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One of the best bed and breakfasts in Bracebridge Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Near North and Northern Ontario
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Bay House Bed and Breakfast
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Jan and Peter Rickard
2 Dominion Street
Bracebridge, ON
Canada, P1L 2A6
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| Phone: 705-645-7508 |
| If you're a foodie and enjoy your creature comforts in style you're in for a treat at this bed and breakfast. |
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Review by Janette Higgins
author of The Best Places to B&B in Ontario: A Selective Guide
Six editions of the book were published to critical and popular acclaim. Janette now publishes her B&B
reviews and holiday reports online.
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Note 1 to reader: Every Ontario bed and breakfast receives my consideration. I travel incognito, pay where I stay and write reviews of the top 5%. Here is one I recommend. Janette Higgins
You couldn’t find two hosts more knowledgable about the hospitality industry than Jan and Peter Rickard. Peter left his management position at Toronto’s King Edward Hotel to establish and run, with wife Jan, the Inn at the Falls in Bracebridge. When it came time to retire, the Rickards settled into their comfortable back-split home near the inn with plans to travel, garden and continue their involvement with Rotary.
And, indeed they’ve done all that. But the house, it turns out, is perfect for bed and breakfast. Soon overflow guests from the inn ended up at their place. So it was a bit of serendipity that led the Rickards to hosting one of Muskoka’s finest B&Bs. It starts with Jan and Peter – rarely have I met more gracious hosts. It continues with all the amenities one looks for in a bed and breakfast that excels. The bed and breakfast area is on the lower level with private sliding doors out to the garden. Each room has its own bath (two en suite and one across the hall) and there’s a large common area with comfortable seating and various diversions like games, books, and table tennis. There’s also a guest fridge.
All is decorated in good taste. Yellow or coral walls provide a cheery backdrop for chintzes and interesting artwork. There’s comfortable seating and reading lights in each room plus bath robes, TV/VCR and refreshment area. The large Bay Suite has a four- poster queen bed plus a pullout queen sofa. There’s also an easy chair by an electric fireplace and it has views of the woods and bay below. The en suite bath has both a shower stall and a two-person Jacuzzi. The Garden Room has another en suite Jacuzzi bathroom and there’s a sliding glass door out to a private patio. The smaller, but completely captivating, Bay View Room has its own 4-piece bath across the hall.
And speaking of good taste foodies will love it here. Jan loves to cook and she puts a little twist into everything. Plus she gives you lots of choice. Perhaps you’ll start with fresh fruit with ginger. Then, say, Scottish oatmeal with whiskey cream. Followed by wild-blueberry-and-cream-cheese bake. Or should that be honey, walnut and orange French toast? The choice isn’t easy. It’s all accompanied by excellent coffee.
Lots of choices after breakfast as well. You could start with a hike down to the river to have a look at Bracebridge Bay and two of Bracebridge’s five Falls. Or stroll in the other direction and find yourself at the downtown shops and restaurants. Further afield, you’ll find golf, hiking, biking, boat cruises, artisan’s studios and both kinds of skiing.
Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of the continuation of my research by letting the host know you read my review. Many thanks! Janette Higgins
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Reviews of Janette Higgins'
favourite places beyond Ontario
More of Janette Higgins' reviews
of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
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Bay House Bed and Breakfast, Bracebridge, Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.bbmuskoka.com/bayhouse/index.html |
| Best to call: |
Anytime |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S or D $115-168 (no taxes) 2-night minimum on summer weekends |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
Cash Cheque VISA |
| Restrictions: |
children 8 and up welcome; no smoking inside; no guests' pets |
| Facilities: |
3 bedrooms: 1 large suite with sitting area, queen bed and en suite bath (2 person Jacuzzi and shower stall); 1 queen with en suite (shower in tub); 1 double with private-use bath across hall (shower in tub); guest common area with private entrance from garden; ceiling fans (house is near water and built into a hill so tends to stay cooler) |
| Parking: |
ample |
| Breakfast: |
full |
| In Residence: |
Katie, the Golden Retriever |
| Location: |
Tucked into an attractive enclave just a few minutes' walk from downtown Bracebridge |
| Directions: |
From the south take Hwy 11 to first Bracebridge turnooff. Take hwy 118 west (left) about 5.5 km to first set of lights. Turn right on Ecclestone Dr. Folow along river to Falls Bridge. Go overbridge and turn left at four-way stop to Ontario St. At top of hill turn left to Dominion St. Bed and Breakfast entrance is across from Inn at the Falls. it's on the right at the very end. |
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