My family was visiting from Italy and insisted on going to the falls. I rented a car and off we went. I prebooked a hotel that seemed close to the falls. It is close but when travelling with seniors, not close enough considering that you have to walk down a hill and then up! I rented 2 rooms and they are gianormous!! We had a door that linked the rooms together and it was great! Clean, spacious and affordable. We had a blast in Niagara and so I planned a trip with my wife and kids for October but tried to find a closer location to the falls.

Pretty basic accommodations. The small room was considered "newly renovated" but lacked in some areas - new tub, toilet and walls in the bathroom but old vanity, sink and a disgusting old tile floor. The room was newly painted but poorly done (paint on the window sill). Furnishings were limited and old. The bedding was new and, thank God, very comfortable (pillow top mattress, nice sheets and decorative duvet). Front desk staff were friendly and efficient. Our room was not cleaned on our second day; possibly a miscommunication with the housekeeping staff in the late afternoon ("Please return in a half hour" we asked when they knocked and we were changing to go to the pool - they never came back but the room probably should have been cleaned when we were out form 11 am - 3:00, right? Front desk was informed and they provided us with clean towels and toiletries). Pool area was a bit drab but nice to have on the two ocassions it was not overrun with loud kids. The location of fthe hotel worked well for us; a pleasant walk to the Falls and amongst several restaurants and shops but you are on the "cusp" of the seedy area just a few blocks down before hitting Lundy's Lane - the view from our room was of the head shop "Hightimes" across the street, complete with it's pot leaf logo on it's signage. Free parking but it can be a bit of a challenge when there are buses and other guests who park where they shouldn't (there is overflow parking across the street). Complimentary continental breakfast is just that - a selection of high carb options that will get you through till lunch and beg of you to overeat. Some really bad donuts but also fresh fruit, light yogurt and Special K. Only one ice machine in the entire hotel. Slow elevator. A few dining suggestions - Wild Mushroom for a pizza deal (large pie with one topping, big pitcher of beer - $20. - go early unless you want to feel very AARP by the young local crowd around 10:00pm), Swiss Chalet (always reliable and cheap), and Carpaccio for great Italian food (we had pasta dishes- very good but make reservations and request a quiet booth). US dollar is at par and taken without hesitation but your change will always be given in Canadian. As usual, the extra taxes sting. We travel to Niagara Falls quite a bit to bike the Niagara Gorge Trail ( highly recommend) and have noticed a bit of a change over the past few years - it's always been a little tacky , especially the Clifton Hill area but it's becoming a touch seedy now as well ( hubby and I were like "Are those hookers we're seeing on the street and in the bar???" He thinks they were, I'm still holding on to hope they were not - very young) but you can still find beauty amongst the gardens and a quiet place to enjoy the view or a lovely walk. Days Inn Near the Falls will provide basic accommodations for your trip, especially if you'll be out of you room quite a bit. We got a great deal though Expedia, cashing in promo certificate so, for what we paid, it was a steal. Hubby overheard front desk staff give an obnoxious rate (over $200.) to a walkin for a Saturday night so don't be taken. Call direct or go through Expedia. Not a bad place to stay, just very basic.

We spent 2 nights here and it was clean and quiet, the breakfast included raisin bran and fruit loops, bagels and bread to toast, lots of sweet rolls, apples and bananas, apple and orange juice, and coffee, the funny thing was they had 5 oz coffee cups almost like espresso cups. The location was great, and the staff seemed real nice. There was high speed wireless in the lobby at no charge.

Despite it's cumbersome name this is a great budget hotel. On check in the staff were friendly and helpful, the room and en suite bathroom were very clean. The inclosive continental breakfast was an all you can eat and very nice. You can park your car at the hotel all day and take the 10 minute walk to the Falls.