Where to Stay in Ithaca
Your guide to the best areas and accommodation types
Ithaca sits at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, draped over steep hills that funnel into Cornell University's campus. Where you stay shapes your experience more than most realize. Downtown keeps you amid the restaurant row and Saturday farmers' market. Collegetown is undergrad central, with pizza smells and thumping music until 2am. The lakefront offers quiet mornings watching mist rise off the water, while the hills above town give panoramic views over the gorge-cut landscape.
Expect to pay more than Syracuse but less than New York City. A clean double runs $120-250. Luxury is limited to two full-service hotels and a handful of B&Bs with spa services.
Budget
$80-120 per night
Mid-Range
$130-220 per night
Luxury
$250-400 per night (limited options)
Where to Stay in Ithaca
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for every visitor.
Our Top Picks
The highest-rated hotel in each price range, selected from all neighborhoods.
Top Pick — Downtown Commons
Budget
The Dorm Hotel
"Very friendly staff, super clean, good coffee and great location - everything I…"
Parking
Wi-Fi in public areas
Bar
Downtown Commons
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Top Pick — Downtown Commons
Mid Range
Argos Inn - Ithaca's Boutique Hotel
"房間很少，室內空間很温馨，乾淨整潔，樓下有酒吧和咖啡室，更適合夏日出行，服務好，每個人都很温和友善。"
Golf course
Sunbathing area
Hiking
Private parking
Downtown Commons
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Top Pick — Downtown Commons
Best Areas to Stay
Each neighborhood has its own character. Find the one that matches your travel style.
Hotel recommendations verified
Downtown Commons
Mid-range to expensive
Pedestrian-only Commons lined with farm-to-table restaurants, indie bookstores, and the weekend farmers' market. Street musicians play jazz on summer evenings, and the smell of roasting coffee drifts from Gimme! Coffee at dawn.
- ✓ Steps from restaurants and bars
- ✓ Saturday farmers' market
- ✓ Walkable to most attractions
- ✗ Parking is $15-20/day
- ✗ Weekend noise from bars until 2am
Recommended places to stay in Downtown Commons
Budget
The Dorm Hotel
"Very friendly staff, super clean, good coffee and great location - everything I…"
Parking
Wi-Fi in public areas
Bar
✓ Verified
Check prices on Trip.com →
Mid Range
Argos Inn - Ithaca's Boutique Hotel
"房間很少，室內空間很温馨，乾淨整潔，樓下有酒吧和咖啡室，更適合夏日出行，服務好，每個人都很温和友善。"
Golf course
Sunbathing area
Hiking
Private parking
✓ Verified
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Luxury
William Henry Miller Inn
Private parking
Wi-Fi in public areas
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Mid Range
The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
"The Statler hotel is located in Cornell University, which is very convenient for…"
Golf course
Gym
Private parking
Airport shuttle pick-up
✓ Verified
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Collegetown
Budget to mid-range
The student village wedged between Cornell's campus and the gorges. Korean fried chicken joints compete with late-night gyro spots. You'll hear indie rock from basement venues and smell pizza at 3am.
- ✓ 2-minute walk to campus
- ✓ Cheapest food and drinks
- ✓ Constant energy
- ✗ Noise Thursday-Saturday nights
- ✗ Limited parking
Recommended places to stay in Collegetown
Budget
Meadow Court Inn - Ithaca
"Decent palce with affordable price It is definitely worth the price without any…"
Public parking
Wi-Fi in public areas
Golf course
Smoking area
✓ Verified
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Mid Range
Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca
"The hotel is in downtown Ithaca. You can just walk across the street and get rig…"
Golf course
Indoor swimming pool
Skiing
Hiking
✓ Verified
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Mid Range
Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons
"The check in time is at four o'clock, you mind want to remind it."
Hiking
Spa
Gym
Public parking
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Mid Range
Fairfield Inn & Suites Ithaca
"The hotel location is close to the shopping plaza, very convenient for shopping…"
Public parking
Gym
Currency exchange
Wi-Fi in public areas
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Mid Range
Hampton Inn Ithaca
"Clean and comfortable. The location is super good, Wal-Mart is close at hand, th…"
Public parking
Gym
Luggage storage
Wi-Fi in public areas
✓ Verified
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Cayuga Lakefront
Mid-range to luxury
Quiet residential area with lake access and older homes converted to B&Bs. Morning fog rolls across the water, and you can hear loons calling at dusk. The air smells of pine and lake water.
