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    The Richardson Hotel

    3.8 (34 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Marissa W.

    Booked our hotel for the Bills game a little late so we looked further from the stadium. I'm glad we went with the Richardson Hotel. The property itself is beautiful and huge. We were able to check in early and both woman at the concierge desk were friendly and informative. Room was spacious and clean. Just a short drive/ walk to many restaurants and bars and Buff State Campus. I think this is such a cool place with lots of history. One downside for us on this particular stay is the Bar is closed currently as they resold to a different company and there was no information on when it will be reopening so keep in mind if you are planning on staying there anytime in the fall of 2025. You will have to make a short drive to other spots in town! Overall, pleasant stay and would definitely return if we are in the area again.

    Paul L.

    We should get some things out of the way at the outset. If the lack of in-room microwave and fridge, an anemic free continental breakfast, an uninspired restaurant, and a short-staffed crew are dealbreakers for you, move on. The Richardson may not be for you. This mammoth late 19th century complex, designed by renowned architect, H.H. Richardson, was originally what was considered an enlightened institution for the mentally ill. By the 1970s, the complex became too difficult and expensive to maintain. Consequently, patients were moved to other facilities. After a decades-long period, the main buildings were turned into a hotel after a large-scale renovation. This stunning piece of architecture is a work in progress. It may take years for this complex to find its groove for success. If you're here, it's all about taking in the splendor of the place and appreciating the history via the architecture museum on the lower level. You're within walking distance of the city's art museums and restaurants and shops. You can be car-free during your stay. This building is like a castle. That was enough reason for this hotel to be an easy choice for me.

    Lemon poppyseed pancakes
    Melissa L.

    Love the atmosphere & architecture of this building. Went for brunch- the Spanish French Toast was amazing!!! Be sure to take a walk around the hotel & outdoor space while you are there.

    At night
    Blair F.

    At first I thought we had made a wrong turn, but as we wended our way through the driveway to the hotel, we rounded a corner and beheld the spectacular 19th century building ahead of us. Absolutely stunning on the outside, it felt like a castle. The entire interior had been remodeled as close to the original as possible, giving it a feel of stepping back in time. Reception was friendly and my wife struck up a conversation with one of the managers. Our room was on the second floor at the end of a hallway and very private. A cool feature of our room was one of the original columns which still had years of different colored paints on it. Spacious and with a decent view of the grounds. We slept like logs in the ultra quiet room. The continental breakfast was pretty decent, although we would have appreciated more protein besides the yogurts and mini quiches. We would easily stay here again, and definitely recommend for a convention.

    Marilyn W.

    Went to the Falliday Market last night at this beautiful complex and loved it! The architecture is stunning on this building. I have been inside before but last night was outside fun.

    Chad P.

    It's going to be really hard to put into words just how amazing this place is. My friend talked me into splurging at this hotel. Noted that it used to be a mental hospital built in the 1800s with a sprawling campus that had fallen into disrepair and was slowly being remodeled and this hotel was part of it. We pulled up to what felt like a huge campus. Many different buildings and some of them still have not been updated. They really did try to keep the antique look of the hospital from back in the day at the Richardson. Parking is there in front but you might have to park in a lot nearby as they can only hold so much. You walk in and you can either go upstairs to check in or there is a museum on the bottom floor of the whole campus. Check in was easy! We didn't get a chance to explore any of the restaurants or bars or any of the other amenities but it was a pleasant walk to the room. We walked through some doors and took an elevator up and then walked through more doors to get to a long hallway. The supports from the building are literally built into the hotel which was so cool. it's like old meets new. Everything was updated so well in the room! You could still see the beams and everything from the old construction but the room was amazing. We got a suite and it really was cool. The bathroom was huge! Huge standalone bathtub as well. The main room was a very big with a TV facing a couch and chairs and on the other side of the wall that held the TV was the bed with another TV on that wall. Sort of like a room divider. The rest of the room held a large buffet table with the hotel amenities on it like the coffee machine and the other part was a table. This was such a cool room and then it had vaulted ceilings. Highly recommended! We did not encounter a single problem at all at this location. Definitely worth staying just for the coolness of it!

