Breadalbane Inn

The meal was worth three stars from us. My father-in-law's salmon was overcooked, and the pizza my mother-in-law ordered was extremely thin with only cheese on it. My husband asked for a medium-rare New York strip lion, but it came medium, cold, overdone, and full of fat and gristle. I ordered the signature fish dish and got three pieces, each about the size of my index finger.

Downtown Fergus was so close that we didn't have to sort out parking, and the staff were incredibly kind and friendly. We spent five nights in the George Fergusson Suite at the Breadalbane Inn. It was clean and cozy, with a seating area, coffee and tea station, fireplace, and other comforts. The included breakfast was amazing, with several choices. A perfect stay for us, and we'd definitely visit again. I'd highly recommend the Inn.

After a long week on the road, the Breadalbane Inn gave me the comfort and calm I needed. The whole place has a turn-of-the-century romantic feel, with modern touches like wifi, TV, and charging stations. I slept better than I had all week in the George Fergusson room, where the rooms have their own fireplaces. I even sent photos to my wife, and she wants me to book a couples getaway there this summer. The food was incredible, and the staff were fantastic. There's a restaurant by the lobby with a working fireplace, an atrium seating area looking over a stone patio, and a stone pub with low beams attached. The building is 150 years old, and from the front door I loved its atmosphere, decor, and warmth. Check-in was friendly and flawless, and a staff member showed me to the room and pointed out the amenities, which you don't see much these days. I travel for work now and then and usually wind up in corporate chain hotels with their complimentary "Breakfast." A coworker suggested the Breadalbane Inn while I was working in Fergus, and I'm glad I took the recommendation.

For what we paid, the stay was disappointing. We chose the location for the included breakfast, the walk to downtown Fergus, and because Elora prices seemed ridiculous. Still, $350 a night on a November weekend should have felt luxurious. A few individually small problems added up, and we should have paid more to stay in Elora. We were handed a glass of prosecco each, then awkwardly carried them through the hotel, outside, and across the parking lot to our room. We were in the McCatty room, listed online as a King luxury suite. It's in the Carriage House at the back, separate from the main hotel. The room was large with a comfy bed, bathrobes, music on the TV when we arrived, and two chocolates that were a nice gesture but didn't taste good, perhaps from Bulk Barn. It started at 19C and warmed fairly quickly. The balcony would be nice in summer. Netflix wouldn't load, though TV stations worked, and wifi was enough for videos on my phone. The biggest problem was the whirlpool tub in the main room, which we expected from the website photos, but it dripped loudly all night. At the front desk, we were told they knew and were working on it. It was still dripping when we left. There were other maintenance issues: a hairdryer that only worked on low, damaged drywall in the bathroom and behind the shaving mirror, dead batteries in that mirror, cobwebs in corners, and stained towels. Breakfast was fine. I brushed crumbs off the table and ignored a sticky spot. I had the panini one day and pancakes the next; the pancakes were very nice with delicious berry compote. I skipped the syrup because there was a film on it, and it was table syrup rather than maple. My husband had the Breadalbane breakfast on the server's recommendation. The bacon and toast were good, while the hashbrowns seemed like the frozen commercial kind and the egg bites like a chain buffet's. It was good enough both mornings. The tea almost got it right: there was a selection and china teapots, but they brought hot, not boiling, water in the pot with a teabag and cup. Asking them to make it in the pot the second morning worked better.