Photo courtesy Frontenac Club, Kingston
Updated February 22,, 2024 / Commissions may be earned from LuxuryOntario’s affiliate partner links
Ontario is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, and for good reason. Not only does the province boast stunning natural scenery, a rich cultural heritage, and a variety of exciting attractions, but it’s also home to some of the country’s best places to stay.
If you’re planning a trip to Ontario or, for that matter, within Ontario, and are looking for a memorable experience, consider one of the many excellent boutique hotels that dot the province. These small, independently owned hotels offer a more personalized and intimate experience than their big brand counterparts and are often housed in historic buildings with charming and distinctive architecture.
From historic mansions and restored mills to trendy urban hotels and romantic country inns, the best boutique hotels in Ontario offer a combination of luxury, comfort, and personalized attention that’s guaranteed to please.
The Best Boutique Hotels in Ontario
Frontenac Club, Kingston
The Frontenac Club is a beautiful boutique hotel set in a former bank located in the heart of the university city of Kingston. This luxe 4-star hotel features just 20 luxurious guest rooms, each with its own unique décor and style. Designed with comfort in mind, each room features plush bedding, spacious living areas, and tranquil surroundings.
On-site amenities include a beautiful outdoor courtyard that features a Nordic spa experience in the winter months, as well as a superb rooftop patio with stunning views over Lake Ontario. Be sure to sample the hotel’s superb restaurant, The Bank, as well as its cocktail bar.
The Frontenac Club is located just a short walk from Kingston’s famous waterfront, making it the perfect base for exploring the area’s many attractions. It’s also close to great shopping and downtown Kingston dining experiences.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit the Frontenac Club.
To read our full review of the Frontenac Club, visit The Frontenac Club: Luxury in the Heart of Kingston.
For more ideas regarding great places to stay in Kingston, read our story, The Best Unique & Boutique Hotels in Kingston for 2023.
Bruce Hotel, Stratford
The Bruce Hotel in beautiful Stratford is a stunning boutique hotel featuring 25 luxurious guest rooms, each exquisitely decorated with plush beds and bedding and boasting private balconies. Need more room? Ask about the availability of their new stand-alone cottage.
Highlights of a stay here include having access to an array of excellent amenities, most notably its restaurant. The Restaurant at The Bruce offers a range of delicious dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and is considered one of the best restaurants in the area. You’ll also enjoy making use of the hotel’s fitness center and spa, which features a range of hydrotherapy treatments and other services to help you relax and unwind.
The Bruce is also located just a short walk from Stratford’s famous theater district, making it the perfect base for exploring the area’s many cultural attractions. Whether you’re interested in seeing a play, visiting a museum, or exploring the city’s many galleries and shops, The Bruce Hotel Stratford is the perfect place to call home during your stay.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit Bruce Hotel.
For more ideas regarding great places to stay in Stratford, read our story on The Top Luxury Hotels in Stratford Ontario.
Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel, Niagara Falls
Located just steps from Niagara Falls, the Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel is a lovingly restored historic hotel that offers a unique and luxurious experience in the heart of the Niagara Region near Canada’s most-visited tourist destination. This charming 3-star hotel features 37 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, each featuring unique décor and furnishings.
You’ll also want to experience the hotel’s on-site restaurant which offers a range of delicious and innovative dishes. There’s also a bar and lounge area.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel.
For more ideas regarding other great places to stay in Niagara Falls, read our story on the Best Unique & Boutique Hotels in Niagara Falls.
The Charles Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake
A great boutique hotel option for those wanting to explore beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Charles Hotel features just 12 luxurious guest rooms and suites. Housed in a beautifully restored 1832 mansion close to downtown NOTL, this chic hotel offers guests a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities.
In addition to enjoying dining at the hotel’s on-site restaurant with its range of locally sourced and seasonal dishes, there’s also a full-service spa and fitness center.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit The Charles Hotel.
For more ideas regarding other great places to stay in Niagara-on-the-Lake read The Best Luxury Hotels in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Stone Mill Inn, St Catharines
The Stone Mill Inn is a beautiful boutique hotel located in the heart of St Catharines, Ontario. This 3-star hotel features 34 uniquely styled guest rooms, each designed with comfort in mind and featuring plush bedding and spacious living areas.
