|
|
|
|
|
|
One of the best bed and breakfasts in Port Stanley Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
|
|
|
|
Telegraph House Bed and Breakfast
|
Vicci and Jon Coughlin
205 Main Street
Port Stanley, ON
Canada, N5L 1C4
|
| Phone: 519-782-3006 |
| A great getaway B&B in charming Port Stanley on Lake Erie. |
|
|
|
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 one I recommend. Janette Higgins
Port Stanley is one of the most charming communities on Lake Erie. And Telegraph House Bed and Breakfast is one of the Lake Erie shore’s most exceptional bed and breakfasts. Hosts Vicci and Jon Coughlin have worked it all out.
Upon our arrival, we took them up on a cup of tea and tasty confection they call a Billy bar. Vicci and Jon are gregarious, generous hosts with an ability to successfully juggle their priorities. This no doubt comes from having once owned a 100-seat restaurant in London so running this little operation is a piece of cake. And a yummy one at that.
That night, after dinner, Vicci showed up with a basket of DVDs and a suggestion of tea. We chose a movie and settled into our feather beds for the night warmed by the electric woodstove-style heater; a cosy touch on a rainy night in late fall. The rooms may have perfunctory names (ours was 202) but they’re filled with little extras. We had twin beds (can be king) with excellent reading lights recessed in the bulkhead above. The soothing cream-and-taupe colour scheme is accented by bed cushions in ivory-and-black toile. A chocolate-brown chesterfield serves double duty as a pullout double bed and the big bathroom has an antique tub and separate shower stall.
Across the hall, Room 203 also has a king-size bed (or two twins) and two armchairs with a footstool. It’s done in teal and rose and again there are excellent reading lights. The advantage to this room is the separate closet, handy if you’re staying for more than one night. The gracious landing between these rooms once served as the village telegraph station hence the name for this bed and breakfast. It now accommodates a small but comfortable guest lounge where you'll find the movies and a mini-fridge. There's also a pull out single bed on the landing so, for example, six solo women could be accommodated for a scrap-booking weekend.
As for breakfast, it’s a tour de force of tempting choices from a menu. We had Lake Erie perch with latkes and eggs but we could have had corned beef hash or something more traditional. (Note that the perch is available in summer only.) And, new in 20l0, the Coughlins now offer dinner to their guests. They even have a wine license. Altogether a getaway of note.
Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of the continuation of my research by letting Vicci and John know you read my consumer review of their bed and breakfast. Many thanks! Janette Higgins
|
Reviews of Janette Higgins'
favourite places beyond Ontario
More of Janette Higgins' reviews
of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
|
|
Telegraph House Bed and Breakfast, Port Stanley, Ontario
|
| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.telegraphhouse.com |
| Best to call: |
3 PM to 9 PM |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year except January |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S $100, D $165-180 plus 13% HST. Off-season midweek: S 135, D $150 Plus 13% HST. |
Currency converter
|
| Cards: |
Cash/VISA/MC/AMEX/Debit |
| Restrictions: |
Well-behaved children welcome; no smoking ($200 charge for smoking in room) ; no guests' pets |
| Facilities: |
2 bedrooms: Both with king/twin, en suite bath with antique tub and walk in shower; Small upstairs lounge with games/cards; comfy guest sitting area with newspapers and coffee/tea adjacent to dining room; central air; supper can be reserved for B&B guests only; there is a retail shop selling fudge on the premises |
| Parking: |
ample |
| Breakfast: |
full |
| In Residence: |
a miniature poodle named Bailey |
| Location: |
Downtown Port Stanley looking out on Lake Erie where the early morning fishing boats go out. |
| Directions: |
At south end of Main Street in Port Stanley just before Lake Erie. Bed and breakfast is on your left. |
| |
|
|
|
|
