HOST: Elisabeth and Carl Slenk

LOCATION: On U.S. Route 104, main street in a commercial area. Between a Unitarian church and an accountant’s offices. Ten-minute walk to the falls. Near restaurants favored by local residents.

OPEN: Year round. Two-night minimum on major holidays.

Carl calls the brick-and-shingled house "1903 contemporary." Not a mansion, but a doctor’s offices for many years, it was a two-year conversion project that culminated in the B&B opening "in the city where our three children were born" in 1991. In the 1980s the Slenks lived in England and Germany—and stayed at B&Bs—while Carl, a chemical engineer and licensed ham operator, was a Carborundum plant manager. Now retired from Carborundum, he is treasurer of a private boys’ secondary school. Lis, a teacher/speech therapist/writer who now creates wearable art and crafts, is an embroiderer, silk painter, clown course graduate, and former Niagara Falls information booth manager.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES SPOKEN: German.

IN RESIDENCE: "One gray Persian-type cat, Rosie or Rosie-O-Gray-dee."

BED AND BATH: Three second-floor rooms, each with ceiling fans, private bath. Queen bed, full hall bath. King/twins option, full hall bath. Queen and single (plus rollaway available), en-suite shower bath.

BREAKFAST: Flexible schedule. Sundays, continental after 8. ("Lis sings in choir.") French toast or pancakes, fresh fruit, homemade muffins or breads, and juice.

PLUS: Sitting room with gas fireplace, TV, and a spinet piano. A 1900 reed organ that has been converted to electric power. TV (cable), books, board games. Off-street parking "even for your boat trailer or recreational vehicle." Transportation to/from train or bus station.

From England: "Lovely, warm, comfortable atmosphere. . . . A welcoming cup of tea after a long day out! . . . Older-style house appreciated for its charm and character." From Pennsylvania: "Unhurried and friendly . . . plenty of hot water . . . delightfully decorated. . . . All the things a good B&B should be."