In a lovely residential neighborhood just east of downtown stands the Dickenson House on James (1504 James St., 315/423-4777, www.dickensonhouse.com, $99–350 d). This stately English Tudor B&B offers five attractive guest rooms filled with antiques, a small garden out back, and a guest kitchen generously stocked with snacks, beer, and wine.

In Fayetteville, 10 miles southeast of Syracuse, find the comfortable Craftsman Inn (7300 E. Genesee St., 315/637-8000, www.craftsmaninn.com, $99–180), where all 90-odd rooms and suites are furnished in Arts and Crafts style.

The downtown Parkview Hotel (713 E. Genesee St., 315/701-2600, www.theparkviewhotel.com, $97–109) is a charming boutique hotel with large, art deco–styled rooms and a good, solid coffee bar in Stefon’s Place, which serves light meals on the first floor. Complimentary airport shuttle and Wi-Fi add to the already decent value.

Jefferson Clinton Hotel (416 S. Clinton St, 315/425-0500, www.jeffersonclintonhotel.com, $195–300) with warm, genuine service, impresses guests with the little touches, from the rubber ducky atop the generous stack of bath towels to an omelet station at the complimentary breakfast buffet. Complimentary Wii, X-Box 360, DVD and GPS rentals, Wi-Fi, and parking are added perks. What might be most winning, though, is the hotel’s habit of scooting guests to their room on early arrivals whenever humanly possible and their practice of free upgrades to available junior suites. The Armory Square location offers easy access to pubs, museums, and the large ice-skating pavilion in the winter.