I had to be in St. Marys first thing this morning. There are no hotels in St. Marys ... just two…read moreinns at opposite ends of the town. I chose the Stone Willow Inn (about a five minute drive to downtown) because on their website it says they have Internet in the rooms. The Internet was sketchy ... it would work for about 30 seconds and then not work for a couple minutes. And the only site that seemed to work was Facebook. So I wouldn't recommend it for business travel. The room was cute. I paid the extra $20 to have a balcony. My balcony was the bigger of three, looking at the front of the property which is the check in parking lot, trees and the highway. Not really much of a view so I'd not spend the extra $20 next time. I didn't feel like heading downtown for supper (plus there didn't seem to be a great selection of restaurants) so I ate at the restaurant in the inn, the Wildstone Bar and Grill. It's not a large restaurant and has the feel of a hotel restaurant. There were a couple other tables of people. I ordered the Berkshire Pork Loin de Martines (pork grilled and finished with maple demi sauce). I got it with whipped potatoes, no veggies. It was good. I glanced at the dessert menu and the Berry Lava Phyllo (homemade mixed berry compote and whipped cream, sandwiched between layers of crisp phyllo pastry) caught my eye. It was good too. My only complaint is that the taste of the chocolate syrup on the plate didn't seem to blend well with the berries and whipped cream so I avoided it. Marnie, my server, was very friendly and took good care of me.

Had lunch with a couple of old friends at Wildstone Grill…read more Nice cozy dining room, very comfy and airy. It's located off the main lobby of the Inn. Lots of different food options on the menu from appetizers. sandwiches, burgers and mains. I had the stuffed sole with rice and veggies (very yummy)! My friends had the Roast Beef Dip with Fries, and Spring rolls with a French Onion soup. Service was attentive an friendly. Was a great spot for a catch up as the music was not loud, making it great for talking. Definitely recommend if you are in the area and want to grab a bite in nice ambiance! Parking is attached to the inn. Check it out!

The Bruce is a fantastic hotel In Stratford. Excellent service, wonderful food and lovely…read moreaccomodations. VERY spacious rooms, beautifully appointed rooms and grounds. Extremely quiet. Lots of unexpected charming touches, very well thought out. Love, Love, Love! A must stay if you're visiting Stratford!

One of the highlights of our Easter weekend trip to Stratford was having a brunch and tour at the…read moreBruce Hotel!! I totally did not expect this high quality in service and food. Beautiful decor! It is so elegant and heavenly white with classical or piano concerto playing in the background!! The dining area could not have been anymore romantic and intimate. My beau and I loved the open brunch table in the centre of the main dining area, where you can get endless servings of fruits including strawberries, pineapples, and dragonfruits!! We have never eaten dragonfruits for brunch at any hotel before! So exotic! We ate so many slices. Service was a collective team effort and everyone was welcoming, attentive and super friendly. I can tell that they all enjoyed working there from their seemingly genuine smiles and bubbly personalities! The food there was so good!! Everything was cooked to perfection! We had their prix Fixe Easter brunch special and it was worth every dollar!! What a beautiful way to celebrate both Easter and my beau's birthday!! My beau was so impressed and thankful of me for booking and paying for brunch here that he is planning to treat me here next year for his not so surprising proposal!!! When the staff knew of his plans, the receptionist immediately gave us a tour of their suites and amenities!! What excellent and attentive service!! I will definitely come back here in the near future for a couple retreat or weekend getaway!! Stratford is such a cute town with so many good restaurants and hotels open during their famous and busy Stratford Festival season, but this hotel and restaurant really stood out to the both of us!! 5/5 would highly recommend!!

We stayed one night at this inn. We did everything online. They sent the key code 2 hours before…read morechecking in. Our room was the mini and first on the left. It had a super hero theme. The bed was comfortable, huge walkin shower with beautiful coloured tiles. I like the window over looks the water. And you're located in the heart of the city near Shakespeare park. And you're connected to the Relic bar and cafe. Everything went well. The place is quiet and clean. They have parking with 4 spots and they were taken. We had to park 5 minutes away. They have designated spots with the name of the Inn. Now someone with mobility issues may have a problem. We also had issues with the tv and ended up staying on one channel the whole time. Despite that it was great experience.

We inadvertently entered the hotel through the wrong door. We were met by the owner who instead of…read moresimply redirecting us started insulting us for making this simple error - nothing had been damaged or disrupted. My partner told him he was being very rude. He then said he didn't want people like us at his hotel and was cancelling our reservation and refunding our money. When my partner apologized - sincerely, not sarcastically - he attacked her "attitude" and completed the transaction on his phone as we looked on aghast. Interestingly when I called their office several hours later to inquire why the refund had not come through I was told he had cancelled another customer's reservation. I guess we are not all perfect after all.