- ✓ Lake views and access
- ✓ Peaceful mornings
- ✓ Easy drive to wineries
- ✗ Need a car to reach restaurants
- ✗ Limited nightlife
Recommended places to stay in Cayuga Lakefront
Mid Range
Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown
"The room is very new! There is a sliding door partition between the bedroom and…"
Gym
Airport shuttle pick-up
Luggage storage
Bar
✓ Verified
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"The room is spacious, bright, comfortable and warm, highly recommended"
Indoor swimming pool
Skiing
Hiking
Gym
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Mid Range
Hotel Ithaca
"We booked this hotel for my sibling graduation ceremony. The hotel has a decent…"
Indoor swimming pool
Gym
Private parking
Airport pick-up
✓ Verified
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Mid Range
Super 8 by Wyndham Ithaca
"Good location, not far from the lake and Cornell University, there seems to be n…"
Public parking
Wi-Fi in public areas
Restaurant
Business center
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Mid Range
Quality Inn Ithaca - University Area
"Breakfast has bread muffin milk egg sausage. There are many restaurants around t…"
Private parking
Luggage storage
Wi-Fi in public areas
Golf course
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South Hill
Mid-range
Residential hillside above downtown with sweeping views over Cayuga Lake. Victorian houses line winding streets, and the evening air carries the scent of woodsmoke from fireplaces.
- ✓ Best views in town
- ✓ Quiet residential feel
- ✓ Free parking
- ✗ Steep drive up and down
- ✗ Limited dining options
Recommended places to stay in South Hill
Mid Range
Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons
✓ Verified
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Find Hotels in Ithaca
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Accommodation Types
From budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels, here's what's available.
Historic B&Bs
$150-300 per night
Converted Victorian mansions and 19th-century farmhouses, many with period furnishings and gardens. Expect homemade breakfasts and innkeepers who know the best hiking trails.
Best for: Couples and architecture buffs
Book 2-3 months ahead for fall foliage season
University Hotels
$200-350 per night
Cornell operates The Statler Hotel as a teaching hotel, offering luxury service at below-market rates when students are managing operations.
Best for: Business travelers and Cornell events
Rates drop 30-40% during Cornell breaks
Vacation Rentals
$120-400 per night
Historic homes and lake cottages dominate the rental market. Many include kayaks and fire pits for the full Finger Lakes experience.
Best for: Families and extended stays
Weekly rentals often include free use of kayaks, bikes, and local wine discounts
Booking Tips
Insider advice to help you find the best accommodation.
Graduation weekend books 6 months out
Cornell's May graduation fills every room within 30 miles. Book before January or expect to pay triple rates in Syracuse.
Fall foliage season fills mid-October
Last two weeks of October bring leaf-peepers from around the world. Book 2-3 months ahead for lakefront properties.
Winter rates drop 40-50%
January-March sees the cheapest rates. Many B&Bs close, but hotels remain open with deep discounts.
When to Book
Timing matters for both price and availability.
High Season
Graduation weekend and fall foliage require 3-6 months advance booking.
Shoulder Season
Late April-May and September-October, book 2-4 weeks ahead for best rates.
Low Season
November-March, walk-ins welcome, rates slashed 30-50%.
Two weeks covers most situations outside peak events.
Good to Know
Local customs and practical information.
Check-in / Check-out
Most properties offer 24-hour desk service. B&Bs typically have afternoon check-in windows, call ahead for late arrivals.
Tipping
Standard US rates: $2-5 per night for housekeeping, 18-20% at restaurants.
Payment
All major cards accepted. Downtown parking garages take cards. Bring quarters for meters.
Safety
Very safe. Downtown is well-lit and patrolled. College areas have blue-light emergency phones.
After You Book: Activities in Ithaca
Once your accommodation is sorted, explore these activities
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