Hotel Holiday Inn Niagara Falls

Located among the chaos of naf hotels, game arcades and cheap bars that surrounds Niagara Falls, the hotel is one of the highest buildings, boasting beautiful views of the Falls, making up a big part of its draw. Everything in Niagara Falls is within walking distance.

Smoking is not allowed throughout the hotel. Wi-Fi access is complimentary throughout the hotel.

The Holiday Inn is a tiny hotel nestled between hotel towers in Niagara Falls' version of Las Vegas. Although the no-frills hotel isn't the flashiest around, its manageable size makes up its appeal for a clientele that doesn't want to have to walk miles of corridors to get places around the hotel. The hotel originally opened in 1968 and funnily enough it was called 'The Holiday Inn', but was not part of the hotel chain. The chain snapped up the building in the late 70s and renovated it three years ago.

The interiors aren't the most stylish, but they are colourful and a little quirky. The same colours carry on throughout the rooms, lifting the otherwise drab atmosphere of Niagara Falls. Otherwise upon entering the small low-ceilinged lobby, a feeling of calm settles as you leave the hubbub of Niagara Falls' game arcades and chain coffee shops. To the right is the hotel bar and further in the restaurant. Contemporary and colourful is what defines the two spaces, which are actually very pleasant to spend time in, despite the fact there isn't much natural light. It is handy having two spaces to choose from in the evenings; although they can get a little busy, so be prepared to wait, especially during the summer at the weekends. Otherwise guests also have access to a small gym and the outdoor pool, which is perfect in the summer. Guests even have a view of Niagara Falls' copy of Toronto landmark, the CN Tower. For the chillier months, there is also an indoor pool and sauna that are complimentary for in-house guests. For guests with young families for whom a launderette would be handy, will be happy to hear that there is one available onsite (coin-operated).

There are 122 rooms spread over the six floors of the hotel. The rooms are a bit dated in terms of décor, some more than others. We liked the most recently renovated rooms as they look fresher. All rooms are colourful, especially the bedspreads, but other rooms have been left with the garish mahogany furniture that dates back to the 80s. The colourful bedspreads end up looking like a cheap attempt at a makeover. However, despite the heavy carpets and dated décor, the rooms are light and bright due to their floor-to-ceiling windows. All rooms at the hotel have a balcony - handy in the summer, especially for smokers! Otherwise the rooms have a television (old generation), free tea and coffee-making facilities and a safe, but no mini-bar. Some rooms have twin queen-size beds and others have a king size bed, so be specific at the time of booking. Two rooms have a Jacuzzi - and the honeymoon suite is just like you imagined your honeymoon suite to look like, complete with an eye-watering red heart-shaped bath tub. The cheese notch has been turned up to high in this room! All toiletries are verbena and fruit scented. For people with restricted movement, the hotel also has barrier-free rooms.

If you are travelling with a young family and want to make use of the outdoor pool, the best room to snap up is one on the ground floor metres away from the pool. This makes it easier to access and to supervise children.

The hotel has a bar and restaurant on site. Guests can also order room service during the opening hours of the restaurant. The two spaces are pleasant enough, despite the lack of natural light coming through. The décor is bright and colourful, and contemporary, beating the rest of the hotel. The food served here is mainly à la carte and the menu offers a range of international food from burgers to pasta. For guests with a sweet tooth there is a vending machine selling all sorts on every floor as well as an ice machine. The restaurant gets very crowded at meal times so try to get there early or give it a miss altogether if you don't like having to wait.