There are a lot of things to do and see while in town, including historical sites, architecture from different eras, and arts of all kinds. Just be sure to leave the barrel at home when you go to see Niagara Falls.
When should you visit St. Catharines, ON?
St. Catharines experiences a short, hot summer, with the rest of the months experiencing cool to very cold temperatures. The warm season starts in early June and lasts until mid to late September. The average daily high is a little over 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but temperatures in the 80s are not unheard of. The warm weather starts to ease off towards the end of September and the slide down the scale continues until around the end of January. Average temperatures in the winter are below 40 degrees, with the coldest days seeing an average high of 31 degrees.
There's always a chance of rain in St. Catharines, with an average of 24 percent chance of precipitation from late March to mid-December. The odds of wet weather decreases between December to March. It never hurts to bring a jacket along, even when the weather is supposed to be warm. Staying dry is far preferable to running for cover when a rainstorm comes on unexpectedly. And be sure to pack warm clothes if you're in town during the winter.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in St. Catharines, ON:
St. Catharines by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean rate trends by star rating class in St. Catharines, ON. You can use these charts to calculate the most cost effective time to stay in St. Catharines throughout the year.
Where are the luxury hotels worth booking around St. Catharines, ON?
There aren't any hotels in St. Catharines that qualify as luxury, which means driving 10 miles to Niagara Falls to get rooms with luxury appointments at the Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel and Suites. Rooms here feature a flat-screen TV with cable channels, WiFi (charges may apply), coffee maker, hairdryer, branded toiletries in the bathroom, and Jacuzzi tub. You can request a room with views of Niagara Falls on the U.S. or Canadian side. The hotel has an indoor pool and fitness center, four restaurants, coffee shop, two bars, and is connected to a casino for easy access to some fun.
The Best Western Plus Cairn Croft Hotel is a 3-star property with a unique feature in the form of an indoor pool and two hot tubs in a tropical courtyard setting. Rooms feature amenities that include a flat-screen TV with cable programming, an alarm clock with MP3 connectivity, data ports for Internet connections, and a mini-refrigerator. There's a coffee shop on-site, as well as a cocktail lounge and bistro for bites to eat.
What affordable hotels can you find in St. Catharines, Ontario?
3 Star Average Prices: $189.14
You're looking for amenities, but you don't want to go all-out on a luxury hotel. The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites St. Catharines Conference Center fits your needs perfectly. It's a modern hotel full of quality amenities at prices that make your wallet happy. You'll enjoy in-room amenities that include a flat-screen TV with cable and premium channels, a work desk with electrical outlets at desk level, a mini-refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and complimentary supplies to make tea and coffee. The bathroom features quality soaps and amenities, a whirlpool/spa bathtub, and a separate walk-in shower.
The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites St. Catharines also features an indoor pool with heated whirlpool, a 40-lane bowling alley and entertainment center with video games, interactive games, and food and drinks. There's also an indoor trampoline park adjacent to the hotel. A business center is available 24 hours a day, and there's a fitness center available throughout the day.
Another hotel that offers a lot for your dollar is the Four Points by Sheraton St. Catharines Niagara Suites. This pet-friendly hotel features spacious rooms and suites that come outfitted with two queen or one king-sized bed fitted with branded bedding and mattresses, desk with office chair, flat-screen TV with cable channels, free bottled water and coffee, free high-speed WiFi, and sofa with pull-out bed. The hotel features an indoor heated pool, fitness center, an on-site restaurant and wine bar, and it showcases local craft beer on a rotating basis.
2 Star Average Prices: $171.62
What hotels in St. Catharines, ON offer the best discounts?
There's nothing wrong with wanting to save on your hotel room, and Canada's Best Value Inn St. Catharines offers discounts that help you achieve your goal. If you're a member of AAA/CAA, you can save up to 10 percent on your room with a valid membership ID. AARP members also get a 10 percent discount on their room rate. Military members, whether retired or active, first responders, and government employees can get a special room rate as long as a valid ID is presented.
Rooms at Canada's Best Value Inn St. Catharines are outfitted with amenities that include a microwave and mini-fridge, flat-screen TV with cable and premium channels, desk with lamp and work chair, and free WiFi. There's free coffee offered in the lobby. Dogs are welcome for an additional charge.
