"Why we love it: An architectural landmark beautifully transformed into a five-star hotel The Highlights: - Elegant design touches like marble-inlaid floors and a gold-leafed stairway - Urban hot springsfor soaking even in the snow - A rooftop lounge with views of the city and Lake Erie The Review: Opened in 1913 at the height of Buffalo’s boomtown years, this historic building originally served as office space. At six stories, it was considered a Chicago-style skyscraper and enjoyed pride of place as one of the city’s tallest buildings. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 and underwent a $25 million makeover in 2017 to become the Curtiss—Buffalo’s only five-star hotel. The renovation added elegant touches like marble cornices, which are illuminated by brightly colored lights each evening, and a fountain at the main entrance, where iron taps stream into marble basins. Other extraordinary design moments include the marble-inlaid floor in the foyer, a gold-leafed stairway, and the glamorous Jazz Age mosaic by artist Christopher Guy behind the front desk. Lest it start to feel stuffy, however, the hotel also includes contemporary touches like “urban hot springs” where guests can soak outdoors no matter the season. Set in Buffalo’s thriving Theatre District, the Curtiss has 68 rooms with premium linens, bedside control panels, and marble bathrooms with luxurious showers. Some even feature Toto toilets with heated seats, as well as steam showers and aromatherapy jetted tubs. When it’s time for drinks, high-speed elevators whisk guests to the VUE Rooftop Lounge, complete with three bars, a massive fire pit, and sweeping views of downtown Buffalo. For dinner, there’s also the standout Chez Ami restaurant, which features year-round patio seating and Western New York’s only revolving bar."

"Why we love it: A pedigreed stay that perfectly marries fin de siècle charm with modern luxury The Highlights: - A French Renaissance–style building designed by America’s first female professional architect - Fireplaces and deep-soaking tubs in some rooms - An in-house craft brewery that serves pints in a “bar-cade” with pinball machines The Review: When The Lafayette opened in 1904, it was immediately hailed as one of the country’s finest hotels. America’s first female professional architect, Louise Blanchard Bethune designed the seven-story, redbrick-and-white-terra-cotta property to blend “the best that science, art, and experience can offer for the traveling public,” which at the time meant telephones and hot water in every room. Renovations in the late 1940s introduced several Art Deco elements that still remain, while a 2012 restoration helped bring the hotel into the modern era. Today, The Lafayette is part of the Wyndham Hotel Group’s Trademark Hotel Collection and features 13,500 square feet of meeting space. It’s also home to a 15-barrel craft brewery, where guests can enjoy beers and pub fare while playing arcade games; a small-batch coffee roastery with freshly baked pastries; and an outpost of Groom Service Beauty & Dry Bar for blow-outs, professional makeup, manicures, and more. The 57 rooms and suites feature wall murals of vintage photos, designed to complement a palette of plum, brown, and dusty gold. Some have fireplaces, deep-soaking tubs, and full kitchens, too. If you’re looking to indulge, book the Lafayette Suite, which includes a Juliet balcony, double-sided hearth, and dining table suitable for large gatherings."

"Why we love it: A historic property that takes advantage of its location on Buffalo’s cultural corridor The Highlights: - A building by H. H. Richardson and grounds by Frederick Law Olmsted - Original details that make for rooms full of character - A prime location near parks, lakes, museums, and Buffalo’s coolest neighborhoods The Review: This Romanesque Revival hotel has a unique backstory: It once served as the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. Designed by celebrated American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, the red-sandstone-and-brick structure sits on 42 equally pedigreed grounds, masterminded by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux—otherwise known as the visionaries behind New York City’s Central Park. The hotel is the first chapter in the rehabilitation of this lovely campus, a National Historic Landmark that includes the Lipsey Architecture Center Buffalo. Other buildings may wind up as offices, work-live spaces for artists, and a university-based retirement community. Within Hotel Henry, many original elements have been preserved, from the exposed brick walls and 14-foot windows to the soaring ceilings and bargeboard beams with industrial truss plates. Local art adds to the property’s rich character, while wedge pillows, multiuse surfaces, and electrical outlets with USB ports encourage lounging. Guests can also expect in-room coffee, spa-inspired bath amenities, modern touches like Porcelanosa fixtures and LED mirrors in the bathrooms, and the 100 Acres restaurant, which serves fresh, seasonal fare. When they’re ready to explore, hotel staff can connect them to Buffalo’s nearby museum district and cultural corridor, or point them in the direction of vibrant Elmwood Village."

