Hello,
I am considering a summer visit to the Niagara area, perhaps staying slightly outside of the Falls area. Looking for affordable, family oriented lodging - perhaps cabin/cottage rental, or inexpensive hotel property. We don't need anything fancy, but a pool would be nice if possible. Kids are 15 year old girl and 10 year old boy, plus myself and my DH.
Thanks for your help.

This site might help - http://www.tourismniagara.com/

Thanks Sally. I guess I was hoping for some personal "Fodorite" recommendations though. Ideally I'm thinking a small rental property on a lake, but within an hour or so of the falls.. if such a place exists!

Some of the hotels in Niagara Falls a few blocks from the main tourist areas tend to be less expensive than the "Fallsview" and "Clifton Hill" districts. E.g. on Lundy's Lane heading out of town there are a number of hotels including a couple of Ramadas you might check out (friends stayed at one a few years ago and said was good value). There are also a couple of smaller hotels on the Niagara Parkway outside of town heading towards Niagara-on-the-Lake (don't remember the names - maybe another poster does?). Note, in general, Niagara Falls rates tend to be lower on weekdays than weekends, sometimes a lot lower (maybe less so in high season).
As far as lakes - Niagara is sandwiched between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, but I can't think of any smaller vacation-oriented lakes within an hour. You might investigate some of the nearby communities on the two big Lakes, e.g. Fort Erie, Crystal Beach, Port Colborne, Port Dalhousie (St. Catharines).

Last October we stayed at the Confort inn Fallsview for 2 nights and paid 193,64 CAD.Very nice place with pool.Paul

most of the cottages in the area are family owned and rented by the summer or month... I know what you want, but an alternative would be a place like Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara with the waterpark... it puts your kids into a great social situation with all of the other kids around... another choice is the Grand Island Holiday Inn, about 10 minutes from the falls, on the Niagara river, with pool and restaurants...

The Skyline hotel/inn was a good option for us last year. Not very expensive and fairly basic but very kid friendly and joined to one of the waterparks by a heated passageway over the road.

Plus, kid-friendly movies in the common areas at night.

CanadaKate