Another hotel with excellent discounts is the Staybridge Suites Niagara on the Lake. This hotel is less than 5 miles away from St. Catharines, which makes getting to Niagara Falls a breeze. Discounts offered by the Staybridge Suites include discounts for AAA/CAA members, a senior discount for those with a valid ID for proof of age, and special room rates for those who work for government agencies. Check with the hotel for the exact discount rates prior to booking your room.
Suites at the Staybridge come equipped with amenities that include a stove, microwave toaster, full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher, serving and cookware, a flat-screen TV with cable TV channels, a work desk with lamp and electrical outlet at desk level, and free wired and wireless internet connections. The hotel features include an indoor heated pool, on-site fitness and business centers both open 24 hours a day, free breakfast served daily, an evening social every Monday through Wednesday, and laundry/dry cleaning services.
Where are the hotels in St. Catharines, ON with the most value?
Saving money on a hotel room doesn't mean giving up creature comforts when you stay at the Comfort Inn St. Catharines. It's located near FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and a short distance away from Niagara Falls. Rooms at the pet-friendly hotel come with a flat-screen TV with cable channels for entertainment, a microwave and mini refrigerator for your snacking and dining convenience, a coffee/tea maker with mugs, a desk with ergonomic desk chair, and a sofa to stretch out on for when you're not quite ready for bed.
Throughout the hotel, there's also a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, free WiFi, laundry facilities, free newspapers during the week, and free coffee offered 24 hours a day.
The Capri Inn is a surprisingly good deal with modern furnishings, decor, and attention to comfort. Rooms feature pillowtop mattresses from a top brand, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, mini-refrigerator, in-room safe, tea/coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and electronic key card system to keep your belongings secure. High-speed WiFi is free. The property features a garden with seating and a view of the Niagara River.
What are the top activities in St. Catharines, Ontario?
One of the must-see destinations in St. Catharines is Montebello Park, designed by famed landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted. It's home to 1,300 rose bushes representing 25 different types of roses. There's also a historic band shell and pavilion which are still used for performances today. It's worth taking the time to explore the park and view how Olmsted brought nature into an urban setting.
The Lakeside Park Carousel is a historic carousel that was carved between 1898 and 1905 and was originally made for an amusement park. It was relocated to its current location in Port Dalhousie, itself once home to an amusement park sometime in the mid 20th century. Nowadays, the carousel operates under a protective housing and its 68 animals still spin around its circle for five cents a ride. You can relive your childhood experiences for a nickel while listening to music coming from an antique Frati organ that uses paper rolls to play a song.
If you didn't get your fill of waterfalls at Niagara, head over to DeCew Falls which is home to an operating flour mill, a 50-foot waterfall, 25-foot cascade, and hiking trails to explore the area. If you're feeling adventurous, take the Bruce Trail and grab the rope swing to take a plunge into the swimming hole.
St. Catharines, ON, is full of beauty, both natural and man-made. It's large enough that it's difficult to see everything in one trip but small enough to not overwhelm you when you're looking to add a new city to your list of experience.
FAQs about hotels in St. Catharines
Recent traveler reviews of St. Catharines, ON
Below are reviews of the city of St. Catharines, ON from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Good Restaurants"
Score
5.0 / 5
Restaurants were good!
Mary K., from 08-Oct-2024
"Close to Niagara Falls!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The Mexican restaurant we went to (I forgot the name) was good.
The hotel is just few miles away from the Niagara Falls!
Pascaline K., from 13-Jul-2024
"Awesome Hotel!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The Hampton was awesome!
Richard S., from 30-Nov-2023
"The service at OSiris restaurant for breakfast was fantastic!"
Score
5.0 / 5
The service at OSiris restaurant for breakfast was fantastic!
Sean F., from 23-Jul-2023
"Great Location!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Very close to all Niagara attractions and to Niagara-on-The-Lake. Close to wineries.
Mister R., from 01-Jul-2023
"Close to Niagara Falls!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Close to Niagara Falls!
Lucia P., from 11-Apr-2023
"Beautiful City!"
Score
4.0 / 5
The city is beautiful!
Martha F., from 04-Oct-2022
"St. Catharines is lovely w/places to walk, shop, entertainment!"
Score
5.0 / 5
St. Catharines is a lovely city with places to walk, shopping and entertainment!
Linda C., from 10-Aug-2022
"Cool bridge!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Cool bridge!
Jeffrey B., from 18-Jul-2022
"Great"
Score
5.0 / 5
Everything
Verónica M., from 31-Oct-2019
The average traveler rating of the city of St. Catharines, ON shown above is
4.6 out of 5 based on 10 reviews