Niagara Falls Wyndham Wingate: Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Niagara Falls Wyndham Wingate: "Your Dream Vacation Awaits!"… Did it though? (A Slightly Unhinged Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe a little bit of Niagara Falls water) on the Wyndham Wingate in Niagara Falls. "Your Dream Vacation Awaits!" Scoffs. Let's see if the reality matched the hype, shall we?
SEO & Metadata (let's get this over with first):
- Keywords: Niagara Falls, Wyndham Wingate, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Niagara Falls Hotels, Family Vacation, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Cleanliness, Safety, COVID-19, Breakfast, Parking, Niagara Falls Attractions, Couples Getaway.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Wyndham Wingate Niagara Falls, dissecting its accessibility, amenities (pool, spa, dining), cleanliness during COVID, and overall value. We'll cover everything from the free Wi-Fi to whether the "dream vacation" actually materialized. Get ready for some opinions!
The Grand Entrance (and the Immediate Hiccups - sigh):
Firstly, the drive to Niagara Falls is beautiful. You know, all those wineries and green fields, until you hit the… concrete jungle of tourist traps. The Wyndham Wingate, thankfully, isn't too far into the deep end.
Accessibility:
Okay, let's start with something important – Accessibility. They say they’re accessible, and to their credit, wheelchair accessible is marked. Now, I've heard stories, and I'm not in a wheelchair myself, BUT I did take a look around for others. The elevator worked, which is HUGE, and the public areas seemed generally navigable. Did I see any ramps that looked sketchy? Not particularly. But, I can't offer a definitive verdict on how truly accessible it is. Sorry. If you're relying on accessibility, call ahead, ask some specific questions, and then, maybe, just MAYBE, you'll be prepared.
Important note: the presence of facilities for disabled guests is listed, but without specific details, this is a bit… vague. More specific info on this would be helpful!
The Room: Home Sweet…ish Home (and the Free Wi-Fi, thank GOD):
We booked a "non-smoking room" (obvs). And it was… fine. Air conditioning in full swing, thank the heavens. This place is hot. Inside, the room was… well, hotel-roomy. Pretty standard stuff. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver because, believe me, those morning sunrises are brutal.
- Wi-Fi [free] – Praise the internet gods! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually worked! A small miracle. I even streamed some… questionable content… without buffering.
- Internet access – wireless Yes, the Wi-Fi again. It was that important.
- Internet access – LAN (Listed). I did not check this out. I'm not that tech-savvy. Did anyone even use LAN anymore?
- The desk was functional. The desk was sturdy. The desk was probably used by someone who also left behind crumbs.
- Mini bar: Nope. Nothing. Just empty space, ready for my (or your) snacks.
- Refrigerator: Bingo! Perfect for stashing those leftover pizza slices.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yep. Needed that.
- Complimentary tea; I'm also pretty sure they had complimentary coffee, too.
The bathroom was… functional, again. Clean. Had a hair dryer. The towels were fluffy enough that I was grateful.
Here’s where I start getting a bit more… opinionated: The bathrobes? Listed. I'm guessing there must've been, as I did not see them…
The amenities were… adequate: The alarm clock, the desk, toiletries (meh, nothing spectacular), the safe box and a mirror to check if I was still looking presentable, which, let's face it, after a long day of touristy things? Possibly not, but thanks to the mirror, you get the info. The bed was comfortable. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a dream bed, but I slept.
Missing the Point: Some of the listed amenities just seemed… pointless… The additional toilet is listed as something that's included, but who'd want an additional toilet? The extra long bed is listed… well, I guess it's good if you're a very large person, the rest of us mere mortals would probably be fine.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: This is a biggie. It's listed, but it doesn't tell me anything. Are the restaurants truly accessible? Are the aisles wide enough for wheelchairs? Are there accessible tables? More details, Wyndham, more details!
Stuff to Do (and Ways To Relax… maybe):
The Pool:
I’m a pool person. I need a pool, especially after walking around Niagara Falls all day. Swimming pool [outdoor] - CHECK! However, it's a bit… basic. Just a rectangle. It was clean, the water was a good temperature, and the view was… well, of the parking lot. Not exactly the most picturesque pool experience ever. But hey, it cooled me off. The Pool with view is listed, but it was more of a pool near view.
The Spa (and the Dream of Relaxation… mostly unrealised):
The listing boasts a Spa. sigh I saw the list, but I didn't use it, so I'm rating it not bad, not good. On paper, they offer some of the usual stress-melting suspects: Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom. But, and here's the kicker, I didn't personally experience these. The schedule didn't work.
Fitness Center – Listed. I'm going to assume it's present, but the only fitness I got was dodging crowds. Foot bath – I wish! Gym/fitness – The list keeps going, and I didn't use any of these. Let's get back to the pool: Not bad, not good. Sauna, Spa, Steamroom - Listed, but can't be rated, because I don't use them.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (the fuel for adventure):
Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, the breakfast. Let's talk breakfast. Listed as Breakfast [buffet], which to be specific means a buffet. Buffet. Buffet. Breakfast. It was… a buffet. Breakfast service – Included! Asian breakfast -- Did not find! Asian cuisine in restaurant -- Nope! Buffet in restaurant: Exactly what it says. Coffee shop - nope. Desserts in restaurant - I didn't try any. Poolside bar - nope. Restaurants: Yes! (But I didn't use them). Salad in restaurant - I didn't check! Soup in restaurant - didn't check! Vegetarian restaurant - I didn't check! Western breakfast - Yes, included! Western cuisine in restaurant - Yes! (But I didn't check). Happy hour - Might have been present?
Here's the issue! The restaurants were available but I didn't use them. So, I can't rightly comment on the food quality or the service! Just a standard hotel breakfast buffet. The food delivery is listed as a potential thing, and I'm pretty sure you could have food delivered from the outside. The Snack bar is listed, but… was there one really?
Cleanliness and Safety (in a post-pandemic world):
Anti-viral cleaning products: Listed. Nice. Cashless payment service: Good! Daily disinfection in common areas: They were making the effort. Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Hot water linen and laundry washing: I hope so. Hygiene certification: I didn't check! Individually-wrapped food options: Buffet. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried. Professional-grade sanitizing service: They probably did. Room sanitization opt-out available: I didn't see it. Rooms sanitized between stays: Yep, definitely. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I hope so Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it. Sterilizing equipment: Probably!
The Staff, the Service, and the Conveniences:
The front desk was 24 hours! Nice. The concierge was… well, I didn't use the concierge. The daily housekeeping was fine. The **elevator
Seattle's BEST Kept Secret: Mukilteo's Extended Stay Oasis!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on… well, my Niagara Falls trip. At the Wingate by Wyndham, fancy that. Don't expect pristine itineraries, because frankly, I barely manage to put clean socks on in the morning. This is gonna be a glorious, messy, honest-to-goodness human adventure.
Day 1: Arrival, Disappointment, and a Glorious Pizza Savior
- 1:00 PM: Arrival at Wingate by Wyndham Niagara Falls (bleh). Okay, first impression? Let's just say the elevator music is currently battling my inner monologue of "did I pack enough snacks?" and losing. The lobby smells faintly of chlorine and… ambition? Hard to say, but I'll tell you, I'm already regretting not springing for the falls-view room. Guess I'll be staring at a parking lot for the next few days. Side note: Why are hotel rooms always so aggressively beige? It's like they're designed to be as unmemorable as possible.
- 1:30 PM: Check-in Chaos. Smooth sailing! (Said no one ever). Apparently, my "confirmed reservation" was more of a "strongly suggested maybe" situation. After a tense five minutes of me channeling my inner Karen, and the front desk person trying to look helpful but really just wanting to eat their lunch, things got sorted. Thank God.
- 2:00 PM: Unpacking Debacle. I swear, every time I unpack, it looks like a bomb went off in a laundry basket. Half my clothes are in a tangled heap on a chair, the chargers are already MIA, and I can't find the travel-sized shampoo. Why do they make travel-sized shampoo so aggressively tiny? It's a conspiracy, I tell you!
- 3:00 PM: The Falls…From a Distance (and Maybe a Little Bit of a Letdown). I walked to the falls. Seriously. That's it. I saw them. They're big. Water falls down. (Groundbreaking analysis, I know). Honestly, the hype had built up so much, and… well, it's just water falling. Don't get me wrong, it's impressive, but it's also cold and drizzly. I'm already questioning my life choices. Plus, the number of selfie sticks in use is truly astounding. Are we all just here to document our awe, or are we experiencing it? I'll let you guess the irony.
- 5:00 PM: The Hunger Games. After a walk around, I was RAVENOUS. Hangry is an understatement. After some debate, I decided to grab a bite at a local place.
