Q: Hello, I have read alot of stuff on the internet about travelers horror stories on some motels/hotels in Niagara Falls Canada...I am wondering where are some cheap motels/hotels to stay in that were clean and tidy and without little critters...I don't mean cheap cheap...I am staying for 3 days and 2 nights..and I am willing to pay a few hundred dollars...where are some nice places that don't break the bank and also won't leave me with bug bites..lol Also, I am going to Buffalo New York shopping and I am wondering where the best outlets, and malls are where I can get good deals???
A: The most economical lodgings (as well as many reasonable restaurants both chain and independent) are on Lundy's Lane. This will put you somewhere between 1-3 miles from the falls, but you will be on a road that can take you directly to the falls. There are many cheaper lodging chains as well as independent places there. However, remember that all NF lodgings normally raise their prices up for weekend nights. It is not unusual to see a room's price double from weekday to weekend during the peak travel season. There are enough national/international chain locations there for you to ignore any questionable independents. In addition, last year I stayed at the Rodeway Inn Fallsview on Stanley Avenue in mid-September. It was right across the street from the Minolta tower, surrounded by restaurants both local and chain and was a short walking distance from the Fallsview Casino. It wasn't too far up the hill from the Falls either. A day pass on the incline could cut that down even further. Depending on when you go, the price may be $30-40 more than it was for me ($65C) in September. Nailing that deal down is up to your own research. Three additional tips about the Rodeway Inn: 1. Make sure it's the Rodeway Inn Fallsview on Stanley Avenue since there are three Rodeway Inns in NFO and a fourth in NY. The other three are MUCH different than this location and are not recommended. 2. This location is a hybrid where they built a new section in front of an older property. I stayed in the newer section and can report a clean and well appointed room. Some reviews claim the newer section is better than the older one. However, a 4 out of 5 smile rating from Travelocity and a three diamond rating from AAA may contradict that idea. Having only stayed in the newer section, I can't confirm it, though. 3. For some unexplained reason, I found the double bed rooms here to be cheaper than the single bed rooms. Usually, it's the other way around. I had no problem being in a double bed room (especially since the room was quite large to begin with) if it meant my stay was cheaper. Even if you only need single rooms, opening your options might get you a better price. The main outlet mall in the Buffalo area is the 150 store Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls on Military Road in Niagara Falls. Walden Galleria is another 200 store mall closer to Buffalo. They tend to have higher end stores with prices to match, but they still might offer something you're interested in. However, for something more off the beaten path or worth the search, I would send you to the official site of the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau. They have many more links there for area malls, shopping districts and specialty stores than could reasonably be listed here.