The Waddell

The restaurant, Gusto, on the main floor is outstanding, and the hotel sits beside a lovely river close to downtown. It’s a beautiful old building, but the rooms feel tired and there’s an obvious lack of maintenance. Our ceiling had cobwebs, parts of the walls had primer patches instead of paint, and the bathroom faucets worked in reverse. The door jammed halfway open, so I had to maneuver around it to reach the sink. There was no one with authority available to report the problems to, just a woman in charge of the restaurant. I usually give management a chance to address concerns before writing a review, but that wasn’t possible here. Being a heritage building doesn’t excuse these issues. Disappointing.

The fresh salads are really tasty, and they also make lots of elegant meals. A very nice spot for lunch or dinner, and worth checking out while you’re in Port Hope.

We live in Port Hope, but sometimes it’s fun to stay at The Waddell and play tourists for a bit. It’s right in the heart of downtown, with wonderfully clean rooms and comfortable beds. Thanks to the staff for making our Valentine’s getaway so lovely.

The restaurant was so good that I wound up eating there more than I’d planned. Every dish was full of flavor and clearly made with care. Service at both the restaurant and hotel was warm and attentive without being too much, and I felt right at home. The hotel is spacious, the beds are comfortable, and the quiet atmosphere made it easy to unwind. It’s tucked beside peaceful river rapids in a beautiful setting, a great little escape in nature without giving up comfort. I’m already looking forward to coming back.