Millivers Travels » LODGING

Beacon Shore on Georgian Bay B&B, Midland, Ontario

Milli Thornton — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:57:51 +0000

The 1901 lighthouse on the front lawn, night shot

WE ARE LUCKY to be within reasonable driving distance of this B&B because we can’t wait to go back.

We’re not strangers to a good B&B. But this one truly is paradise from all angles: the gorgeous setting, the house and gardens, the extra features (how ’bout a lighthouse on the front lawn?), the private wooded acres away from the bustle of town—and our memorable hosts, Jacquie and Bob Black.

We’ve met some lovely B&B owners in our time but it was truly a wrench to leave Bob and Jacquie at the end of our stay.

(I jokingly applied for a job at Beacon Shore. On the morning when we had to leave I whimpered: “Can we live with you?”)

When it comes to the top two criteria for a successful B&B, the Blacks are experts: fabulous breakfast and the gift of making you feel at home. So much love, craftsmanship and sheer art goes into every detail.

The serene and colorful garden features a water fountain, cottage-style benches and a swing

Bob is a skilled woodworker and uses his talents to add many fine features; such as the garden structures, antique-style bathroom accents and furniture. Jacquie nourishes the cottage flower garden and keeps the house clean enough for a surprise Better Homes and Gardens inspection. The shower stall was so gleaming-white immaculate, I felt like I was the first person ever to step into it!

As we often do when Brian and I forget that a long weekend’s coming up, we booked at the last minute. The only room left was the Twin, but it looked nice on the BBCanada.com listing so we took it. The room turned out to be so charming and well-appointed, we did not feel any pinch of compromise. We were very happy with our comfy beds and our private bathroom. And we loved the view from our second-storey window of black squirrels playing in the forest.

Our Queen room was pretty as well as clean and comfortable

Since the sumptuous accommodation was such a bargain ($90 per night for the Twin)—and since we were having an unforgettable time on and around Georgian Bay—we decided to stay an extra night. The Twin room was no longer available, so we moved next door to the Queen ($100 per night).

I say “we moved” but we didn’t have to lift a finger; the Blacks did everything. We came back tired and sunburned from our visit to Big Chute to find that (with a prior courtesy notice) everything had been carefully moved for us. Talk about service with a smile!

Even with moving to the Queen room we averaged only $101 per night; including taxes, exchange rate (which was in our favor, so that helped) and international POS fees. When you consider the value added by the breakfast—top-notch menu and personal pampering; two satisfying courses with bottomless coffee—this really frees up your budget for local activities. Much appreciated! The “steal of a deal” on our accommodation meant we could pick one or two high-quality activities each day.

Among other fun things, we took a float plane ride over 30,000 Islands, cruised the waters of Georgian Bay and watched boats being lifted overland at Big Chute.

The private dock, complete with flowers & Muskoka / Adirondack chairs

With our busy schedule of activities, we didn’t have much time to linger in the garden, which was a shame. (But what a great reason to go back!) However, we did spend time relaxing in the party-colored Muskoka chairs on the lush lawn overlooking the bay. Or, should I say, the Adirondack chairs, depending on who’s doing the talking. (Bob and Jacquie have a running gag about this, based on their childhood origins.)

One of our other favorite pastimes was visiting the dock. We dabbled our tired city feet in the cool, refreshing water and soaked up the sun, while admiring the boats of many sizes that ply the waters of Georgian Bay.

If you’ve never been to Ontario, this would be the perfect place to start. So renew that passport and pack your suntan lotion. And don’t forget to order the pancakes!

Beacon Shore on Georgian Bay Bed & Breakfast, Midland, Ontario, Canada

P.S. Feast your eyes (and soul) on Bob and Jacquie’s amazing breakfasts in my special article: Best Ever B&B Breakfast.

Beacon Shore has been reviewed by Janette Higgins, author of The Best Places to B&B in Ontario: A Selective Guide. Janette says: “Every Ontario bed and breakfast receives my consideration. I travel incognito, pay where I stay and write reviews of the top 5%.” Read Janette’s review on the testimonials page for Beacon Shore on BBCanada.com.

