Harrogate House Inn — Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake

An absolutely charming little inn (bed and breakfast) just a short block off the main drag in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We stayed here for a Thursday through Sunday while we attended a wedding. This was the perfect home base for our long weekend.

Despite the antique nature of the building (which dates from the early 1800s), everything has clearly been completely updated---but without losing its original character. Our room was The York. Charming details include artwork themed around "York" word play (from Theater posters to playful Yorkie dogs). The bed was downright heavenly. I don't think I've ever slept so well outside of my own home. Crisp white linens, a plethora of pillows, and a cozy duvet rounded out the blissful bedtime experience. Included in the room is a handy bedside clock with charging capabilities. AC/Heat was provided by a state of the art mini-split AC/heater. It was absolutely silent but took the edge off our room each night in the early autumn chill. Small French doors led to a private balcony overlooking the lovely front garden where we could sit and read, enjoy a drink or a coffee, or watch the quaint horse-drawn carriages pass by.

Each room has it's own Keurig coffee maker, hair dryer, as well as an adorable little mini-fridge with sparking and still water for guests. The LED TV is fire stick enabled, which allowed us to stream our own Amazon Prime and Netflix as well as use our YouTube Red service. Internet was fast and more than capable of handling multiple devices at the same time (including my laptop, two cell phones, an iPad Pro, and the TV). There is even a small electric fireplace to up the coziness factor (although we didn't use it while there).

The spa-like bathroom was beautiful. This included excellent lighting for doing your makeup, plugs by the sink for hair accessories and razors, a sink with several drawers, ample fluffy towels and washcloths--and a small but appreciated plus--excellent wall hooks for towels or robes by the shower.

Breakfasts were outstanding. From fantastic croissants with homemade jams and fresh fruit, to fluffy pancakes with real maple syrup and crispy bacon (REAL bacon, not Canadian style ::wink::)... just yum! Elizabeth provided us with café-quality lattes each morning, but espressos and café americanos were also available. Filtered water, both hot and cold, is available at all times in the front dining area. There also is a Keurig for guests downstairs. There are two dining areas at the front of the Inn, one of which has the coffee/tea bar, the other which has a small seating area with two comfy couches for guest use.

We enjoyed eating in the front room on the rainy Friday morning, but found the charming covered veranda out front to be even more appealing when the weather allowed. People watching is excellent.

The location could not have been better. I actually preferred that it was bit off of Queen Street. It's both quieter and shadier, while still being close to all of the action. It's an easy walk or bike ride to local churches, the old court house, Fort George, the farmer's market, as well as several parks. In fact, you see bicyclists all over the town as it is a bike-friendly city with good bike parking available at most locations. While we were not able to catch any plays while here, the local theater scene is rich. The Shaw Festival is famous, running from summertime until early December. I loved the shopping options along Queen Street. The Beau Chapeau hat store was my hands-down favorite. For treats, be sure to check out the delicious options at Fritters-on-the-Lake (on King Street, just like the Inn)

Best yet, everything was SPOTLESSLY clean. I'm picky about cleanliness in hotels. Trust me, this place is definitely detail oriented!

Finally, our hosts were wonderful. Kent and Elizabeth could not have been more personable nor hospitable. They made us feel like family. We can't wait...

Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL), a beautiful town awash in flowers and blooms, is nestled on Lake Ontario where the Niagara River flows into it. The area has many vineyards producing excellent wines of many types and varieties. There are many options for accommodations at NOTL, and we found a real gem: Harrogate House Inn. It is located on King Street, just a block from Queen Street where you will discover most of the shops and many of NOTL’s varied eateries.

Harrogate House offers several room/bedding options but is sized just right for a quiet and cozy visit. Our hosts, Kenton and Elisabeth, were gracious and attentive. We enjoyed chatting with them—most often at breakfast. Oh the breakfasts! We ate alfresco on the front porch (inside seating is also available). Varied choices are offered daily. Every meal was absolutely delicious, served with fresh fruit, croissant or baguette, butter and homemade jams. Throughout the day coffee, tea, and water are located in the inside lounge. Also there is a refrigerator and icemaker, as well as glassware.

We reserved The Kensington, as it is on the first floor. The king-size bed was amazingly comfortable. En suite bath included a footed bathtub and generous shower with both rain and wand fixtures. A vanity/sink is in an adjacent area. Although we needed neither during our mid-September stay, air and heat are provided by a room-specific system. Two chairs, a chest-of-drawers, wardrobe, console, and two lamped nightstands ensured the suite is convenient and functional. The television hosted many channels. Three of the four rooms boast private porch seating to enjoy a favorite beverage.

My wife and I chose Harrogate House for our 50th anniversary. We highly recommend this lovely inn for your stay in NOTL. Their website is harrogatehouse.ca. ...

We spent two nights at Harrogate House in the Painswick room, and we will definitely be going back again! Harrogate House is perfectly situated in the town - with everything from shops, spas, restaurants, bars, and waterfront within walking distance. Although it is close by to everything you need, it is still tucked away on a relatively quiet street, allowing you to sleep without disruption. The room was very comfortable, with great quality amenities including soap, shampoo, lotion etc. I will comment that the bed/pillows are soft but still comfortable. I personally prefer a firmer bed but this wouldn't deter me from re-booking. The room is equipped with a coffee maker, glassware, and a very mini fridge. We had access to a walk out balcony with comfortable chairs and extra blankets to keep us cozy while enjoying fresh air. On the main floor in the common area, you will find more glassware, and a station for coffee/tea/hot chocolate preparation, and ice machine. Breakfast was delicious - Kent is an excellent chef! A menu is provided the day before so you can select your beverages (perfectly smooth Americanos!), baked good and main breakfast. Breakfast was made fresh to order and very filling. We really appreciated that Kent & Elisabeth have separate tables set up on the main floor which allows guests to enjoy breakfast alone but still have the option to mingle if they choose. Overall, Kent & Elisabeth were warm and welcoming. It was a romantic getaway that had all the touches of a 5 star hotel but with the comfort and ambiance of a bed...