Niagara Falls.

MuffDiver

No patience
Oct 12, 2001
1,025
644
113
St. Catharines
What do you locals think of Remington's?
Never been there. I tend to avoid everything in the touristy area of Niagara Falls. Typically everything is grossly overpriced and I got tired of arguing over the BS Improvement Fee tacked on to your bill. They say residents can get it waived, but I've had places refuse and I just got sick of fighting over it. Between the inflated prices, HST, 20% tip and then another fee tacked on top, your bill really inflates. Plus it should be applied on the sub-total before the HST is applied. I've done the math before and we end up paying a fee on a fee in many places. I remember comparing a popular Toronto steakhouse to the same steakhouse in Niagara and with the Niagara sucker mark-up and the improvement fee, the meal was almost double.

Remington's has mixed reviews on Trip Advisor and complaints about that idiotic fee, but their prices are not out of line at all for what I would expect to pay for a good steak in a restaurant.

If I'm with out of town friends, I'll eat the fee and behave if they insist on eating by the Falls, but otherwise I support businesses outside the touristy area that do not charge fees in addition to the HST. Like Jeffro's. If they're flexible, I take them back to St. Catharines and eat at one of the many good restaurants here.

In random order: Bolete, OddBar, OddBird, BrazGrill, Bistro Mirepoix (for brunch). There are others, but these are 4 I really enjoy and they are not big corporate chains. They are local and I like to support local.
 

danmand

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2003
46,971
5,606
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Never been there. I tend to avoid everything in the touristy area of Niagara Falls. Typically everything is grossly overpriced and I got tired of arguing over the BS Improvement Fee tacked on to your bill. They say residents can get it waived, but I've had places refuse and I just got sick of fighting over it. Between the inflated prices, HST, 20% tip and then another fee tacked on top, your bill really inflates. Plus it should be applied on the sub-total before the HST is applied. I've done the math before and we end up paying a fee on a fee in many places. I remember comparing a popular Toronto steakhouse to the same steakhouse in Niagara and with the Niagara sucker mark-up and the improvement fee, the meal was almost double.

Remington's has mixed reviews on Trip Advisor and complaints about that idiotic fee, but their prices are not out of line at all for what I would expect to pay for a good steak in a restaurant.

If I'm with out of town friends, I'll eat the fee and behave if they insist on eating by the Falls, but otherwise I support businesses outside the touristy area that do not charge fees in addition to the HST. Like Jeffro's. If they're flexible, I take them back to St. Catharines and eat at one of the many good restaurants here.

In random order: Bolete, OddBar, OddBird, BrazGrill, Bistro Mirepoix (for brunch). There are others, but these are 4 I really enjoy and they are not big corporate chains. They are local and I like to support local.
Thank you. I appreciate your answer.

I liked Remington's. The food was good, and the service great.
 
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poker

Everyone's hero's, tell everyone's lies.
Jun 1, 2006
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Niagara

bazokajoe

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2010
11,101
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Absolutely. But how does that show they are running an Air B&B?
I'm sure Airbnb would cooperate with local governments is handing over a list of properties that are listed and also that have had bookings past and present.
 

anon1

Well-known member
Aug 19, 2001
11,073
3,098
113
Tranquility Base, La Luna
I have not heard of Paradise walk, yet. However, on the corner of ferry Street and Stanley, where the Dairy Queen is, they’ve started construction on a new 45 story condo. It may be taller actually, I think the plan was for it to be taller than the Hilton. It’s going to look out of place on that corner. Most of the units will end up being Airbnb’s. So in essence, and illegal hotel.

There is an adjacent hotel and the condos are marketed as AirBnB potential.
 

poker

Everyone's hero's, tell everyone's lies.
Jun 1, 2006
7,699
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Niagara
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Mr Deeds

Muff Diver Extraordinaire
Mar 10, 2013
6,952
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Here
I heard that the Americans are amassing troupes at the border and the Russians and Chinese are threatening economic sanctions. If they invade casino Niagara
A
 

