Sheraton on the Falls General Managers Blog

Media Release

November 28, 2011

Niagara voted No. 1 for food, wine

Region’s world-class cuisine takes top ranking in major online poll

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. — The spectacular natural beauty of Niagara Falls has long been turning heads and drawing millions of awe-struck visitors each year. But Niagara’s manmade wonders have recently also grabbed the spotlight in a major online poll of travellers.

Niagara received a coveted Number 1 ranking as Canada’s top food and wine destination in the recently released 2011 Travellers’ Choice Awards by TripAdvisor – the world’s largest online travel review community.

In addition to its stunning scenery, the award recognizes Niagara for its plentiful selection of wineries and restaurants that serve up a mix of world-class cuisine to keep visitors coming back for more than one helping.

“As one of the premier wine destinations in the world, the Niagara Region continues to draw attention from around the globe and we welcome the opportunity to introduce our guests to all that Niagara and the Falls Avenue Resort have to offer,” says Sarah Vazquez, Vice-President of Marketing & Business Development for the 20 acre Resort, which is home to four premier Niagara Falls hotels and numerous attractions & restaurants.

The Resort’s strong tie to the wine region continues through the involvement of Tony Aspler, Canada’s foremost wine authority.   Aspler has developed the pairings and selections available at the Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra, and is in the process of developing the extensive wine program and cellar selections for the Resort’s newest development, Jamie Kennedy on the Falls.  The spectacular fallsview restaurant which will open in early 2012 features the slow food movement style and sensibilities of renowned chef Jamie Kennedy.

TripAdvisor Reviewers singled out two renowned Niagara wineries – Hillebrand and Peller Estates – for special consideration among dozens that take advantage of the peninsula’s unique climate and grape-growing conditions.

Both of the wineries are feature ties with the Resort, both prominently featured in the Ultimate Couples Package at the Sheraton on the Falls or Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls – Fallsview.  In addition to one or two nights’ accommodation at the five-star fallsview hotels, the package features tours and tastings at Hillebrand and Peller, allowing guests to learn about fine wines firsthand while enjoying the ambience of the vineyards.

Guests staying at the hotel through the Ultimate Couples Package also receive a $40 Fallsview Dining Gift Card for the Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra. The 10^th floor restaurant with a view of the Falls features a fresh-market menu incorporating local Niagara ingredients and designed by Capra, the celebrated chef, author and TV host.

Other highlights of package include cocktails at the Hard Rock Cafe and a $40 Fallsview Spa Credit at the Fallsview Christienne Spa.

Book a stay at the Sheraton on the Falls and discover why Niagara is No. 1 in the books of so many food and wine lovers.

About the Falls Avenue Resort

For short escapes or extended vacations, Falls Avenue Resort is Canada’s largest one-stop entertainment playground directly overlooking the majestic Niagara Falls. The resort features the 24 hour excitement of Casino Niagara, the 3 acre Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, on-site attractions and activities, 1,200 rooms in three interconnected hotels with the largest selection of fallsview rooms in the city, restaurants ranging from world-class cuisine to casual and themed dining, resort exclusive unique shopping including the Hershey Store Niagara Falls; all just steps from Niagara Falls and with street level access to world famous Clifton Hill. Over 10,000,000 guest visits each year make Falls Avenue Resort Canada’s largest one-stop, year round, fun and entertainment playground. With so much to do and see, it’s the #1 choice for short escapes or extended vacations.

To reserve a stay or for more information call 1-800-263-7135 or visit www.NiagaraFallsHotels.com

Linda Pellegrino

One of the longest running locally produced morning television shows is coming to the Sheraton on the Falls. Tune in Friday July 8, 2011 to WKBW for AM Buffalo live from Niagara Falls. The show which airs weekdays from 10:00 am-11:00 am, will be broadcast from the outdoor terrace pool at the Sheraton, with Niagara Falls as a spectacular backdrop.
The show co-hosted by Linda Pellegrino and Jon Summers will feature talk segments with notable guests and several taped segments that showcase Niagara Falls, and the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Rainforest Cafe, and Hershey Store – each located on the 20 acre Falls Avenue Resort. Guests scheduled to appear include Doug Birrell President of Falls Avenue Resort, Debbie Whitehouse Executive Director of the Niagara Parks Commission, and Master Hypnotist Danny Zzzz.
Located directly across from the Falls and in the heart of the tourist district, the 4-Diamond Sheraton is Niagara’s premier fallsview hotel. The hotel features 669 luxurious guestrooms and suites many offering the best views of the Falls, first rate amenities including Fallsview Christienne Spa, the spectacular Fallsview Restaurant, and convenient indoor walkways to the dining & attractions options on the Resort including Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Casino Niagara, Hard Rock Cafe and the Rainbow Room by Massimo Capra.

Thank you to everyone who came to see Breakfast Television this morning-especially the guests who reserved a stay at the Sheraton on the Falls so they could join the audience for the 6am start. We had a great time and fortunately the weather co-operated (for the most part-a few sprinkles here and there were hardly enough to dampen spirits). Danny Fernandes and Alyssa Reid got the day off to a great start with energetic performances and delighted fans by sign autographs and posing for pictures.
We must also thank the entire CityTV Breakfast Television crew for their long hours and for tireless effort in bringing Niagara Falls and the Falls Avenue Resort into the homes of their viewers.

Sheraton Fitness is now open at the Sheraton on the Falls. Located on the 2nd floor, the innovative new program is a partnership with Core performance in design of comprehensive workouts geared for travellers of all types. Custom programmes that can de downloaded from SheratonFitness.com include Power Boost, Relax, Recover and Regenerate, Jumpstart, and Travel Recovery. Keeping a busy travel schedule in mind, these workouts run 20-30 minutes in length. Sheraton Fitness is complimentary for all hotel guests, and the centre features elliptical machines, stationary bikes, stand-alone machine including curls and presses, free weights, treadmills, bottled water, towel service, and a selection of fitness studio equipment.

The 20 acre Falls Avenue Resort is proud to welcome Toronto’s #1 Morning Show and one of Canada’s most loved daytime lifestyle shows to Niagara Falls.
Join us from 6:00am-9:00am Friday June 24, 2011 for Breakfast Television live from the Oakes Garden Theatre. This is the second time the popular morning show featuring Kevin Frankish, Dina Pugliese, Jennifer Valentyne and Frank Ferregine has broadcast the entire show live from the Falls, the first being in June 2010. This year viewers can expect segments showcasing Niagara, special guests, giveaways and musical performances from R&B Star Danny Fernandes and Canadian singer/songwriter Alyssa Reid.
Admission is free and the morning will also feature free food, and great giveaways.
In addition to Breakfast Television, the Falls will make for a scenic backdrop for CityLine. The popular talk, lifestyle and entertainment show will broadcast live from 9:00am-10:00am showcasing Niagara Falls to a national audience. Host Tracy Moore will be joined by a panel of guest experts for Fashion Friday.
For guests who would like to attend the shows, two of Falls Avenue Resort’s premier hotels, are offering special viewer rates for arrival June 23. The Sheraton on the Falls and Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls-Fallsview are offering Cityview or Traditional Rooms for $89, and Fallsview Rooms featuring spectacular views at $129.
The 20 acre Falls Avenue Resort is located directly across from the Falls in the heart of the tourist district. Considered the premier Fallsview entertainment complex in Niagara, Falls Avenue is home to luxurious hotels, exciting attractions, exclusive shops and themed dining including: the Sheraton on the Falls, Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls-Fallsview, the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Hershey Store, Rainforest Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe, Casino Niagara, Adventure City, and much more.
For more information or for room reservations visit www.NiagaraFallsHotels.com or call 1-800-263-7135

Niagara Falls Hotels Bonus Offer

The Falls Avenue Resort in Niagara Falls Ontario Canada offering bonus Niagara Falls Dining and Attractions passes valued at $250 to guests visiting during the holidays.

The 20 acre Falls Avenue Resort is Niagara’s premier Fallsview destination, and this Holiday season will be an especially rewarding experience with this exciting holiday bonus exclusive only to the Falls Avenue Resort.  Guests who reserve a Niagara Falls Hotel stay or Fallsview Indoor Waterpark Hotel Package for arrival on December 23, 2010 – January 8, 2011 will receive “The Ultimate Kids Package” featuring $250 in Niagara Falls dining and attractions passes.

“The Ultimate Kids Package” includes Kids Eat Free Breakfast at the Fallsview Restaurant, Falls Avenue Plan your Fun events, two $40 Fallsview Dining Gift Cards (1 valid at Massimo Capra’s Rainbow Room Fallsview Restaurant, 1 valid at the Fallsview Restaurant), passes for 4 guests for the MGM Movie Experience, Tour Bus SWAT Team Ride, Combat Bumper Cars, Jungle Friends Funhouse, Wild Safari Mini Putt, and four 4-D moving theatre passes for 2 movies of your choice. (SpongeBob SquarePants, Glacier Run, or Dino Island II)

The holiday bonus is available at all four first class Hotels located on the Falls Avenue Resort;  Sheraton on the Falls, Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls – Fallsview, Skyline Inn, and Hampton Inn by Hilton at the Falls.  Guests will receive the Holiday Bonus by either reserving a hotel stay starting at $119 or the complete Hotel Waterpark Package from $179 which includes hotel accommodations, and 4 two-day waterpark.

Located directly across from the Falls and in the heart of the tourist district, the Falls Avenue Resort is Home to first class hotels, attractions and dining including one of the most popular attractions in Niagara; the 3 acre Fallsview Indoor Waterpark.  Situated at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with indoor connections to the Sheraton and Skyline Inn, the Waterpark features all day fun for the entire family, offering 16 slides, a giant wave pool, mammoth Beach House Rain Fortress, 1000 Gallon Tipping Bucket, Planet Hollywood Beach Club, year-round outdoor sundeck and activity pool and.

In addition to accommodations and the Waterpark, Falls Avenue also offers notable attractions including Adventure City, and MGM Movie Experience, and an appealing mix of dining options including Hard Rock Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Fallsview fine dining at Massimo Capra’s Rainbow Room Fallsview Restaurant, and the Sheraton on the Falls Fallsview Restaurant.

Massimo Capra - Rainbow Dining Room

Celebrated Chef and TV Host Massimo Capra is set to bring his impressive culinary resume to the legendary Rainbow Room Fallsview Restaurant in Niagara Falls.

Most often recognized as the host of the Food Network’s popular series “Restaurant Makeover”, Capra, has helped guide the spectacular Fallsview restaurant through renovations and rebranding.   Located across from the Falls on the 10^th floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls-Fallsview, the Rainbow Room features panoramic views of the Falls and offers more than 80 years of elegance.  The long and storied history includes playing host to both Hollywood Royalty and Heads of State-everyone from the Jonas Brothers to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth have dined at the restaurant.

Massimo Capra’s Rainbow Room Fallsview Restaurant will be an exciting adventure in culinary arts and will provide guests with an unforgettable dining experience across from the Falls.  The Rainbow Room’s culinary philosophy is to showcase the extraordinary ingredients and award winning wines from the richly diverse Niagara Region.  With that in mind, Chef Massimo and Crowne Plaza Executive Chef Damian Harrington have created a fresh market menu that carries substantial international flair and several of Massimo’s signature dishes.    To round out the dining experience, the team enlisted Tony Aspler, Canada’s foremost authority on wines to select the vintages that will be featured on the restaurant’s extensive wine list, who, in turn placed a strong emphasis on selections from the Region.

To Welcome Chef Massimo to the Rainbow Room, the Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls-Fallsview is offering a special introductory rate of $79.00 that includes one night hotel accommodations and a $40 Fallsview Dining Gift Card valid at Massimo Capra’s Rainbow Room Fallsview Restaurant.

Massimo Capra’s impressive resume includes his roles as executive chef and co-owner of two well established Toronto restaurants: Mistura and Sopra Upper Lounge, distinguished author, host and guest expert on numerous television programs.

The Rainbow Room Fallsview Restaurant’s exceptional history dates back to the opening on July 1, 1929 as the hotel restaurant at Niagara Falls first luxury hotel, the General Brock Hotel which would later become the Brock Plaza Hotel before joining the InterContinental Hotels Group and re-branding as the Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls-Fallsview.  Situated in the heart of the tourist district, and on the 20 Falls Avenue Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada, the Crowne Plaza features indoor walkways to Casino Niagara, Fallsview Indoor Waterpark and the numerous dining and attraction options on North America’s Largest Hotel and Indoor Waterpark Entertainment Complex.

Breaakfast Television @ Fallsview Indoor Waterpark

Congratulations to the 3 winners of our Breakfast Television Waterpark Contest who have each won a Waterpark Getaway Package that includes:

• One Night Accommodation in a Fallsview Family Suite At The Sheraton On The Falls
• Four Passes To The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
• Celebration Dinner At The Rainforest Cafe
• $200 in Falls Avenue Attraction Passes

Our lucky winners are:
Terry H. – Oshawa, ON
Tanya R. – Oshawa, ON
Wayne M. – Mississauga, ON

Thank you to everyone who participated, we had a record number of entries!
For your chance to win a Waterpark getaway visit http://www.niagarafallshotels.com/ctw.php?