31 Best Hotels in Side Trips from Toronto, Ontario

Background Illustration for Hotels

Make reservations well in advance during summer and at ski areas in winter. Prices are higher in peak season and nearer to the tourist centers. In Niagara Falls, for example, hotel rates are determined by proximity to the falls. Taxes are seldom included in quoted prices, but rates sometimes include food, especially in more remote areas such as Muskoka, where many resorts offer meal plans.

Camping, in campgrounds or backcountry, is popular in summer and early fall, especially in the provincial parks to the north of Toronto.

Arowhon Pines

$$$$ | Algonquin Provincial Park West Entrance, Algonquin Provincial Park, ON, Canada Fodor's Choice

The stuff of local legend, Arowhon is a family-run wilderness retreat deep in Algonquin Provincial Park known for an unpretentious rustic atmosphere and superb dining. One to 12-bedroom log cabins are decorated with antique pine furnishings. Every room has a private bath—walk-in tubs in some—and there is a fireplace in every cabin to cozy up in front of, but living room space is shared among other lodgers unless you book a private cabin. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at scheduled times are included with room rate, as is access to sports equipment.

Pros

  • All-inclusive rate includes a wide range of activities
  • Excellent restaurant
  • Secluded feel

Cons

  • Pricey considering its lack of frills
  • Road can be tricky at night
  • Limited cell phone service
Algonquin Provincial Park West Entrance, Algonquin Provincial Park, ON, Canada
705-633–5661
hotel Details
50 rooms
Rate Includes: Closed mid-Oct.–May, All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Avery House

$$$ | 330 Ontario St., Stratford, ON, N5A 3H8, Canada

This 1874 Gothic revival home has been transformed into an impeccably decorated B&B with an eclectic interior. Owner Judy Spence has thrown all design rules out the window with her always-evolving mix of romantic and chic, including curios brought back from trips to Asia and irreverent pieces like a black-on-black zebra-print headboard. It somehow all works beautifully. Rooms have themes, like the sunny yellow-and-white Key West suite, with shell light-pulls and filmy fabric above the bed. The French country-cottage-style Loft, above the carriage house in back, has two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Pros

  • Continually updated decor
  • Affable host loves her job
  • Big breakfasts

Cons

  • Communal dining not everyone's cup of tea
  • Located on a busy road
  • Ground-floor unit's bathroom isn't en suite
330 Ontario St., Stratford, ON, N5A 3H8, Canada
519-273–1220
hotel Details
6 rooms
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–May, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Bartlett Lodge

$$$$ | Boat from Algonquin Provincial Park Cache Lake Landing, Algonquin Provincial Park, ON, P1H 2G8, Canada

Smack in the center of Algonquin Provincial Park, this impressive 1917 resort is reached by a short boat ride across Cache Lake. The immaculate one- to three-bedroom private log cabins, each with its own canoe and a screened porch facing the lake, have gleaming hardwood floors and king-size beds piled with patchwork quilts. Quiet reigns here; no waterskiing, Jet Skiing, or motors over 10 horsepower are allowed on the lake, and you won't find phones or TVs in the cabins. Platform tents have two single beds or a king and include breakfast only. The restaurant is excellent, but does not serve lunch, though preordered picnic lunches are available.

Pros

  • Completely quiet and peaceful
  • Breakfast and dinner included
  • Some rooms have wood stoves

Cons

  • Gratuity included for groups of eight or more
  • No phones or TVs in the cabins
  • Lots of mosquitoes in the summer
Boat from Algonquin Provincial Park Cache Lake Landing, Algonquin Provincial Park, ON, P1H 2G8, Canada
705-633–5543
hotel Details
14 rooms
Rate Includes: Closed late Oct.–early May, Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Recommended Fodor's Video

Bayview Wildwood Resort

$$$$ | 1500 Port Stanton Pkwy., Severn Bridge, ON, P0E 1N0, Canada

A 20-minute drive south of Gravenhurst, this all-inclusive lakeside resort dates to 1898 and is particularly geared to outdoor types and active families. Perhaps more suitably called a lodge, as it lacks the sophisticated touches you might expect, it is nevertheless well-equipped and comfortable. It's the kind of casual place where guests chat into the evening, lounging in Muskoka chairs around a fire pit. Canoeing and kayaking are popular, as are pontoon boat excursions. In winter, gear up for tobogganing, sleigh rides, and snowshoeing. Most rooms have fireplaces, and some have whirlpool baths; all but a few have views over Sparrow Lake.

