|
|
|
|
|
|
One of the best bed and breakfasts in Toronto Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
|
|
Toronto Area and Niagara Region
| |
|
|
Hampton House Bed and Breakfast
|
Joanne Woollacott
146 Hampton Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M4K 2Z1
|
| Phone: 416-406-3034 |
| A jewel box of a B&B full of colour and whimsy. |
|
|
|
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
Hampton House Bed and Breakfast has so much going for it. First, it has an ideal location in a safe neighbourhood (no crack dealers on the corner) on a nicely kept-up residential street (no furniture piled up on dilapidated porches). Walk half a block north and you’ll find yourself in the lively ‘Greektown’ neighbourhood. Officially designated as one of Toronto’s top tourist areas, it offers up a distinctive assortment of parks, restaurants, coffee houses, clothing and furnishings shops, and a branch of one of Canada’s last great independent book stores. (Book City supported and sold hundreds of copies of my B&B book in the dozen or so years before I went online with my reviews.) Walk another half block to the Chester subway stop and in 10 minutes you’ll reach the heart of Toronto at Bloor and Yonge.
The second thing about this bed and breakfast is that even from the outside you can sense the savvy style of host Joanne Woollacott. Inside, her keen eye for the unusual and the ability to pull it all together makes for an exquisite jewel-box of a place. Even her two small dogs are unusual; they're hypoallergenic Coton de Tulears.
Upstairs, the second floor is given over to guests. It comprises a bathroom, two bedrooms and a sitting area with seating for four. And, yes, the two rooms do share one bathroom. These days most Ontario B&Bs that make it onto my roster usually have one or more ensuites but in Toronto an en suite is hard to come by, particularly in light of the ‘package’ I look for. In fact, in Toronto it is very common to share a bath (sometimes with 2 or even 3 other rooms); though it’s not always clear from the ads. At this bed and breakfast at least there’s an option for those who like their privacy. You can rent one of the bedrooms and have the upstairs to yourself for $140.
Both bedrooms have queen beds, comfy chairs and reading lights. Here’s the skinny on each. The Green Room at the front is closest to the bathroom. It has a vaulted ceiling with soft green and gold walls and the bed covering is in muted stripes of green, blue, red and gold. The Gold Room, with rust and blue accessories, has a side deck from where you can overlook the back garden. Joanne does ask that you keep the door to the deck closed if you're having a smoke outside (smoking inside is not allowed). If you’re sensitive to city street noise you may find the Gold Room a little quieter. The cosy sitting area has a TV/DVD player and a demi-fridge with the makings for tea and coffee.
Next morning Joanne serves breakfast in her dining room on the main floor. You’ll have the usual starters such as juice and fresh fruit. Then it might be banana pancakes, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, or even a toasted bacon, tomato and egg sandwich. No doubt, all will have Joanne’s signature attention to presentation and quality.
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
|
Reviews of Janette Higgins'
favourite places beyond Ontario
More of Janette Higgins' reviews
of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
|
|
Hampton House Bed and Breakfast, Toronto, Ontario
|
| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.bbcanada.com/9487.html |
| Best to call: |
10 AM to 10 PM |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S 85-95, D $95-110; $140 for private occupancy (no taxes); 2 night minimum May through October; 1 night surcharge if mid-week |
Currency converter
|
| Cards: |
Cash, Traveller Cheque, Money Order due on arrival |
| Restrictions: |
children welcome; smoking on upper deck only with door into bedroom closed; no guests' pets |
| Facilities: |
2nd floor is guest-only with two queen-bedded bedrooms at either end and shared full bathroom and sitting room separating them; central air; wireless internet; garden in summer |
| Parking: |
for 1 car on paved parking pad in front |
| Breakfast: |
Full |
| In Residence: |
Harry and Pippy, the 2 hyper allergenic Coton de Tulears (small dogs) |
| Location: |
In the heart of Toronto's lively Danforth Village neighbourhood (Greektown; a designated tourist area) half a block south of Danforth and 5 minute walk from Chester Subway on East West line. |
| Directions: |
Obtain when booking. Hampton Street is between Broadview and Logan south of Danforth. |
| |
|
|
|
|