A great experience! So I happened upon this hotel in a search for places to stay travelling on…read morebusiness and I'm so happy that I did... A mix of the past with a touch of the new... a beautiful mansion turned into a beautiful hotel keeping the warmth of the beautiful wood but updated with modern amenities for your convenience... walking through the front door you can feel the history and can't help but instantly admire and respect the craftsmanship in every detail that was put into the railings, the stained glass and the textures and colours of the walls. A friendly greeting and pleasant experience at the front desk you are given a room key... Yes an actual room key... That opens the door to an outstanding room with all the same class and elegance of the lobby but with an updated bathroom, a king size bed and all the conveniences of a new hotel from the flatscreen TV to the mini fridge in the desk and an Nespresso machine for your morning or evening espresso... whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner you're looking for, you need not leave the hotel, the House restaurant is every bit as elegant as the rest of the hotel with great service, a classy ambiance and excellent chef driven cuisine... You will not be disappointed!! This was an experience... A wonderful experience... That was brought to life not only by the hotel itself but by the wonderful staff that take pride in what they are involved in and reminding me of what service really is....or....what it used to be! Thank you so much to all the staff and I look forward to my return! Zeke

Came back for Christmas Day dinner and really wish I hadn't. It was buffet style although nowhere…read moreon the website menu did it say this. When I expressed surprise, the waitress informed me that it's always a buffet and people just know. I'm from out of town and they knew this when they took the booking, so just tell me. We were immediately seated in the 'wine cellar' not the main restaurant. This was down a flight of stairs which I hadn't been informed of. One of our party has mobility issues, so it wasn't a great start. The 'wine cellar' is basically an empty room that I imagine you hire for private parties, very basic with cheap tables, chairs and black tablecloths (not very festive). We were in this room with a large family group with young children and the kids were noisy and touching everything on the buffet table. One group of 3 older adults just left. We stuck it out with one other table of adults and that family. The food was just ok, but as is often the case with buffets, the hot food was at best warm. The mash potatoes and vegetables were borderline cold and utterly unseasoned. The salmon was overcooked and the beef was 'ok'. Desserts were Costco standard and the kids had already attacked them before anyone else even looked at them. This was a complete, dishonest money grab and it's had left a very sour taste literally and metaphorically. I very much liked the restaurant on my last visit, but this felt grubby and mercenary which means I doubt I'll eat there again.

Once and awhile, you find a restaurant the breaks the mold and creates a unique experience. The…read morePuddicombe House is such a place. They combine a quirky space, spectacular food and warm staff to deliver magic. Located just a few minutes from Stratford, we made the drive over and found a huge Victorian home transformed into a five star restaurant. PH offers indoor and outdoor seating. The grounds are coupled with loads tea lights, beautiful flowers and jazz standards filling the air. We were met by our friendly server, Kara, who gave us a great table on the large wrap around porch. She walked us through the menu and was spot on with all her information and recommendations. She was hard working and attentive without being intrusive or bothersome. Kara became part of the experience. The food was something to behold. First, each dish was a visual work of art. The skill and passion of the chef's are on full display whether you order the Braised Ribs or the Fried Chicken Sandwich. Those were the entrees we chose with Kara's help and we couldn't have been more delighted. Everything was prepared to perfection. The ingredients were fresh and no detail was overlooked or dismissed. In fact, my wife and I agree that the fried chicken sandwich may have been the best fried chicken sandwich we had ever eaten. The breading was light and spiced and the glaze that was drizzled on top was the clincher. The homemade chips and dip were the perfect side along with the sweet pickles. The Braised ribs were delicious and the assortment of grilled and puréed veggies not only made a beautiful plate, but a magnificent bite. Finally, no birthday celebration is complete without desert. We ordered the crème brûlée flavored with maple and pecans. It was cooked perfectly and was a perfect end to a perfect meal. We were also given a birthday bowl with an ice cream based specialty of the house. I still don't know what they do, but it was the lightest and most delicate ice cream dish we have ever had. I highly recommend that if you are in the area, you make reservations at the Puddicombe House. We will be back.

