The Top Hotels to Book in Kitchener, Ontario

The brick-fronted Victorian exterior of the Walper, at the junction of King and Queen Streets, speaks to days gone by. But step inside and you’ll find a distinctly modern setting, with patterned wallpapers and sleek black pendant lights. Have breakfast in the sunlit Barrister’s Lounge, take dinner at the TWH Social restaurant and drain cocktails at lounge the Lokal. Basically, unless you want to, there’s no need to leave.

Cameras at the ready: from the opulent columns to the shuttered windows, grand Langdon Hall is a dream for your Insta. Once you’ve finished your photo shoot on the sprawling lawn, take in the other perks of this Relais & Châteaux pile in the Carolinian forest. The smart rooms feature historic fireplaces, and there’s also a spa, offering first-rate manicures and swanky Valmont products. Then there’s the superb restaurant, serving up poached oysters with Champagne velouté, or corn risotto with foraged mushrooms.

Fans of author L M Montgomery will know the “real” Green Gables house is in Prince Edward Island, but this guesthouse in central Kitchener suits the name with its half-timbered green exterior. The three-storied Tudor home oozes old-world charm, with marble fireplaces, soaring ceilings and antique chairs and tables in its four pretty rooms. Music is a big part of a stay here, and both adults and children can get stuck into lessons and workshops, as well as biweekly ukulele jams.

Built in 1868 for local businessman Samuel Merner, this grand, eight-bedroom Italianate home, west of Kitchener, is a local favourite for lazy summer lunches. Settle in at an umbrella-covered able on the lawn for crispy calamari or buffalo mozzarella-topped burgers, and you’ll be able to admire the Puddicombe’s blonde brick exterior. The two cottages sleep up to four people each, making it perfect for families, with rooms containing sturdy wooden beds, patterned quilts and golden light from antique-style lamps.

Stays at Forest Hill B&B are about early mornings in the great outdoors, circling the wood-fringed waters of Lakeside Park. Return for a slap-up brekkie in this Frank Lloyd Wright-style beauty of a home: coffees, pastries and hot dishes at your leisure. Greenery defines this place, with towering trees and a pretty fish pond for slow afternoons – bring a book and sit on nearby chairs for a tranquil afternoon read. Visiting in winter? That nearby park lake transforms into a frozen ice-skating paradise.

If you’re the kind of traveller who needs plenty of amenities on-site, look no further than this stay in Waterloo. Rooms are classic and fuss-free, with crisp white sheets, wooden furniture and the occasional splash of art. Ready for a little exertion? A heated indoor saltwater swimming pool and fitness centre await. There’s even a business suite, self-service laundry area, free parking and a dedicated cycling team to help with bike repairs or route suggestions.