Whilst Niagara Falls is lovely, Niagara town itself is very tacky. Far better to stay out at the historical town of Niagara on the Lake, which is just a 20 min scenic drive along the Niagara River.
Meheroo (owner) greets you warmly at her attractive home, built in the old style with verandah and white clapboard finishing. Formalities are completed in the comfortable guest lounge and there is a wealth of information available in there, from a comprehensive set of restaurant menus to books on the history of the area. The best source of local knowledge, however, is Meheroo herself, who is only to happy to provide tips, suggestions and vouchers for wine tastings. There is a fridge in the lounge, stocked with soft drinks and some wine for you to enjoy, plus a water cooler for drinking water.
There are three bedrooms, all upstairs, so that combined with the steps up to the verandah mean this is not a suitable place for anyone who can’t handle the steps/stairs. We had the King size room, complete with luxurious bedding and tasteful decoration. The room has a fridge with soft drinks included, iron and board, TV and complimentary WiFi. The only thing lacking is a safe, but you don’t feel like you really need one here. What there is though, is a seemingly endless series of nice extra little touches. A chocolate on your pillow, a dish of sweets, drinking water left in a flask to keep it cool, plus glasses of course, a soft glow light in the bathroom and so on…..
The Gourmet in the title comes at breakfast time. This isn’t your standard full English (you won’t get that here) but a delight for you’re tastebuds, prepared and served by your hostess. Breakfast is not to be rushed but a social occasion with the other guests and one of the most enjoyable parts of our stay in Niagara on the Lake.
Queen St, the main part of the town, is about 1Km away, a nice comfortable stroll. There are plenty of nice shops and restaurants to suit most needs, plus the Theatres playing homage to George Bernard Shaw.
John’s Gate oozes quality and class, reflecting an owner who genuinely cares that you have a great time.
Highly recommended for a relaxing stay at a gentle pace.
Tip: Book direct with Meheroo to get a discount over the prices available on third party booking sites. E-mail to info@johnsgate.com
“John’s Gate Gourmet B&B”:http://www.johnsgate.com
