The Peninsula Inn 7373 Niagara Square Drive Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6S5 Tel: (905)354-8812 Fax: (905)354-7174 e-mail: info@peninsulainn.com Web site: www.peninsulainn.com

Your host: Edmund Leung, General Manager

The Peninsula Inn is one of Niagara's hidden gems. Located across the road from Niagara Square shopping mall, adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth highway, it is out of the falls tourist area but very handy to the falls and for shopping. I've lived in Niagara almost all my life and never guessed what a nice little hotel this place was until we went to visit for www.accessibleniagara.com. With 95 rooms and one truly accessible (Room 219) and another just large and roomy for someone who doesn't need bars, (Room 225) you have the perfect spot for a quiet getaway. These are not non-smoking rooms but if you request one they will clean the room and freshen it so there is no smell of smoke.

When you register, if you tell the front desk that you will need help in case of an emergency they will code your card and you'll be contacted personally should there be a problem requiring evacuation.
There is no kit available for the hearing impaired and there is very little braille anywhere.

PARKING - The hotel is an upside down T shape and there are two designated parking spots, one on either side of the front door. These spots are adjacent to a curb cut and a door that leads right into the lobby near the elevator on the right side and not far from the elevator on the left. I'd say these doors are more for convenience leaving the hotel than entering it as they are locked from the outside for security reasons. The parking lot is large and I'm sure you'd be able to find a spot large enough for a side or rear loading van.

ENTRANCE, DOORS AND LOBBY - The flat entrance is protected from the elements and the doors are automatic. There is a curb cut to get you from the parking lot to the entrance. The flooring is carpet and tile and is all matted during the winter to avoid slipping.

Once inside, we were immediately taken aback by the lovely lobby at our feet. What a surprise! Spread out in front of us was a very pretty lobby with a two storey ceiling, fireplace blazing, big vases of flowers in strategic spots and tapestries on the wall all welcoming us.

To the left of the entrance is a ramp winding down to the main floor. My scooter just fit the turns and I had to do a little manoeuvering but I made it just fine and someone in an electric or manual wheelchair would have no trouble getting down the ramp.

Once down, we went over to the bright front desk which is high at 42" (1.1m) but they have a clipboard for people in chairs unable to sign on the counter. There are also several wheelchair accessible pay phones in the lobby and a small gift shop.

CONCIERGE - Front desk personnel act as concierge and can find you anything you need to have or know.

LOBBY RESTAURANT - FACES Bistro is the 105 seat hotel restaurant and it is just to the left of the main entrance. Faces is open seven days a week for breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. They have a continental or American style buffet or you may order a la carte from the menu. In the evening in the low season, which is the winter months, Faces is open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays only but during the summer months it is open for dinner every night except Monday, the same hours.
The hotel has no room service but you can call down to Faces and they'll make up a meal for you to take to your room. Entree prices range from $21.954 to $38.95 CAD. An there is a light menu also available from $6.95 CAD.

LOBBY WASHROOMS - There are two family style washrooms in the lobby area, one on either side of the front desk. The washroom opposite Faces Bistro has a huge accessible stall in it with a 36" (91.44cm) door opening. The door opens out and closes with a slide latch. The height of the toilet is 16" (41cm) and there is a back on the toilet, grab bars around it, and the T-paper is easy to reach. There is a purse hook in the women's but it is too high to use if you are in a wheelchair or scooter. In each washroom there are regular sinks and one with lever handles and a high curved faucet for easy access. The sink heights are 32" (81.28cm) and you can get your knees under them. There is a hot air hand dryer that s automatic, no pushing anything needed. The mirror behind the sinks is easy to use but the soap dispenser is glued to the mirror which would make it impossible for some seated patrons to reach. The room is well lighted and clean.

Large stall in Peninsula Inn Lobby

ELEVATORS, HALLS AND ROOM ENTRANCES - The elevator is small as hotel elevators go with a door width of 36"(91.44m) but you can get two people and my scooter in it. The buttons are low, easily reached, and there is braille on them. You can tell what floor you are on by simply looking to the right and up. I usually drive in frontwards and I could see what floor I was on. The elevator door stayed open long enough for me to get off safely if I didn't hesitate.
The accessible room is just next to the elevator which opens into a large part of the hall overlooking the lobby. There is plenty of room here for you, your family, luggage, whatever, and the hallway is bright with wall to wall carpeting.
There is nothing but a small lip of carpet molding at the entrance and the door is opened with a lever handle and a plastic card key. The door does not snap back at closes slowly giving you time to manoeuver in. There is a high and low peephole in the door.
We're told there are ice and pop machines on the opposite ends of that floor and there are four exits on the floor but your registration will be coded when you arrive and at the first sign of an emergency that requires evacuation, you'll be contacted and a hotel employee or firemen sent to your room.

Two doubles in Room 219

BEDROOM - Room 219 - Once in the room, there is a light switch to turn on the hall light. The room is big by any standards, 16'x27' (4.9mx8.2m) and bright with two windows overlooking part of the roof and the back garden. I could see the wedding gazebo from one of the windows. There are two double beds in the room and a cot can be brought in as there is plenty of room for one. There is a bedside table between the two beds with a double lamp over it and a twist on switch. The lamp is high and it depends on your arm length and finger strength whether you'd be able to turn it off without getting out of bed. There is also a clock/ radio and telephone on the bedside table. The telephone has two lines so you can receive calls while talking on the telephone and it also takes voice mail so you don't miss any messages. There is also a Dataport near the bed. Opposite the beds is a remote color TV on a long dresser. There is 106" (2.7m) between the end of the bed and the TV so there is no problem moving around in this room. A mirror is on the wall to the left of the TV but there isn't a full length mirror in the room. We suggested one. There is also a floor lamp in the room, a round table and two chairs. While there is no room service in the hotel, a meal can be ordered from Faces downstairs and you can pop down to pick it up.

Electrical outlets are easily accessible and there are two in the hallway that would be ideal for charging a scooter or wheelchair.
There is no minibar or fridge in the room but for a small fee one can be supplied if needed.

The closet is a large open area to the right of the entrance. It is big and would store clothing, suitcases, even extra equipment or a folded wheelchair or scooter. We recommended lowered racks so that anyone seated can hang up their clothing independently. An iron, ironing board, extra pillows and blankets can be obtained by request from front desk.

The two large windows in the room don't open but the heat and air controls are easy to reach at 39" (1m) from the floor and feature push buttons and a dial.

Counter in bathroom in 219	Tub and toilet in 219

BATHROOM - The bathroom is 82" (2.1m) by 74" (1.9m) and has a 34" (86.4cm) opening with a lever handle into it. There is a vanity at an angle that is 31" (79m) from the floor with room to get your knees under it. The turning ratio in the bathroom is 54" (1.4m) by 66" (1.7m) but the vanity at 47" (1.2m) across the right hand corner cuts into the room. I could get my scooter into it but it was tight. A wheelchair user would have less trouble.

The oval sink is 31" (78.7cm) from the floor and a chair and knees will fit under it. The sink has lever handles and a high arched faucet that you could actually wash your hair under if you had to. There is also a basket of soaps and wash cloths on the vanity and a tissue dispenser in the skirt of the vanity surround. The taps are 15" (38.1cm) from the edge of the counter. The lighting is good over the sink and there is a hair dryer 18" (46cm) from the top of the vanity. The hair dryer has to be pushed to be released and not everyone can do that. It might be best to have your own and there is a plug right beside the hotel hair dryer.

TOILET - The toilet is between the vanity and the tub. The seat is 16" (41cm) from the floor and there is 55" (1.4m) in front of it for transfer. The door must be open or closed to leave room in the bathroom for transfer as it sticks out into the room if it is partially ajar. There is a 2' (0.6m) grab bar on the back of the toilet and the same on the side and edge of the tub surround.

TUB/SHOWER - There is a bathtub with a shower curtain in the room. The shower does not have a hand-held showerhead but one was suggested. There is no light over the shower area. The tub is 16" (41cm) deep and there is a 4 ½" (11.43cm) lip on the tub next to the wall that goes into a soap dish. The outside lip is 2 ½" (6.35cm). L and J-shaped grab bars are featured on each end of the tub and two 3' (0.91cm) bars are placed horizontally at varying heights on the back wall.
Soap and towels are readily available but spare towels are on a high shelf over the toilet. They could be knocked down if you are seated and alone or a call to front desk would have them put lower so you could reach them. There is room for soap and shampoo, etc. on the tub shelf.

Anything you need to make your stay more comfortable can be rented through the front desk if you give them some lead time.

It also never hurts to leave a note for the maid telling her what you want left alone or changed to let you manage better in the room. I always tell the maid not to tuck in my sheets and blankets as my hands are too weak to pull them back and I can't get into the bed at night. I also make sure they leave all the towels on the edge of the tub.

Room 219 is large with plenty of room to bring in people, luggage, equipment and even an extra cot. It would be ideal for a couple who want to stay in Niagara for a week or so, enjoy the sights and settle in. Being away from the falls tourist area the room rates are lower but the amenities just as nice except perhaps for the very high priced hotels.

Tub in Room 225 - note no bars

Room 225 is just across the viewing railing to the lobby on the same side and floor as 219. It is a very large room as well. The layout is the same but there are no bars on the bathtub and the sink faucets don't have lever handles. The taps have a push/pull/twist mechanism. If you don't use the bars anyway you might wish to take advantage of this huge room and leave the 219 for those who need bars.

The Peninsula Inn Pool

POOL AREA - The hotel has a nice pool area featuring skylights in the ceiling to give you natural light throughout. It is open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. for guests only and members. There are steps down into the pool with one railing. If you cannot stand, you could be lifted in but getting out might be tricky. There is also a hot tub/whirlpool area featuring a few steps and a railing. The pool area has a change room with two large roll-in showers, two sinks and several lockers.
There is also an exercise area in the pool area with TV and workout machines.
The area looks clean and bright.

Wedding Chapel

LOWER LEVEL: Surprise! This level has a wedding chapel in it complete with an arched flower bower and baskets of white flowers. The chapel can seat 70 and if more seating is needed they can set the chapel up on the main level in a larger room. "We get weddings all the time", Edmund said, "and we're building a new chapel out the back to better serve the people who want to get married and have their reception here."

This lower level also features a banquet hall that seats 100 with a dance floor in it and one of those sparkling mirrored balls in the ceiling that makes things seem lovely when you've had a glass of wine and the music is just right. There is also a wet bar and round tables and chairs in this room which would be ideal for a modest wedding reception. A large accessible washroom and a small arcade can also be found on this floor.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: This hotel has everything you need if you aren't looking for five star accommodations and service. The appointments are lovely and the accessible rooms large, clean and bright.

The hotel is right off the QEW (the main highway through Niagara), and across the road from Niagara Square, a large shopping centre featuring all manner of stores and a Cineplex, AND you aren't very far from everything at the falls. A 10 minute drive will get you to the main tourist area and Marineland. The pool area could pose a challenge to some but the Peninsula Inn on 4.5 acres is a lovely place to stay if you want to take in the best of Niagara at reasonable prices and have ready access to everything without being in the thick of the tourist area.

Visited Jan. 30/2003