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One of the best bed and breakfasts in St. Catharines Niagara Region Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Toronto Area and Niagara Region
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Ridley Gate Manor Bed and Breakfast
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Peter and Teresa Kellett
37 Henrietta Street
St. Catharines, ON
Canada, L2S 2M7
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| Phone: 905-323-9719 |
| A bed and breakfast that scores on all levels! |
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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
Ridley Gate Manor Bed and Breakfast has all the things I look for. First off, it has great curb appeal which you might expect from a place built in 1918 for the headmaster of nearby Ridley College. Attractive, well-kept gardens, created by hosts, Peter and Teresa Kellett (he’s a horticulturist), provide the appropriate setting. Out back, guests are welcome to stroll by the formal raised pond, past gardens and a quaint outbuilding to the in-ground pool.When I was there the heat and humidity had guests and hosts taking refreshing dips.
I also want the right location; preferably off a main road, as is this St. Catharines’ bed and breakfast, and close to things of interest. Visiting St Catharines? You’re within walking distance of downtown. On a winery tour? This bed and breakfast could easily be used as your base for exploring Niagara region’s many wineries. Want an alternative to the high bed and breakfast prices of Niagara-on-the-Lake or Niagara Falls? Ridley Gate Manor’s rates aren’t as influenced by what our American friends (who make up a huge percentage of visitors to Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls) are willing to pay. In fact, it offers good-value B&B prices much more in line with the rest of Ontario.
Another thing I look for is personable hosting: Peter and Teresa are welcoming, easygoing and generous (see below what I have to say about breakfast). Next I look for attractive common areas and guest bedrooms. No doubts here. The large guest living room with gas fireplace, well-stocked bookshelves and two pianos(!)is comfortably and appropriately furnished to lovely effect. Floor-to-ceiling mullioned windows look out over the award winning gardens out back. Upstairs the three guest bedrooms offer everything I look for; en suite bathrooms, at least one with twin beds, and one that borders on luxe with a four-poster bed, gas fireplace and Juliet balcony. The rooms also feature some of the extras I look for, like at least one comfy chair and reading lights.
Here’s the lowdown on the rooms. The green-toned Mozart Room is the one with twin beds The headboard is French cherry wood and there’s a matching armoire. The blue Bach Room has a queen sized bed antique headboard and marble-topped dresser and mirrored armoire. I was intrigued by the collection of musical instruments in the living room and the music books in this room and supposed one of the hosts was a musician -- turns out it's Peter. The Beethoven Suite is the largest room with a four-poster and gas fireplace. Its large bathroom features a sit-down shower and clawfoot tub with gold fixtures.
This brings me to breakfast. I can unabashedly say that I’ve never seen such generosity at the breakfast table. Or should I say formal dining table in the suitably elegant dining room. And I sampled everything. Which meant that for the first time in 17 years of research I forgot about eating lunch. Peter does all the cooking (and most of the hosting since Teresa still works full time as a nurse). There was something for everyone. Fresh fruit to start. Peter’s homemade granola crunchy with lashings of baked-on maple syrup. Orange juice and homemade muffins. Platters of crisp bacon, sliced tomatoes with basil, and perfectly scrambled eggs, And, oh yes, delicious French toast served with real maple syrup. And Peter tells me if you stay there two weeks it will be different every day.
Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of the continuation of my research by letting Peter and Teresa 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
More of Janette Higgins' reviews
of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
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Ridley Gate Manor Bed and Breakfast, St. Catharines Niagara Region, Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.bbcanada.com/ridleygatemanor |
| Best to call: |
Anytime |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S $99-144, D $110-150 plus 13% HST; enquire about off-season/long term stay rates; 2 night minimum on certain weekends; obtain cancellation policy when booking |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
VISA/MC/cash/cheque/travellers cheques |
| Restrictions: |
well-behaved, supervised children welcome; smoking outside only; enquire about bringing pets |
| Facilities: |
3 guest bedrooms; en suite bathrooms, all with shower stalls. 1 has clawfoot tub as well; 2 with queen beds, 1 twin bedded or king room; living room and garden for guests; central air conditioning |
| Parking: |
for four cars in drive; some jockeying |
| Breakfast: |
full |
| In Residence: |
Dexter, a friendly orange and white cat |
| Location: |
St Catharines is 1.5 hours from downtown Toronto in the heart of Niagara Region, close to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Many wineries nearby. Ten-minute walk from downtown St Catharines. |
| Directions: |
From the QEW highway exit south on Ontario Street. Go 3 km to St Paul St. Turn right. Go 1/2 km and over bridge. Turn right 10 metres from end of bridge onto Henrietta. Go 250 metres to last house on left |
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