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One of the best bed and breakfasts in Ayr (Kitchener, Cambridge) Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
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The Swan and the Peacock Bed and Breakfast
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Gail and Ralph Swan
1140 Swan Street, RR 3
Ayr, ON
Canada, N0B 1E0
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| Phone: 519-632-5058 |
| A charming and spotless B&B with funloving hosts. |
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Ayr (Kitchener, Cambridge), Ontario map
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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 Kitchener, Cambridge and Paris. Janette Higgins
By the time I left The Swan and the Peacock Bed and Breakfast in the delightful village of Ayr just south of Highway 401 and about equidistant from Kitchener, Cambridge and Paris I was hankering to go back. Why? Well, I’d learned from the personable hosts, Gail and Ralph Swan, all about their Murder Mystery weekends and was intrigued. I’d never been much interested in that kind of thing but to hear Gail and Ralph excitedly describe it I’d be willing to try. They have a good selection of games, a well-equipped props room, an acre-plus property with terraces, a propane fire pit and a barn served up Western style complete with bar and pool table. Beyond that, Gail loves to cook and themes her dinners to the play at hand. One game they’d hosted recently takes place in a brewery and Gail prepared what sounded to me like a delicious and imaginative menu with beer playing a role in all the courses.
But back to bed and breakfast and why The Swan and the Peacock should be on your list of destination B&Bs even if you’re not planning to be in the area or to use it as a convenient stopover near the 401. For one thing the Swans are committed and it shows. Gail had been wanting to do B&B for 15 years, and for six of those years the Swans renovated this lovely 1920s home all the while he working in his sales job and she, somewhat incongruously, driving an 18-wheeler truck (no longer, though; she's concentrating on the B&B). For another, rooms are all fresh and nicely decorated and offer en suite bathrooms. One room is on the main floor and the other two are upstairs. All have queen beds. Two have shower stalls only but the large two-room suite has a four-piece bath and offers exceptional value for families, two singles or two couples travelling together. It even has a small balcony.
Another compelling reason to come has to do with the ‘Gail loves to cook’ part. Along with juice and coffee/tea your main course might be something like eggs Benedict or French toast but it probably won’t be predictable. For example, that French toast will be anything but generic; how does pineapple upside down French toast sound. Or blueberry streusel French toast? Other dishes are equally yummy; Gail’s breakfast pizza is a guest favourite as are scrambled eggs with blueberry sausage casserole.
You may wonder why this bed and breakfast is called The Swan and the Peacock. Of course the Swan part is easy to figure out because it’s the hosts’ last name. The peacock part is not so obvious. It turns out Gail has always loved peacocks and had collected feathers and other peacock memorabilia for years before she met Ralph. So, as you can see, things fell into place quite perfectly. Much as they do at this terrific B&B.
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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The Swan and the Peacock Bed and Breakfast, Ayr (Kitchener, Cambridge), Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.theswanandthepeacock.ca |
| Best to call: |
Mornings, evenings |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S $100, D $115 plus 5% GST |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
Cash, VISA, MC |
| Restrictions: |
Children welcome; smoking outside only; no guest's pets |
| Facilities: |
3 room all with queen beds and en suite bathrooms; restored barn with pool table and games from the 50s and 60s; propane campfire; central air; wireless internet |
| Parking: |
ample off street |
| Breakfast: |
full |
| In Residence: |
Lady, the long-haired white cat; dubbed the marshmallow cat by a guest |
| Location: |
Ayr is west of Kitchener and Cambridge and just south of Hwy 401 |
| Directions: |
From Hwy 401 take exit 268. Turn left to traffic light at Northumberland Road. Turn left and follow over Hwy 401 straight into the town of Ayr. At the stop sign, turn left and then make an immediate right onto Swan Street. B&B is on right about 1 km. |
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