Pros

  • For privacy there are cottages with decks
  • Casual, carefree atmosphere
  • Free activities for kids

Cons

  • Noisy trains pass by day and night
  • Rustic feel isn't for everyone
  • Strict meal times
1500 Port Stanton Pkwy., Severn Bridge, ON, P0E 1N0, Canada
705-689–2338
hotel Details
73 rooms
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Blue Mountain Resort

$$$$ | 108 Jozo Weider Blvd., Blue Mountains, ON, L9Y 3Z2, Canada Fodor's Choice

The largest ski resort in Ontario, and only getting bigger, this huge property near Collingwood revolves around its brightly painted Scandinavian-style alpine "village" with several blocks of shops, restaurants, bars, a grocery, and a plaza with live music. Aside from the slopes, it has an outstanding 18-hole golf course, mountain biking, a lakeside beach, an aquatic park, and even a coaster ride that winds down the mountain. Myriad lodging choices include the modestly priced (but somewhat shabby) Blue Mountain Inn, the pristine Swiss chalet–style Westin Trillium House, and the studios and one- or two-bedroom suites of the Village Suites or Mosaïc complex. One- to four-bedroom townhouses are also available in the Historic Snowbridge Mountain Homes complex near the golf course. From condos to four bedroom houses, many with kitchens, and access to outdoor hot tubs, there is something for everybody all year round; fun, relaxation, and fine foods are all at your fingertips. The more than 15 restaurants include fine dining, pizzerias, pubs, and sandwich shops; there's also an espresso bar and martini lounge.

Pros

  • Just a skip and a hop from the pedestrian village where all shops and restaurants are located
  • Wide range of accommodation
  • Excellent skiing

Cons

  • Blue Mountain Inn needs renovation
  • Other accommodations pricey in season
108 Jozo Weider Blvd., Blue Mountains, ON, L9Y 3Z2, Canada
705-445–0231
hotel Details
Blue Mountain Inn: 93 rooms, 2 suites; Westin Trillium House: 222 suites; Mosaïc: 85 suites; Village Suites: 447 suites; Historic Snowbridge Mountain Homes: 150 units
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No meals

Quick Facts

Country Inn & Suites

$$ | 5525 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 3L3, Canada

If you're on a budget but not willing to stay at a dingy motor lodge, this seven-story hotel is probably your best choice. Guests rave about the friendly staff and the sparkling rooms, which are decorated in the contemporary style of a chain hotel. Whirlpool suites have in-room jetted tubs.

Pros

  • High-speed Internet is among the amenities
  • Within walking distance of Clifton Hill
  • Breakfast is included

Cons

  • 15-minute walk down to the falls
  • Crowded during peak season
  • No views
5525 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 3L3, Canada
905-374–6040
hotel Details
108 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls – Fallsview

$$ | 5685 Falls Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2E 6W7, Canada

Since it opened as the Hotel General Brock in 1929, this grande dame of Niagara hotels has hosted royalty, prime ministers, and Hollywood stars—including Marilyn Monroe, who stayed here while filming the potboiler film Niagara. The imposing stone hotel still has some glamorous details—like an enormous chandelier above a sweeping staircase in the lobby. But history also has its disadvantages: standard rooms are small, and only about half have views of the falls. Just around the corner from Clifton Hill, the hotel has indoor access to the Casino Niagara, the Hard Rock Cafe, and an indoor water park. The 10th-floor Rainbow Room restaurant overlooks the falls and serves three meals a day.

