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One of the best bed and breakfasts in Baden (near Kitchener-Waterloo/Stratford) Ontario,
as recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Hilldrop House Bed and Breakfast
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Jon and Marianne Guistini
189 Snyder's Rd East
Baden (Kitchener-Waterloo), Ontario
Canada, N3A 2V5
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| Phone: 519-634-1170 |
| A generosity of spirit will make you want to return. |
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Baden (near Kitchener-Waterloo/Stratford), Ontario map
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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
You want a reason to come to Baden? Well let me give you a few. First, Hilldrop House Bed and Breakfast is my pick of bed and breakfasts if I had reason to be in Kitchener. Second, you could easily stay in considerable comfort for a few days and use this bed and breakfast as a base for exploring places like St Jacobs, Waterloo and other Mennonite communities in the area. Even downtown Stratford is only half an hour away. Third, the retired-teacher hosts Marianne and Jon Guistini are fun, welcoming and generous of spirit. Fourth, there’s a tavern down the road that’s one of the oldest around and serves food that really schmecks. And, finally, the accommodations are first rate.
As you pull in the driveway you’re struck by the lovely gardens and by the sheer exuberance of the Victorian façade which has deservedly garnered a heritage recognition award. Inside the exuberance continues with collections of antique glass and dishes, evidence of one of Marianne’s passions. (Another is musical theatre.) The bed and breakfast is the Guistini's retirement project and they’re loving it.
Here’s the lowdown on the bed and breakfast guestrooms. In effect there’s one room in the house with a private-use bathroom. You get to choose either the Dickens’ Room with a Christmas theme(!) or the smaller Nostalgia Room. They both have furnishings from the 1920s and 30s. Across the hall there’s a guest den with tea, coffee and goodies plus a computer with access to the internet. If you bring your laptop you'll have access to wireless internet. The two rooms I fell for are back outside in a renovated pottery studio which backs onto parkland. The rooms have a contemporary ambiance though furnished with antiques. Each has a private entrance and outdoor sitting area but rooms can adjoin if guests prefer.
The large pine-panelled Cottage Green Room has a cathedral ceiling with two skylights and six windows. There’s a queen size bed, pine table and chairs and a wing back chair with ottoman. Plus a small sink and counter with bar fridge, microwave, coffee maker, toaster and kettle. Plus teas, coffee, biscuits, soft drinks and ice. And, oh yes, a TV/VCR/DVD with a selection of movies. The other room, up a flight of stairs, is called the Country Loft. Its queen-size bed is antique brass and iron. It has all the amenities of the Cottage Green Room plus a Jacuzzi tub with a hand held shower and a couch that opens to another double bed. An electric fireplace adds warmth and ambiance in cooler times.
Breakfast is the perfect excuse for Marianne to bring out her vintage glassware. There’s always seasonal fruit followed by something like Brie and asparagus quiche, raspberry waffles or a baked French toast. Then there’s an assortment of home baking (even pie!) and always an elderberry jam, jelly or syrup. When I was there the Guistinis had just harvested a glistening crop of the dark purple berries. Breakfast isn’t the only time for treats. I don’t want to spoil the surprise(s) but you will be spoiled.
Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of the continuation of my research by letting Jon and Marianne know you read my consumer 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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Hilldrop House Bed and Breakfast, Baden (near Kitchener-Waterloo/Stratford), Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://canvisit.com/hilldrop |
| Best to call: |
anytime |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S $90-100, D $110-120 (no taxes); enquire about weekly rates |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
VISA/MC/AMEX/Debit |
| Restrictions: |
children over 5 welcome; smoking outside only; no guests' pets |
| Facilities: |
3 rooms; 2 rooms with en suite bathrooms, 1 with private bath; TV/VCR/DVD fridge/iron/ironing board/microwave/hairdryer in rooms; coffee/tea in rooms; movies on request; wireless internet; air conditioning; living room for guests; reading lights in rooms; garden 'nooks' for guests to enjoy |
| Parking: |
ample plus room for motorcycles in garage |
| Breakfast: |
full |
| In Residence: |
Joanna, university-student daughter |
| Location: |
Hilldrop House bed and breakfast in Baden just north of Hwy 7/8 between Kitchener and Stratford. It's 30 minutes from downtown Stratford; 20 minutes from St Jacobs and Kitchener-Waterloo Stockyards; 15 minutes from Kitchener. |
| Directions: |
From Kitchener take Hwy 7/8 west towards Stratford and exit at 'Waterloo Rd 51 Baden'. At bottom of exit ramp turn left onto Foundry St. Follow to T intersection. Turn right on Snyder's Rd. Bed and Breakfast is less than 1 km |
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