On Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, we stayed one night at Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, taking advantage of a Local Appreciation special for Niagara residents, advertised to have rates starting at $149 (for a family suite, with balcony). GWL also offers more expensive themed rooms, such as the Kids Cabin. However, we asked if there were lower priced rooms available, and were offered a family suite, without balcony, for only $119. With taxes (GST 6%, room tax 5%), total price for our stay was $132.09. Room #1001 was located on the first floor (one level below the lobby), at the very end of a long hallway.

Admission for two full days to the waterpark was included (for 2 adults, 2 children). On the day of check in, we arrived at 1:00 pm (official room check in time is 4:00 pm). Our room was ready, but had it not been ready, we would have been allowed to go to the waterpark for the afternoon while waiting for our room. Next morning, check out was at 11:00 am. If desired, we could have kept our wristbands on and stayed at the waterpark all day, until 10:00 pm (closing time). Even after check out, your wristband will allow you access to the lockers at the waterpark until 10:00 pm that night. The family suite without balcony is their most basic room. It is, however, a very comfortable room, attractively decorated in a rustic theme, having two queen beds, and a very tall ceiling height. A partition wall (about 6.5 feet high) separates the sleeping area from a small living area, which has a sofa (pull-out bed), coffee table, and dining table with two chairs. Our window overlooked the outdoor pool area. The room also has a kitchen counter with microwave, coffee maker, and mini fridge. I appreciated the supply of coffee, and the set of four coffee mugs (instead of paper coffee cups).

The main attraction here is the waterpark, Bear Track Landing, open only to guests of the hotel. Operating hours are from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm. All guests must wear wristbands (issued by the front desk on check in). Towels are provided at a stand just inside the entrance doors. A microchip inside your wristband will allow you to use a locker, for no charge, inside the change rooms. The most thrilling water slides are accessed by climbing a tall flight of stairs. The “Niagara River Run” is a roller coaster type water slide, featuring many dips and a conveyer belt which pulls your raft (capacity 3 riders) back up hills. The other major thrill slide is the “Woolly Mammoth”; riders hold on for dear life in a round raft (capacity 4 people). My son’s favourite ride was the “Canada Vortex”. Riders can go on single inflatable tubes, or ride with a friend on a double tube; you’re shot down a dark enclosed tunnel, then out into a big round bowl, the size of a room. Your tube might go around three or four times before being sucked down into the centre of the bowl, to the end of the slide. There are about five more water slides, plus a few more for younger children (48” or less). Plenty of other water activities are included, such as a lazy river, a giant water fort with spray guns, water wheels and a tipping bucket, a rope course over a pool, a wave pool, and a swimming pool area with water basketball.
To top it all off, there are three hot tubs: one family tub (the temp is not so hot here), a nearby adults-only tub, and an outdoor adults-only tub (the entry to this hot tub is inside). There is also an outdoor water park, but we did not visit this area, as it was a cool October weekend during our stay. We did, however, see a few hardy souls swimming in the outdoor pool.

My only complaint about our entire experience at GWL is the noise level at the waterpark. Most people won’t likely be as bothered by the noise as I was, as I am prone to auditory overload. At times, I felt like I was in an airplane hangar with jet engines running. There are so many layers of noise echoing inside this cavernous indoor park, from water splashing, to engines whining, exhaust fans blowing, girls shrieking, lifeguard whistles blowing, and to top it off, loud bass-heavy music blasting. To overcome the noise (if one is sensitive), I suggest wearing earplugs. I also found some respite from the racket at the adults-only hot tubs, especially the outdoor one.