Pros

  • Central location near Clifton Hill
  • Old-world sophistication
  • Pool and hot tubs

Cons

  • Even rooms with views have small windows
  • Some of the decor is a bit tired
  • Charge for Internet access
5685 Falls Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2E 6W7, Canada
905-374–4447
hotel Details
234 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Deerhurst Resort

$$$ | 1235 Deerhurst Dr., Huntsville, ON, P1H 2E8, Canada

This golf-focused resort along Peninsula Lake is a 780-acre, self-contained community with restaurants and lodgings to fit every budget and occasion, from weddings to corporate events. The flavor is largely contemporary, although the main lodge, with huge flagstone pillars, dates from 1896. The resort is home to beautiful golf courses studded with pines and lakes, including the prestigious Deerhurst Highlands and Deerhurst Lakeside, and an on-site spa, Amba. Four year-round restaurants cover your dining bases from casual pub fare at Compass Bar to the upscale Eclipse, serving Canadian specialties made with maple syrup, mushrooms, and other treats grown on the property.

Pros

  • Resort arranges various Algonquin Park tours
  • Summer and winter activities for everyone
  • Affordable hike-and-stay packages

Cons

  • Size can sometimes be overwhelming
  • Busy check-in and checkout lines
  • Getting enough towels can be a challenge
1235 Deerhurst Dr., Huntsville, ON, P1H 2E8, Canada
705-789–6411
hotel Details
400 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Fallsview Casino Resort

$$$$ | 6380 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 7X5, Canada Fodor's Choice

Thanks to its lofty perch, all 35 stories of the Fallsview Casino Resort overlook the Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls. There are touches of luxury everywhere: natural light streams through glass domes and floor-to-ceiling windows, chandeliers hang in grand hallways, and frescoes lend an aristocratic feel. Room decor is contemporary and subtle in a gray, white, and slate blue. Guests have access to a pool, hot tub, and outdoor patio area, as well as an in-house spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The sleek R5 martini lounge is an ideal venue for drinking in the falls at night. The resort's romantic 21 Club restaurant is one of the best in the area.

Pros

  • The most glamorous address in Niagara Falls
  • Avalon Ballroom is just steps away
  • Excellent spa and pool

Cons

  • Rates are as high-flying as the views
  • Rooms fill up fast in high season
  • A bit like a shopping mall
6380 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 7X5, Canada
905-358–3255
hotel Details
374 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Festival Inn

$$ | 1144 Ontario St., Stratford, ON, N5A 6Z3, Canada

Stratford's largest hotel—about 10 minutes by car east of town—offers an unusually wide range of accommodations, from motel-style rooms to beautifully decorated suites with their own jetted tubs. All rooms and public spaces are done in unembellished contemporary style, and there's a casual restaurant with a Canadian and French-influenced menu (think chicken cordon bleu).

Pros

  • Breakfast is served every morning
  • Modern rooms with many amenities
  • Exceptional staff

Cons

  • Except for the swooping annex building, architecture is bland
  • Uninspired location on a commercial strip
  • Dated decor
1144 Ontario St., Stratford, ON, N5A 6Z3, Canada
519-273–1150
hotel Details
169 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

Foster's Inn

$$$ | 111 Downie St., Stratford, ON, N5A 6S3, Canada

Two doors down from the Avon and Studio theaters, this brick storefront building dates back to 1906 and has an interesting bit of history—it once housed the International Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization that started in the United Kingdom. Brightly painted rooms on the second and third floors are comfortable, if a bit basic. The hotel's street-level bar and restaurant and patio in front attract a lively mix of patrons.

Pros

  • Excellent location in downtown Stratford
  • The most delicious steaks in town
  • Great deals in winter

Cons

  • Fills up fast in the summer season
  • Two-night minimum stay often required
  • Lobby attached to restaurant
111 Downie St., Stratford, ON, N5A 6S3, Canada
519-271–1119
hotel Details
9 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Great Wolf Lodge

$$$$ | 3950 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2E 7M8, Canada

Instead of the usual casino-and-slot-machine ambience you find in other area hotels, you'll find a spectacular water park of 12 slides, seven pools, outdoor hot tubs, and other fun amenities at the Great Wolf Lodge. This family-friendly destination has nine different types of suites to suit different tastes. The whimsical KidKamp suite features kids' bunk beds and tents. The Antler Shanty Grub restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and there are cafés in and around the water park for lighter bites.