    Third floor hallway.
    Mo R.

    Decided to stay here because I grew up in Buffalo but never would have thought that this would be converted into a hotel. The interior of the hotel is beautiful. We had a comfortable, clean, quiet room on the first floor. They have a great breakfast and coffee. I have mixed feelings about their staff. For example one afternoon after the room was cleaned the maid forgot to provide towels. I walked to the front desk and requested towels but they never arrived. Had to go back again in the morning to get those towels. Marquis stood out and was by far the nicest and most helpful employee that we dealt with there. We loved walking around both inside and outside of this hotel. I would definitely recommend a stay.

    Alexia P.

    The hotel is stunning with a really good mix between ancient and new, the rooms and the common areas are really nice and clean, the staff is also extremely nice and available. However, the restaurant was closed during the whole 6 days of my stay (indicated open on their website) and the bar kitchen closes earlier than indicated so it is pretty hard to get food other than breakfast. The breakfast itself was really limited in options and quantity for what they call a " continental breakfast ". I have read on several review that they overbook and people end up having a different room that expected and the same thing happened to me, they gave my room to someone else because i arrived " too late " and i had to stay in another room for a night - they did get me in the right room the next day though. Overall a nice stay but given the look of the hotel, I was expecting a little more.

    The front entrance
    Mary Anne C.

    Very nice weekend at this hotel. The room was large and well appointed, bed comfortable. The continental breakfast was very good. Highly recommend this hotel when in town.

    Doug Y.

    I am glad to see that the Richardson Hotel has reopened, along with a cafe, restaurant and bar. It's well worth it just to spend time taking a look at the interior ms exterior of this marvelous structure and piece of Buffalo history. We stopped by for a Jazz performance on the lawn where the hotel staff were serving drinks and cooking up some tasty dishes. I can't wait to go to the restaurant again now that it's reopened.

    Hallway

    Such a cool place. Good breakfast, actual live plants, very clean. A little language barrier with staff at times but whatever. Nice beds!

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    19 days ago

    Beautiful hotel and we really appreciate the amount of work it took to open this for us all to enjoy.

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    I've always been intrigued by the architecture and history of this campus.

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    Babeville - Asbury Hall  - Iron & Wine 11/15/21 by Bridget Schaefer

    Babeville

    (35 reviews)

    $$

    Downtown

    This was the first time I have been here for a concert. My previous visits were for a fund raiser;…read morethere were no chairs set up, only vendors. I could not judge the space as a concert hall. My estimate is a capacity of 400-500 chairs, in rows of 14 the floor, plus the balcony. I was there to see Judy Collins, who still has a wonderful voice. (She is 87). A friend asked why she was not performing in the Mary Seton room at Kleinhans Music Hall. I think the acoustics are better here, as are the slightly padded chairs. It is certainly more intimate.

    Great live music venue in Buffalo, NY. They have on site…read moreparking but there were no spots available when we arrived. Street parking was free and easy to find. We parked right across from the venue. The venue is located in a refurbished church and the highlight for me was seeing all the fixtures including pews and glass stained windows still in tact. Getting in was easy they just checked our ids and scanned our tickets. Short walk from the entrance to the actual music area. There is a floor standing room area you can watch the music, as well as two elevated seating areas. The seats were pews and very roomy. It was nice to be able to sit and enjoy the show free from the crowds. The sound quality was mostly good but at times I found it was very loud and hard to hear what the musician was saying. Didn't get any drinks or use the bathroom, so I can't comment on this aspect. Overall, I thought this was a great venue.