"Why we love it: A lovingly restored Victorian B&B in the heart of artsy Elmwood Village The Highlights: - Stunning original details like gold-leaf ceilings and 100-year-old tapestries - Remarkably quiet guest suites - A prime location in one of Buffalo’s coolest neighborhoods The Review: Amid the cafés, bars, and bookstores that dominate Elmwood Village stands InnBuffalo, occupying a Victorian mansion built for inventor and industrialist H. H. Hewitt in 1898. Modern-day owners Joe and Ellen Lettieri bought the property at a foreclosure auction in 2012, then lovingly restored it, unveiling vintage details like 22-karat gold-leaf ceilings, hand-painted stencils, lavish wood paneling, and 100-year-old tapestries and silk damask. They also worked with antique dealers to recover elements like mantels and sconces that had been sold off over the years, and a local woman donated one of the house’s original chandeliers, which now hangs in the master suite. Opened in 2015, InnBuffalo dazzles guests with a blend of period elegance and modern conveniences. Its nine suites are quiet and cozy, with hardwood floors, luxurious linens, Keurig coffeemakers, and Acca Kappa bath amenities from Italy. Some even have heated marble floors and deep-soaking tubs in the bathrooms. Every morning, guests can head to the dining room for a home-cooked breakfast of scones, berry parfaits, and hot items before exploring the surrounding neighborhood."

"Why we love it: A business hotel offering upscale comfort and unconventional charm The Highlights: - Elegant guest rooms with dashes of whimsy - A pet-friendly policy - An on-site art gallery with original paintings and historic images The Review: A 10-minute drive from Buffalo Niagara International Airport, this swanky property is named for Frank and Dolly Reikart, a vaudevillian couple who became the nearby town of Amherst’s “first family of hospitality” in the 1900s. A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, it won “Hotel of the Year” from its parent company, JW Marriott, in 2018. The 92 guest rooms and 12 suites blend classic decor with distinctive style. While no two are alike, each one features some mix of wood and leather furnishings; a neutral palette of white, beige, and brown accented by bold blue; and 50-inch flat-screen TVs wired for streaming content. Guests can also expect complimentary bicycles and a warm welcome for pets, though a surcharge does apply if you want to bring your furry friend. When not in your room, explore the lush, campus-style grounds; work up a sweat in the club-style fitness center; or browse the on-site gallery, which features original paintings by local artist Peter Fowler. There’s also the Main Lobby restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the Fireside Lounge for drinks. Should you be traveling for work, know that Reikart House especially excels as a conference host, thanks to its fully equipped executive boardroom and new Jazzboline Restaurant and event space, which includes a lounge, restaurant, and ballroom—and draws its name from the guitar-like instrument invented by the hotel’s namesake, Frank Reikart."

"Why we love it: A French-inspired mansion-turned-hotel with elegant perks to match The Highlights: - A beautiful building from 1869 - Perks like round-the-clock butlers, Land Rover chauffeur service, and evening cocktails - An ever-changing collection of local contemporary art The Review: One of Buffalo’s first boutique hotels, The Mansion occupies a stunning Second Empire building in the Allentown Art and Theatre District. While the property includes grace notes like tall bay windows and mansard roof lines, it’s most famous for its round-the-clock butler service and fleet of Land Rovers, which offers free chauffeur service within a three-mile radius of the hotel. Guests here can expect the ultimate in customer service, including elegant touches like overnight pressing and shoe shines and complimentary perks like continental breakfast, a fine coffee and tea bar, and evening cocktails. The 28 guest rooms marry historic character with contemporary luxury. Pops of coral and navy are offset by neutrals and plenty of natural light, while Italian cotton linens, in-room Starbucks coffee, and multi-head showers stocked with Molton Brown amenities leave guests feeling pampered. Most rooms even have whirlpool baths, but for a truly indulgent stay, upgrade to one of the suites, which range from 600 to 800 square feet and feature a separate bedroom and parlor anchored by an original fireplace. If you can pull yourself away from your room, be sure to check out the hotel’s impressive collection of art from the Buffalo Niagara area—each unique piece is available for purchase."