With thousands of hotel rooms in the greater Buffalo area, as well as dozens of quaint country retreats and rustic bed & breakfasts, visitors to the region always have a number of options from which to choose. Be it deluxe downtown accommodations right in the middle of the urban action or a peaceful couple of nights spent in an inn overlooking the Niagara River, it's all up to you.

One thing you can be sure of whether by yourself, as a couple or with the kids tagging along behind you, you'll be treated as welcome guests no matter where you choose to rest your weary head. No, not as welcome guests, rather, as long-time friends who've dropped in for the evening. After all, Buffalo isn't known as the "City of Good Neighbours" for nothing.

Those coming into the city for a quick business meeting or conference can take advantage of the dozen or so hotels located within a five-minute drive of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Because the airport is located northeast of Buffalo, hotels in the area also make perfect headquarters for visitors who want to explore the Niagara region with a trip to the Falls or the Six Flags Darien Lake entertainment complex.

Closest of all, in fact directly across from the airport, lies the upscale Radisson Hotel & Suites Buffalo Airport, which combines traditional comfort and state-of-the-art convenience. You wont have to go far for some of the best dining and entertainment in Buffalo with Pranzo Ristorante right on the premises.

Overlooking a Tropical Courtyard
The Four Points Hotel Buffalo Airport features a Preferred Travelers private lounge and Walden's restaurant, which overlooks a tropical courtyard. The Walden Galleria is right across the street and Niagara Falls is 30 miles away. About one-quarter mile from the airport, the Holiday Inn Buffalo Airport offers a Business Centre with full computer and internet access.

Other hotels in the vicinity include the moderately-priced Quality Inn Airport, which includes a free buffet breakfast; the recently-renovated two-story Ramada Inn Airport; the recently-built Howard Johnson Express Inn, which offers guests an upscale lodging experience at mid-range prices; the award-winning Comfort Suites Buffalo Airport and the six-story Days Inn Buffalo Airport with 24-hour free airport shuttle service.

Those looking for airport convenience and laid-back country charm will enjoy the Victorian-style Heritage House Country Inn. Here you'll find canopy beds, dining room with fireplace and incredible specials including the "Champagne Get-A-Way": a room for two, dinner at an area restaurant, a bottle of champagne and a deluxe breakfast for $105.95 (US).

For those who like to be in the middle of the action, Adam's Mark Hotel (formerly the Buffalo Hilton) is one of several large and elegant hotels in Buffalo's downtown core. Just minutes from all the major downtown attractions, it features a fountain and remodeled 4,000-square-foot lobby as well as the upscale Deco Restaurant.

Ultimate Destination for Conventioneers
Conventioneers can't get any closer to their Buffalo Convention Centre destination than by staying at the Hyatt Regency with its 400 renovated guestrooms, a signature Business Plan floor and stunning 10,000-square-foot ballroom. If you wish to immerse yourself in Buffalo's Theatre District, try the Radisson Suites Downtown; it's just steps from such attractions as the Studio Arena Theatre, Shea's Performing Arts Centre and The Tralfamadore Cafe.

Other downtown hotels include the moderately-priced Best Western Inn On The Avenue, which features a glass elevator; and Holiday Inn Buffalo Downtown, designated a "Superior" site by Holiday Inn Worldwide located in historic Allentown.

Buffalo proper is also home to several B&Bs, each with its own distinctive character and characteristics. The Beau Fleuve, located just north of downtown, features five rooms that each celebrate one of the five nationalities that helped found Buffalo: French, Italian, Irish, German, and Polish, as well as a Native American common area.

For those who travel with backpack, Hostelling International-Buffalo Hostel right on Main offers both dorm and private rooms as well as kitchen, laundry and locker facilities.

Close to Tee-Off Time
Located on Buffalo's busy northern flank, the Buffalo Marriott Niagara has three major golf courses within a three-mile radius. The recently built Sleep Inn Amherst has an indoor pool and a free breakfast bar and the completely renovated Lord Amherst Motor Hotel is famous for its colonial-style rooms and Shannon Pub.

Further afield, you might want to try the Roycroft Inn in East Aurora, a National Historic Landmark which was recently re-opened following a multi-million dollar renovation. Or the Red Coach Inn in Niagara Falls that was modelled after a British inn going back to King Harold.

Lewiston, just outside Niagara Falls, is home to both the stately and majestic Cameo Inn with its afternoon tea and romantic getaway packages and the Cameo Manor North, which features a spectacular Great Room with fireplaces, solarium, library and terrace and the style of an English manor house.

Another countryside inn for the offering is the intimate, nine-room Asa Ransom House located in the heart of Clarence village.

There you have it. All you need to do now is choose the one for you. Or feel free to try out a bunch of them until you find the accommodations you like.