When Shawn and I set out on our recent trip to the Lake Erie North Shore wine region in Ontario’s Southewest, we were lucky enough to be invited to check out two very different, but equally fabulous local accommodations. We liked them both so much that we decided to do an entire post to tell you about them! Either would be a great option for wine touring as a couple or (small) family, depending on the type of traveler you are and the kind of experience you’re looking for in your accommodations. Please feel free to post any questions about them below, or ask me on social. And if you have any suggestions for other places to stay in this area, please share them in the comments so other readers can find out about them!

The Vineyard Suite – Essex, Ontario

When we rolled into The Vineyard Suite, we were exhausted. We drove four hours from Toronto and then filled our entire day with wine and food adventures (learn all about our trip in this recent post). Our hosts greeted us with a wealth of warmth and hospitality and quickly made us feel right at home.

The Vineyard Suite is a guest house and not a bed and breakfast or inn, but since the owners live right on site and are so friendly and helpful, it seemed a bit more b&b-like. The space itself is gorgeous – they have done a wonderful job creating a home out of this converted garage. It has a cozy living room and kitchenette, a big bedroom with a comfy bed and a bathroom that’s just fabulous. The jetted shower is a wonderful and surprising luxury and the whole space is just so comfortable and lovely. We settled in right away.

The outdoor space is equally impressive – there’s a big outdoor seating area where you can watch the fireflies in the surrounding fields and enjoy a glass of wine around the fire pit in the evening. It’s relaxing and refreshing after a busy day and a lovely option for a cup of coffee in the morning.

The location is also pretty perfect – it’s a short drive to all the local wineries and several other great attractions, including the John R. Park Homestead. There’s much to do in this area and The Vineyard Suite is a fabulous home base for couples and solo travelers.

The Iron Kettle Bed and Breakfast – Comber, Ontario

You can’t miss the iron kettle outside this bed and breakfast in charming Comber, Ontario. Our GPS failed us, so we were using Google maps to find the location and as soon as we saw the kettle we knew we had arrived. Owner Benjamin Leblanc-Beaudoin greeted us with a huge smile and we immediately loved the relaxed charm of this restored home. Our room was big and comfy and had so many of the perfect little touches that make a bed and breakfast so special – including a bowl of fresh-picked local berries and vases with local wildflowers scattered throughout the space. The communal spaces are big and comfortable – you can read a book in the sitting room, watch the world go by on the patio or relax by the backyard pool.

Shawn and I spent our evening by the pool (well, he spent his evening IN the pool, I had cut my foot earlier in the day and settled for a magazine and a lounge chair), a great way to enjoy an absolutely perfect summer evening. We had a fantastic sleep in our big, comfy bed and woke up to the smell of Benjamin baking downstairs. It was pretty much the ideal b&b experience.

And that baking? So, so good. Melt in your mouth blueberry waffles and homemade croissants with preserves made by his wife’s grandmothers. Add to that a delicious omelette made with locally-sourced ingredients? And fresh, local fruit? We had to force ourselves to stop eating because it was all just SO good.

The Iron Kettle is a wonderful gem about 30 minutes from wine country and is an oasis at the end of busy day. It books up fast on weekends, so plan ahead or look at weekday options when you’re booking. Want to see more images from The Iron Kettle? Check out my Instagram (@kristavino), where I highlighted so many of the amazing little touches that make The Iron Kettle a b&b gem.

Where are your favourite places to stay in Lake Erie North Shore? Share them in the comments below or on social!

*While our stays were complimentary, our opinions (as always) are our own.