Top Accommodation in Ontario's Southwest: 3 Properties That Will Absolutely Wow You

Recently, I embarked on a journey across Southwest Ontario, exploring some of the top accommodation options in the region which led me to historical mansions, world-class meals, and unstoppable views.

If I’ve learned one thing over the last few years of travel in Ontario, it’s that a lot of travellers in this province don’t know just quite how good we have it. I’ve heard people make comments that insinuate that an experience or a property is “good, at least for Ontario,” and that sort of mindset doesn’t do our province justice.

I’ve lived on several continents, and I’ve visited nearly 90 countries, and I can say with certainty that Ontario is a remarkable place to set off and explore. In fact, some of my fondest travel memories have occured in this very province, a place that I’m grateful I was born, and have further gratitude for the fact that I get to explore it intimately - to hear and see the stories that make Ontario great.

In that spirit, I’m focusing today on three properties in Ontario’s Southwest that underline a very clear notion - that travel in Ontario can be as good as travel anywhere, that incredible hospitality can be found readily in places like Ingersoll, Windsor, and London, that memorable meals are just an order way, that historic properties have a big place in the Ontario tourism story, and that luxury hotels and inns with full-service spa options can pamper guests with the best of them.

*Please note that this post contains affiliate links. Simply put, this means that we may receive a small commission for our honest and heartfelt recommendations, at no additional cost to you.

FHC Hospitality in Southwest Ontario

These three properties that I stayed at, which I’ll be covering in-depth below, are owned by Farhi Holdings Corporation, which since 1988 has been the “Southwestern Ontario’s premier commercial, residential, and land holdings management and development organization.”

I remember when I first visited London, and was looking to better acquaint myself with London’s restaurant scene, and I’d see “Farhi” on buildings galore - often beautiful looking buildings, I might add. Shmuel Farhi is described as “a passionate supporter of downtown revitalization and heritage preservation,” and I can see that from my travels, as well as from the properties that I was fortunate enough to stay at.

I appreciate that FHC has publicly noted that they feel “architectural heritage provides a vital link to a community’s shared history, and that they “take pride in (their) commitment to heritage preservation.”

As they say, rather aptly:

“Historic charm meets revolutionary design in our award-winning properties.”

The Elm Hurst Inn & Spa in Ingersoll, Ontario

The entrance of the Elm Hurst Inn & Spa in Oxford County.

The Elm Hurst Inn & Spa has been a landmark in this region of Ontario since 1872. For what it’s worth, before I knew that fact, seeing the property told me something of the same story. There’s a prestige that surrounds this place that feels unmissable.

When I was exploring the Oxford County Cheese Trail, and in particular the nearby Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum, I also learned that these were the grounds of the former James Harris Cheese Factory. That matters because this was the factory that produced “The Mammoth Cheese,” a 7300 pound cheese produced by a local cohort of producers that played an enormous role in solidifying Oxford County as the Dairy Capital of Canada.

It was in 1872 that James Harris built the stunning Elm Hurst Mansion, showcasing all the wonders of the Gothic Revival style. About 100 years later, the last Harris descendent passed on the torch, and this became an esteemed restaurant.

In 1988, with a little expansion and restoration, the 49 room Elm Hurst Inn & Spa was born in much the form that we recognize it in today, including the 19th century Carriage House (which I saw people using as a wedding venue during my stay!).

The Rooms at the Elm Hurst

Premium Suite (Pink or Blue): Gorgeous spaces that offer guests plenty of room to unwind. I think of these as the perfect romantic option, as you’ve got room for a jacuzzi for two, incredible country views where you’ll have sight-lines on the sunset, a comfortable king bed, and a lovely little desk in case you need to get a little work done. I had the sincere pleasure of staying here, and only wish I’d had longer!
Lord Connaught: Another jacuzzi, another top-tier bathroom, and another lovely little sofa, but my favourite part of this room is the beautiful private patio that is more or less begging you to pop a bottle of champagne and soak in the moment. You can even do it all wearing a plush bathrobe if you want to really celebrate.
Fireplace Room: The definition of cozy elegance. The large windows let light pour into this room, and yet the fireplace has you feeling like, especially in winter, you might want to prioritize the indoors, perhaps with a local beer, a little cheese, and a good book.
Jacuzzi Room: This is as it sounds - a room for the jacuzzi lover in all of us. You’ve got a desk, a reading chair, a TV, and great wifi, but the tub steals the show.
Deluxe King: Did I mention I loved the beds here, especially the king beds? Similar with other rooms, you’ll have plenty natural light to appreciate, and staying here will of course give you excuse to appreciate the dining room and spa, and know that with this setup, you’re all set up for a fantastic sleep.
Deluxe Two Queen: Two luxurious queen beds that Elm Hurst describes as “perfect for a girlfriends’ weekend getaway.” Spacious rooms, sophisticated furniture and design, and recently renovated bathrooms make this a great option for many.

