Think Waterloo for a Sophisticated Ontario Weekend Away

There is only one problem with visiting Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa in Cambridge. When you stay here, you’ll never want to leave. Cozy, comfortable and accommodating, this hotel is one of the region’s biggest treasures. Not only are the guest rooms spacious and comfortable, the hotel is home to a carefully crafted five-star cuisine by award-winning Executive Chef, Jason Bangerter.

Dining at Langdon Hall is an experience unto itself. Chef Bangerter, whom I’ve known for years, excels at creating the most innovative cuisine from the Sunflower Root appetizer served on tree bark to Tuna Sashimi served on a Tuna Backbone. Expect to be impressed by Chef Bangerter’s Tasting Menu, it will surely be a highlight of your stay.

Each suite and guest room is unique. I stayed in one of the two Attic Suites. Located in the Main House, each one of these suites has two levels. The main level has a wood-burning fireplace with sitting room and bar area, while the upper level hosts a cozy bedroom with a super comfortable king size feather bed and a luxurious bath with soaking tub and walk-in shower.

If you want to relax, book one of their signature spa treatments or borrow a book from the library and sit in one of the cozy lounges overlooking the gardens. The floor-to-ceiling windows frame the picturesque grounds of the resort.

On the weekends you can enjoy an afternoon tea or, in the spring, take a walk to the greenhouse, where the garden will be starting to bloom.

For over 110 years, the Walper Hotel has been the geographic, cultural and culinary hub of Kitchener. Situated downtown, this historic building, which was fully renovated in 2016, is full of charm and modern amenities. You’ll fall in love with this gem as soon as you walk through the front door and see the sleek furniture and impressive artwork, adorning the historic hotel. The building (at 120 years old) is listed on the register of historic buildings but the modern, sophisticated décor belies its age.

The modern touch extends into the guest rooms, where you’ll enjoy the comfortable bed and array of amenities making you feel right at home. The rooms are elegantly furnished with fun custom wallpaper, accented by the streams of natural light. This hotel is the perfect spot for the sophisticated traveller.

For a real treat, head around the corner to The Berlin restaurant where local ingredients are carefully crafted, by Executive Chef Benjamin Lillico and Chef Brian McCourt, