The Holiday Inn Niagara Falls has always been a popular hotel choice for families, but a 2015 update to the tune of $4.5-million is giving area hotels a run for their money. The hotel has been revamped almost entirely, with new guestrooms, a new pool and reimagined public spaces that’ll make you question whether this is a boutique property or a national chain. The hotel has also added The Great American Arcade and Tony Roma’s, where kids ages 12 and under eat free.

Add other perks like an IHG Lounge, Kids Hour, onsite tour operator and a location just a half-block from Niagara Falls State Park (open your window and you can practically hear the falls), and you can’t turn down a stay at this hotel.

For more information, read about Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts.

The hotel has 189 accommodations, most of which provide two double beds for families. Families have the option to rent a rollaway bed for $10 per night, or a crib free of charge. Suites provide sofa beds to accommodate large groups, while other rooms have connecting capabilities and handicap accessibility. All accommodations have mini-fridges, microwaves, shower and tub combinations in bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, plus standard amenities such as safes, hairdryers and irons and ironing boards.

King Bed Guest Room
This room provides one king bed, with the option to bring in a rollaway bed or crib and sleep three guests.

Double Bed Guest Room
This room has two double or queen beds, and families may rent a rollaway bed or crib for a fifth family member.

Suites
The hotel has six suites, which provide a separate bedroom and a sofa bed, sleeping a total of four or five guests.

Pool
The hotel's expansive lobby opens to the pool -- but nobody knows that because it's hidden by a wall. The pool reaches about 5 feet in depth; there is no lifeguard on duty. There are plenty of chairs and loungers surrounding the pool and just outside the pool area.

The Great American Arcade
Opened in 2015, The Great American Arcade is open to hotel guests (with an entrance inside the hotel) and the public. It has 38 different machines, with the cheapest games starting at just 50 cents. It also offers some really great prizes -- you could win an iPhone or Xbox!

Kids Corner
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Holiday Inn Niagara Falls hosts Kids Hour, with games, face painting and arts and crafts. It's typically hosted for a few hours in the late afternoon.

Nearby Attractions
It's a quick walk to Niagara Falls State Park, along with other area attractions, including the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds.

Tony Roma's
Tony Roma's is also open to the general public, with a separate entrance for hotel guests. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and kids under age 12 eat free -- a brand standard at Holiday Inn. Breakfast includes a buffet and a la carte options, while lunch and dinner include the chain's famous pizzas.

Nearby Restaurants
If you're looking for another kid-friendly restaurant within close proximity of the hotel, try Rainforest Café or T.G.I.Friday's, both located at Sheraton on the Falls.

All About the Extras
Free Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is complimentary and available throughout the property.

Gift Shop
There's a gift shop with snacks, beverages and a microwave for guests to use. The gift shop also sells umbrellas.

Tourist Information Desk
The hotel has an onsite information desk, where guests can book bus tours and tickets for other attractions.

IHG Lounge
The hotel has an IHG Lounge for members of IHG Rewards Club. The lounge provides complimentary breakfast and snacks daily.

Laundry Facility
The hotel provides a coin-operated laundry facility -- perfect to use after a ride on the Maid of the Mist!

Fitness Center
The hotel has a small fitness center with a few cardio machines, including treadmills and one elliptical.

Parking
The hotel provides complimentary parking -- just be sure to display your parking tag in your car after you arrive.

Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.

The Art of Smart Timing
The hotel is busiest during the summer months, Labor Day to Memorial Day, though it continues to bustle with business during the winter months, when sports teams visit the hotel. If you want to avoid crowds and still take advantage of the area's iconic attractions, try visiting in September or October.

Getting There
Holiday Inn Niagara Falls is a 30-minute drive from Buffalo Niagara International Airport, which is serviced by most major carriers. Expect to pay a $1 toll on the way to and from the airport.

Getting Around
While it's easy to get to Niagara Falls State Park and you'll want to walk to some attractions, you'll also want a car -- especially if you plan to explore Niagara Falls, Ontario. It's a quick and easy drive there (as long as you have your passports).

For Mom and Dad
Head to The Spa at Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, where services run the gamut of massages, facials, wraps, manicures and pedicures. Play a few slots before heading back to the hotel.