MadGeek

Well-known member
Jul 17, 2011
1,045
1,042
113
Hit the Downer/Seds this afternoon. Spoke to a number of gals; business is slowing down as Covid counts climb. So not sure on the status of the club but I'm sure in the coming weeks there will be deals to be had. *Wink* *Wink* *Nudge* *Nudge*
 

eddie kerr

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2004
2,000
1,343
113
Grand Niagara is a great course for sure. Just too expensive even for us locals. Legends and Whirlpool are very comparable and more reasonably priced.
Winter time is the best time to visit Niagara Falls. So quiet.
You Are right about the cost at Grand Niagara. Also heard that it is being or has been sold and plans are for a residential community to be built in that area including a hospital. You can buy prepaid vouchers for the legend courses at a discount. Whirlpool was designed by the great Stanley Thompson who has done some of the best courses in Canada including former No. 1 course in Antigonish N.S. called Highland Links. It is off the Cabot Trail, magnificent golf course.
 

eddie kerr

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2004
2,000
1,343
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Never been there. I tend to avoid everything in the touristy area of Niagara Falls. Typically everything is grossly overpriced and I got tired of arguing over the BS Improvement Fee tacked on to your bill. They say residents can get it waived, but I've had places refuse and I just got sick of fighting over it. Between the inflated prices, HST, 20% tip and then another fee tacked on top, your bill really inflates. Plus it should be applied on the sub-total before the HST is applied. I've done the math before and we end up paying a fee on a fee in many places. I remember comparing a popular Toronto steakhouse to the same steakhouse in Niagara and with the Niagara sucker mark-up and the improvement fee, the meal was almost double.

Remington's has mixed reviews on Trip Advisor and complaints about that idiotic fee, but their prices are not out of line at all for what I would expect to pay for a good steak in a restaurant.

If I'm with out of town friends, I'll eat the fee and behave if they insist on eating by the Falls, but otherwise I support businesses outside the touristy area that do not charge fees in addition to the HST. Like Jeffro's. If they're flexible, I take them back to St. Catharines and eat at one of the many good restaurants here.

In random order: Bolete, OddBar, OddBird, BrazGrill, Bistro Mirepoix (for brunch). There are others, but these are 4 I really enjoy and they are not big corporate chains. They are local and I like to support local.
You can or used to refuse to pay that Niagara Tax. Best pub there IMO is Macguilligans Irish Pub. Has a very large back room where we had a party of 14 all to ourselves after our golf tournament and have live entertainment on weekends.
 

MuffDiver

No patience
Oct 12, 2001
1,025
644
113
St. Catharines
You can or used to refuse to pay that Niagara Tax.
I just got tired of arguing about the fee, so I stay out of the tourist area and spend my money elsewhere. I pay enough in taxes and fees. Not paying another fee where there is no audit or accountability. Just another cash grab, in my opinion. But they get enough glassy eyed tourists from all over the world, so it works. I could be a dick and reduce the tip by the fee, but that is penalizing the wrong people and the wait staff are not the ones responsible for the fee or their management's incompetence of removing the fee for a resident.

When Covid was at its peak, I walked from Jeffro's to the Falls (had to work off my gigantic brisket sandwich) and saw hardly anyone. I enjoyed one of nature's wonders in peace, for free. It was very surreal compared to my many other visits, but I enjoyed it.
 

bazokajoe

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2010
11,101
10,231
113
Never been there. I tend to avoid everything in the touristy area of Niagara Falls. Typically everything is grossly overpriced and I got tired of arguing over the BS Improvement Fee tacked on to your bill. They say residents can get it waived, but I've had places refuse and I just got sick of fighting over it. Between the inflated prices, HST, 20% tip and then another fee tacked on top, your bill really inflates. Plus it should be applied on the sub-total before the HST is applied. I've done the math before and we end up paying a fee on a fee in many places. I remember comparing a popular Toronto steakhouse to the same steakhouse in Niagara and with the Niagara sucker mark-up and the improvement fee, the meal was almost double.

Remington's has mixed reviews on Trip Advisor and complaints about that idiotic fee, but their prices are not out of line at all for what I would expect to pay for a good steak in a restaurant.

If I'm with out of town friends, I'll eat the fee and behave if they insist on eating by the Falls, but otherwise I support businesses outside the touristy area that do not charge fees in addition to the HST. Like Jeffro's. If they're flexible, I take them back to St. Catharines and eat at one of the many good restaurants here.

