We enjoyed two very pleasant evenings at the Riverbend Inn. Our room "Sauvignon Blanc" was very spacious, well-appointed, and clean. The two queen beds were comfortable, and we slept well. The bathtub was deep, the water pressure excellent, and the temperature hot, allowing for a veritable soak every night, with clean and fluffy towels a-plenty. We partook of the complimentary wine in the afternoon and coffee and muffins in the morning. We sat in the Adirondack chairs overlooking the vineyard under a blue sky in the morning and used the cement table and benches for a picnic lunch. We walked the waterfront trail to downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake and back, learning later that we could have ridden bicycles available to patrons. As we hadn’t booked the Riverbend Inn restaurant in time, we booked a table at Treadwell Cuisine, where we had a fabulous. We understand that a staff shortage affects the tourist industry. Most of the Riverbend staff members we met were friendly, courteous, and helpful. One took us in a golf cart type conveyance for a tasting at nearby Peller Vineyard, and back to retrieve a key that had slipped out of my pocket there. We chatted with a couple who happily return for their annual stay at the Riverbend Inn. If it weren’t so far from California, we might consider such a tradition.

I have to give it five stars because of the gorgeous location and ambience, the charming and friendly staff and great views over the vineyard. Our room (321) was huge with attractive old fashioned furnishings, lots of wine and an espresso machine. But there are some downsides. The main one is breakfast, or lack thereof. Surely in a hotel of this class you expect a proper breakfast. Instead, starting at 8 there is coffee and pastries available in the lobby which you can take back to your room, sit in the lobby or sit on the patio if the weather is nice. The pastries consisted of very ordinary muffins not quite as good as you get at Tim Horton’s. At least you do not pay extra for it. They have brunch starting at ten, with an á-la-carte menu, but that is too late for most people, including us. We drove five minutes into town and had an excellent breakfast at Sunset Grill, but this should not be necessary.
The Oaklands restaurant is beautiful and outstanding (separate review) and they provide a free shuttle over to the Peller Estates winery where there is an equally outstanding restaurant.
The other issue is no elevator, so if you have difficulty with stairs make sure you book a ground floor room.
Overall the good outweighs the bad and we hope to be back.