Although we did not dine at GWL, I noticed there were several restaurant options. In the lobby is Antler Shanty Grub, an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kids 3 and under eat for free. The dinner buffet for adults was $19.95, and for breakfast $11.95. We opted to bring our own muffins, cereal, juice and milk for a quick breakfast in our room. Located beside the buffet restaurant is Camp Critter Bar & Grille, a sit-down restaurant. Also located in the lobby is Canoe Coffee, serving beverages, and take-away salads, sandwiches, and baked goods. On the lower level, just outside the doors to the waterpark is Pizza Hut Express and the Bear Claw Café, both counter service food outlets. And inside the waterpark are two snack bars, Grizzly Rob’s and Spirit Island, serving snacks such as nachos, and beverages such as slushies in souvenir cups, and alcoholic drinks, too.

My son (age 10) enjoyed visiting the Northern Lights Arcade (on the lower level). Ten dollars bought 30 tokens. There are about 100 games here, including SkeeBall, pinball machines, Whack-a-Mole, Dance Dance Revolution, virtual car racing, and many other favourites. The typical arcade game took

1 to 3 tokens for each play. This is a ticket redemption arcade, so after collecting more than 100 tickets, my son had fun trying to choose from the many prizes available.

There are lots of special activities for children at GWL. In addition to the waterpark, arcade and outdoor mini golf, kids 12 and under can join the Cub Club for free. The Cub Club is located on the lower level; kids can go here to make crafts. Although my son did not join the Cub Club, we noticed a sign announcing a Pyjama Party for Cub Club members from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm, and “No Parents Allowed!” Adults wishing to enjoy a few hours of “grown-up time” might take advantage of sending their youngsters off to the pyjama party. That evening, we saw a group of kids from the Cub Club, all wearing matching decorated hats, enjoying the Great Forest Friends Show in the lobby at 8:00 pm, then having a snack of milk and cookies back in the Cub Club meeting room.

We visited the Courtyard Marriott in November for a quick "weekend getaway" with some friends from the ever-popular Debbie's DR Travel forums (shameless plug, hehe). This was our third stay at this hotel, and for good reason. The hotel is clean, well-maintained, well-staffed and well-run. It's a step-up from budget accommodations but doesn't break the bank - we like to take their weekend Jacuzzi-suite package and think it's an excellent value. The package includes 2 nights accommodations in a double-Jacuzzi suite, breakfast buffet both mornings, and a $45CAD voucher for dinner at the in-house Keg restaurant located off the main lobby. Of course, the price fluctuates depending upon the time of year you are going, but we can enjoy a fun, Fall getaway weekend for about $350CAD and that works for us! They also offer a complimentary casino shuttle which we used on our last trip - definite plus. The hotel has a small but very nice indoor pool. Service is friendly, attentive and professional. Parking is extra - believe we paid $18 for the weekend on our last visit.

The hotel attracts both families and couples. The romance packages are a big draw, but they also offer regular rooms and Family Suites so a good number of families visit as well. It's in a great location for exploring the area attractions, and there are plenty of casual and fine dining options within walking distance (try The Loveboat seafood restaurant across the street - our favourite place!).

We're looking to go again this November and have noticed that they've made some new additions to their package options. The new "Romance Package" includes Jacuzzi suite, chilled wine & glasses, roses, and chocolate covered strawberries for a *little* more than the standard weekend package. Nice if you just want to get away with your spouse for a few days without a lot of expense or hassle! They also offer Casino Concert packages, as well as Kid's Adventure packages.

In-room amenities include the standards: coffee maker, iron and ironing board, in-room safe, mini-bar and Sony Playstation for the kids (extra charge).

Currency exchange is available on-site.

Guests of the Courtyard also have access ($) to sister property Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview's Serenity Spa.

We've stayed at other similarly priced hotels in the area, but this one is the best we have found in this price bracket. Not budget, not posh, just nice. Looking forward to returning for our annual "Falls weekend getaway"!

Lyndsey & Darryl's rating: 2 thumbs up!

Hotel website: http://www.courtyardbythefalls.com
Hotel Phone Number (direct): (905) 358-3083
Toll Free: 1-800-771-1123
Email: info@nfcourtyard.com

If you'd like to map the location at mapquest.com, here's the address: