Bruce Anchor Motel & Cottage Rentals — Hotel in Tobermory

A disappointing experience, overall.

Communication: did not get the cottage we liked & booked; they said it was being renovated, but did not think that was worth communicating ahead of time for some reason. (Ironically, for everything else, they were sure to send an abundance of e-mails, some of which was appreciated - regarding off-season closures, the need to bring dinnerware, etc.)

Presentation: the cottage we did receive was not professionally presented. It seemed like minimal effort went into preparing the place for our check-in. There were crumbs on the couch, the bedspreads were a little shabby and did not match the website's pictures at all, window & door nets were torn, window sills had dust (and even a dead fly in one case). Little things for sure, but not expected for the price charged.

WiFi: simply abysmal. Less than 1 (yes, one) Mbps download speed. They said Eastlink (the ISP) was having issues and that it was a peninsula-wide problem, but I walked over to Blue Bay Motel down the road (where we stayed one night before moving here) and their WiFi (also on Eastlink) was perfectly fine & fast. This was a serious setback to my plans for how I would spend evenings when there was nothing else to do outside. I just hope this was indeed a blip and that their speeds are normally the expected 30+ Mbps needed for basic streaming and browsing.

Other: The ceiling above the dining table was cracked and leaking when the shower was on. The front door has a see-through glass portion that had no covering, which compromised privacy. The built-in wall heaters were awfully noisy. The TV boasts a large size, but offers poor connectivity options - no way to connect a modern laptop or mobile device to it, nor does it connect to the internet itself (there is a DVD player though... and cable channels... if either of that interests you). Lastly, the e-mail they sent about what was going to be provided in the kitchen could have been clearer / more explicit in saying exactly what would need to be self-supplied (e.g. cutlery, plates, mugs).

Pros: The only thing that salvaged this experience was the willingness of the team to, upon my request, compensate me with 25% of what I had paid. As well, the ladies at the front desk were very friendly and approachable, willing to spend the time to hear my questions and feedback. The cottage was spacious and the couch was large & comfy. The dishwasher made life easier.

In total, not happy with my time here. Maybe I got unlucky, but you can't blame me for not being inclined to come...

An Unforgettable Stay Thanks to Andrea and the Amazing Bruce Anchor Cruise Team! Our recent stay at the Bruce Anchor Inn and taking the Boat Cruise was absolutely phenomenal, and it was made truly unforgettable thanks to Andrea and the fantastic Bruce Anchor Cruise team. From the moment that we arrived, we knew we were in for a special experience, although we couldn't check in promptly at 3pm, Andrea ensured every detail surpassed our expectations. Andrea is the epitome of professionalism, coupled with an incredibly warm and genuinely kind demeanor. She went above and beyond in every possible way to ensure we had the best experience imaginable. Whether it was her insightful recommendations, her prompt and helpful responses to our questions, or simply her radiant smile and welcoming attitude, Andrea consistently made us feel valued and exceptionally well-cared for. Her dedication to guest satisfaction is truly remarkable, and her contributions single-handedly elevated our stay from great to absolutely amazing. She anticipated our needs before we even knew we had them, and her proactive approach ensured a seamless and stress-free vacation. We cannot praise her enough for her outstanding service! Our cruise to Flowerpot Island was another highlight, and the entire cruise team deserves immense credit for making it so enjoyable. The crew was professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about sharing the beauty of the area. The boat was comfortable, and the journey itself was breathtaking. They expertly navigated the waters, providing insightful commentary that enriched our understanding of the fascinating geology and history of the island. Once on Flowerpot Island, the experience was everything we hoped for, and the efficiency and friendliness of the cruise team made the entire excursion a true pleasure. The Bruce Anchor Inn and Cruises offers a truly exceptional experience, and it's largely due to the dedication of its staff, particularly Andrea. If you're looking for an unforgettable getaway with unparalleled service and an incredible cruise adventure, look no further. We wholeheartedly recommend the Bruce Anchor Inn and Cruises, and make sure to say hello to Andrea – she'll make sure your stay is nothing...

We booked online and stayed at their relatively new Holly's Cottage. It is a 2 min drive from the main office and motel location; the location is not to be found anywhere on their website or even in the confirmation emails. We had to call to find out otherwise you will be told at the time of check-in.

The cottage is quite decent if you are travelling in a large group. It is meant for 6 adults and 4 children. It has 3 decent sized bedrooms; 2 with a queen bed in each and the other with a bunk bed with a twin mattress on top and double at the bottom. The bunk bed has a pullout twin mattress as well so it can easily sleep 4.

The front desk staff is very courteous and helpful. Do note that they never pick up the phone so you almost will always have to go to the office if you need anything. The cottage itself was clean and tidy.

There are a few things that can certainly be improved regarding the cottage: It is not accessible at all. Requires stairs to get in and not suitable for the elderly. The upholstery on the furniture is very old and coming apart and needs immediate replacement. There were missing blinds on some of the windows. The ones that did have the blinds did not all work properly. The windows didn't close properly so I am quite sure the winter months would have draft and heating issues. There was a built-in microwave oven with the microwave venting back into the cottage and not outside. Mattresses are very old and in dire need of replacement; one of the queen mattresses had springs protruding and the roll out bunk bed mattress was extremely dirty and stained.

The one thing that we didn't like was that we had to take out our garbage before checking out. It is surprising that the cleaners are unable to do that, especially considering the cost per night for the cottage and the fact that the checkout is an hour earlier (i.e. at 10 AM rather than the usual 11 AM). We had to lug the garbage and recycling to the main office location and dispose in the dumpsters located at the back.

All in all, not a bad accommodation and with some improvements can be...