Best Ever B&B Breakfast

Milli Thornton — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:48:33 +0000

Travel writer’s note from Milli Thornton: I reviewed this B&B as a paying guest.

BEACON SHORE ON GEORGIAN BAY BED & BREAKFAST is located in Midland, Ontario on the southeastern end of a stunning body of water. The wonders of this Canadian B&B call for a separate article, but first you simply must hear about the breakfast.

Brian and I are breakfast people. We’re fussy breakfast people! So when I pronounce my “best ever” in writing, you can bet it’s not just food; it’s an all-round experience.

Owners Jacquie & Bob Black prepare breakfast dressed in spiffy white chef coats. And they have the genteel but professional style of hospitality to go with the fancy attire. Jacquie serves each eye-catching course with a flourish of showmanship and a persuasive description of the dish.

Not that any persuasion is needed. If you think it looks delicious in the photos, wait till you taste it while admiring the water view—and while being pampered by people so dear you want to take them home with you when the vacation is over.

Bob is the fruit man and the “toast master.” When you see his toast knots (like the center of a Celtic knot) you’ll agree he deserves to be dubbed master. And his fruit plates are nothing short of divine.

Bob's famous seasonal fruit plate

Allow me to rave for a moment about “Bob’s famous seasonal fruit plate.” When I saw that mentioned on BBCanada.com, it didn’t light me on fire with anticipation. I’m not a fruit eater, for two reasons. One, I have trouble digesting it unless I eat it on a completely empty stomach. Two, with all the artifical ripening that goes on these days, I refuse to bother with floury or crunchy-when-it-shouldn’t-be fruit.

But if I could have Bob serve me a fruit plate every morning, I’d willingly become a big fruit eater!

The fruit plate comes out first, so that took care of my digestion issue. And I never once had to choke down a floury or crunchy piece of fruit. Everything was tender and juicy. After three days of this marvel, I asked Bob for his secret. He said, “I never serve anything I wouldn’t eat myself.” The Blacks keep a separate fridge for their fruit supplies. They nurse the fruit just like they care for their guests: with great heart and panache.

Jacqui was a teacher for 32 years (specializing in what was known back in my high school days as Home Economics), and she obviously understands a balanced diet. Her menu is not all starch and sugar as many American offerings seem to be, and the ingredients are high quality.

For me, protein is a must to start my day. If I don’t have protein, my blood sugar takes a dive later in the day. Accordingly, I went for the Sailor’s Wrap: mushroom, mild onion and cheese snuggled in a two-egg omelet, with bacon and wholegrain toasted breads. The Sailor’s Wrap was yummy and fueled me for a day of cruising on Georgian Bay . . . but I had my eye on a bigger prize.

While planning our trip I’d looked at everything on the Black’s BBCanada.com listing, including the breakfast menu. When I saw Beacon Shore Pancakes: Jacquie’s personal recipe for buttermilk pancakes bulging with plump blueberries, accompanied by bacon and real maple syrup —along with a tantalizing photo of the dish—I was sorely tempted. But I knew the bacon would not be enough protein for me. No problem! Jacquie cheerfully gave me two pancakes instead of three, with a side of poached egg. Perfect.

Guess what I ordered for the remaining two mornings of our visit?!

When I refer to being fussy about breakfast, pancakes feature high on the list. I rarely bother with them because I hate being disappointed. After a childhood of home-made huckleberry pancakes, prepared in a cabin by the lake in Montana (the berries hand-picked by myself and my seven siblings), don’t give me a stodgy or soggy pancake dotted with a few pathetic berries and expect me to give you my repeat business.

But when Jacquie says “bulging with plump blueberries” she means it! The pancakes themselves were tasty, attractive and expertly prepared, not just a vehicle for blueberries.

Brian also homed in on his favorites. He’s partial to a good Eggs Benedict so he started with Georgian Bay Eggs Benedict. On our first morning, we shared a table with a friendly couple from Toronto, Jane and Rick. Brian was intrigued when Jane had Captain’s Sausage & Cheese Casserole, so thereafter he alternated between that and the Eggs Benedict.

