Photo courtesy Edison’s Inn
Updated February 5, 2024 / Commissions may be earned from Riley’s affiliate partner links
Just two hours west of Toronto, the picturesque town of Stratford is an ideal vacation destination, and not just for theatre lovers.
The town is home to the Stratford Festival, one of the largest theatre festivals in Canada, which puts on productions from April to October in four theatres around town. But Stratford also features many amazing bars and restaurants, vibrant parks along the Avon River, boutique shops, art galleries, and much more.
Finding the perfect place to stay in Stratford after a day of taking in the town is a crucial part of planning your getaway. So we’ve compiled this list of the top luxury hotels in Stratford to help make your vacation seamless.
The Best Luxury Hotels in Stratford Ontario
The Bruce Hotel
The Bruce Hotel’s luxury and class are a cumulation of their staff’s relentless attention to detail. From the thousands of meticulously placed mosaic tiles in the restrooms to the carefully curated tasting menu in the restaurant, The Bruce takes guests into consideration every step of the way.
Located just steps away from the heart of the Stratford Festival, the hotel features 25 beautiful rooms and a newly-built cottage on over six acres of land. Each room is finished to perfection with private balconies, tasteful décor, and glass chandeliers.
The hotel has two dining options. Both are run by Executive Chef Brandon Clemens, with menus that boast the best of new Canadian cuisine. Guests at the hotel can take advantage of their state-of-the-art fitness centre, take a dip in the pool, or even enjoy a relaxing massage in the Illume spa. The Bruce even offers a courtesy car so that guests can see the sights of Stratford without having to worry about driving; just another example of the stunning attention to detail you’ll find at The Bruce Hotel.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: To learn more about one of the best luxury hotels in Stratford, visit The Bruce Hotel.
Edison’s Inn
No Stratford hotel can rival the good vibes of Edison’s Inn, named after their most famous guest to date, Thomas Edison. Its three rooms each have a unique feel and funky modern décor (including an in-room guitar in the Music Room) and come equipped with queen-sized beds, stereos, and free access to movie-streaming services – everything you need to feel at home.
The inn is attached to Edison’s Café Bar, where owner Buffy serves up fresh food and hand-crafted drinks, as well as stellar recommendations and stories. Edison’s is located in the heart of Stratford’s downtown, meaning there are tons of restaurants and events for you to enjoy around every corner.
And in such a beautiful and historic location, you’ll be wanting to document your stay. This is why Edison’s has an in-house photographer who will provide you with an album of portraits to remember your stay by.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Check out Edison’s Inn for rates and reservations.
Best Western Plus The Arden Park Hotel
The Best Western Plus The Arden Park Hotel is hard to top when it comes to amenities and convenience for its guests. They offer all sizes of rooms, from doubles to king-sized deluxe suites to fit your needs– and with pillow-topped mattresses on each of the beds, you’ll be dreaming about your stay for weeks afterwards. The hotel is right around the corner from the Stratford festival grounds, so it couldn’t be easier to take in a show while you’re there.
Best Western Plus The Arden Park also offers top-tier facilities for its guests, including a pool, hot tub, fitness centre, and expansive event spaces. Many of the rooms are pet-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your furry friends at home. You don’t even have to worry about finding parking in their prime downtown location – free parking is included with each room, and they even offer electric car charging stations.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Learn more about the Best Western Stratford
Foster’s Inn
Foster’s Inn is a classic Stratford experience and holds the title of the town’s original boutique inn. The late Victorian building has nine rooms for guests, all outfitted with modern amenities (including 14-foot vaulted ceilings) and scenic views of the downtown area. Foster’s is only two doors down from the historic Avon Theatre, which makes it the perfect destination for theatre lovers.
Foster’s has an attached restaurant, which serves elevated pub fare and delicious steaks, as well as a cocktail bar serving up the best of local spirits and beers. Whether you’re coming back from a show or fueling up before hitting the town, Foster’s has something for you.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Find out more about what is undoubtedly one of the top luxury hotels in Stratford here: Foster’s Inn
Lofts @ 99, Bentley’s Inn
Bentley’s Bar Inn & Restaurant is a Stratford staple, but above the restaurant is an equally amazing inn awaiting you. Lofts @ 99 offers multi-level suites that are the epitome of class – in-room fireplaces, skylights, soaring ceilings, plasma TVs and built-in stereo systems. If that’s not enough, each room is furnished with a Tempurpedic mattress to ensure a great night’s sleep that will leave you feeling prepped for another day of exploration.
This Stratford hotel is located at one of the main intersections downtown, making it ideal for those looking to see what the town has to offer. And Bentley’s Bar isn’t to be missed either; they’re serving up delicious pub classics alongside Ontario’s best craft beers.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For rates, reviews, and to make reservations, visit Bentley’s Inn
The Mercer Hotel Downtown, BW Premier Collection
The Mercer Hotel Downtown, BW Premier Collection is aptly described by their slogan ‘where heritage meets hip’. Their 14 newly-renovated rooms have been updated with stylish décor and all the modern amenities you’d expect – even free parking and dry cleaning services are at the guests’ disposal.
The rooms are all on the second and third floors and offer great views of Stratford’s historic downtown. For those looking for a longer stay or who are hoping to spread out a bit more, they also offer short-term apartment lodgings, which come complete with their own kitchens.
Mercer Kitchen is right downstairs from the hotel and is a place you’ll definitely want to check out. They’ve got Stratford’s’ largest craft beer menu (including their own house-inspired brews), and Chef Ryan Odonnel serves up an Izakaya-style menu that’s sure to have something for everybody.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: See more at Mercer Hotel Downtown, BW Premier Collection
The Parlour Inn Ascend Hotel Collection
If you’re looking for a unique blend of historic and modern in your accommodations, The Parlour Inn Ascend Hotel Collection is the spot for you. Originally built in 1871 to serve the Grand Trunk Railway, the hotel has kept in touch with its roots as it’s evolved.
