The Elmwood Heritage Inn

This is a really nice place that’s kept its old vibe, though you could easily miss it because the entrance is a bit hidden. The bathtub in the Victoria room sits a bit high off the floor, so be careful or you might slip. Otherwise, it’s a really nice place.

The location worked really well for us. Downtown was close enough to explore easily by bike, and there’s plenty of parking and a nice spot to sit out front. The grounds are kept up beautifully. Elmwood Heritage Inn has a wonderfully old-fashioned feel. Coming up the steps, it gave us Addams Family vibes, and the antique décor, floral wallpaper, paintings, furniture, and crocheted tissue-box covers all fit the house. It felt like stepping into Road to Avonlea. If you want a modern Hilton-style room, this probably isn’t your place, though the rooms do have wifi, AC, and cable TV. We loved our huge, comfortable second-floor room, with its queen bed, two sink-in armchairs, and bright bathroom with a claw-foot tub and wraparound shower curtain. It was all very clean, and there were plenty of towels, toiletries, a hair dryer, and an iron. The stairs are narrow, steep, and bend at the top, as you’d expect in an old Victoria home. My bus-sized suitcase was a struggle. A friendly Japanese woman welcomed us, checked us in, and showed us how to get downtown. One of the owners, a very friendly Chinese man, also carried all our bags upstairs. The service was lovely. My one small gripe is that our room wasn’t tidied or given fresh towels during our two-day stay. I do like a made bed and clean towels, so I noticed, but it didn’t spoil anything. We loved staying at Elmwood, and plan to come back.

We booked the King Suite at Elmwood Inn, and although it was quite pricey, we were glad we tried it. We wanted somewhere different from a typical hotel, and the house’s history and elegance were just what we hoped for. Some of the negative reviews seem to come from people who didn’t appreciate that character. We also enjoyed breakfast. It was light, but very good, and the service made us feel like royalty.

Please make sure you know what the stairs are like before booking. They’re narrow, short, crooked, and in a dark part of the house. The listing does mention stairs, but only among lots of other details, and there are no pictures of them. When I arrived, my health condition meant I couldn’t get up and down them safely.