When asked about his breakfast experience, Brian said: “It was righteous, dude!”

(Now you can see why he’s the photographer and I’m the writer. Hehe.)

View from the patio, taken in the afternoon (note the small lighthouse in the shadows to the right)

Fun adornments made coming to the table each morning an adventure. For napkin holders there were tiny Adirondack chairs (to mirror the life-size ones on the lawn), colorful flip-flops and miniature canoe oars.

There were three inviting breakfast locations and we got to try them all: the dining room, the sunroom and the patio. The patio was my all-time winner.

What could be finer in life than eating a fabulous breakfast on a patio overlooking a bay sparkling with sunlight, and busy with sail boats and cruisers?

There were many highlights during our trip to Georgian Bay. But my idyllic moments on the patio of Beacon Shore, enjoying Breakfast Heaven to the chatter of chipmunks, has been burned into my DNA as a five-star memory.

Check out the main article about Beacon Shore on Milliver’s Travels

Check out the listing for Beacon Shore on BBCanada.com

Beacon Shore has been reviewed by Janette Higgins, author of The Best Places to B&B in Ontario: A Selective Guide. Janette says: “Every Ontario bed and breakfast receives my consideration. I travel incognito, pay where I stay and write reviews of the top 5%.” Read Janette’s review on the testimonials page for Beacon Shore on BBCanada.com.

Bonnybank B&B, Twenty Valley, Ontario

Milli Thornton — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:40:24 +0000

Bonnybank Bed & Breakfast

BONNYBANK BED & BREAKFAST is a gem set in the vineyards of the Twenty Valley, about twenty minutes from Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.

Owner Carla Carlson has lovingly preserved the history of this venerable old house, both in the house itself and by gathering written records that she makes available to guests in the cozy sunroom/reading area.

Where to start when trying to relate the delights of Bonnybank? With Carla herself.

Friendly and helpful, she will take precious time out of her busy day to educate her guests on the history of the Niagara Escarpment, plus provide tips on local activities and good places to eat. An environmentalist by word and action, Carla cares deeply about her surroundings, both inside and out.

Owner Carla Carlson with her dog Cedar

There’s a whimsical side to her deep feelings for Mother Earth and the heritage she’s preserving at Bonnybank. Keep your eyes open for magical discoveries throughout the house. I was continually enchanted to find fairies and all manner of critters nestled on shelves, tables and ledges.

Her collection of miniature elephants sits near the stereo that plays world music during breakfast. Frogs are one of her favorites. We brought her a tiny pewter turtle from a garden shop in Jordan Village as our thank you for her house of delights.

Situated next door to an owl sanctuary, Bonnybank is surrounded by lush gardens and a colorful variety of flowers. The Carolinian woodlands across the way echoes with the bellow of bullfrogs every summer evening.

Twenty Mile Creek

The photo shows the peace and solitude of nearby Twenty Mile Creek, which is spanned by an historic railroad bridge.

Although situated amid woods and vineyards, Bonnybank is a mere two-minute drive through a winding valley to Jordan Village. Here you’ll find quaint-looking shops full of modern treasures, a yummy ice cream and chocolate shop and some wonderful restaurants.

Restaurants and tea houses in the Twenty Valley deserve their own article space. One of the special moments of our trip was when we returned from a gourmet meal at About Thyme Bistro to the comfort and romance of a camp fire lit for us by Carla in her front yard.

At least some “getaways” should involve getting away from the hurly-burly of town or city living. Bonnybank B&B is a comfortable, cozy and homey way to fulfill that basic human need.

Poppies at Bonnybank

For more information, visit Bonnybank online at the link below. Although you won’t find extensive details online, once you get in touch with Carla she’ll send you plenty of goodies by e-mail, including detailed directions.

But talk to her by phone first. Carla Carlson’s forte is to do things the old-fashioned way and to care for her guests personally—even before you arrive.

Bonnybank Bed & Breakfast, Twenty Valley, Ontario, Canada