Pros

  • Diversions for kids and adults in the water park
  • Delightful themed suites
  • Great for kids

Cons

  • Open-concept rooms lack privacy for parents
  • Many of the amenities cost extra
  • Menus lack healthy options
3950 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2E 7M8, Canada
905-354–4888
hotel Details
406 suites
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Harbour House

$$$$ | 85 Melville St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada Fodor's Choice

The closest hotel to the waterfront is this luxurious and romantic boutique hotel with a gently sloping gambrel roof and handsome cedar shingles. The maritime-theme rooms are individually decorated in taupes and creams, some with beadboard doors or ships mounted on the walls. Sample locally produced preserves and homemade pastries at breakfast and attend wine-and-cheese tastings in the afternoon for the full Niagara experience. Harbour House shares facilities (restaurants, spa, gym) with sister properties the Shaw Club and the Charles Hotel.

Pros

  • The ideal spot to pamper yourself
  • Luxury without a stuffy feeling
  • Full breakfast included

Cons

  • Virtually no public spaces
  • Gym and spa are off-site
  • Some rooms lack water views
85 Melville St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada
905-468–4683
hotel Details
31 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Horseshoe Resort

$$ | 1101 Horseshoe Valley Rd., Barrie, ON, L4M 4Y8, Canada

Modern accommodations at this lodge on a 1,600-acre property come in a variety of shapes and sizes: choose from two-level lofts, spacious hotel rooms, or condos. Many suites have sunken living rooms, electric fireplaces, and whirlpool baths. In winter, non-ski activities include dogsledding and snow tubing. In the summer season, the focus is most decidedly golf, but the resort also has 35 km (22 miles) of trails for hiking, biking, and four-wheeling. There's also an adventure park with a zipline course, bungee jumping, and more. Dining options include gastro-grub at Eleven01 Taphouse + Kitchen with a menu of local and seasonal dishes, and casual offerings at the pub-style Crazy Horse Restaurant.

Pros

  • Nearly endless list of outdoor activities
  • Lots of different lodging options
  • Suites with amazing amenities

Cons

  • Scenic but isolated location
  • Uncomfortable sofa beds
  • Off-season dining options limited
1101 Horseshoe Valley Rd., Barrie, ON, L4M 4Y8, Canada
705-835–2790
hotel Details
101 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

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Inn on the Twenty

$$$$ | 3845 Main St., Jordan, ON, L0R 1S0, Canada

Seven of the 24 suites in the main building of this Main Street Jordan inn are two-story affairs with plenty of space, but the rooms to book—in nice weather at least—are the five ground-level suites with very private garden patios. The style of the suites can be described as country elegance, with a mix of antiques and new furnishings, tasteful brocade upholstery, and some gas fireplaces. Two suites are in the separate clapboard Winemaker's Cottage, and two smaller rooms are in the 1840 brick Vintage House, both beside the inn.

Pros

  • Top-notch cuisine at the sophisticated Inn on the Twenty Restaurant
  • Impeccably decorated rooms
  • Central location for wineries

Cons

  • Not as much to do in Jordan as in surrounding areas
  • Rooms lack amenities like TVs
  • Breakfast a little lackluster
3845 Main St., Jordan, ON, L0R 1S0, Canada
905-562–5336
hotel Details
28 suites
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Moffat Inn

$$$ | 60 Picton St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada

A central location, reasonable prices, and expert management make this 1835 stucco inn a real find. Some of the rooms have original fireplaces, outdoor patios, brass beds, and wicker furniture. It's hard to imagine more wallpaper patterns in one building—or in one room—but for loyal guests who return year after year, it just adds to the homey British-country-inn charm.

Pros

  • Perfect location on Picton Street
  • Reasonable rates
  • Free Wi-Fi access

Cons

  • Not as posh as other area hotels
  • Dated decor and worn carpets
  • No elevator
60 Picton St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada
905-468–4116
hotel Details
24 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Olde Angel Inn

$$$ | 224 Regent St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada

Steeped in military history, the Olde Angel is one of the oldest lodgings in Ontario. Established in the late 1700s, the colonial coach-house inn burned down during the War of 1812 and was rebuilt in 1816 (another casualty of that war, Captain Colin Swayze, is believed to haunt the inn). Rooms are each quite different in layout, but all have hardwood floors and rustic decor; some have rare pieces, like the Colonel's Suite with its antique Irish bed. The superior accommodations are the private two-story cottages—also historic houses, both built in the 1800s—next door, ideal for two couples or a family.

