|
|
|
|
|
|
One of the best bed and breakfasts in Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
|
|
|
|
Queen's Landing Guest House Bed and Breakfast
|
Brian and Wilma Skipper
187 Queen Street North
Kitchener, ON
Canada, N2H 2H8
|
| Phone: 519 576 9297 |
| Pride of ownership shows as soon as you turn in and see this well-maintained 1920s home with its beautiful gardens. |
|
|
|
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 bed and breakfast I recommend in downtown Kitchener. Janette Higgins
I arrived at Queen’s Landing Guest House Bed and Breakfast just in time to meet the now-retired host, Brian Skipper, coming home from work. The scene as I pulled into the drive past the well-tended gardens was of Brian bending over to pet Porchie, a black-and-white cat sporting a black bow tie. As I was about to find out, Porchie, whose name derives from his sojourn as a stray on the back porch, and who’s now found cat bliss as a pampered house cat, is a pretty good indicator of what to expect here.
That’s because Brian, and wife Wilma, offer warmth and generosity to all whether you partake a little or a lot. Case in point: another guest was a new-to-the-area doctor who needed a temporary place to stay. I could tell he loved the homemade cookies, a glass of wine later and even later, company for pizza out. I, on the other hand, felt just as comfortable staying somewhat more aloof in my role as incognito reviewer. I couldn’t pass up one of those cookies though.
If you’re looking for a getaway, or simply need a place in Kitchener, a stay at Queen’s Landing, makes for a spot-on choice. For starters, many of the area’s restaurants and cultural venues are a walk away. And less than a 15-minute drive north is St. Jacobs, the popular Mennonite town. That evening I ventured across the line from Kitchener to Waterloo to eat at Janet Lynn’s Bistro where I had a ‘Greek’ salad. Feta, artisanal olives, slow roasted tomatoes, and the freshest of greens came with four tiny perfectly grilled lamb tenderloins. Good value at $11.95. Good wine list, too. I had a glass of Firestone Sauvignon Blanc from California for $7.50.
The Skippers raised their daughters in this 1920s Tudor revival and are working on updating the main floor common areas but the guest-only second floor has had its do-over. Three attractive bedrooms, with exceptional woodwork typical of the period, offer new beds, linens, desks and TVs. The largest is the Royal Room, bigger than many Toronto apartments. It has seating around an electric fireplace and the en suite bathroom’s original tub/shower can hardly be improved upon today. The Imperial Room has a private nook off the other side of the bathroom (again en suite) which could accommodate an extra person though it’s usually set up with seating facing an electric fireplace. The smallest is the Noble Room with its across-the-hall bathroom.
The next morning at breakfast I had fresh fruit, a veggie/cheese omelet and multi-grain toast with homemade jams. In short you’ll find a good feed, comfortable lodgings and, even if not a stray, you’re apt to feel adopted here. Porchie’s nodding his head.
Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of the continuation of my research by letting Brian and Wilma know you read my review of their Kitchener bed and breakfast on this bbontario website. Many thanks! Janette Higgins, Travel Writer
|
Reviews of Janette Higgins'
favourite places beyond Ontario
More of Janette Higgins' reviews
of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
|
|
Queen's Landing Guest House Bed and Breakfast, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
|
| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.queenslandingguesthouse.com |
| Best to call: |
Anytime |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S or D $100-125 plus 13% HST |
Currency converter
|
| Cards: |
Cash, VISA, MC, AMEX, Diners, Discover, Interac |
| Restrictions: |
smoking outside only; enquire about children; enquire about nearby boarding kennel for pets |
| Facilities: |
3 guest bedrooms; 1 with queen and en suite bath with tub/shower, 1 with queen and en suite bath with shower stall; 1 with queen bed and private-use bath across hall. Guest living room with gas log fireplace and sun room with TV, wireless internet, iron and ironing bed available. |
| Parking: |
3 cars off street; some jockeying may be required |
| Breakfast: |
Full |
| In Residence: |
Porchie, the black and white stray who adopted the hosts, and Missy Mo, a blue point Siamese of good nature. Neither allowed on 2nd floor where all guest bedrooms are. |
| Location: |
This bed and breakfast is in a residential area but convenient to everything in downtown Kitchener. Kitchener is part of Kitchener-Waterloo which is SW of Toronto. |
| Directions: |
Kitchener-Waterloo is notorious for newcomers getting lost so a GPS can come in handy. Here's what you do. From Hwy 401 take exit #278. Follow Hwy 8 but make sure you don't follow the Hwy 7/8 west signs to Stratford! Instead keep right and follow Hwy 7 east/Conestogo Parkway (Hwy 86) signs. From the Hwy 7/Conestogo Parkway take the Victoria St North exit. Drive west (left turn) on Victoria a few blocks to Lancaster. Turn left on Lancaster (lights) then immediately right onto Queen. B&B is on the left. |
| |
|
|
|
|