- 6:30 PM: Slice of Heaven… Niagara Pizza. This Italian restaurant was on a side street. The ambiance was straight out of a cheesy rom-com. The lights were dim, the tables were too small for a big group, and the wait staff looked like they’d been working since the dawn of time. But the PIZZA. Oh, the pizza. I'm talking thin, crispy crust, tangy sauce, the perfect amount of cheese. I ate the entire thing. No regrets. It was the best thing that happened all day. Savior. Total savior. I could eat pizza every day and die extremely happy.
- 8:00 PM: Room Shenanigans & Bedtime. Some TV flipping and general relaxation. And a whole lot of food coma.
Day 2: Whirlpools, Mist, and a Deep, Unshakable Love for Souvenir Shops
- 9:00 AM: Coffee & Regret. The free continental breakfast at the hotel was… well, let’s just say it wasn’t the pizza from last night. The waffles were suspiciously spongy, and the coffee tasted like sadness. I needed a caffeine intervention.
- 10:00 AM: The Whirlpool Aero Car Ride (Surprisingly Awesome!). I was skeptical. It sounded touristy. But the aerial view from the aero car, suspended above the Niagara River's Whirlpool Rapids, was actually kind of breathtaking. The water churns and bubbles, and it's wild. I was captivated! I spent the journey taking pictures. ( I am a tourist!) I saw some incredible sights. I was so shocked by the beauty of the river!
- 11:00 AM: Cave of the Winds (Soaked and Stoked!). Okay, this is the real Niagara Falls experience. You get to walk right up to the base of the falls. You get soaked. You feel the sheer power of the water. It's exhilarating, it's terrifying, and it's absolutely worth it. Pro Tip: Wear the poncho. Trust me. I actually laughed out loud. I didn't care that I was soaked. It was just good old fashioned fun.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch and Attempting to Find Some Decent Food. This will forever be something that I struggle with. After cave of the winds, I was hungry. So hungry. I would have eaten anything! The options were slim, so I settled for a greasy burger at a diner. It was less than impressive
- 2:00 PM: Souvenir Shopping Spree. Do you love kitsch? Do you love things you'll probably never use? Then Niagara Falls is your Mecca! I spent a glorious hour in a souvenir shop buying things I definitely don't need. A snow globe. A t-shirt that says, "I Heart Niagara Falls." A ridiculously oversized gummy bear. I’m the target demographic, and I'm not ashamed.
- 4:00 PM: Dinner and Drinks. Found a cute little restaurant. The food was acceptable, but by now the pizza was the only thing really important.
- 6:00 PM: Waterfall Illumination. This was a beautiful touch. It was nice to see the falls lit up. It was pretty and romantic.
- 7:00 PM: Wine down at the hotel. Bedtime and getting ready for my flight out.
Day 3: Departure and Last Thoughts
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast, more of the same, yet somehow, still underwhelming. This time, skipping the waffle. Maybe it was always the breakfast.
- 10:00 AM: Final Walk. Walk around one more time to enjoy the sights. It was a nice, quiet moment.
- 11:00 AM: Check out and Departure. Back to real life!
Final Thoughts (and the Uncomfortable Truths):
Niagara Falls is… complicated. It's touristy, yes. It's a little bit cheesy, definitely. But there's also a genuine power to the falls themselves that’s pretty awe-inspiring. I came. I saw. I got soaked. I bought a ton of useless junk. And I will forever be grateful for the pizza. Overall, it was a whirlwind, complete with ups and downs, but wouldn’t trade it for anything! And hey, at least I have a story to tell. And a souvenir snow globe. And a strong desire for pizza.
Calgary's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Northwest! (Amazing Deals Inside!)
Okay, so... Wyndham Wingate Niagara Falls? What's the *vibe*, man?
Vibe? Alright, picture this: Niagara Falls. Water, roaring. Tourists, a-plenty. And the Wyndham Wingate, sitting right in the thick of it. It's… functional. Let’s just say it’s not attempting to be some chic, minimalist art gallery. It's more like, “We have waffles and a pool! Come on in!” Honestly? That’s exactly what I needed after THAT drive (which we'll get to). It's a family-friendly, get-the-job-done kind of place. Cleanish. Serviceable. Definitely has a “been there, done that” feel, but hey, that’s Niagara Falls in a nutshell, right? You’re not exactly coming for the *hotel* experience, are you? You're coming for the WATERFALLS.
The rooms! Are they... decent? Pray tell.
