Simon Thomas Arms holds a Bachelors in Film and Media, and uses his media expertise to craft entertaining articles as a freelance writer about topics such as traveling and politics for publications like Smashing Magazine and Noupe.
Ontario bed and breakfast inns run the gamut from big-city townhouses to quaint country farms. Ontario, Canada's most populous and second largest province, is just north of many U.S. urban centers, including Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo. The province is full of wide open green spaces, miles of waterfront, surprisingly good wineries, and cosmopolitan cities, such as Toronto and Ottawa. There are also a number of wonderful bed and breakfast accommodations in different areas within the province.
Popular Ontario B & Bs by Location
Niagara
Located just north of Buffalo New York, Niagra is home to the spectacular natural wonder and resort city of Niagara Falls. It's also home to dozens of wineries, the Welland Canal that links Lakes Erie and Ontario, and Niagara-on-the-Lake, a charming 19th century restored city that hosts the Shaw Theater Festival each summer.
Villa Gardenia- 47/41 Zimmerman Avenue, Niagara Falls, L2E 3M; 905-358-1723 - Villa Gardenia won the City of Niagara Falls Trillium Award for five years in a row and with good reason. Situated only a block away from the Niagara River and 20 minutes from Niagra Falls, their guest rooms have fireplaces, private ensuite baths and high speed Internet. Every morning they serve a delicious homemade breakfast. Packages are available for anniversaries, birthdays and golf holidays.
Oban Inn - 160 Front St.; Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada L0S 1J0; 905-468-2165; 866-359-6226 - This 25-room inn is the exact replica of the original 1840 inn destroyed by fire in 1992. The inn retains the charm and ambience of the original with extra modern amenities, such as a spa and plasma TVs. The Ban Inn is within walking distance of Niagara-on-the-Lake's many shopping, theater, and dining options and is across the street from North America's oldest golf course.
Brockamour Manor- 435 King Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada; 905-468-5527 - While it only has 6 bedroom suites, each one of them is of the highest quality. The Sir Isaac bedroom chamber, for example, named after after its founder, the British officer Isaac Brock, has heated tile floors and a Jacuzzi. To fit in with the British upper class theme, there is a billiard room and games parlor in the common area. In the morning guests can enjoy a four course breakfast.
Toronto
Toronto, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city of over 2.5 million residents. It's a city of interesting and diverse neighborhoods, first-run theater, excellent antique shopping, and a sparkling waterfront.
www.Boatel.ca
Boatel - 539 Queens Quay W, Toronto, Ontario M5V-3G3; 647-403-2764 - Moored on the Toronto waterfront, Boatel provides the only opportunity in Toronto to rent out a boat as a bed and breakfast. As it is just a boat there are only a few rooms, including two cabin rooms and a guest room. As small accommodation your best bet is to rent out the whole boat for $500 a night. Family, business and birthday packages are available. A gourmet breakfast is served each morning.
Ashleigh Heritage Home - College and Dovercourt, Toronto, Ontario; M6H 257; 416-535-4000 - This family-oriented bed and breakfast is perfect for those who want to explore Ontario. The art museum and the Ontario museum are only 15 minutes away. A short walk from the front door is a subway station that will lead you straight into the center of the city. The b & b is self-catering, but this three story house has large comfortable bedrooms and a common room where everyone can cook.
Southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario is a triangular piece of land that includes the north shore of Lake Erie, the western shore of Lake Ontario, and the cities of London, Windsor, and Stratford. The region offers casino gambling (in Windsor), charming lakeside retreats, a host of wineries, the Seagram's distillery, and the summer Shakespeare Festival (at Stratford).
Argyle Manor Bed and Breakfast - 1138 Argyle Rd.; Windsor, Ontario N8Y 3K3; 519-255-7558 - This 1923 Georgian mansion houses five guest rooms in the heart of Windsor's historic Walkerville neighborhood. In addition to period details, such as bay windows, wood-burning fireplaces, and claw-foot tubs, this Ontario bed and breakfast inn includes complimentary wireless Internet access as well as a printer and scanner in many suites. Breakfast here is gourmet and made to order.
Katherine's Bed and Breakfast - Box 1720, 8 Carlyle Street, Tilbury NOP 2LO; 519-682-3706; 519-401-3061 - It may only have three bedrooms, but Katherine's Bed and Breakfast is the perfect home base for visitors who enjoy the outdoors. The property is only a few steps away from some of the area's very best spots for fishing and bird watching. Each morning, guests enjoy an organic gourmet breakfast to start the day.
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario lies north of Lake Huron up to the Hudson Bay. The area contains 90 percent of Ontario's land mass -- over 1 million square miles -- yet just one percent of the population. This rugged area embodies the pioneer Canadian spirit. It's a land filled with scenic beauty, excellent sports fishing and hunting, and lots of wide open spaces.
Auberge du Village
Auberge du Village - 104 Durham St.; Sudbury, Ontario P3E 3M7; 705-675-7732; 888-675-7732 - This charming, restored two-bedroom hostelry is located near Sudbury's art galleries and restaurants. It offers lush down comforters, wood-burning fireplaces, air conditioning, high-speed Internet access, and a delicious full breakfast.
Rock Island Lodge - RR1, Lake Superior, Wawa, Ontario P0S 1K0; 705-856-2939 - The Rock Island Lodge is not just a bed and breakfast. Located on Lake Superior, they have a paddling center that offers sea kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding.
Why Choose a Bed and Breakfast?
To be honest it is more of a case of why wouldn't you choose a bed and breakfast. These home-like accommodations are as near to the the Ontario wildlife and nature as any lodge and they are as comfortable as any hotel. In addition you will experience personable service from people who genuinely love their work. The only reason you shouldn't choose a bed and breakfast is if they are fully booked. Then the only reason they are fully booked will be that you not planned ahead. So get on the phone now and book. It could make the difference between a good holiday and a great one.