Pros

  • Excellent price for a hotel in the heart of town
  • On-site English-style tavern
  • Perfect for history buffs

Cons

  • Poor soundproofing, which is a problem for rooms over the pub
  • Dedicated parking for cottages only
  • No housekeeping in cottages
224 Regent St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada
905-468–3411
hotel Details
7 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Pillar and Post

$$$$ | 48 John St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada Fodor's Choice

A two-story hotel six blocks from the heart of town, this building has been a cannery, barracks, and basket factory in its 100-plus-year history. The decor draws on this past: brick-lined corridors, latched barn-door-style room doors, and upper rooms with the original factory beams (now painted off-white) embedded in the vaulted ceilings. Rooms boast a more contemporary and casual design, with mahogany furniture, carved four-poster beds, and iron chandeliers, and many have fireplaces. The top-rated spa; the indoor saltwater pool (complete with real palm trees and faux birdsong); and the outdoor "hot springs" are the treasures of this property.

Pros

  • Unaffected mix of historic and modern
  • Free parking and high-speed Internet
  • Excellent service

Cons

  • Not as central as some other hotels
  • No elevator to second-floor rooms
  • Resort fee for outdoor pool
48 John St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada
905-468–2123
hotel Details
122 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Prince of Wales

$$$$ | 6 Picton St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada

A visit from the Prince of Wales in 1901 inspired the name of this venerable hostelry that still welcomes the occasional royal guest or film star. A true Victorian from 1864, the three-story mansard-roof behemoth takes up an entire city block. Inside, details like intricate brazil- and cherrywood inlaid flooring, Tiffany lamps, and gilt-framed oil paintings exude Victorian-era decadence. Rooms have heated towel racks, and some have gas fireplaces. There are plenty of ways to pamper yourself here: a tea-treatment facial in the spa, a dip in the Roman-bath-style saltwater pool, high tea in the Drawing Room, or a meal at the highly acclaimed Escabèche restaurant.

Pros

  • Over-the-top-elegant public spaces
  • Relaxing array of spa treatments
  • Highly trained staff

Cons

  • Some views of the parking lot
  • Rabbit warren of corridors
  • Breakfast not included
6 Picton St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada
905-468–3246
hotel Details
110 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Queen and Albert B&B

$$ | 174 Queen St., Stratford, ON, N5A 4N7, Canada

A 1901 storefront enlivened with a striped awning is the unique facade of this residential-neighborhood B&B. The guest rooms have city themes: the extra-large New York suite has modernist chairs and a blue-and-black checkerboard floor, for example. Other rooms have more traditional and romantic furnishings but are just as creatively tailored to San Francisco, Paris, and London themes. The owners have traveled extensively in Cuba, where they sourced oversize modern-art canvases in the breakfast room and lounge. The storefront window makes for a sunny breakfast room, where individual tables are laid with the day's creation, such as ginger-mango crepes.

Pros

  • Ginger-mango crepes and other delights served in the sunny breakfast room
  • Large rooms with fun and funky decor
  • Two rooms share a balcony

Cons

  • Decor is a bit of a hodgepodge
  • No elevator to upstairs rooms
  • Cramped parking lot
174 Queen St., Stratford, ON, N5A 4N7, Canada
519-272–0589
hotel Details
4 rooms
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–Apr., Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

Queen's Landing

$$$$ | 155 Byron St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada

About half of the rooms at this Georgian-style mansion have knockout views of the fields of historic Fort George or the placid waters of the marina—ask for one when making a reservation. The property has a hushed, regal air to it, and even the business center is disguised to look like a library, with ceiling-high bookshelves and leather Chesterfield sofas. Rooms are elegant, with an attractive blue-and-brown decor, low-pile carpeting, and clean lines; many have fireplaces and jetted tubs. The Tiara Restaurant has inventive cuisine and marina views.

