This Ramada is slightly bigger than most in the chain and the hotel is spread across two different wings. One of the wings has been renovated, and the lobby has a newer, contemporary look, with a smattering of original abstract oil paintings on the wall and dark, antique-style armchairs. A large clock behind the reception desk and an extravagant crystal chandelier hovering over the staircase give the space a more upmarket feel than its mid-range rating may suggest. There is a small cafe next to the elevator on the ground floor adjacent to Don Cherry’s Sports Grill, which is a popular dining/drinking spot equipped with several TVs and a pool table. Guests looking for a quiet retreat should look elsewhere though because features like three pools and bargain rates draw large groups, families, and partiers galore, especially during holiday and summer months. 

The Ramada Plaza is located on a commercial block off of the main road -- Lundy’s Lane -- that leads into downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Canada One Factory Outlets are directly across the street from the hotel and several restaurants and other shops line each side of the road, which is busy with pedestrians and traffic throughout the day. Downtown Niagara Falls, and the falls themselves, is a 10-minute drive accessible, where many of the town's main attractions reside, including Clifton Hill, Bird Kingdom, and the casinos that give this town its Vegas-like reputation. The charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and its surrounding vineyards are accessible by car in 25 minutes. Buffalo Niagara International Airport is a 41-minute drive away and Toronto Pearson International Airport is an hour-and-10-minute drive away.

There is a wide disparity in room quality at this hotel, and the rooms in one of the two buildings are much fresher than the others. Our Deluxe Room was modern and simple, with an attractive patterned carpet, brown duvets with bright yellow-and-orange bed runners that matched the yellow accent wall, a contemporary seating area, and modern dark furniture (including stylish headboards). However, there are rooms here that need lots of upkeep, and details like missing remote control backs and wear-and-tear are underwhelming. Additionally, the family-meets-party vibe of the hotel is a problem given its extremely thin walls. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, alarm clocks, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers with free coffee, desks, and air-conditioning. The hotel also has much larger suites with extra sitting areas and sofa beds, and some rooms have hot tubs or balconies. Bathrooms are spacious and modern, with white tiles, dark wood vanities, and contemporary fixtures, though we did notice dirty grout in the large walk-in shower, but again, quality varies from room to room.

This hotel has many three-pearl features, though some go slightly above mid-range standards, particularly the on-site pools -- one saltwater and one fresh water indoor pool and one outdoor pool -- all of which are popular families with kids. There is a well-equipped gym with lots of natural light as well as meeting rooms and banquet areas that can accommodate up to 300 guests. Wi-Fi is free in rooms and throughout the hotel, although it can be unreliable in places, and the hotel has a small gift shop. Don Cherry’s Sports Grill serves a buffet breakfast every day during the summer, and also serves decent pub fare for lunch and dinner. An on-site coffee shop serves Starbucks coffee in the lobby for guests needing a morning pick-me-up after a night at the Niagara Falls casinos. The hotel has ample outdoor parking, but it is subject to a nightly fee, and several guests have reported a host of other fees being tacked onto their bill at check-out.