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One of the best bed and breakfasts in Sombra (Sarnia) Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Sheboane Bed and Breakfast
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Gayle and Alan Nixon
2955 St. Clair Gardens
Sombra, ON
Canada, N0P 2H0
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| Phone: 519-892-3389 |
| I always like when a B&B surprises to the upside. Like this one south of Sarnia on the banks of the St Clair River. |
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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’s a romantic waterfront bed and breakfast retreat near Sarnia. Janette Higgins
I know lots of you use my site to find someplace you would never have known about otherwise. Consider the case for Sheboane Bed and Breakfast in Sombra. Sombra, you say. Hmmmm… Well, it’s due south of Sarnia, reached by way of a scenic drive along the St. Clair River. You’ll pull into a little enclave of homes on the river side of the parkway; unusual in that most houses along this route are on the other side of the road. Sheboane Bed and Breakfast has a wooden dock running across the full length of its river bank and another sticks out into the water, keeping picturesque company with hundreds of other docks jutting into most of the length of both sides of the river. Choose from one of several benches that hosts Gayle and Alan Nixon provide and you can sit and watch a captivating array of boats go by including huge lakers and freighters which ply the river on commercial ventures as they move between Lakes Erie and Huron.
The dock is not the only place for river views. The bed and breakfast is in a building unto itself with views open to the water. The main floor of the building was used by Gayle when she bred great Danes. Now they have only one of the leggy creatures and have turned the main floor into a guest lounge and breakfast area on one side and on the other you'll find a spacious room with fireplace, king-size bed and walkout to a private garden. Its en suite bathroom has a large walk-in shower. This is a good option for those who have difficulty with stairs. Upstairs, you'll find another two fully-equipped guest rooms. You’ll have a good sized room, attractively decorated complete with AC, fireplace, two comfortable chairs, refreshment area with fridge, and en suite bath with shower. Oh yeah, and a Jacuzzi in the room and a balcony with a couple of chairs to take in sunsets and the river’s activity. I was really struck by how this B&B could cater not only to romantic couples but to anyone in need of some serious R&R or even couples wanting to rejuvenate their relationship.
Outside, the Nixons have planted attractive gardens including a sheltered one that goes with the main floor guest room that’s complete with a pond containing fish with names like Jumbo and Quicksilver. Further back, past the dog house, there’s a henhouse where Gayle gathers your breakfast eggs. Ours were poached and served on toasted English muffins. We’d started with a fruit plate of blueberries and pineapple. I wouldn’t normally have toast as well but did when I learned that each September Gayle and Alan make a batch of homemade marmelade. Had to try it. Delish.
And here’s something else to know. There’s a year-round pedestrian/car ferry at Sombra that takes 5 minutes to cross the river and deposit you in Marine City, Michigan (pop. 5000) without any border hassles. From there it’s a 15-minute drive to the I-94 – making it worth thinking about a stay at this bed and breakfast when you make that drive to Florida.
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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Sheboane Bed and Breakfast, Sombra (Sarnia), Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://sheboane.ca |
| Best to call: |
Mornings |
| Languages: |
English, some French |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S or D $130, 2nd night $100. $20 for extra person in room (No taxes) Enquire about stays of longer than a week. |
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| Cards: |
VISA/MC, Cash or Cheque |
| Restrictions: |
not suitable for children; no smoking in rooms/balconies (OK in garden or on dock); no guest pets |
| Facilities: |
1 main floor room with king bed, electric fireplace, en suite bathroom with walk-in shower and sliding doors to private garden area; 2 rooms each with queen beds, en suite bathrooms with shower, 2-person Jacuzzis in room and fireplaces; air conditioning; comfortable seating in room plus two chairs on balcony; wireless internet |
| Parking: |
ample |
| Breakfast: |
full |
| In Residence: |
Several chickens out back, all of which are named 'Ginger' and provide eggs for breakfast. |
| Location: |
Sombra is south of Sarnia and north of Wallaceburg on the St. Clair River. There's a small ferry in Sombra that takes pedestrians and cars across to the US in 5 minutes. The bed and breakfast is on the river. |
| Directions: |
St Clair Gardens is in Sombra on a dead end street on the river side just south of Cathcart Park |
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