This luxury bed and breakfast, built in 1890, has always been an inn. In its early days, it had a saloon on the first floor and stables next door, where the drunks were sent to sleep it off. Today, the saloon is a kitchen and the stables are gone, replaced with the attached house of the owners.
Guests to the inn are allowed to use the parlor and library—but food and drink are not allowed in the parlor, which is attached to the owner’s dining room. The inn has three floors with eight rooms named after British royals of centuries past. Although the rooms are incredibly clean and comfortable, one of the downfalls to my stay was that I did not have an ensuite bathroom. I used one down the hall which was only for guests in my room, but the door had no key to keep other guests out. The building overall has been lovingly maintained and transported me back to an era of elegance and style. The owner is a lovely woman willing to help in any way possible, and will even draw out a driving route on a map of the island to help plan your day.
Breakfast is full-service, all the way down to coffee and tea. The meal comes in courses, often starting with oatmeal or macerated fresh fruit, followed by an egg dish, and sometimes finishing with a dessert. Everything is made from scratch, usually from ingredients local to the island. The owner, Susan, encourages guests to finish their morning coffee or tea on the veranda, taking in a gorgeous view of Gore Bay and the harbor.
From US$100
– Snacks offered throughout the day
– Breakfast is extensive and made fresh
– No “do not disturb” signs
– Not all bathrooms are en-suite
1 416 450-4866 (Jan to April)
1 705 282 0665 (May to Oct)
info@thequeensinn.ca
Jennifer Billock
Review Team
The Landmark Inn is Marquette’s honored historic hotel. Construction began on the hotel in 1910, then named the Northland Hotel. The business was the height of Marquette’s social scene for decades until it fell into disrepair. Eventually it was bought and underwent a renovation, and now the hotel retains its original beauty in architecture, design, and service.
Nearly all of the light fixtures and surfaces of the hotel are original, and antiques are found throughout the lobby and in the guestrooms. A few of the rooms are named after celebrities who have stayed at the hotel during its long history: Amelia Earhart, Abbot and Costello, John Voelker, George Shiras, Bishop Baraga, Fred Rydholm, and more. I stayed in the William Austin Burt room. The decorations and wallpaper brought in a sense of luxury, topped off with the ornamental fireplace in the corner. Antique furnishings mixed with more modern pieces added to the old-world feel of the experience.
One of my favorite things about the hotel was that the lounge on the top floor allowed guests to order food from either of the hotel’s two restaurants and have it served up there. The menu had some unique items, like savory cheesecakes, but overall the food was a bit of a letdown and pretty expensive. But the view from the lounge is spectacular and definitely something worth seeing, as well as the hand-painted fresco on the ceiling in the banquet room across the hall.
From US$139
– The hotel is beautifully restored
– A decorative fireplace in every room
– The hotel is haunted
– Also, the hotel is haunted
– The restaurants are unique but the food is lacking
Jennifer Billock
Review Team
This resort, located nearby a luxury shopping mall, is not only a hotel but also a conference center, gym, spa, and the Ontario Squash Hall of Fame. The grounds are extensive and include nature trails and water features. Guests can sit out on the patio and use a hotel phone nearby to order patio table service from any of the hotel’s three restaurants.
Because the resort is so large, it can sometimes be a long walk getting to your room. But the effort is worth it, because you will arrive to a bright, colorful, clean room with an exceedingly comfortable bed and luxury bathroom. The hallways of the hotel will keep you occupied on your walk as well—they are decorated with unique sculptures and art furniture that guests can use at any time.
Overall the stay was exceptional and pleasant, but I did have one unfortunate experience during my time here. I had hoped to use a luggage cart on my own to bring my bags down to the car, as there were a number of breakable items. The bellhop refused to leave me a cart, saying it was against hotel policy. He said he would be back in 15 minutes, when I expected I would be ready to load the cart completely. He never came back. Later, I discovered that another guest had been given a cart to use on her own. The bellhop and the front desk both denied it happened, and the bellhop was outright rude about the whole situation. So keep that in mind for any stays, and be prepared for potential rudeness from some staff members.
From US$120 per night
– Smart mirror in the bathroom
– Beautiful nature trails
– Nearby a designer shopping mall
– Far from downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake
– The bellhop staff can be rude and unprofessional
Jennifer Billock
Review Team
Decisions are limited to just a few hotels in downtown Boise. Stay at the busy high rise or just down the street at The Modern Hotel and Bar in the chic, up and coming Linen District. I chose the Modern because it was small, just 39 rooms, its style and history spoke to me, plus I’m a lover of well made cocktails and locally sourced organic eats.
I’m not a huge fan of your average hotel where all the rooms look the same and the food is nothing to write home about. The Modern Hotel had colorful, hip decor that made me feel right at home, without all the clutter or sameness that some hotels offer. The Modern is simple, with that small boutique feel, Eames style desk, closet and bed. Our room had a beautifully tiled, rainfall shower with small frosted windows into our room. Japanese soaking tub suites were available as well, if you have some down time and aren’t spending it in the wonderful outdoor space or bar.
The Modern Hotel and Bar is known for their bar. They have cocktails that are known to the media of New York and food aficionados of local organic cuisine. The bartenders were knowledgeable and able to make you just about anything for your taste and it would be incredible. We enjoyed our food and cocktails on the patio. At night the space is transformed from shaded oasis to campfire fun. They even host live music and campfire stories on some nights throughout the year.
This place is hip and fun. A great place to “camp” for the weekend in downtown Boise. You’re a short walk to other bars and eateries if you can pry yourself away from the amazing food and cocktails that are served at Modern Hotel’s bar.
Another fun historical fact about this place is that it opened in 1960 as a TravelLodge. It’s come a long way. Today, I’d say book with a group of your friends and enjoy the juxtaposition of the fun campfire patio with the sophisticated cocktails and organic eats that will keep you happy and full into the night.
From US$109+ per night
– Free, locally roasted coffee and fresh squeezed juice in the morning. Includes continental breakfast during the week
– 99sixty – Biodegradable Amenities & Dispensing System, good for the environment and your skin
– Free parking in lot
– Because the hotel is only two stories you do hear some road noise from the surrounding streets
– Some rooms may get late night noise from the bar/patio area
Melissa D. Jones
Review Team