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One of the best bed and breakfasts in London Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Dufferin House Bed and Breakfast
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Nicole Lachapelle
385 Dufferin Avenue
London, Ontario
Canada, N6B 1Z5
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| Phone: 519 601 5511 |
| Behind these walls awaits an experience you won't soon forget. |
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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 London, Ontario bed and breakfast I recommend. Janette Higgins
A gracious, worldly host. A beautiful home in one of London, Ontario’s historic neighbourhoods. A personal art collection that will knock your socks off. Or at least it did mine. AND a delicious breakfast prepared by host, Nicole Lachapelle while we chatted. It all adds up to one terrific B&B experience.
Nicole, and husband Robert Cazelais, moved from Montreal to London for his business. Nicole’s background includes, among other things, the retailing of fine French antiques but there wasn’t the market as there had been in Montreal. Turns out, though, she’s also from a family of hoteliers and the establishment of her exceptional bed and breakfast in London was, it seems, meant to be.
On arrival, I was met warmly by the red-headed Nicole and shown my room. All three are fairly similar though one has a queen size bed and two have king size beds. Each has a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. Dupioni silk curtains set the décor stage for a serious nod to continental French. Nicole retrofitted each of the rooms with a good size white en suite bathroom with tiled shower. Also on the guest floor is a small refreshment room with comfy seating and various complimentary beverages and snacks for noshing. From it you can exit onto a furnished roof deck. The elegant downstairs sitting room is also for guests to enjoy.
There are several good restaurants on Richmond Street just a short stroll away. I opted for one of my faves, Bertoldi’s, a bit further along Richmond but still walkable. In previous years, I’d enjoyed delicious soups and salads and memorable homemade pasta with boar. This time I ordered wood-oven baked trout with a stuffing of preserved lemon and couscous. When I had trouble discerning the preserved lemon the waiter immediately brought me some with a smile. As always, the sea salt focaccia with olive oil is a winner. The well-priced wine list is interestingly organized by regions of Italy.
After a good night’s sleep I came down to breakfast and Nicole led me into her French styled kitchen with dining area. Our conversation was bouncy and fun and I won’t soon forget the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. I was so impressed she made the Hollandaise while we chatted. Another of her specialties is French toast, made with raisin bread, (or panettone around Christmas) and spiked with Grand Marnier. Espresso from Montreal is usually on offer along with the usual and the starter could be a grilled grapefruit with cardamom, honey and vanilla or something else that sparks the taste buds. Even the pet fish, Oscar, is remarkable in his own way. All in all, a welcome addition to the London B&B scene.
Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of the continuation of my research by letting Nicole know you read my review of her bed and breakfast on this bbontario website. Many thanks! Janette Higgins, Travel Writer
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of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
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Dufferin House Bed and Breakfast, London, Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.dufferinhousebb.com |
| Best to call: |
Anytime |
| Languages: |
French, English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S $125, D $145 plus 13% HST(Enquire about corporate rates) |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
Cash, Debit, VISA, MC |
| Restrictions: |
not suitable for children or pets; no smoking anywhere on property, including outside |
| Facilities: |
3 guest rooms with en suite bathrooms with shower (1 queen and 2 king), central air, wireless internet, several guest common areas |
| Parking: |
Off street, possibly some jockeying required |
| Breakfast: |
Full |
| In Residence: |
Oscar the blue and red fighting fish who has his own condo in the kitchen. |
| Location: |
Downtown London, Ontario |
| Directions: |
From highway 401, drive north on Wellington Street to downtown Dufferin Street. Turn right on Dufferin to 385 |
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