In random order: Bolete, OddBar, OddBird, BrazGrill, Bistro Mirepoix (for brunch). There are others, but these are 4 I really enjoy and they are not big corporate chains. They are local and I like to support local.
I tell anyone coming from out of town who wants to visit the Falls to stay in St. Catherines and drive to the Falls for the day. Agree with your comment on going to St. Kitts for restaurant selection.
As a local I couldn't give a shit if some of the businesses go belly up because people boycott them due to the improvement fee/tourist tax.
I was at The Keg on Victoria Avenue a few winters ago and because we are locals they gave us a 20% of menu items except booze. Some restaurants even have a "locals menu".
Last winter myself and a couple of good buddies purchased a golf package from Thundering Waters. $50 + tax for 18 holes & cart, 10 free wings at Hooters and a beer tasting at 1 of the local micro breweries. We didn't do the beer tasting. I hadn't golfed at Thundering Waters for a few years and was shocked at all the development around the course.
 
Last edited:

danmand

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2003
46,971
5,606
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I just got tired of arguing about the fee, so I stay out of the tourist area and spend my money elsewhere. I pay enough in taxes and fees. Not paying another fee where there is no audit or accountability. Just another cash grab, in my opinion. But they get enough glassy eyed tourists from all over the world, so it works. I could be a dick and reduce the tip by the fee, but that is penalizing the wrong people and the wait staff are not the ones responsible for the fee or their management's incompetence of removing the fee for a resident.

When Covid was at its peak, I walked from Jeffro's to the Falls (had to work off my gigantic brisket sandwich) and saw hardly anyone. I enjoyed one of nature's wonders in peace, for free. It was very surreal compared to my many other visits, but I enjoyed it.
I think I payed something like $5 in tourist fee, which was not enough to ruin my evening or even irritate me.
I can see that it would bother the locals.
 

xix

Time Zone Traveller
Jul 27, 2002
5,925
2,610
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La la land
Wouldn't the Land Registry show who owns it?
No.
LR and city hall only looks at the whole building property and volume that is how they asses the property tax. The Condo Mgt in their monthly fees spreads the property tax per unit. City hall would rather have a single check from buildings than multiple check for a building. City doesn't want to deal with individuals by building because how would they posses a Unit if tax is not paid.

When you buy the condo, CRA is only concern for the capital money, and the condo mgt handles the property issuance or transfer.
A friend went through this recently as the lawyers told him.
 

danmand

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2003
46,971
5,606
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No.
LR and city hall only looks at the whole building property and volume that is how they asses the property tax. The Condo Mgt in their monthly fees spreads the property tax per unit. City hall would rather have a single check from buildings than multiple check for a building. City doesn't want to deal with individuals by building because how would they posses a Unit if tax is not paid.

When you buy the condo, CRA is only concern for the capital money, and the condo mgt handles the property issuance or transfer.
A friend went through this recently as the lawyers told him.
I do not know how they do it in Niagara Falls, but I pay property tax on my condo in Toronto as an individual, not over the condo fees.
 

MuffDiver

No patience
Oct 12, 2001
1,025
644
113
St. Catharines
I think I payed something like $5 in tourist fee, which was not enough to ruin my evening or even irritate me.
I can see that it would bother the locals.
For me, it can add up to over $50 a month. Not a fortune, but better in my pocket than a corporation's pocket. To me, it's a rip-off fee that the politicians looked the other way on. The way I see it, it is not my responsibility to "improve" the area. That's why we pay taxes. Plus there are enough junkies, homeless and mentally ill people on the streets of my own city that need help and are not getting it.
 

xix

Time Zone Traveller
Jul 27, 2002
5,925
2,610
113
La la land
I do not know how they do it in Niagara Falls, but I pay property tax on my condo in Toronto as an individual, not over the condo fees.
So you, in TO, send a check to city hall directly? I guess each city works differently. I forgot his place is a co-op equity. Maybe Condos are different but the lawyer didn't tell him that.
 

danmand

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2003
46,971
5,606
113
So you, in TO, send a check to city hall directly? I guess each city works differently. I forgot his place is a co-op equity. Maybe Condos are different but the lawyer didn't tell him that.
I do. I have individual title to 1/400 of the building.
 
Ashley Madison
Toronto Escorts