Lyons House Hostel

Niagara Falls

3 of 3

Address	5741 McGrail Avenue, Niagara Falls Ontario, Canada Map
Price	$20-$25 Canadian Check Current Prices by Date Here

Location/Contact

Details

Their Description

Features

Free Breakfast
Kitchen
Lounge / Common space
BBQ
TV
Book Collection/Exchange
Washing Machine (laundry)
Travel information provided
Bike Rental
24 Hour Free Hot Showers
Phones (public or in room)

The Hostelz.com Review

For location, this hostel can't be beat. It's located just a block from the Clifton Hill tourist district and is an easy walk to Niagara Falls. The friendly owner loves to talk and has plenty of information on things to do in the area. The hostel is very quiet and doesn't have much social life. The kitchen seems to be the only place to hang out.

Private rooms are tiny and cramped while the dorms are a bit roomier. The bedrooms and kitchen were clean, but the bathroom could use a scrub. It's not filthy, just well used, and it has great showers. The owners provide a small breakfast with bagels, toast, coffee and tea. Off street parking is available but bring a flashlight as the lot is poorly lit.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review

Ratings & Comments

4.1 Average from 13 Ratings

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We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.

Comment by Ruthie P-J, Canada

June 2009

Never One Better
I recently stayed a second time at this hostel -- my first stay was four months ago. On both occasions my trip has been short, but it was on both of those stays that I have had some of the best hosteling experiences of my travels. This hostel is incredibly spacious, with front-facing balconies off every floor and beautiful new renovations to the first floor washroom. The hostel is safe, with a code lock on the front door and keys to individual rooms. Patrick, the owner, is accommodating and laid-back and, in the true spirit of hosteling, always makes an effort to introduce guests to one another. This friendly initiative, while creating a welcoming atmosphere, also contributes to the safety that I enjoyed at this hostel. The location is a pleasant twenty-minute walk from the bus/Via rail station and is very close to the falls. It is also located far enough away from the commercial-infested streets so that visitors can walk through the town of Niagara Falls (which has some very pretty little houses and lovely shops -- I recommend Queen Street and the new Taps Brewery). I can't say enough positive things about this hostel without sounding too flattering. From the management to the location, the lovely complimentary breakfast to the undying friendly atmosphere, it is a place in which one can not help but feel at home. It's a warm, quaint, and conveniently located place to stay; the cleanliness has no match (they provide comforter covers -- a unique and genius touch). One would be hard pressed to find worldwide another hostel of this calibre. So, whether traveling alone or in a group, I exclusively recommend this hostel. In such a touristy place as Niagara Falls can be, this hostel has gone beyond basic accommodation and moves to create a true travelers' community. I never saw one bug either time I was there, be that bed or any other variety. I cannot relate to any of the bedbug complaints.

Comment by sarah, us

February 2009

Good
My boyfriend and I stayed here in January of '09. The place was in a good location and the owner was extremely friendly/helpful. we stayed in a private room which was quiet, well heated (very cold outside), and comfortable. one aspect i didnt not like was the lack of toilet paper in the bathroom, and even though this is a hostel, i expect hand soap in the bathroom at least (there was none). Finally, while we found our room clean, we did hear complaints of other guests (as we were on our way out) that they had been bitten or suspected bedbugs.

Comment by diane swan, uk

October 2007

Daughters visit
my daughter stayed at his hostel for one night after working for twelve weeks at a children's camp. She was looking forward to touring some of the U.S. to visit friends but sadly had to catch the first flight home and hobble straight to the hospital from the airport for medication because of the bedbugs, which had bitten her very badly from the bed she had slept in. please check your room out before you sleep there.

Comment by John , USA

August 2007

Average
Bedbugs are indeed a problem. make sure you have your bug-off. there is no washing machine or pay phone, which sucks big time as you need to call from blocks away. the staff, which have just bought the place, are a great help. the hostel does not accept credit cards and the atm machine is expensive ($3 charge) in the town. there is free parking and the area is safe by the tourist standard. breakfast is very basic so be prepared to get your own jam and milk. there is free internet and that's a plus.

Comment by Ted,Sue,Emma,Kenny,Jennie,Bradley & Sophie - Ellesmere Port - UK

September 2006

We thought the price would be reflected in the quality of the accommodation, what a surprise we got. very clean and comfortable, more than you would expect of some much more expensive hotels. The hosts, Joe, Rita, and Marian, were extremely friendly and very helpful. The only problem with this hostel is the disappointment felt when staying at others afterwards.

Comment by Rahul India

May 2005

Joe is a very helpful and nice person. This is really a great place to stay. I always recommend my friends to stay here.

Comment by Shri Rang Parivaar, Canada

January 2005

Joe and his wife are lovely, very helpful people. This is really a great place to stay when you are visiting Niagara Falls. We stayed as a group and we got very good help from the owner. It's very close to the falls and the casino. We will come to this place again if we take a trip to Niagara Falls in the future.

Comment by George and Eileen, Chile

August 2004

The hospitality here is top notch. Joe and Nancy are a wonderful couple; they really make you feel at home away from home. This is a great place to stay when you're visiting Niagara Falls and want to be close to everything.

Comment by Anonymous

July 2004

The owners are lovely, very helpful people. The hostel itself was old and grubby, but it was kept fairly clean. The only other down point was that the shower went suddenly cold on occasion. The location is great, probably the best of any of the hostels in Niagara. The rates are great, and breakfast consisted of bread, muffins or bagels and bananas. Not a bad place at all.

Comment by Patty, Rome

May 2004

The owner here is too nice! I've stayed here three times, and every time I go to Canada this is the place I want to be...I feel like I am home!!!

Comment by Dirk and Susi

January 2004

The owner and his wife are the politest people we met on our trip and in all the hostels we stayed... great location... very nice rooms and great rates. I realy liked this hostel!

Comment by Yuki

November 2003

The owners were nice, and the location was good! If only they accepted credit cards. The dorm rooms were so so clean, but the bathroom wasn't very clean. Anyway, I liked this hostel.

Comment by Ben

August 2003

The owners could not be nicer and they are happy to do anything they can to help you. Conveniently located and the rooms are very nice.

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