Sapience Villa & Retreat (Gatekeeper's Retreat) — Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake

To say that our expectations were met is an understatement. Upon arrival, David greeted us and walked us through his home. I felt that I had been transported to another time as the home felt historic and exuded classic elegance. When I asked what year the home was built, he replied that it was a new build and before the Bed and Breakfast he was a set designer and thus his home was just one giant set. The place was immaculate and there was no detail overlooked. Everything from the shampoo (which was local!) to refreshments were selected with care. There were multiple seating areas, both upstairs and downstairs, that again felt like something out of a movie.

David takes such pride in both his home and in serving his guests. Upon booking, he asked if there were any diet restrictions, and I hesitantly said vegan. He mentioned that the nights we were staying for had breakfasts that were crêpes and savory omelets but insisted that he would make me something special. David asked what milk alternative I wanted and even thought I am not fussy, he went out of his way to get exactly what I wanted. The first morning, myself and my fiancé in addition to the other 4 lovely guests sat around the dining table in awe. The place setting was regal, the assortment of drinks was plentiful, and each of the 3 (yes 3!) courses were presented beautifully and thoroughly-explained. Whenever possible, David supports local farmers so everything from the bread, jams, fruits, and cheeses came from the Niagara region. The peach, cinnamon, and clove crêpes were delectable, and I cannot believe he pulled off a vegan one for myself (trust me, I have tried and failed). The next morning David said that the savory dish would be omelets, so I was excited to see what alternative he would come up with. He brought out this beautifully layered assortment of grilled yellow zucchini, basil, and other garnishes surrounded by chopped tomatoes and onions. He briefly left the room to grab more coffee and as I began to dissect this masterpiece I noticed that there was vegan cheese – David not only went out of his way to accommodate my dietary needs but made something totally personable and unique to me while still surprising the rest of the guests.

To say that our expectations were met is an understatement, so much so, that we booked our next stay before we left (and we only live an hour away). David and James have set the bar to what a Bed and Breakfast should be, and we refuse to go...

Located only a few blocks from Lake Ontario and a short seven-minute drive from downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Gatekeeper’s Retreat is fine place to spend time while at this charming community. ||The highlight of our nine-day stay was breakfast. David, your innkeeper, prepares a feast for your first meal of the day. The breakfast is served at 9AM sharp; it is a leisurely meal, lasting an hour. If you have early plans, as we did for three mornings, he will readily offer a buffet of muffins & croissants with jams (made in the region), fruit, and coffee & orange juice. ||Fresh fruit and cheese are waiting for you when you enter the dining room. David explains the cheeses, which he buys at Cheese Secrets in downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake. Next is the main course, alternating days between sweet and savory, and always presented with a flourish.||If you are traveling as two couples or a group of four friends, I encourage you to book the two rooms—The Chamber and The Boudoir—on the second floor. These rooms open out onto The Library, where comfortable chairs and a sofa serve as your private living space, helping to expand the area of the bedrooms; there is also a coffee room for your use on this floor. Our bathroom in The Chamber was spacious and clean. We got a good night’s sleep on the comfortable mattress. This B&B...

We stayed in the suite at Panache and it has been absolutely incredible. Having never stayed in a bed and breakfast before, I was fairly skeptical but aside from our room being private and amazing, the owner is very professional and considerate. We've spent one night here so far and our breakfast the first morning was incredible. He plans out seasonal fruit (we had peaches and cream as the first course) and after that we had a huge cheese, bread and Pattee second course that was all fresh and delicious. Finally he brought out a chive and leek omlette with cheese, sweet potatoes and a tomato homemade salad with balsamic and oil. We have one more night in our suite and I'm both sad that we will have to leave and excited for breakfast tomorrow which he has hinted at... Crepes. In addition to our room there are several public spaces that are cozy and neat. A library upstairs and a bar/lounge in the basement. The backyard is also open and feels like you are in another world. Very scenic and private. I recommend this place more than anything else in the area if staying in Niagra on the Lake. Thanks for an awesome experience David...