Niagara-on-the-Lake bed breakfast. (Niagara-on-the-Lake) Ontario bed breakfasts reviewed by Janette Higgins

One of the best bed and breakfasts in Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.

Toronto Area and Niagara Region

Lakewinds Country Manor circa 1881

Jane and Steve Locke 328 Queen Street PO Box 1483 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON Canada, L0S 1J0
Phone: 905-468-1888
Toll Free:866-338-1888
Hidden behind those evergreens is a magnificent one-acre estate and one exceptional bed and breakfast.

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.

Lakewinds is very much about Jane and Steve Locke’s unerring vision. They dared to dream big when they discovered this one-acre estate property built with the Fleischmann Yeast fortune. The Lockes had cycled by one day and were gobsmacked. The grand house stood empty and cried out for restoration. It had a quiet location at the western end of Queen Street in town, across from the continent’s oldest golf course on the shores of Lake Ontario. Jane’s dream of a bed and breakfast and later welcoming her future grandchildren down a peony-lined path and up onto an old-fashioned white verandah was just beginning.

The secret to the success of Lakewinds, which has been going strong since its painstaking restoration in the mid-nineties, is that it remains imbued with the friendly, gracious personality of its hosts. It would, in fact, be easy for a luxurious, antique-filled, six-guestroom bed and breakfast to lose the personal touch. Not here. Lakewinds offers an inviting, comfortable collection of beautifully furnished common rooms and outdoor spaces for guests to enjoy, including a living room, solarium, games room with complimentary refreshments and a heated in ground pool.

As for the remarkable guest rooms, four are on the second floor and two on the third. I’ll pick two to describe. For details of the rest simply link through to the website below. Let’s start with a circa $200 a night room; the second-floor Florentine named for its elegant chandelier. The bed can be king or twin. Raw silk curtains, upholstered fireside bench and ladies writing desk lend old world ambiance. The bed’s whimsical gilded iron headboard complements the ceiling’s hand painted sky complete with clouds and doves. From one window you can see the golf course and lake. Another large curved-glass window overlooks the side garden and wisteria arbour. The marble-floored bathroom boasts a chandelier and large corner shower stall.

At the upper end (circa $300) the Venetian Suite takes over a whole wing on the second floor offering views in three directions. You’ll find elegant examples of Venetian glass throughout; a chandelier, cut crystal mirror and hand-painted mirrored furniture. Rich velvets and silks in subdued tones are used on windows and in the king size bed coverings. The ample sitting area overlooks the golf course and includes a TV/VCR with cable service along with a fireplace. The bathroom has a two-person whirlpool tub and separate glassed-in shower. Another room houses the toilet and pedestal sink.

The next morning tea and coffee are available from 7:30 but breakfast isn't until 9:00 (or you can opt for continental breakfast in your room between 8:30 and 10:30). You'll join other guests at the long mahogany table in the grand dining room complete with fireplace. Conviviality reigns as you prepare to dig in. There’s always cereal and yoghurt on the sideboard and you’ll be offered juices along with fresh fruit followed by home-baked croissants and muffins or perhaps spicy cheese cornbread or cheese and sage biscuits. The main dish could be Belgian waffles with bananas, almonds, nutmeg, whipped cream and maple syrup with sausage and Canadian bacon on the side. Or it could be something a little less traditional such as Tortiere with puff pastry lid served with homemade fruit relish. That Jane is one good cook.

When you leave you’ll be taking home a part of Jane and Steve’s dream in your memory baggage. It’s sure to be a treasured gift.

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Lakewinds Country Manor circa 1881, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

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Website:

http://www.lakewinds.ca

Languages:

Season:

S or D $195-290 plus 13% HST
Any Friday or Saturday booking requires two night stay
Off-season rates: S or D $165-195
Credit card guarantee required

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Restrictions:

Children 12 and older welcome; smoking on verandah or in garden only; no guest pets

Facilities:

6 rooms with en suite bathrooms: 2 with queen size beds, 4 with king size beds, 2 of which can be made up as twins; Jacuzzi tubs in 3 of the king bed rooms; 1 king room (Florentine) with shower only; others have various tub/shower/shower stall combos.
Dining room, living room, billiard room with guest bar and solarium, heated outdoor pool for guests; central air with separate thermostats in every room; wireless internet

Parking:

Off street parking for all 6 rooms; no jockeying

Breakfast:

Full (continental if served in room)

Location:

At western end of Niagara-on-the-Lake's main Street across from Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course and Lake Ontario.

Directions:

Obtain detailed directions when booking. From the QEW exit onto Hwy 55 (Stone Road) and follow signs for Niagara-on-the-Lake. Hwy 55 turns into Mississauga Street. At the end turn left on Queen Street and drive to 328 on south side (on your left; the golf course and Lake Ontario will be to the north on your right.) Watch for the Lakewinds sign on their picket fence out front.

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