Kenora bed breakfast. (Kenora) Ontario bed breakfasts reviewed by Janette Higgins

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

Near North and Northern Ontario

Lake of the Woods Bed and Breakfast

Laurie and Ken Bracken Box 1068 Keewatin (Kenora), ON Canada, P0X 1C0
Phone: 807-543-1077
Fax: 807-543-1425
Beautiful southfacing views of Lake of the Woods in a house built especially for bed and breakfast.


Click Mapquest for Kenora, Ontario map

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 Kenora bed and breakfast I recommend. Janette Higgins

Lake of the Woods Bed and Breakfast is at the very end of a peninsula which juts out into Lake of the Woods; a renowned body of water 90 miles long and 70 miles wide with 14,500 maze-like islands in its upper half. The town of Kenora marks the jumping-off point for this popular summer playground of Winnipeggers who live just a couple of hours west. For those travelling through Ontario on the Trans-Canada highway Kenora is the last populated area before hitting the Manitoba border. And Lake of the Woods Bed and Breakfast lets you take full advantage of the unique experience to be had here.

Hosts Laurie and Ken Bracken cottaged here for 17 years before building this 4200-square-foot permanent home, which has been especially designed for bed and breakfast. The bed and breakfast area is on the lower level where you’ll find a large sitting room with satellite TV, a spot for games, a refreshment area including fridge where you can store food, and a walkout to a furnished deck with access to the dock. You have the option of eating at the B&B through prior arrangement with Laurie since it is a 20-minute drive back along cottage roads (not all paved) to Hwy 17. Keewatin does, however, boast a couple of very good restaurants as does Kenora a few minutes further along.

The three guest bedrooms offer some differences though all have grand picture window views of the lake. The largest is the White Pine with two queen beds and a large bathroom with steamer shower for two. It’s a bit like a sauna with the option of cooling off once in a while with a shot of water from the shower. The Shady Oak room has an en suite bathroom with regular shower stall and the White Birch has a bathroom across the hall (bathrobes are provided) with a shower in the tub. Both have queen beds and are done in rustic north woods style with no sacrifice of comfort.

Guests are free to use the upstairs as well. This is where we had baked ham and French toast for breakfast. There’s also a great room with wood-burning fireplace and glass windows on three sides for stunning wraparound views in all seasons including winter. I’m not a snowmobiler but this would be one memorable notch in my belt if I were. The Brackens are active in the local snowmobile association and the trails across the frozen lake are ready to use by the second week in January. And here’s a suggestion. I only stayed one night but to take advantage of this place try to aim for a couple of nights. Then take in some fishing (walleye and muskie) or bring your canoe or kayak and see the nearby cliffs from another angle. For the Brackens this is everyday life; but for most of us it’s a once in a lifetime experience. Don’t let it pass you by.

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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Lake of the Woods Bed and Breakfast, Kenora, Ontario

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Website:

http://www.lakeofthewoodsbandb.com

Languages:

Season:

Cards:

children over 14 welcome; smoking outside only; no guests' pets

Facilities:

3 bedrooms (1 with queen bed and private-use bath with tub/shower, 1 with queen bed and en suite bath with shower stall; 1 with two queen beds and en suite bath with steam bath shower stall for two); satellite TV and ceiling fans in rooms; central air; wireless high speed internet; guest lounge with guest deck; great room shared with hosts with wood-burning fireplace; dock for launching kayaks/canoes; canoe and paddle boat available for guest use

Parking:

ample

Breakfast:

full

In Residence:

Duke, the golden retriever has the run of the house.

Location:

West of Kenora-Keewatin town on the shores of Lake of the Woods. Twenty minute drive off Hwy 17

Directions:

Drive south on McKenzie Portage Road. Obtain complete directions/map when booking. It's about 15 kms and takes 20 minutes. Best to arrive before dark.

Weather Information

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