Walking the wrap-around patio. Alcohol in one hand. A lit cigar in the other. Snow falling at a…read morebrisk but peaceful pace. A light wind blows. Festive tunes soothes softly across the ears. Lord oh lord. This is Christmas. This is as good as it gets! After attending my client Christmas party, I was left alone to further my own party. For a Toronto boy, the scenary that I had in my field of vision was "A Wonderful Life." A fully restored and renovated home on the downtown New Hamburg road has many surprises. It is a Bed and Breakfast hotel with impeccable food, wine, and other fine spirits. They have a spa next door and a beautiful banquet hall to the back of the property. Nick Cressman is the manager and the Cressman family have taken to hospitality with small town flair. I've had the pleasure of staying here a couple of times and dining a few more times. I would stay here more often, but as I have to pay for my stays and not expensed to my client, it has to be on special occasions. For those of you who would be staying in Kitchener, Waterloo, or even Stratord - this would be a great stop for you. It is smack in the middle. - 20mins to Kitchener or Stratford. Puddicombe's menu is very well put together for their restaurant. Fine linens, comfortable chairs, and small inviting rooms combined with excellent service makes for a very fine dining experience. When choosing a room in the winter, see if you can upgrade to one with a fireplace. This will avoid the fan noises from the heat exchanger - if you are a light sleeper. Rooms are well appointed with comfortable beds, cable tv and high speed internet (which at times were a bit problematic). Only if I can get them to increase the shower water pressure, we can bump up the review a few more enthusiastic notches. As I wind down my client engagement in this small and very pretty town, I will still endeavour to find my way back here once in a while. Cue the Christmas tunes again... Cheers!

Amazing atmosphere with amazing food!…read more A little off the beating path this place is a great escape for a romantic escape to dinner. There is a hotel with an indoor pool if you want to take the family as well. We went in the winter so not much else we could see but it looked like there was more during the summer. Might have to check it out then.

We were there for the Mongolian Grill. It was excellent. The food was tasty, well prepared by chef…read moreFrank. The ambiance was perfect by selection your own meets and vegetables and bringing it to the garden to be cooked. The best was the desert with its presentation on a plate. The server was super friendly and attentive. Followed with sampling their own wine and a walk to Lake Huron watching the SunSet rounded out a perfect evening. Count on us to be back next year.

We went there for my birthday. Right from the time we stepped into the restaurant to the time we…read morestepped out, the welcoming manner of the staff and their pleasantness were truly remarkable. At least 2 or 3 staff members wished me a happy birthday ( not just the main waiter). Small things like that help reinforce the importance of hospitality in service settings. We were seated at the lower solarium right at the edge of the gorge with amazing views of the gorge and cascading water. We had brunch and the food was just as amazing as the view. All in all a wonderful place.

My husband and I went and did their tasting menu and we were not disappointed. Everything we ate…read morewas incredible and some of the menu items were very innovative. I am pregnant and when I told the staff this, they easily amended some of the tasting menu to make sure it fit my dietary requirements and the food was still amazing. Our server was very personable and super nice and attentive. All of the staff did a great job explaining each dish as well. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone who wants to have a nice fine dining experience.

We went to Woodstock for a wedding, and chose this hotel; stayed for 5 nights. Price started at…read more$109, but dropped on the 3td night to $99, and the 5th night dropped to $90!! Breakfast included. We joined their rewards program. The room had 2 queen sized beds along the left wall, and along the right wall there was a wardrobe, a small desk area with one chair, a dresser, and a small fridge. I found out that the rooms are all the same size, but there were at least 3 other room designs: you could get a room with 1 bed and a sitting area; one bed with sitting area and 2 bathrooms, or a separate bedroom with 1 bath, a sitting room, and a kitchen. For this stay, I wish we had gotten a 1-bed with sitting area, but what we got worked. Staff were friendly and helpful. This hotel is really compact inside. The one thing I missed was a lounging area in the lobby. To gather in larger groups and people-watch. Here they had a couple of couches and a chair in front of the elevator and in between the check in desk and breakfast area. But the staff monitoring breakfast activities sat there until they were needed in the breakfast nook, sometimes drinking their own beverages and talking amongst themselves.

Started staying here a year ago Always clean, bright and…read morecomfortable Pool is open until 11. Gym room is reasonably equipped and functional Staff are friendly and helpful Flatscreen TVS in rooms that we have chosen But no TV guides? Will have to check if any information is available Breakfast is included but hit and miss Cereal, waffle Maker, hard boiled eggs and yogurt are safe choices I avoid the coffee No information in rooms? Overall Acceptable but could be improved

Excellent hotel! Very cosy, clean (everyday) and the staff are extremely helpful, kind and really…read morego out of their way to help their guests. It was a pleasure to spend a few days here on my trip to Grand Bend. I felt comfortable and heard; the staff is very personable. Thank you, Amber Hotel!

I LOVED this hotel! Our 2 bedroom room with kitchen was spacious and very clean. I would stay here…read moreagain for big families, but wish they had an elevator instead of stairs to haul our luggage. The bathroom was a bit small for the size of our group, but the kitchen was spacious.