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One of the best bed and breakfasts in Elmira near St. Jacobs Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Leisure Estates Bed and Breakfast Retreat
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Mark and Joyce Leis
1099 Floradale Road
Elmira, On
Canada, N3B 2Z3
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| Phone: 519-669-3295 |
| Toll Free:888-669-3295 |
| An imposing stone house and hosts with heart in the midst of Mennonite country and close to St. Jacobs. |
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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 a bed and breakfast I recommend near St. Jacobs and Elmira. Janette Higgins
You’ll find Elmira’s Leisure Estates Bed and Breakfast Retreat, hosted by Mark and Joyce Leis, just a few minutes north of the popular tourist destination of St Jacobs Ontario, right in the heart of Mennonite horse-and-buggy country. The Leises designed their impressive stone house specifically for bed and breakfast and also offer it for events like weddings.
On arrival, I was greeted by Mark and Joyce and was struck by their infectious enthusiasm and Joyce’s twinkling smile. They first showed me around the neat-as-a-pin main floor kitchen, formal dining room, and high-ceilinged great room where a cherished family Bible was displayed on the coffee table. Hand-crafted wood was everywhere and old farm implements were effective as décor for the lofty walls. I also toured the guest ‘kitchen’ downstairs where there’s a room large enough to accommodate 25 for a sit-down meal. It’s also a great spot for quilting and scrapbooking groups.
Then it was upstairs to the guest rooms where I was able to see all four rooms. The Moonlight Loft was the one I picked. I liked its view out over the parklike grounds bordered by woods. All have satellite TV with DVD players (there are videos you can borrow) and en suite bathrooms with hand-crafted wood cabinetry. Mine and two others have 3-piece bathrooms with tub or shower and one, the Sunrise Suite, has a 5-piece which includes a 2-person Jacuzzi soaker tub. And all, I discovered as I snuggled down, have comfy beds, duvets and pillows. Plus, a first for me at a B&B, Gideon Bibles; a reflection no doubt of the Leises’ allegiance to their church. In fact Mark is very knowledgable about Mennonite history in Ontario so if you are interested in this topic he’s a good source.
Next morning, I came down to the sunlit kitchen and sat in a cosy alcove overlooking ‘my’ park as Joyce plied me with offerings from the generous buffet breakfast; fresh fruit, baked apple, French toast, pancakes with local pork sausages, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, and coffee date muffins. I had the fruit and French toast and was sated so it was only at Joyce’s insistence that I tried the baked oatmeal. She also suggested putting some baked apple on top and then to drizzle it with a local maple syrup. It was delicious. Don’t dither as I did; go straight for that oatmeal. Before I left Mark had pulled out some maps and brochures he thought I’d be interested in and Joyce made sure I had the rest of the fresh fruit and a couple of those leftover muffins; just for the road you know. As a solo traveller it was nice to feel so well looked after.
Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of the continuation of my research by letting the hosts know you read my review of their bed and breakfast on this bbontario website. Many thanks! Janette Higgins, Travel Writer
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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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Leisure Estates Bed and Breakfast Retreat, Elmira near St. Jacobs, Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.bbcanada.com/leisureestates |
| Best to call: |
Anytime |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S $109, D $119-149 plus 13% HST
Enquire about multi-day stay discounts |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
Cash or Cheque only |
| Restrictions: |
Enquire about children and barn-lodging for pets ; smoking outside only; |
| Facilities: |
4 rooms all with queen beds and ample space to add a single bed when requested, electric fireplaces and en suite bathrooms (3 tub or shower and 1 with Jacuzzi and shower); access to host's computer with dial-up internet; central air; great room shared with hosts; guest 'kitchen' plus an area large enough to accommodate 25 people for a sit-down meal or groups who want to spread out to do quilting or scrapbooking; secure area for bicycles and motorcycles. |
| Parking: |
room for up to 100 vehicles (weddings) |
| Breakfast: |
full (buffet) |
| In Residence: |
pet free, so good for those with allergies |
| Location: |
Leisure Estates Bed and Breakfast Retreat is north of Kitchener-Waterloo located on a rural road just outside Elmira and less than 10 minutes from St. Jacobs. |
| Directions: |
From Hwy 401 exit onto Hwy 8 toward Kitchener. Follow signs for Hwy 85 N around Kitchener-Waterloo, past St. Jacobs. At Listowel Road (Crossroads Restaurant on corner) turn left. Go 2 Km west to Floradale Rd (Woolwich Rd 19). Turn right. B&B is down second lane on right. (#1099) |
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