Hotel Review: Buffalo Marriott Niagara – Renovated Rooms, M Club Wins & Prime Shopping Access
This stay at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara was all about timing. With recently completed room renovations, an upgraded fitness center, and a brand-new M Club lounge, it felt like the perfect opportunity to finally check out this property. My dad and I needed to head into Buffalo for a quick shopping trip, so we decided to turn it into an overnight stay and see how the updates stacked up.
Located in Amherst, New York, this hotel sits close to major shopping, dining, and the University at Buffalo—making it a convenient choice for both short stays and quick getaways.
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Arrival & First Impressions
We arrived just after 4 p.m. and parked right out front. Even though we packed light and didn’t need one, I immediately noticed there were plenty of luggage carts available—a small detail, but always appreciated.
The lobby was large, open, and comfortable with lots of seating. Straight ahead from the entrance was the M Club lounge, with the hotel restaurant to the left and the check-in desk and market to the right. Everything felt organized and easy to navigate.
At the front desk, we were greeted by Shakira and Jomeliz, and check-in was fast and smooth. They also suggested parking at the back of the hotel for easier access to the elevators and guest rooms—a helpful tip since the front of the hotel mainly serves conference and meeting spaces.
The Room
We booked a 2 Queen Bed Guest Room and were assigned a corner room on the 9th floor. The room was clean, modern, and had plenty of space to move around.
Since this hotel was recently renovated, the updated Marriott room design really stood out. I especially liked that the room didn’t have wall-to-wall carpet—just a carpeted section between the beds—which made the space feel cleaner and more modern.
Lighting throughout the room was great, and there was even LED lighting behind the bed (although it wasn’t working during our stay). The bathroom was bright, and the shower pressure and temperature were excellent. One thing to watch out for, though, is the step up into the shower and the step down when getting out.
One small thing I noticed was that our room didn’t have a safe — or at least I couldn’t find one in our room. Not a huge deal, but something I usually expect to see.
I also would’ve loved a few wall hooks. Instead of just tossing my jacket somewhere, I had to open the closet, pull out a hanger, and actually hang it up — which honestly feels like a lot of work when you’re a teen living out of a backpack.
Nothing major, but definitely worth mentioning.
Wi-Fi & Gaming Setup
The internet was easy to connect to on all my devices—laptop, phone, iPad, and Nintendo Switch. The connection was solid, and I was able to game and chat without any lag.
Want to see how this Wi-Fi compares to every hotel I’ve tested so far? I track real speed tests, rankings, and screenshots on my Hotel Wi-Fi Speed Leaderboard, where you can see exactly how this hotel stacks up against the rest.
Hooking up my Nintendo Switch to the TV was super easy. Since the room was recently renovated, it had:
- Three USB charging ports under the TV (including USB-C)
- Two regular electrical outlets
That said, I still recommend bringing a travel power strip, especially if you’re traveling with multiple devices like I usually am.
Pool & Fitness Vibes
Pool access was a bit limited during our stay. The hotel has both an indoor and outdoor pool, but:
- The outdoor pool was closed for the season
- The indoor pool was still under renovation (one of the last remaining updates)
The hotel did offer access to the pool at a sister property across the street, which was a nice gesture for guests.
The gym, however, was a standout. It was large, open, and packed with equipment:
- Yoga gear and kettlebells
- Full rack of weights with two benches
- Multi-gym and heavy bag
- Plenty of cardio machines (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes)
- Pulldown, chest press, and leg press machines
The only thing I didn’t see was a Peloton—but overall, this was one of the better hotel gyms I’ve used this year.
Food & Dining Options
Inside the hotel, you’ll find BlueFire Bar & Grille, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and yes, they have a kids’ menu.
One restaurant that kept coming up in conversations with staff was Wingnutz Bar & Grill, located just across the parking lot. My dad mentioned it’s been recommended every time he’s stayed here, and it’s clearly a local favorite.
The hotel’s location makes food choices easy. Within a 5–10 minute drive along Maple Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard, you’ll find tons of options. Some of my favorites include:
- Jersey Mike’s
- DiBella’s Subs
- Shake Shack
- Outback Steakhouse
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill (where we had dinner)
- Moe’s Southwest Grill (Monday Moe’s is elite)
One underrated option is Wegmans—perfect when everyone wants something different. And for dessert, Paula’s Donuts is a must. My favorite so far is the cannoli cream donut, and yes—it’s worth the stop.
M Club Lounge
Since my dad is a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member, we had access to the M Club lounge, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our stay.
The lounge was large, bright, and comfortable, with lots of different seating options. We were there for both evening hors d’oeuvres and breakfast.
Evening offerings included:
- Vegetable egg rolls (honestly incredible)
- Chicken satay
- Veggie fried rice
- Fruit, veggies with dip, and a charcuterie board
Breakfast had:
- Fruit, pastries, croissants, and muffins
- Yogurt, cereal, and oatmeal
- Bacon, home fries, egg bites, and scrambled eggs
Another thing that really stood out was the staff managing the M Club lounge. They were friendly, helpful, and genuinely engaging.
I’ve always enjoyed visiting hotel lounges because the people running them are usually great to talk to, and this M Club was no different. It’s one of those spaces where you don’t just grab food—you actually feel welcomed.
This new M Club is a big upgrade compared to what my dad remembered from past stays.
What’s Nearby
This hotel is just a 1–2 minute drive from the University at Buffalo, making it a great option if you’re visiting students or touring campus.
Shopping is another big win:
- The Boulevard (50+ shops and restaurants) is under 10 minutes away
- Buffalo’s first Costco is opening nearby
- Walden Galleria is less than 15 minutes away with 200+ stores
- AMC Maple Ridge 8 is about a 5-minute drive for movie nights
Explore the Area (Map)
One of the biggest advantages of staying at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara is how close it is to shopping, food, and everyday essentials. To make it easier to visualize the area, I mapped out the exact places I mentioned in this review — from restaurants and shopping to entertainment and nearby landmarks.
Final Thoughts
So, what did I think of the Buffalo Marriott Niagara?
I really enjoyed seeing how much the renovations have improved this hotel—from the modern rooms and upgraded gym to the new M Club lounge. Once the pool renovations are finished, I’d absolutely consider coming back, especially in the summer when both pools are open.
The staff was friendly and helpful throughout our stay, the M Club experience was a major upgrade, and the location made it easy to get everywhere we needed to go. Between the clean rooms, solid Wi-Fi, easy gaming setup, and tons of nearby food and shopping, this hotel checks a lot of boxes.
This hotel is This Teen Travelz approved ✅
— Mateo
This Teen Travelz
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