If any of these rooms speak to you, and you’d like to look further into availability to book an upcoming stay, click here.

Dining at elm hurst inn

Breakfast is serves a la carte daily, and features a Country Breakfast, Mansion Eggs Benedict (my choice), Forager’s Omelette (the asparagus is a nice touch here), or a Smoked Salmon Bagel.

Personally, if you can make the timing work, I’d go with the Sunday Brunch Buffet, served on Sundays between 11am and 2:30pm. You’ve got the mimomas, muffins, danishes and the like, but also some more fun options like fresh hummus and baba ghanoush. There are your classic salads (my favourite being the Beet Salad), and then you’ve got a nice combination of hot dishes which range from an omelette station to slow roasted prime rib.

And, of course, ample dessert options and coffee. Suffice to say, you won’t leave hungry. You can look at the full list of offerings here.

Lunch is a smaller menu than the Brunch, but if you can’t make brunch, you can still certainly have a good meal here. Salads, sandwiches, fish & chips, and the new apple of my personal eye, the Oven Baked Crepes which feature ham, asparagus, Five Brothers’ cheese gratinee and a side salad. I also love the variety of specialty coffees here.

For dinner, let your preferences guide you. I was out on the patio, taking in some live music, eating an impressive Charcuterie Board with Local Cheeses, followed by a Pan Seared Steelhead Trout with Salad Nicoise.

The culinary team here is led by one Chef Philippe Coeurdassierto, who was born in France, and has experience at Michelin restaurants in his home country. He’s working on becoming a Master Chef, and getting Elm Hurst a coveted Michelin Star, and happily notes that he has “a great team and the Elm Hurst Inn is my new home”.

The Spa

The Spa at Elm Hurst features five private treatment rooms, manicure & pedicure stations, a sauna, a eucalyptus steam room, and more.

They offer Hand & Foot Therapy, Wraps & Body Therapy, Holistic Therapy, Massage, Organic Facial Therapy, Facial Enhancements, and Waxing Services.

Take a look at their full list of offered services here.

The Idlewyld Inn & Spa in London, Ontario

The exterior of the Idlewyld Hotel & Spa in London, Ontario.

Welcome to “London’s premier historic inn.” The story of The Idlewyld Inn & Spa starts for this local landmark all the way back in 1878. It “combines the elegance of a bygone era with all the modern amenities sophisticated travellers have come to expect from a luxury hotel.”

It was built as a private home for Charles Smith Hyman who was, “a successful businessman, Mayor of London, Federal Cabinet Minister under Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier, captain of Canada’s most successful national cricket team, and seven times Canadian men’s singles tennis champion, Hyman is also credited with introducing the game of bridge to Canada!”

The Idlewyld is smaller than the Elm Hurst, with 21 unique hotel rooms to its name as opposed to 49, and it wears that intimacy to perfection. Nicole was always ready for a kind, helpful conversation at the front desk, Allie was one of the best servers I’ve had in recent memory at the restaurant, and Shawna, at the spa, is both talented, professional, and welcoming.

That is to say, this inn & spa feels filled with positive vibes that ensure that it has the comfort of a home away from home, but the luxury of a vacation away.

You’ll find Idlewyld in the heart of London’s “Old South” neighbourhood, just minutes from the Downtown core, but also a short walk to Wortley Village - a walk I was only too happy to take.

