A Few Days Away at Blue Mountain Village

This week Teena and I spent a few days in Blue Mountain Village, a resort just 10 minutes away from Collingwood and two hours from downtown Toronto. A view of the village from the top of the mountain is above.

One thing I have to say about the village. This is the second time we've stayed there and both times the service everywhere has been friendly, quick and personable. I never once had a bad experience with any staff. The resort is kept impeccably clean.

We stayed at the Mosiac, which is behind the Northwinds Brew Pub, across the pond in the picture below. I highly recommend it.

The large pond has paddle boats for rental.

Teena.

Sunset Grill, my favourite breakfast place, not only in the area but anywhere. I had eggs with corned beef hash one day and Crab Cake Benedict yesterday. I love breakfast!

Teena and I took the cable car up to the top of the mountain for a hike.

Off to the left you can see a tiny island. From up there, you can barely see the lighthouse on the left side.

Here we are on top.

Some pictures of our stroll.

The two top towers remain of the mountains original chairlift, built in 1959 and was Ontario's first.

A couple of more views from the top.

We both had an enjoyable time and definitely will be back.

The Westin Hotel. Ottawa

While we were in Ottawa, Teena and I stayed at the Westin Ottawa which is close to the Byward market.

The view from our room was excellent as we overlooked the Parliament Buildings, the Chateau Laurier Hotel and the Rideau Canal. The canal when frozen, such as now, becomes the world's largest skating rink.

 Robes are supplied, which I wore to the salt water pool and hot tub.

There also is a nice sized workout room and a spa also in the hotel. I would definitely stay here again.

The James Hotel, Chicago

Teena and I stayed at The James on East Ontario Street, a couple of blocks away from the subway. That made it much easier for us to come in from Midway Airport and get back to it. $3 for a subway ride vs whatever a cab would have cost.

The James had this interesting display in the lobby. My suitcase is old and on its last legs. Teena said I should add it to the display. It's now in the dumpster here at home.

The windows looked out across the way to rooms on the other side. We were only in our room at night so that did not matter. The rooms were bright and the air conditioning was turned on so the room was cool when we first arrived. It was a scorching hot day so that was much appreciated.

Our room was quite large and the large bottles of shampoo and conditioner were quite minty and refreshing.

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I went across the road to Trader Joe's for a small bottle of rum and some Diet Coke and was surprised that they didn't sell Coke. I returned to the hotel and was told by the doorman that the James did not have vending machines and the closest store was three blocks away. Then he offered to go himself! Wow, is that service or what! I said no and wandered up myself.

Teena was to get some ice. She called down to the front desk to ask where the ice machines were. They don't have any due to the noise but she could get ice from the front desk, or they would bring her up some. Great, great service.

Next time we're in Chicago, we'll be staying at the James again but picking up some cola on our way in.

A Night at The Olde Angel Inn, Niagara on the Lake

This weekend Teena and I went down to Niagara-on-the-Lake to see The Philadelphia Story, which is part of the Shaw Festival. We stayed overnight at the Olde Angel Inn. Although we have eaten and had pints there before, we have never stayed over night in the historic old inn. We corrected that last night.

The picture above is the view when you walk into the pub section. Below is the entrance off the street to the inn.

The Olde Angel Inn's rooms, with exposed hand-hewn beams and thick plank floors laid in 1815, still echo to the sounds of the British soldiers and townsfolk who, two centuries ago, gathered here for food and drink. Small but unique, the Inn is believed to have been founded as The Harmonious Coach House on land granted to the deputy surveyor-general around 1789. The town was then called Newark and was destined to become the first Capital of Upper Canada. Records from this time are sketchy but it is known that in 1793, the new Assembly passed an act outlawing slavery, the first such law enacted anywhere in the world. It is believed that the legislators celebrated the event over dinner at the Inn that evening. 

The Inn is thought to have hosted such historical figures such as John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant-Governor; Alexander Mackenzie, the explorer; Prince Edward, the father of the future Queen Victoria; and Thomas Moore, the Irish National Poet. 

The Inn was badly burned during the War of 1812-14. It was rebuilt by John Ross in 1815, who named it the Angel Inn, in a tender reference to his wife. In 1826, Richard Howard bought the Inn, and also operated the Promenade House or Howard's Hotel just down the street. John Fraser purchased the Angel in 1845, and it was known as Mansion House, then Fraser's Hotel until reverting back to its earlier name of the Angel Inn.

We stayed in the Colonel's Suite, which is just above the main entrance.

There is a popular local legend (that shows up in accounts dating to the 1820's) of an unfortunate Canadian militia officer who was killed at the Inn during the American invasion of May, 1813. 

Captain Colin Swayze had delayed joining the British retreat in order to rendezvous with a young woman, believed to be his true love. Surprised by American soldiers sent to search the Inn, he hid in an empty barrel in the cellar. The invaders used bayonets to prod into every corner and possible place of concealment and the unlucky lover received a fatal wound. Some believe the Ghost of Captain Swayze is fated to walk the Inn at night, perhaps in longing for his sweetheart. There have been reports of noises coming from the empty(?) dining room, rearranged place settings, and other unexplained occurrences. 

It is said that his ghost will remain harmless as long as the British flag flies over the Inn, a precaution prudently taken by the proprietor.

You can see that, yes, the Union Jack is flying over the entrance outside our window protecting us.

Our bedroom with an unusually high bed.

 

Off the bedroom is the washroom and a surprise. Another room beyond it!

I first thought it was a small sitting room with a rocking chair but I was mistaken. It was a small cozy and very comfortable living room.

The one bad thing though was that if one of us wanted to use the bathroom, we would have to ask the other what room they wanted to be in as the bathroom was the only way to get between the two rooms.

We both said we would definitely stay over again the next time we are doing an overnight in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The room was clean, comfortable and the inn has done a great job in keeping it's history!

A quick note about the pub. Great beer selection and I have always enjoyed the food.

 

Inn at the Falls, Bracebridge Ontario

This weekend Teena and I were in Bracebridge for Sessions Muskoka Craft Beer Festival and we stayed for two nights at the Inn at the Falls, which is just off the downtown strip.

We had researched this place before as we had planned to stay here in the winter and go snowshoeing. That was before I sprained my ankle.

In the photo below the front desk, breakfast area, pub and patio are in the building to the left. Straight ahead is the Mews where we stayed.

The "Main Inn" was originally a Victorian private residence built by English stonemasons in the mid-1870s. Many distinguishing features of the old structure have been preserved including the century old fireplace in the Parlor, with its distinctive "Egg and Dart" design, and the carved wooden bannister in the main entrance.

The foundation walls of the main inn are over three feet thick. In 1943, the home was converted to an Inn and has undergone extensive renovations and mechanical upgrades.  Today, the Inn comprises of the Mahaffy residence and 6 homes, which were acquired over the years and are housed on an entire cul du sa.

The grounds are very nice.

 

 

 

Here are the Mews. We were on the second floor second from the end. The rooms are a little older, rustic but comfortable. Our TV, though, was small and had to be at least 25 years old.

 

The patio of the pub is very nice. Plus the food was great. It closes at 9 PM on a Saturday night, though, which is a little early.

 

 

Hopefully this will be a better, injury-free winter and I'll have some winter shots to show you of this inn. Guests at the Inn also have a complimentary breakfast of cereals, toast, English muffins, bagels, juice, coffee, hard boiled eggs, plus I know I am missing a few things. I would highly recommend this inn as a place to stay.