Pros

  • Service is taken seriously and staff goes above and beyond to please
  • The tropical indoor pool has a lovely skylight
  • Five-minute walk to city center

Cons

  • Historic feel is only skin deep
  • Thin walls between rooms
  • Breakfast not included
155 Byron St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada
905-468–2195
hotel Details
142 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Riverbend Inn & Vineyard

$$$$ | 16104 Niagara Pkwy., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada

Surrounded by its own private vineyard, this beautifully restored, green-shuttered 1820 mansion is formal in style: it's fronted by a grand portico with four massive columns, and an enormous original 19th-century crystal chandelier greets you in the lobby. Before it opened as an inn, it was a local art gallery, and it still showcases some artwork. Gas fireplaces, wood furnishings, and rich tones of gold and wine add to the upscale elegance of the rooms. All are warmed by fireplaces and have pastoral views of the vineyards or front gardens. The location, surrounded by vineyards and next to Peller Estates Winery is the real appeal, but it is a little remote from the central area.

Pros

  • Five rooms have private balconies over the vineyards
  • Great location for wine lovers
  • Inexpensive breakfasts

Cons

  • Furnishings could use an upgrade
  • Far from downtown attractions
  • No elevator
16104 Niagara Pkwy., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada
888-955–5553
hotel Details
21 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Shaw Club Hotel

$$$$ | 92 Picton St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada

In a town that's largely Georgian or Victorian in style, modern elements like steel and glass give the Shaw Club an edgy and hip vibe. Modern guest rooms are sleek, with sophisticated furnishings and oversized artworks. Rooms are small but make the most of the space, with pocket doors and floating fireplaces set into the walls. The restaurant is popular and the spa specializes in vinotherapy and maple- and chocolate-based treatments.

Pros

  • Ideal location near the Shaw Festival Theatre
  • Contemporary style in a handsome building
  • Easygoing staff

Cons

  • Annex rooms lack the main building's wow factor
  • Some plastic room furnishings
  • Little local charm
92 Picton St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada
905-468–5711
hotel Details
30 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Sheraton on the Falls

$$$ | 5875 Falls Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 3K7, Canada

Just steps from Niagara Parkway, this 22-story tower at the corner of Clifton Hill is the most polished option in that area. It's connected via indoor walkways to the Casino Niagara, the Hard Rock Cafe, and the Rainforest Cafe. Guest rooms, most with fireplaces, have a luxe quality to them, with white linens, mahogany furniture, and splashes of marble; those facing the falls have floor-to-ceiling windows. The Fallsview Restaurant, on the 13th floor, serves three meals a day.

Pros

  • Perfect location very close to local attractions
  • Breakfast room overlooks all three falls
  • Nicely renovated rooms

Cons

  • No views from below the sixth floor
  • Expensive Wi-Fi and parking
  • Chain hotel feel
5875 Falls Ave., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 3K7, Canada
905-374–4445
hotel Details
670 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Sterling Inn & Spa

$$$$ | 5195 Magdalen St., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 3S6, Canada

Unique among the many options in Niagara Falls is this boutique hotel in a converted 1930s milk factory—hence the unusual bottle-shape tower near the entrance. Rooms are spacious and individually decorated in an urban style, with dark flooring, black leather sofas, and punches of red in modern paintings on the white walls and in oversized gas or electric fireplaces. Bathrooms are luxurious, with either a steam shower or whirlpool tub.

Pros

  • On-site restaurant known for locally sourced cuisine
  • Breakfast in bed is included in the rates
  • The quirky feel of a boutique hotel

Cons

  • Low-slung building has no views of the falls
  • 20-minute walk to Clifton Hill
  • Parking costs extra
5195 Magdalen St., Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 3S6, Canada
289-292–0000
hotel Details
41 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Stewart House Inn

$$$$ | 62 John St. N, Stratford, ON, N5A 6K7, Canada

The interior of this elegant 1870s home retains a Victorian feel but is filled with modern conveniences. Each guest room hints at a British Empire theme, from the West Indies room, with its intricately carved teak headboard, to the extra-large Regency Room, with a king-size canopy bed and double soaker tub. In the morning, ring for coffee or tea via the house's original call system before tucking into the large breakfast.