The Rooms at the Idlewyld

Library Suite: I wasn’t able to stay here this time around, but as a writer and lover of words, you know that I’ve got my eye on this one the next time I’m in the neighbourhood of the Idlewyld. As you might expect, it exudes Victorian charm, and you can’t look anywhere without seeing the finest of woodworking. “This suite is excellent for bride’s seeking a room with enough space to get ready as well as, spacious enough to accommodate up to 4 guests overnight with the pull out couch.”
Premium Kings: Large, comfortable rooms that feature sofas, desks, and that old-timey spaciousness that I know I’ve often yearned for when I’m travelling in Asia. Plus, of course, you’ve got a king bed to rest upon.
Estate Rooms: These rooms come with king beds, queen beds, or two queen beds, and you can choose which suits you best. You’ll have wifi, coffee, a sitting area and desk, plus parking included.
Master Suite: As they note it’s “picturesque, old-fashioned and whimsical living. Sit back and put your feet up to appreciate the original wood working and fireplace of the Master Suite. Let it take to back to a simpler time while having all of the modern comforts of today at your convenience.” If you’ve been working your tail off, and you’re looking to treat yourself to a tranquil getaway of sorts, then the Master Suite might be your ticket to do just that.
Front Terrace Suite: This was the room that I found myself in, and I couldn’t have been happier. I had friends come over and visit, and all three of us could enjoy the balcony that looked out over the comings and goings of the property. The air jet soaker tub and lavish king bed didn’t hurt either, of course. It’s not a large room per se, but it’s hard to feel like it’s not an important room in this property, and the natural light was also a big bonus.
Courtyard Terrace Suite: This is similar to the Front Terrace Suite, except the private balcony is facing the other direction. I know Idlewyld often recommends that you order a meal to that balcony, and to really soak in the environment. If you’re travelling with a partner, you could also consider having a drink on the balcony to catch the sunset, followed by a bath in the double jacuzzi.

If any of the rooms above catch your eye, then you can take a look at availability at this beautiful, historic London property.

Dining at Idlewyld

Idlewyld has a 70 seat dining room that I strongly feel offers one of the top dining experiences in the region, let alone just in London. Trevor Stephens is the Chef de Cuisine here, and he holds a Red Seal Certificate to go alongside his classical training from local Fanshawe College.

Monday to Saturday (from 11:30am-2pm), they’ve got a popular lunch menu complete with inventive salads, classic entrees, and creative sandwiches. The Individual Crustless Quich of the Day is a very popular option, as well as the Sesame Seed Crusted Goats Cheese, Watermelon & Mixed Berry Salad, but you can also go for something a touch more filling, such as the Seafood Linguini or Breaded Chicken Cutlet served with spatzle and a grainy mustard cream sauce.

On Sundays, between 11am and 2pm, brunch is the name of the game. Salmon Deviled Eggs, Braised Beef Short Rib Eggs Benedict, fritters, souffles, waffles - the works. People also come from far and wide for their house made Fruit & Cream Cheese Danishes.

Now, how do I write about dinner here without getting incredibly hungry just thinking about it? Perhaps an impossible task.

I dined here with two of my close friends, and we were able to try a good portion of what they had on offer. In the appetizer category, I wouldn’t pass up the chance to dig into the Seared Digby Scallops or the Camembert, Dried Apple & Fig Phyllo Triangles.

The Spinach & Roasted Garlic Stuffed Pork Tenderloin was novel worthy, but I also know that the Icelandic Cod, House Brined Chicken Supreme, and their Ribeye are beloved favourites from their local customer base. I’m not personally much of a lamb eater, but do know that the Pistachio & Dijon Crusted Lamb Loin was one of the first dishes that the staff here pointed us towards.

Suffice to say, you’re in good hands here from a culinary perspective.

The Idlewyld Spa

The Spa at Idlewyld aims to offer “a relaxing retreat from city life,” and it’s open to both guests and the general public. I’d recommend booking something ahead of time if you know that you’ll be going to the Spa, simply because they are known to be busy.

They offer Massage & Body Therapy, including the popular “Relaxation Massage for Two,” Facial Therapy, Hand & Foot Therapy, as well as Waxing & Tinting.

You can find a full list of offerings here.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Windsor Hotel & Suites

Longtime readers will know that Walkerville is my favourite neighbourhood in Windsor, but I felt that the location of the DoubleTree by Hilton Windsor is actually the perfect base for exploration in the city. You’re in the heart of the action, but can walk along the waterfront and explore the Windsor Sculpture Park with ease from here.

Whether I was out for a drink, a meal, or exploring local attractions, I was never far from where I was staying. My room, which I’ll talk about in more depth below, was also high enough up that I had an unforgettable view of the river and the Detroit skyline. I can’t say enough about my stay here, quite honestly.

They’ve clearly put some money into the property as of late to ensure that it achieves a certain standard, and active folks like myself might also appreciate the indoor pool and fitness centre.

I posted a quick video of my room when I arrived (the 1 King Studio Water View Suite) that got a lot of attention, and when you see it there, my guess is that your response will be - “and rightfully so.”

The Rooms at the Hilton Windsor

This is a larger hotel than the other two properties listed here, so you’ve got some more options to play with. Let’s double click on what we’re working with.

1 King Bed: A 250 square foot room with a “Sweet Dreams bed” (trust me, they’re great), a work desk, large TV, coffeemaker and more.
1 Queen Mobility/Hearing Access Roll In Shower: As an avid traveller, and outspoken individual when it comes to accessibility in the travel sphere, I love to see a room that has all the amenities you’d expect, but also a visual alarm and notification devices for calls, and a roll in shower for those who may require it.
1 King Water View: The same as above, but with a brilliant water view. The water views are, at this property, worth splurging for.
2 Queen Beds: Same size as the king room, but here you’ve got two lovely queen beds in the room, which will be better suited to friends or families that may be on the road.
1 King Studio Water View Suite: I can still visualize this stunning suite with incredible clarity, and that’s because it’s well worth remembering. This is a 550 square foot room where you’re going to feel pampered. Personally, I loved the desk that looked out onto the river and Detroit skyline - it made you feel like you wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. The design, I should note, made it feel enormous. This is what I’d call a “treat yourself” suite!
1 King 2 Room Suite: Much like the above suite, but with a room separation.
2 Queen 2 Room Mobility/Hearing Accessible Roll In Shower: Same size as the above two suites (550 square feet), but designed to be accessible. Kudos again to Hilton on ensuring that these sorts of offerings are available, and that they’re prioritizing mking all feel welcome at their properties.
2 Queen 2 Room Water View Suite: And finally, the last suite on offer, a 550 square foot room with the sofas, views, the dining area, and room with 2 queen beds.

Feel free to check out what’s available to book your own exceptional stay here!

The River Room Restaurant

For starters, as you might imagine, the views are fantastic. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet Chef Stan Spanos, and he walked me through his exciting vision for the restaurant.

Essentially, it’s a focus on a diverse, creative range of Mediterranean dishes. Naturally, 3 years living in Istanbul primed my palette well for a menu such as this. They offer a top quality breakfast with all the staples, but the Mediterranean side of things starts to appear more prominently from lunch onwards.

Think classic dips (hummus, tzatziki, olive tapenade), traditional greek salads, souvlaki, and the crowd favourite, the Mediterranean Burger (a lamb burger, toasted brioche bun, tomato, romaine, red onion, tzatziki, parsley.)

I did a good number on the dinner menu as well, and quite enjoyed the Pintxos (essentially little Spanish toasts with toppings such as mushroom escabeche with taleggio cheese or pan seared pork belly and roasted poblano peppers). The pizzas are a popular choice here (don’t be scared to build your own), but I also know that Chef Stan was keen to build out a delicious array of pasta options.

The Linguine Da Amalfitana (seafood focused) is a solid option, but if you want something a little different, try the Crespelle Alla Fiorentina - “herbed crêpes filled with pressed ricotta and spinach served on a cloud of bechamel topped with tomato and basil.”

I also appreciated their wine and cocktail menu, and if you’ve got room for dessert, consider the Pistachio Tartufo.

Explore Southwest Ontario From These 3 Properties

Since I moved back from Europe in 2017, I’ve been exploring Ontario’s Southwest, and the offerings continue to get better and better. I’d recommend using these 3 properties as an excuse to plan a luxury road trip style adventure through the region.

Quite honestly, the service and hospitality was at such a level here that I often forgot I wasn’t at home, largely because I was so comfortable and happy, right where I was. Not to mention, all three properties are in ideal locations to explore the surrounding region in Oxford County, around Windsor, and in London, respectively.

As I said before, I’d hold these accommodations and these experiences up to anything, because the Elm Hurst, Idlewyld and Hilton Windor aim high, and they more than gracefully succeed.

I want thank these properties, and the respective tourism boars (Oxford County, London Tourism, and Windsor Essex Pelee Island) for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own. If you appreciated this article, you’ll love our newsletter, as well as our Facebook group!