If you’re planning a trip to Central New York and have the Crowne Plaza Syracuse on your shortlist, I have some news that might throw a wrench in your plans. Most travel booking sites—the big ones you use every day—still have this place listed as a functioning, four-star hotel. They’ll show you photos of the circular tower, talk about the "upscale luxury" of Redfield's Restaurant, and maybe even let you try to click a "reserve" button.
But here’s the reality: the hotel is gone.
In October 2024, the Crowne Plaza Syracuse basically shut its doors overnight. No long goodbye. No transition period for travelers who had booked months in advance for concerts or graduation. One day it was a staple of the Syracuse skyline at 701 East Genesee Street; the next, it was a locked building with security guards and a lot of confused people standing on the sidewalk with suitcases.
The sudden end of an era
It’s kinda wild how fast it happened. People showed up for the Pink concert in late 2024 only to find the doors boarded up. Honestly, it was a mess. Management cited "market and economic conditions," which is corporate-speak for the math just didn't work anymore.
The building itself has been around since 1977. For decades, it was the place to stay if you wanted to be near Syracuse University or the hospitals. That distinctive circular architecture made it a landmark. You couldn't miss it coming off I-81. But the reality of hospitality in 2026 is that maintaining these massive, aging towers is incredibly expensive.
Why the hotel actually disappeared
While the closure felt sudden to the public, the writing was on the wall. Syracuse has seen a massive shift in how its downtown and university areas function. Within a single twelve-month span, the city lost nearly 600 hotel rooms. The Sheraton? Gone. The Mayflower? Gone.
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They weren't just failing businesses. They were victims of a changing city. Syracuse University needed housing. The city needed affordable apartments. The Crowne Plaza Syracuse became more valuable as a residential conversion than as a place for weary travelers to spend $200 a night.
What's happening to the building now?
If you drive past the old site today, you aren't going to see a "Grand Opening" sign for a new hotel. Instead, the property is in the middle of a massive pivot.
The plan—which started rolling in late 2024 and continues through 2026—is a total conversion into apartments. This follows a trend we're seeing all over the Rust Belt. It’s easier to take a building with existing plumbing and individual rooms and turn them into studios or one-bedrooms than it is to build from scratch.
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The "Horizons" ballroom on the 20th floor? That iconic space with the 360-degree views of the city? It's no longer hosting weddings. The focus has shifted to providing housing for the local workforce and residents who want to be near the downtown core without the "luxury hotel" price tag.
Where you should stay instead
Since you can't book the Crowne Plaza Syracuse anymore, you've gotta look elsewhere. The "University Hill" area is tight on space right now because of all these closures. Here is the local lowdown on the remaining players:
- The Marriott Syracuse Downtown: This is the big one. It’s the restored Hotel Syracuse. If you wanted the Crowne Plaza for its "historic" or "grand" vibe, this is your best bet. It’s about a five-minute drive from the old Crowne site.
- Hotel Skyler: It's a boutique hotel inside a converted temple. Super cool, very "Salt City" vibe. Syracuse University actually bought this one recently, but it's still running as a hotel (for now).
- The Parkview Hotel: Literally right down the street at 713 East Genesee. It’s a 3.5-star spot that has picked up a lot of the "hospital overflow" business since the Crowne shut down.
- Collegian Hotel & Suites: Another nearby option on East Genesee. It’s part of the Wyndham Trademark Collection. It’s solid, though maybe not as "flashy" as the old tower.
Acknowledging the "Ghost Listings"
One thing that really bugs me is that many online travel agencies (OTAs) still haven't updated their databases. You might see a "Crowne Plaza Syracuse" listing that looks active. Don't be fooled by 4.0-star ratings from 2023.
If you see a deal that looks too good to be true for this specific location, it's likely a technical glitch or a site that hasn't cleaned up its "ghost" inventory. Always verify by looking for recent reviews from the current month. If the most recent review is from October 2024 and says "THE HOTEL IS CLOSED," believe them.
Practical next steps for travelers
If you had your heart set on the East Genesee area, here is what you need to do:
- Check the Map: Focus your search on the "Eastside" or "Downtown" neighborhoods.
- Verify the Sheraton: Remember, the Sheraton Syracuse University is now a dorm. Don't let your old bookmarks lead you there either.
- Book Early: With 600 rooms gone from the inventory, graduation weekends and home football games are now a logistical nightmare. If you’re coming for an SU event in 2026, book six months out. Minimum.
- Look at Armory Square: If you want the "walkable" lifestyle the Crowne Plaza sort of offered, Armory Square has several newer properties that put you right in the middle of the bars and restaurants.
The loss of the Crowne Plaza Syracuse changed the landscape of the city's hospitality scene. It’s a bit of a bummer for those of us who liked that 20th-floor view, but the city is moving on. Make sure your travel plans move on with it.
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Actionable Insight: If you have an old reservation or credit voucher for the Crowne Plaza Syracuse, contact IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) customer service immediately. Since the property is no longer under their flag and is physically closed, you'll need to handle refunds through the corporate entity or your booking platform (Expedia, Booking.com, etc.) rather than trying to call the front desk—nobody is picking up that phone anymore.