We stayed a night in the Inn at Lock 7 and can't say enough about the place! The rooms are nothing to write home about, but they are VERY clean and comfortable. Each room features two extra long double beds, a colour T.V. (we didn't turn it on, but suppose it had cable) a clock radio, small refrigerator and a full bathroom. Note: There is NO phone, which was fine with us! No room service. No restaurant...but there is a delicious (though limited) complimentary self-serve breakfast in the Captain's Quarters Breakfast Lounge which include freshly-baked muffins (several varieties), toast, coffee, juice and a few other items. Again, hardly a feast...but tasty!
The real draw at this decidedly-quaint inn comes when you step out onto your private balcony. If a "show-stopper" isn't there, you won't realize what you're looking at. Your view will be a railroad track (don't worry, it is hardly ever used so you won't be troubled), a stand of willows and, if you look to the left, part of the Welland Canal.
By now you'll be wondering what the big deal is. We'll tell you... be sure to ask one of the super-friendly owners (Patty or Ed) what the "schedule" is. What schedule? The ship schedule, of course. You see, what's so special about the Inn at Lock 7 is that it faces the 7th Lock on the Welland Canal. What you won't realize when looking from the balcony is that the lock is right in front of you. But, when a ship is due, you'll actually be able to watch the water level rise as the lock is filled with canal water in preparation. It's actually really creepy (in a fun sort of way). You'll hear the water before you see it...a low sound like a huge dragon breathing in an unseen cave. Keep watching (just beyond the railroad tracks, and the water will rise at a truly surprising rate of speed.
When we visited, a ship was due at 10:30 PM. The lock filled around 9:00 but the ship was late. We tried to keep awake, but a busy day of travel left us tired and we drifted off in spite of our best efforts. Near midnight, a VERY LOW hum alerted us (probably because we weren't deeply asleep--still anticipating). We rushed to the balcony and... there she was... the Nanticoke...a 700+ foot, self-unloading laker. She was right outside our window, riding high and SO quiet it would be easy to have missed her passage if we hadn't been so tuned-in to listening. We watched for approximately 30 minutes as she pulled up to the arrester arm and waited. Slowly (and quietly) the water began to lower and, of course, so did she! Pretty soon we wouldn't have known this Great Lakes behemoth was right in front of us! Then, her great horn sounded once, the lock opened and she slipped out and on down the canal! Totally awesome! In the morning, we got to see the same thing with the 730’ self-unloading, Algosoo--though she was right on schedule. We then went to breakfast where, too late, we learned we'd just missed the passage of several pleasure craft. Right before we left our room for breakfast we'd seen the lock was being filled again, but we assumed it would be some time before another ship came along. Oh well, at least we got to see the two big ships.
This is a truly wonderful place to stay. Clean, cozy, rooms, friendly staff and a view that can't be beat! We'd recommend staying at the Inn at Lock 7 even if you're visiting Niagara Falls. It's not a long drive and well-worth it if you want a truly interesting experience!