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One of the best bed and breakfasts in Fergus Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Stonehurst Bed and Breakfast
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Deb and Rich Schlieker
265 St. David Street South
Fergus, ON
Canada, N1M 2L6
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| Phone: 519-843-8800 |
| A captivating restoration of a gorgeous old house and beautiful gardens to boot. |
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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 Fergus bed and breakfast I recommend. Janette Higgins
Over breakfast in the formal dining room at Stonehurst Bed and Breakfast, fellow guests, and first-time B&Bers, were clearly dazzled by this Fergus B&B. Little did they realize they’d hit upon one of the best and that it’s going to be hard for most others to measure up in their eyes. That’s because hosts Deb and Rich Schlieker have not only poured their resources into restoring and improving this landmark Fergus estate, reminiscent of the deep south, but they themselves seem born to the business. Younger than most hosts these two, along with their two American cocker spaniels, Molly and Fergie, provide a warm and gracious welcome. It’s the full package.
Here’s what’s on offer: a gorgeous stone home with high ceilings and magnificent architectural details; three separate common areas for guests to relax, a guest refreshment pantry with sink and other amenities, an exercise room with a wall of windows looking out to the gardens where you’ll find a deck, hot tub and a swimming pool. There are also two furnished verandahs. This just didn’t happen. In fact, Deb and Rich bought the place as a bed and breakfast which hadn’t met the standards for this site. After all, It can be very difficult and expensive to restore and decorate a home of this grandeur and many don’t have the vision or the resources to do it. It then took the Schliekers several years to repair, redecorate and restore the house and grounds and install the gardens.
The four rooms are all upstairs off a wide hall that leads to the spacious and comfortable guest sun-room lounge at the front of the house. The hall contains a central table with magazines and a well-stocked cookie jar. (I had my hand in that jar more than once for the delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies. Perfect with the tea I’d made for myself in the guest pantry.) All rooms have en suite bathrooms with heated floors.The Lavender and Rose rooms have queen beds, hardwood floors and air jet tubs with showers. The Green (queen bed) and Blue (twins) rooms have wall-to-wall carpeting and shower stalls in their bathrooms. Each guest room has individual whisper-quiet remote control air conditioners.
But back to breakfast; those first-timers were at the bed and breakfast for a week and couldn’t get over the fact that they’d had a different breakfast each day. One day it was blueberry banana pancakes, another eggs Benedict and another cinnamon raisin French toast with caramelized apples. That day, to start, we had pressed apple juice, fresh fruit cup and tasty homemade bite-size cranberry muffins. Then it was on to a delicious omelette with sauteed veggies, smoky maple ham and Swiss and cheddar cheeses. As for those first-timers I could readily see why it’s a special place to spend a week.
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 Fergus bed and breakfast on this bbontario website. Many thanks! Janette Higgins, Travel Writer
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Stonehurst Bed and Breakfast, Fergus, Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.stonehurstbb.com |
| Best to call: |
Anytime |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S $117, D $135 (taxes included); 2-night minimum on summer weekends and during Highland Games |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
Cash, Debit, VISA, MC |
| Restrictions: |
Children over 10 welcome; smoking outside only; no guest's pets |
| Facilities: |
4 rooms with heated floors in their en suite bathrooms (2 with with shower only and 2 with airjet tubs); 3 rooms have queen beds and 1 has 2 twin beds. Quiet remote control air conditioners in guest rooms. 4 guest common areas; 3 living rooms and 1 sunroom/gym; wireless internet; guest computer with internet access available on main floor; swimming pool and hot tub; guest pantry |
| Parking: |
ample off street |
| Breakfast: |
full |
| In Residence: |
Molly, the American cocker spaniel who loved her job as a St. John's Ambulance therapy dog. She's now retired and providing therapy for guests and loving her new little friend, Fergie, who looks just |
| Location: |
Fergus is northwest of Guelph and is home to the Summer Highland Games. The bed and breakfast is close to downtown Fergus and The Fergus Marketplace (formerly the Farmer's Market). |
| Directions: |
From Hwy 401 take Exit 295 Hwy 6 North (note it's a different exit than Hwy 6 South) bypassing Guelph to Fergus. In Fergus turn right on Belsyde Ave. Left on St. David St. S. Stonehurst Bed and Breakfast is the first house on the left after the 2nd stop sign. |
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