Travelodge Niagara Falls at the Falls

This two-story motel won't inspire any soliloquies on high design, but the best aspects of the property are the clean guest rooms and proximity to Niagara Falls sights, making it a popular choice with budget travelers and families. All first-floor guest rooms are accessed from the outside and the buildings are arranged around the large parking lot. Guests with mobility issues should keep in mind that there is no elevator to the second floor. The lobby is a small office with no lounge space and the only other public area is the outdoor pool, which has a handful of lounge chairs and a small covered patio with two outdoor dining tables. 

Situated smack in the middle of downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario, this Travelodge is one of the closest budget properties to falls viewing points on the Canadian side. Walks to Queen Victoria Park, with views of the American Falls, take about three minutes, while closer vantage points to the Canadian Falls take about 10 minutes to reach on foot. All things tourist-y are within a short walk from the motel as well. The Niagara SkyWheel is across Clifton Hill, a three-minute walk from the motel, and the Hard Rock Cafe and Casino Niagara are both a three-minute walk around the corner. Bird Kingdom, a popular family attraction with wildlife exhibits, is a 10-minute walk. Buffalo Niagara International Airport is a 45-minute drive away and Toronto Pearson International Airport is an hour-and-15-minute drive away.

By budget motel standards, these are great rooms. Yes, they are simple, and unattractive window-unit air-conditioners don't make the nicest impression, but these rooms are clean and comfortable, with decently attractive tan comforters and brown bed runners, patterned carpets,and modern blue armchairs. The hotel claims to be non-smoking, but all balcony rooms had ashtrays on their patios when we visited, and the framed photos of Niagara Falls lit up at night look a little cheap, while the oak-veneer furniture is a bit dated. All rooms have modern flat-screen TVs, desks, alarm clocks, telephones, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, while some rooms have in-room whirlpools and others have three beds that are well-suited for families. Bathrooms are basic but clean with off-white tiles, pedestal sinks, generic toiletries, and bathtub/shower combos.

Many hotels in the Niagara region offer indoor pools, but this motel only has a heated outdoor pool open during the summer. It's a fine enough place for a dip and good for guests with families, though the concrete terrace surrounding it isn't the most attractive. Wi-Fi is free throughout and guests receive breakfast vouchers for Ruby Tuesday restaurant next door. Parking is subject to a nightly fee, though rates are on par with other properties in the area, and the motel offers an electric car charging station that's free for guest usage. Pets are not allowed.