Parlour Inn has 28 unique rooms in a range of sizes – their largest suites are over 450 sq ft and have personal whirlpool soaking tubs. They also offer pet-friendly and adjoining rooms, for whatever your needs might be.
The inn is located right in the thick of things – it’s literally steps away from the Avon and Studio theatres and also offers a complimentary shuttle if you don’t feel like walking. The main floor of the inn is the classic Parlour Steakhouse, which boasts many of the building’s original features, including the iconic stamped-tin roof – just one of the ways The Parlour Inn has maintained its historic feel.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Book your stay today at The Parlour Inn Ascend Hotel Collection
Stone Maiden Inn
The Stone Maiden Inn offers a high-end blend of historic charm and modern luxury and is popular for its stunning architecture and exceptional service, ensuring an intimate and elegant experience. Accommodations are individually designed and spacious, each adorned with high-end furnishings and décor, high ceilings, ornate detailing, and large windows that allow in plenty of natural light.
Standard features include comfortable beds with high-quality linens and plush bedding, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. Modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, and individually controlled air are also included. The en-suite bathrooms are equally impressive and feature modern fixtures, including separate showers or bathtubs, and are stocked with premium toiletries.
The Stone Maiden Inn offers a range of amenities including a tasty gourmet breakfast featuring locally sourced ingredients as well as a cozy dining room, and a beautifully landscaped garden. For those seeking a more active experience, the inn is conveniently located near local attractions and activities, including theatres, shops, and scenic walking trails. Complimentary parking and personalized concierge services are also available.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: For the latest details and rates, visit Stone Maiden Inn.
St George Suites by Hoco Hotels Collection
St George Suites offers great accommodations for those looking to spread out a bit during their stay. Their suites can sleep up to six guests and have private bedrooms and living areas. They even come with fully-equipped kitchens, so you’re welcome to cook for yourself when you don’t feel like going out – great for fixing yourself a snack between outings.
And if you tend to run hot, the units have independent climate control, so you can adjust everything for maximum comfort. These suites are in a fantastic location, with easy access to many of Stratford’s theatres, bars, and restaurants, and the beautiful and historic town hall.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Find out more at St George Suites
Shakespeare Inn
The modest Shakespeare Inn is great for people who are looking for a quieter place to stay while still being close to everything happening in Stratford. The inn is located in the hamlet of Shakespeare, which is just a few minutes down the road from Stratford itself. This means that it’s much closer to rural attractions in the surrounding Southern Ontario countryside.
The Shakespeare Inn offers Bavarian-style hospitality, which means service with a smile! The rooms are kitted out with queen-sized beds and modern amenities, and the inn offers an extensive continental breakfast in their breakfast café.
The inn backs onto a large park space and has a gazebo which is a great spot to relax. It’s also connected to the 35,000 kilometres of hiking and snowmobiling trails that run through Ontario so that you can get a taste of nature while you’re visiting Stratford.
LuxuryOntario Recommends: Visit Shakespeare Inn for the latest rates and reviews, and to make a reservation.
OTHER GREAT PLACES TO STAY IN ONTARIO
After enjoying a stay in Stratford, why not consider a stop-over at one or two other great destinations in Ontario? This vast province boasts numerous fun places to visit, each of them featuring a variety of unique, boutique, and luxurious accommodation options.
Be sure to consider each of these exciting destinations when it comes time to consider somewhere in Ontario for a romantic weekend getaway or family vacation. Each offers numerous activities and fun things to do, as well as plenty of classy places to stay.
Collingwood & The Blue Mountains
Located at the northern tip of the beautiful Niagara Escarpment, Collingwood and The Blue Mountains boast a spectacular setting overlooking Georgian Bay. Together, these two destinations are home to some of the best skiing in Ontario and feature numerous great accommodation options. Read more on this list of the top Hotels in the Blue Mountains and Collingwood.
Haliburton Highlands
The Haliburton Highlands offer many great adventures and fun things to do for visitors, from canoeing and boating to hiking and biking. Learn more about these and the top places to stay on this list of the top Haliburton hotels and resorts.
Kingston
Are you seeking somewhere special to serve as a base while you explore Ontario’s magnificent Thousand Islands? Then Kingston’s your place! This historic university town boasts no end of great attractions, as well as some of the top luxury accommodations in Ontario. Add to this mix its vibrant downtown, countless enjoyable restaurants and bars, and great shopping, and Kingston certainly has a lot to offer.
Muskoka
Known far and wide as the cottage playground for the rich and famous, Muskoka has numerous great resorts to stay at. From family-run cottage resorts to luxury hotels like the Iconic Deerhurst Resort, there’s no end of choice for those wanting a memorable stay in cottage country. Learn more with our list of the best luxury Muskoka resorts and hotels.
Niagara Falls
A visit to Niagara Falls is a must-do, whether you live in Canada or are passing through on holiday. There are plenty of great accommodation options here, from top luxury hotels in Niagara Falls offering great views of the Falls, to classy boutique hotels in Niagara-on-the-Lake. There are even some great options on the US side of the border, too. You can read about them on this list of the top Niagara Falls NY Hotels & Places to Stay.
Toronto
Toronto’s chic Yorkville neighbourhood not only features some of Canada’s ritziest shopping and poshest restaurants, but it’s also where you’ll find some of the city’s best places to stay. Read about them on this list of the best luxury hotels in Yorkville.
________________
Contributor Charlie Wagner-Chazalon is a travel enthusiast who splits his time between Muskoka and Toronto, Ontario.