Pros

  • Exceptional service
  • Outdoor swimming pool
  • Complimentary espresso

Cons

  • Not as central as some other inns
  • Ground-floor room available only in summer
  • Not recommended for families with young kids
62 John St. N, Stratford, ON, N5A 6K7, Canada
519-271–4576
hotel Details
6 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Swan Motel

$$ | 960 Downie St., Stratford, ON, N5A 6S3, Canada

The original 1960s motel sign still marks this single-story motel 3 km (2 miles) south of downtown, where you'll find clean-as-a-whistle, albeit utilitarian, rooms at good prices. What the Swan lacks in style, owners Peter and Colleen Pola make up in substance: they are friendly and deeply invested in the property, family-run since Peter's parents built it in 1964. Their pride of place is evident in the nicely landscaped grounds with a large pool.

Pros

  • Little extras like muffins set out in the morning
  • Quiet location backed by farmland
  • Best deal in town

Cons

  • Basic rooms with parking-lot views
  • Not walkable to downtown
  • Motor-lodge layout
960 Downie St., Stratford, ON, N5A 6S3, Canada
519-271–6376
hotel Details
24 rooms
Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–May, No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Taboo Muskoka

$$$ | 1209 Muskoka Beach Rd., Gravenhurst, ON, P1P 1R1, Canada Fodor's Choice

A magnificent 1,000-acre landscape of rocky outcrops and evergreen trees typical of the region surrounds this alpine lodge-style resort. All kinds of activities are available, from a top-rated golf course to mountain biking. The resort borders Lake Muskoka, so you can enjoy boat rentals from canoes and kayaks to small powerboats. Every room has a private balcony, most with forest and lake views, and more than half have a gas or wood fireplace. Grab a Tex-Mex treat and a margarita at Bar 19 at the Upper Deck and enjoy the view or enjoy the breeze while dining alfresco at the Boathouse Restaurant.

Pros

  • Fantastic golf course
  • Forest and lake views
  • Excellent spa

Cons

  • Expensive rates in high season
  • No bar or food service at the pool
  • Lots of corporate events
1209 Muskoka Beach Rd., Gravenhurst, ON, P1P 1R1, Canada
705-687–2233
hotel Details
62 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

The Charles Hotel

$$$$ | 209 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada

An air of old-fashioned civility permeates this 1832 Georgian gem, with a nice location on the main street; meal plans that include breakfast or dinner (or both) are available. Spend summer evenings playing board games on the outdoor patio, then dine on some of the best food in the area. Each of its 12 rooms are uniquely decorated: from the Apple Room, with an oversize painting of apples over the bed, to the Safari Room with slanted ceilings and tribal decor like masks and drums. In the persimmon-color HobNob restaurant, chef Steve Sperling crafts exquisite dishes inspired by locally grown ingredients.

Pros

  • Historic design updated with modern touches
  • Highly lauded restaurant
  • Cozy building

Cons

  • Some quirks like variable water temperature
  • Some verandas are shared with neighbors
  • Rooms are smaller than you'd expect
209 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0, Canada
905-468–4588
hotel Details
12 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

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The Three Houses Bed & Breakfast Inn

$$$ | 100 Brunswick St., Stratford, ON, N5A 3M1, Canada

On a quiet residential street, this elegant and tastefully decorated trio of Edwardian and Victorian homes has been frequented by movie stars like Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The suites are spread over three floors and are packed with original art; each has a private balcony or veranda. The Garden House, in an 1870s carriage house, offers a quiet retreat and a four-poster bed. Breakfasts are three courses: fruit, eggs, and baked goods.

Pros

  • Popular with couples on honeymoon
  • Exquisite decorative taste
  • Heated saltwater pool

Cons

  • Irregular hours in the winter
  • Often rented out to film crews
  • Some steps to climb
100 Brunswick St., Stratford, ON, N5A 3M1, Canada
519-272–0722
hotel Details
6 suites
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts