There are still a few luxury hotels left that treat you like royalty.
The Prince of Wales, at Niagara-On-The-Lake, is one of them.
The regal four-star hotel, which boasts top-class restaurants and a sumptuous spa, is in a perfect position, in the centre of the picture-postcard Ontario town.
My parter and I were delighted to be upgraded to a spacious suite, which featured a king-sized bed, a park view and a cosy fireplace.
The separate sitting room meant I could watch TV while my partner got some reading done.
The suite had proper Victorian charm, with period paintings and antiques.
The bathroom was immaculate, complete with huge, fluffy towels and quality bath products.
Afternoon tea
We booked Afternoon Tea in the Drawing Room for our first day, and it was a real highlight. I’m picky about my tea. My English grandmother taught me how it should be done, and I cannot stand places that serve you tepid water and limp sandwiches.
They did it right. The sandwiches were completely fresh. The scones arrived piping hot And they did not skimp on the cream or the jam. What surprised me was the cheese selection! You rarely see cheese with afternoon tea, but they had a wonderful variety.
The Drawing Room is simply gorgeous. High ceilings, actual china, comfy chairs. We sat there for about **two and a half hours**, just enjoying the quiet and watching the other guests. Nobody rushed us. No dirty looks for lingering.
It cost us around $45 each. It’s not cheap, I admit, but compared to what you’d pay for a mediocre experience in Toronto? It felt perfectly reasonable. You’re paying for the whole luxurious feeling, not just the food.
**Dinner and Relaxing**
We ate by the fire and took advantage of the Prince of Wales’ fish and chips “Drunken Sailor‘ special.
The following day, my partner enjoyed a pedicure at the spa while I relaxed in the pool. I was fortunate enough to have it to myself. The therapist was professional, the room was peaceful, and her feet felt amazing. In fact, the nail varnish lasted for six weeks.
The hotel also runs a shuttle service anywhere in town, which we used several times. The drivers were all friendly and helpful. When we mentioned a specific winery we wanted to visit, our driver called ahead just to make sure they could take us.
Comfort and character
The Prince of Wales offers comfort and character, which beats trendy design every time in our minds.
Will we go back? Yes, absolutely. We’re already talking about booking again and maybe we’ll make it three days instead of two.