Manitoulin Island bed breakfast. (Manitoulin Island) Ontario bed breakfasts reviewed by Janette Higgins

One of the best bed and breakfasts in Manitoulin Island Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.

Near North and Northern Ontario

The Queen's Inn

Susan and Robert Mathia 19 Water Street PO Box 677 Gore Bay, ON Canada, P0P 1H0
Phone: 705-282-0665
Here, you'll be part of Gore Bay history. The Queen's Inn is the only one of three hotels built in the late Victorian period that still survives.

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.

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 Manitoulin Island bed and breakfast inn I recommend. Janette Higgins

Manitoulin Island works its magic from the moment you arrive; either from the Bruce Peninsula by ferry or from Espanola by way of causeways and bridges over sparkling waters. The enchantment continues as you head for The Queen’s Inn in Gore Bay. Settle in with a suitable libation on the inn’s second-floor verandah, overlooking a harbourful of boats on Lake Huron’s North Channel, and life can seem pretty perfect.

When I arrived at the inn, the only one of three Victorian-era hotels in Gore Bay still standing, I was welcomed by the gracious Susan Mathia. She and husband Robert had been long time summer residents on Manitoulin but when the inn came up for sale, Susan’s longing to spend more time on the island kicked in. She’s gone from managing a busy downtown Toronto law firm to running an 11-room inn on bucolic Manitoulin.

As for the spacious common areas and guest rooms, all are beautifully decorated. The best deal is for the two rooms and bathroom which form the very private second-floor Elizabeth Suite. Great for families or two couples. There are also three other rooms (and a cosy library) on the second floor. Two, the extra-large Victoria Room with sitting area and king bed, and the Helena Room with double bed, both with en suites, are popular because they have water views and proximity to the verandah. The Beatrice Room has two twin beds and en suite bath. There’s also a third (and fourth!) floor reached by narrow stairs. Your best bet on the third floor is the large queen-bedded Diana Room with en suite bath and sitting area overlooking the harbour. There are also three other bedrooms here that share two bathrooms; one with sink and shower (no toilet) and one with toilet, sink and bathtub with handheld shower nozzle. They are Anne (double), Mary (3/4 and single) and Sarah (king sized four-poster). On the fourth floor two more rooms were under construction when I was there. They are air-conditioned (other rooms have fans) with a shared bath arrangement.

Next morning breakfast was taken at antique tables with an assortment of gingham-cushioned wooden chairs, some pressback. We helped ourselves to juice, yogurt, and cereals set out on a massive patinated wooden counter oozing with nostalgia. We had apple crepes with maple syrup but you might have buttermilk pancakes or scrambled eggs with farmer’s sausage plus something home baked.

A tip from me for foodies: if Gore Bay’s Rocky Raccoon Restaurant is not open, consider those in various directions out-of-town; the Garden Gate, The Old Schoolhouse or the Anchor Bar and Grill. You could find it’s worth the half hour drive.

Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of my research by letting The Queen’s Inn hosts know you read my review of their bed and breakfast inn on this bbontario website. Many thanks! Janette Higgins, Travel Writer

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The Queen's Inn, Manitoulin Island, Ontario

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Website:

http://thequeensinn.ca

Languages:

Season:

S $95-120, D $125-150 plus 13% HST
Off-season S $85-110, D $115-140
2-night minimum on July/August weekends

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Cards:

Cash, Cheque, Debit, VISA, MC

Restrictions:

children over 12 welcome; no smoking; no guests' pets

Facilities:

8 rooms; some with en suite bathrooms and some shared (see the Queen's Inn website for details). Central air on third floor, fans in other rooms, high speed wireless internet, common areas for guests including formal living room and upper and lower verandahs

Parking:

for 6 cars on inn property

Breakfast:

full

In Residence:

Maya, the golden retriever; not allowed in the inn

Location:

Gore Bay is a town in northwest Manitoulin Island on the north channel of Lake Huron. The Queen's Inn overlooks the harbour.

Directions:

Obtain when booking. Or follow signs to Gore Bay and look for the harbour. The Queen's Inn is on Water Street a couple of blocks from downtown.

Weather Information

Check out Janette Higgins' other site www.gardendesigncoach.com