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Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario bed and breakfast:
One of the best bed and breakfasts in Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario
recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Toronto Area and Niagara Region
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Parliament Cottage Bed and Breakfast circa 1840
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Isabelle Parliament
418 Gate Street
PO Box 1464
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Canada, L0S 1J0
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| Phone: 905-468-1342 |
| Toll Free:877-660-6005 |
| Smashing breakfasts in an 1840s saltbox, one of my good-value bed and breakfast picks for Niagara-on-the-Lake. |
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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 one I recommend. Janette Higgins
With so many perfectly OK B&Bs in Niagara-on-the-Lake I look for exceptional breakfasts as one way of winnowing it down to the few I do pick. So when someone pulls out all the stops at breakfast I take notice. The gregarious Isabelle Parliament of Parliament Cottage Bed and Breakfast, a charming 1840s saltbox, is one who does. And there’s more. Despite being smaller than many bed and breakfast houses in Niagara-on-the-Lake, this one still manages to offer guests a spacious living room and access to the back garden. And it's close to everything -- a short four-block stroll takes you to downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake. All this, combined with fair rates, makes this B&B one of my good-value picks for Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Here’s the scoop. On arrival, the enthusiastic Isabelle will welcome you with friendly chat. You’ll be aware of the tasteful country charm of the guest living room anchored by a blue-and-white gingham camel back sofa. Around you is the colourful work of Niagara artists. Most is for sale and Isabelle can direct you to their studios. She's also offering wine tour packages. Click the link to Isabelle's own website below for details.
One of the Parliament Cottage guest bedrooms, (called Stornaway* – Canadians will immediately see where this is heading) opens off to your right as you enter the house. This makes it good for someone with mobility impairments who can manage the 4-5 gradual stairs outside. This cheerful butter-yellow room has an en suite bathroom and easy access to the common areas. There’s a queen size white iron bed.
Upstairs, you’ll find more tongue-in-cheek names for the bedrooms. Rideau Hall has three beds (2 twins and one antique ¾ bed). The cheery yellow-and-blue colour scheme, along with the sloping ceiling, evokes a cottagey ambiance. The private bathroom’s directly across the hall and robes are provided. Then there’s 24 Sussex. It offers pistachio green walls, wide pine floor boards and an antique sleigh bed widened to queen size. Its bathroom is en suite. All three rooms have reading material and good bedside reading lights as well as wine glasses and a handy corkscrew.
And about that breakfast. Isabelle’s fruit course will be something like poached pears (from her own garden) with cranberries or chilled melon-peach soup with champagne. Her fresh baking might be ginger scones or blueberry lemon loaf. As for the hot entrée, the most popular are a turkey vegetable strata in puff pastry and lemon ricotta pancakes with rhubarb sauce. Then there comes a special treat to encourage lingering over coffee and good conversation. You’ll just have to stay to find out what!
*To enlighten non-Canadians: the room names, inspired by Isabelle’s ‘parliamentary’ last name, are those of the homes of our federal government leaders.
Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of the continuation of my research by letting Isabelle know you read my review of her bed and breakfast on this bbontario website. Many thanks! Janette Higgins
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Reviews of Janette Higgins'
favourite places beyond Ontario
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of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
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Parliament Cottage Bed and Breakfast circa 1840, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.parliamentcottage.com |
| Best to call: |
Anytime |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S $110, D $125 plus 5% GST
2 night minimum if a Saturday is booked mid May to mid Oct
enquire about single night last-minute stays and off-season rates |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
Cash, cheque, debit preferred. VISA/MC accepted. |
| Restrictions: |
Enquire about children; smoking outside only; enquire about guests' pets |
| Facilities: |
3 rooms; 2 with queen beds with en suite bath with shower stall; 1 with 2 twins and antique 3/4 bed with private bathroom across hall with shower stall; guest living room, central air throughout house augmented by remote control ceiling fans in upstairs bedrooms; guest refrigerator and beverage-making facilities; outdoor sitting/picnic area on patio by pond; courtesy bicycles; high speed wireless internet |
| Parking: |
for 3 cars in driveway |
| Breakfast: |
Full |
| In Residence: |
1 white cat (Angel)and two ginger cats named Ginny and Ginger |
| Location: |
at the edge of the heritage district of Niagara-on-the-Lake; 4 short blocks to Queen Street in town centre; 1 block to bike trail; 1 km or less to the theatres |
| Directions: |
From Hwy 55 (Niagara Stone Road) turn right at Mary Stret. Drive 2 blocks. Turn left at Gate Street.
From Queen Street in downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake turn south on Gate Street |
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