Decent? Well, that depends on your definition of decent. Let's call them… “room-like.” My room? Okay. It had a bed (thank GOD), a TV (that I never turned on, because, HELLO, NIAGARA FALLS!), and a bathroom (which, thankfully, *mostly* didn't smell like… well, you know). The decor? Let's just say the color palette was a bold, if somewhat questionable, homage to beige. But listen, I'm not expecting the Ritz-Carlton! It was clean enough, the bed was comfy enough (after a long day of waterfall-gawking, anything is comfy!), and the AC worked. That's all I really needed. Although, I did notice a *slight* dip in the carpet... let's just say, it has seen some things. Probably a spilled juice box from a particularly enthusiastic toddler. You get the point. It's a classic, but not luxurious experience.
Breakfast! The most important meal of the day. How was it? Be brutally honest.
BRUTALLY honest? Okay, here goes: The breakfast situation was… adequate. You get what you pay for. Think: a continental buffet that's seen better days, but still does the trick. Waffles were a highlight, for sure. You know, the kind you make yourself, which is always a fun, if slightly sticky, experience. But the eggs? Let's just say they weren't poached to perfection. Think more… scrambled-ish. The coffee? Well, it's coffee. It wakes you up, which is the main goal, right? I did see someone drop a waffle at the buffet one morning, and I swear the person did not go pick it up. I did not eat any more that day.
THE POOL! Was it a chlorine-filled haven of fun, or a biohazard waiting to happen?
Okay, the pool… This is where things got interesting. Firstly, it was *packed*. Kids everywhere! Screaming, splashing, generally having the time of their lives. Which, you know, is nice. I did take a dip, and, look, it was refreshing! There was a whirlpool too but it was so crowded I barely got my feet in before deciding I needed a peaceful moment. The chlorine smell? Yep, it was there. But, you know, it's a *pool*. What do you expect? And again, it beats the heck out of the drive down from the airport! Plus, the kids' energy was infectious. I'm not going to lie: I spent a solid 20 minutes people-watching the little ones, and it was honestly the best entertainment I got that day.
Location, location, location! How close is it to the actual falls?
The location is… *amazing*. Seriously. You can practically *smell* the mist from your room (well, maybe not, but you get the idea). It’s within walking distance to all the main attractions: the falls themselves, the Hornblower (which, by the way, is a MUST-DO), Clifton Hill (the land of arcades and questionable food choices – but, hey, it's Niagara Falls!), and a whole bunch of other stuff. Honestly, you barely need a car! Which is a HUGE win, because parking in Niagara Falls is a nightmare. Seriously, a *nightmare*. The convenience factor alone makes this hotel worth it, practically.
The Staff! Were they helpful? Smile-y? Or just… there?
The staff? Well, they were… pleasant. Efficient. They got the job done. No complaints there. They weren't exactly jumping up and down with glee, but hey, you're dealing with a LOT of tourists, all day, every day. I'm sure their smiles get tired after a while. But they were polite, helpful with directions and small requests, and that's all I really needed. One particularly nice person (I wish I caught his name!) went above and beyond to find me a lost parking ticket, which probably saved my sanity and a hefty fine. So shoutout to him! Someone deserves a raise!
Okay, lay it on me: What was the *single* best thing about staying at the Wyndham Wingate? (And the worst, while you're at it.)
Okay, the BEST thing? No contest: THE LOCATION. Seriously. Being able to stumble out of the hotel and into the heart of the Niagara Falls experience was priceless. Waking up and walking right to the falls in the morning? Unbeatable. Saved me a fortune on transportation, and I actually saw far more and experienced it all in a completely natural order. Just walking around at my desired pace. The WORST thing? Hmm... that's tough. It wasn't a *bad* experience. But I guess I'd have to say the overall… "genericness" of the hotel. While it had a good location, it lacked some of the personality of a more boutique-style place. It felt a little… mass-produced. But honestly? That's Niagara Falls in a nutshell. The entire place is made for tourists, and it delivers. I had no need for bells and whistles. I just needed a bed, waffles, and the falls to see. So, It's perfect for the experience.
Would you stay there again? Seriously. Would you?
Honestly? Yes, I probably would. Look, it's not a luxury resort. It's not going to win any design awards. But it's clean, it's convenient, and it gets the job done. It provides a basecamp. If you're like me, and prioritize the actual Niagara Falls experience over the hotel experience, then absolutely. I would recommend it. The convenience of the location really did it for me. IBook a Stay
Post a Comment for "Niagara Falls Wyndham Wingate: Your Dream Vacation Awaits!"