    The Foundry - Metal shop

    The Foundry

    (16 reviews)

    Eastside

    What a neat place! They offer tours of the space on Saturdays at 11am - no reservations needed,…read morejust show up at 11. Ring the buzzer and they will come let you in (be patient, sometimes they may need to walk to the door from the other side of the building). The staff is friendly and helpful, and happy to answer questions. There is a wood shop, a metal shop, a fabric area, a Cricut machine, embroidery machine, 3D printer, laser cutters, and all kinds of other interesting tools to make stuff. They offer classes, and let people use the tools after taking safety classes if you show up during open shop hours when the supervisor of the space is there. They rent out small spaces as incubators and offer classes and guidance for growing businesses. If you have ideas of a thing you want to make, chances are there is somebody here who can teach you how to make it. The organization is very much based around community and sharing knowledge. If you are at all curious, I highly recommend the tour.

    The Foundry is a place, a space, an incubator. At the Foundry you can learn, create an explore…read more If you haven't been here or looked them up do it, do it now. So far I've had the opportunity to make a shot glass, make some jewelry and learn the history of glass beads and play with 3D printing. As I mentioned previously the Foundry the incubator for a variety of business that make their home here. I recently attended the holiday market where a number of the vendors that make the Foundry home were open and many visiting crafters. Many if not all of these vendors host a class or two that for a reasonable price you can get hands on to learn a new skill. So far I've taken 3 and I can tell you these classes are small, intimate and really give you a hands on experience that really makes the class worth it. Some of these resident creators include a company that makes pucks and baseballs into bottle openers, a metal worker, glass blower, jewelry maker, a wooden frame bicycle maker and a man that makes bird feeders that resemble Frank Lloyd Wright windows. Most of them have etsy or other stores to browse what is available for purchase. For me, The Foundry is about creation, creativity and the access to be able to taken part in it. To work with skilled craftsmen, hear their stories, get tips while making something in the process. So check out a class or 10, it's worth it!

    Inn Buffalo - Our room

    Inn Buffalo

    (35 reviews)

    $$

    Elmwood Village

    If you're looking for that authentic Buffalo charm without feeling like you've accidentally…read moretrespassed into your grandmother's historically preserved living room, this is the spot. From the second you walk in, the house radiates that classic, cozy "Old Buffalo" energy that makes you want to cancel your plans and just exist in a state of perpetual relaxation. To the left of the entrance is the dining room. It's less of a room and more of a 24/7 hospitality hug. There is a relentless flow of snacks: chips, pretzels, fruit, and candy. The drink selection is equally aggressive in the best way possible (Nespresso, BOTH Pepsi and Coke products, beers, and teas). I spent an embarrassing amount of time just surveying my options. ​The Room (The Grover Cleveland): The room is a great mix of "I'm in a historical landmark" and "Thank God there's a heated bathroom floor." It's well-preserved but doesn't lack the modern essentials. ​The Pros: Mini-fridge, wall-mounted TV with streaming, and a shower with a hand wand (excellent water pressure, too). They even left two pitchers of water for me, one chilled, one room temp. That is the kind of over-preparedness I appreciate. The large windows allow tons of natural light to enter. Wall mounted Aveda shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the roomy shower. And yes, the bathroom has a wall-console controlled heated floor!! There are two luggage racks, writing desk and two comfy lounge chairs along with the king sized bed. One side has a nightstand with alarm clock abd the other side has a marble shelf on top of an old-style steam heater. There are plenty of plugs around the room and the door has bolt lock with old-style key. ​The Con: My only tiny gripe? The pillows. They were a bit on the "pancake" side of the spectrum, very thin and definitely not fluffy. If you like a firm loft, you might find them lacking. ​The Amenities The fireside library and parlor are perfect for pretending you're reliving the 18th-century lifestyle, and the covered front porch is elite-tier for people-watching. Parking is easy: you can pay for the off-street spot or just roll the dice with the free street parking (which was totally fine). ​The Food & The "Staff" The breakfast spread is legit. We're talking yogurt varieties, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, homemade granola, and homemadr scones that I am still thinking about days later. Seriously, the scones alone are worth the booking. Also, special shout-out to the resident dog who clearly thinks he's the General Manager. He's the friendliest employee on the payroll. ​The location is walkable to a bunch of local shops and restaurants, so you're right in the heart of things. If you want a comfy stay that is affordable and feels historical but isn't "stuffy," this is your place!

    We really enjoyed our stay at the inn. It has a very classic and homey vibe to the establishment…read more Very different from your typical hotels. The inn is located in ElmWood- the area is very walkable. Close by to many local shops and restaurants. The inn communal area is very pretty and is filled with histories. We were in awe how well maintained the inn was. The staffs were all very friendly. I really enjoyed talking to Polly. She was very accommodating. The stay comes with light breakfast included. The room is huge and is nicely furnished. Some improvement suggestions I would have is having more outlets or extension cords. The room actually faced the street and it was shockingly not too noisy, though I thought the inn was thoughtful when I saw they did provide a white noise machine. I highly recommend checking out this place if you're in Buffalo NY. Definitely worth the money.

    Five Hundred Seneca - Inside the atrium at the YMCA Celebration

    Five Hundred Seneca

    (2 reviews)

    Eastside

    I found myself here the other day looking at apartments. Friend of mine's moving back to town and…read moreis looking for a new place to live, it's close to downtown. This building is beautiful. There is all sorts of interesting stuff in it, including a dog grooming place, a haircutting place, a really nice gym, a massage studio, a place for a quick breakfast or lunch, a nice high-end restaurant. There's also plenty of offstreet parking for the tenants. It isn't covered. There one and two bedroom apartments here. The way they reuse the reclaim space is really nice. I can't say enough about this space. Update 140 2021

    I was at 500 Seneca for another great Spree Event. It was a Spree cocktail party. There were roast…read morebeef, turkey and chickpea sliders, cheese, fruit and chocolate platters and several spreads which could be enjoyed on bagel toast pieces or pieces of baguette. The spreads included a chopped olive tapas, a apricot mostarda and a caramelized onion dish. These could be enjoyed on the toast points or along with the roasted garlic goat cheese. There was also a cash bar. The event was a way for several merchants to display their wares, among them Blue Table Chocolates, Tommyrotter Distillery, Rebel Ride and several artisans. The wait staff was great, replenishing the various platters and serving trays of tasty mini-potato pancakes and boneless chicken wing bites throughout the evening. They also picked up plates, cans and bottles, taking them back to the kitchen for disposal vs. there being many unsightly trash cans throughout the room. This also added to the event, making the room more attractive.

    Karpeles Museum

    Karpeles Museum

    (5 reviews)

    D'Youville/Allentown, Westside

    This building is absolutely gorgeous. I attended the Queen City Market event here and it was…read moreamazing. Lots of one of a kind gifts and merchandise. The building was the perfect venue for this event. The ceiling and windows are beautiful.

    Oh, you know, just one of about a billion cool Buffalo gems…read more I've been here for two events now: the Queen City Market, and the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair. And for an indie craft fair venue, you could do much worse than the Karpeles. (Especially since it's free to use for certain nonprofits!) Both times, I've enjoyed being able to find a street parking space fairly close to the library -- then grabbing some food truck fare outside (as there are no open kitchens nearby to preclude them from joining the party). Once you're inside, the space opens up, with a big organ on one side and large, ornate windows on the other. On the main floor, it's possible to pack in dozens of vendors with tables. It's nice to feel downright cozy with everyone there (as the space is a bit drafty). There's also an upstairs space where it's possible to hold breakout sessions, readings, lectures and the like. I myself have tabled in this space for Yelp, and I have no complaints, save the draft -- and the lighting, as it's a bit dim in there. But again, for a (potentially free) space -- it's gorgeous, and lends itself well to events that, like the library, highlight the pursuit of knowledge and the building of community. If you're ever on the fence about going to an event here (or being a vendor), go for it -- it's awesome!

    The Richardson Hotel - hotels - Updated July 2026

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