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One of the best bed and breakfasts in Dunnville on Lake Erie Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Toronto Area and Niagara Region
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Lalor Estate Inn Bed and Breakfast
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Glen and Judy Brough
241 Broad Street West (Hwy 3)
Dunnville, ON
Canada, N1A 1S8
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| Phone: 905-774-5438 |
| This grand estate home has been meticulously restored for bed and breakfast. |
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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 close to the Niagara Region. Janette Higgins
Like many small Ontario towns Dunnville boasts some interesting historic homes. Lalor (pronounced Lawler) Estate Inn Bed and Breakfast is one such place. It’s arguably the grandest home in Dunnville, which is situated half an hour’s drive south of Grimsby on the shores on the Grand River where it empties into Lake Erie. Officially Dunnville is part of Haldimand County (more deserving of our interest than it gets) but since it lies adjacent to Niagara Region it could be said to occupy the best of both worlds.
When former Burlington residents Glen and Judy Brough bought the house it had been a senior’s residence. It had great bones and a period redecoration done in the 1970s had stood the test of time. However, some things were badly in need of restoration and the Brough’s caring attention to detail has brought the home back to its glory days. The restoration is ongoing – when we arrived unannounced to have a look around, they were painting the third floor gabled window from a cherry picker. Judy was able to gracefully exit the machine, enter the house through the back door and present herself at the bevelled glass front door with a cheery smile having changed out of her work clothes into an outfit suitable for welcoming guests. All in the space of a few minutes.
Judy showed us around and it was a no-brainer – we decided to stay. Our huge room had a queen bed and a single daybed. Like two of the other guest rooms it had a sink, terry robes, fireplace and seating area. Our private-use bathroom was reached by way of the spacious upstairs landing and along a short back hall. Two other guest rooms share a second bathroom; the smaller guest room (the one without a sink and fireplace but with a large easy chair and charming nonetheless) is adjacent to the bathroom; the larger room is a bit of a walk. There’s also a suite with king bed and spacious sitting area. Step down from the sitting area and you’ll find an en suite full bathroom one way and glassed-in porch the other.
Breakfast next morning included homemade raisin bran muffins, blueberry pomegranate juice served in frosty chilled glasses and strawberry waffles with whipped cream and maple syrup and bacon on the side. After, we hastened back to Toronto which meant missing the area’s unique attractions, for example, the architecturally-significant court house in nearby Cayuga or the hiking trail that follows the bucolic Grand River. This bed and breakfast also makes a great getaway spot for crafters or girls’ get-togethers because there’s a large room that can be set up for everything from quilting to spa services. Admittedly, Dunnville’s restaurant pickings are slim so if you’re a foodie you can either bring food with you or, if you’re four or more, have a meal catered. Just let the Broughs know in advance.
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
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of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
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Lalor Estate Inn Bed and Breakfast, Dunnville on Lake Erie, Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://lalorestateinn.com |
| Best to call: |
after 4 PM |
| Languages: |
English, a little French |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S or D $90-135 plus 13% HST
7th day is free |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
Cash, Cheque, VISA, MC, AMEX, Diners, Debit |
| Restrictions: |
Children welcome; smoking outside only; no guests' pets |
| Facilities: |
4 guest bedrooms (1 with queen and twin bed and washbasin in room with private-use bath down hall; 1 with queen and washbasin and shared bath down hall; 1 with queen bed and shared bath adjacent; 1 with king bed, washbasin in room and full en suite bath); non-working fireplaces and air conditioners in all rooms; wireless high speed internet; guest parlour; great room for functions |
| Parking: |
ample |
| Breakfast: |
full |
| In Residence: |
Isabelle, the cat, kept out of guest rooms |
| Location: |
on the main street in Dunnville on the Hwy 3 historic route; Dunnville is a town on Lake Erie about a 30-minute drive south of Grimsby so very close to the Niagara Region. |
| Directions: |
From Toronto take the QEW towards Niagara and exit at Highway 20/Centennial Parkway. Hwy 20 becomes Hwy 56. Proceed south. Hwy 56 will become Hwy 32. Follow to end. Turn left on Hwy 17 (River Road). This road merges with Hwy 3 which takes you into Dunnville. |
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