have opened around the magnetic cataract, transforming the area into a full-fledged tourist destination centered on nearby Clifton Hill. There, a 175-foot (53 m) Ferris wheel towers high above nightclubs and arcade halls as the distant rush of water reminds travelers of their surroundings and long-lost rubber duckies.