One of the standout features of Stone Mill Inn is its first-rate restaurant, Johnny Rocco’s Italian Grill. This popular restaurant offers a range of delicious Italian dishes, including pasta, pizza, and seafood, and is considered one of the best restaurants in the area. You’ll also have access to a fitness center plus a spa offering a range of treatments and services.
The Stone Mill Inn is also just a short drive from Niagara Falls, making it the perfect base for exploring the area’s many attractions.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit Stone Mill Inn.
Swiss Hotel Ottawa
One of the best boutique hotels in Ottawa, the Swiss Hotel features just 22 guest rooms, each with its own unique décor and style. Designed with your comfort in mind, each room features high-end furnishings and plush beds and bedding, spacious living areas, and large separate bathrooms.
Amenity highlights include a fitness center, a pleasant outside courtyard, ample parking, a meeting room, plus complimentary hot drinks. The hotel is also perfectly located just a short walk from Ottawa’s famous Parliament Hill, making it the perfect base for exploring the area’s many attractions. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or just taking a leisurely stroll through the city’s many shops and restaurants, the Swiss Hotel is the perfect place to call home during your stay in Ottawa.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit Swiss Hotel.
For more ideas regarding other great places to stay in the nation’s capital read The Best Unique & Boutique Hotels in Ottawa.
Retro Suites Hotel, Chatham
Retro Suites Hotel is a unique boutique hotel located in the heart of the city of Chatham that features 45 uniquely decorated guest rooms, each with a fun retro theme featuring vintage furnishings and décor from the 1950s and 1960s. Our favorites include the Elvis Suite and the Marilyn Monroe Suite.
Designed to look like a 50s diner, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, The Chilled Cork, offers a range of delicious dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and features a modern twist on classic comfort food. Other amenities include a rooftop patio which offers great views of the surrounding area.
Retro Suites Hotel is located just a short walk from Chatham’s historic downtown, making it the perfect base for exploring the city’s many attractions. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or just taking a leisurely stroll through the city’s many shops and restaurants, Retro Suites Hotel Chatham is the perfect base for your adventure.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit Retro Suites Hotel.
The Barracks Inn, Ancaster
Located in the popular community of Ancaster near Hamilton, The Barracks Inn is a charming boutique hotel featuring just 18 luxurious suites. This historic building is in fact over 100 years old and has been carefully restored and renovated, with many original features adapted in its rooms and suites.
Created and crafted with your comfort uppermost in mind, these plush accommodations feature posh beds and furniture as well as cozy fireplaces and spacious separate living areas. The hotel’s amenities include a large outdoor terrace on which to relax and unwind, along with a fitness center that features state-of-the-art equipment and personal trainers.
You’ll also be located close enough to easily pop into Hamilton, an area well-known for its lovely waterfalls. Other activities like hiking and biking are close by.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit The Barracks Inn.
The Benmiller Inn & Spa, Goderich
For a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway, consider the Benmiller Inn & Spa in the town of Goderich. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century mill, this classy hotel features 55 guest rooms and suites, each comfortably furnished and brightly decorated.
The spa here is one of the best in Ontario and offers a range of treatments. Prefer the outdoors? A variety of fun outdoor activities are available including hiking, biking, and kayaking. The hotel also features an on-site restaurant and bar which offers a range of locally sourced and seasonal dishes.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit The Benmiller Inn & Spa
Drake Motor Inn, Wellington
For a laid-back and intimate getaway in the heart of Prince Edward County‘s wine country, consider the Drake Motor Inn in Wellington. The hotel features just 12 guest rooms, each with its own unique decor and furnishings.
There’s also an on-site restaurant and bar. You can also participate in a number of outdoor activities including cycling and hiking, as well as visiting nearby wineries and artisanal food producers.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details, rates, and reservations, visit Drake Motor Inn.
____________________
Bryan Dearsley is a travel and luxury lifestyles writer, and Editor of Riley.
