This upscale Ontario hotel was once a massive ice cream factory
What if I told you that there's more to a trip to Niagara Falls, Ont. than views and entertainment? Just a short distance from the tourist crowds on Clifton Hill sits Sterling Inn & Spa, a boutique hotel with a surprisingly rich history.
The historic building that now houses the hotel has undergone several dramatic reinventions over the last century. Long before it welcomed guests seeking spa treatments and romantic getaways, it played a different role in the community.
Its story begins in 1928, when local entrepreneur Fred Cairns opened a dairy operation on the site. The business quickly grew into a major producer of milk and ice cream in the Niagara region, and just a few years later, the property became part of Borden's Dairy, which remained a beloved fixture in Niagara Falls for more than four decades.
Locals tour the site when it was a dairy facility. Photo: Sterling Inn & Spa Facebook.
Residents of a certain age might remember the company for its distinctive oversized milk bottles and traditional home delivery service. Fresh milk arrived on doorsteps in glass bottles, delivered along routes that continued until the mid-1970s.
After the dairy era ended, the building entered a new chapter. Throughout the '80s and '90s, it became a nightlife hotspot, where multiple clubs operated under one roof. Live music, DJs and packed dance floors became the building's identity.
But its latest reinvention came in 2007, when the building evolved into Sterling Inn & Spa, a boutique hotel that carefully preserved elements of the original structure, including the giant milk bottle that forms part of its distinctive infrastructure.
Today, the hotel remains one of Niagara Falls' few boutique accommodations, offering a full-service spa, fine dining and 41 uniquely designed suites.
Suites feature everything from king-sized beds to jetted tubs and steam showers. Guests also receive complimentary breakfast served directly to their room, making for an easy, breakfast-in-bed kind of morning.
Those planning a longer stay or travelling with friends can opt for the hotel's two-room suite, which offers extra space and home-away-from-home comfort.
The hotel also offers Escape and Celebration packages, both of which include a complimentary three-course meal at the on-site restaurant, AG Inspired Cuisine, while the latter package also comes with a complimentary bottle of chilled wine.
And while you're there, a spa treatment feels almost essential. The Spa at Sterling Inn is home to fully accredited massage therapists and aestheticians who offer massages, facials, body wraps, scrubs, and other wellness treatments, all of which can be booked directly on-site.
Once you've had your chance to unwind, you're perfectly positioned to explore everything Niagara Falls has to offer. Better yet, you won't have to travel far.
A 10- to 15-minute walk brings you to the heart of the city's busiest tourist district, with Queen Victoria Park and Clifton Hill (home to the popular Mario Kart race tracks and, more recently, a new souvenir shop dedicated to wax hands) both within easy reach. You'll have convenient access to Niagara Falls' biggest attractions while still being able to retreat to a quieter setting at the end of the day.
And if you're looking to venture beyond the falls, that's covered too.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is just a 25-minute drive away and makes for an ideal day trip for those looking for a quieter, more tranquil setting. Its quaint downtown is filled with vintage shops, acclaimed restaurants, and even horse-and-carriage rides that you can take through the historic streets.
Rooms at Sterling Inn & Spa start at $295.65 plus applicable taxes and can be booked directly through the hotel's official website.
Sterling Inn & Spa is located at 5195 Magdalen St. in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Sterling Inn & Spa
