Travelers seeking a straightforward place to sleep in Ithaca have four inns to choose from, ranging from a Quality Inn near Cornell University to the historic Inn at Taughannock Falls, set on 14 acres outside town. Budget-conscious guests often pick Quality Inn Ithaca - University Area, which provides free parking, free WiFi, and a daily breakfast, with easy access to Buttermilk Falls State Park and Ithaca Beer Company. Mid-range options like Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca add an indoor pool, hot tub, and on-site restaurant, sitting just 3 km from Cornell and a 16-minute walk from the Sciencenter. For a more scenic stay, the Inn at Taughannock Falls offers private balconies facing Cayuga Lake and a trailhead leading directly into Taughannock Falls State Park, home to the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies.
Amenities differ sharply among these inns, so match them to your itinerary. The Inn at Taughannock Falls, rated Superb by guests, includes a bar, continental breakfast, free parking, and laundry facilities, but rooms lack TVs in the historic Victorian building. Hilton Garden Inn, rated Very Good, provides family rooms, a fitness center, and tea/coffee makers in every room, a solid pick for business travelers or families. If you are driving, note that Quality Inn offers free parking but no on-site dining; the Inn at Taughannock Falls has no restaurant either, though its bar serves drinks. Cornell University is central for most visits, while the airport is 8 km from Hilton Garden Inn, making either an efficient base.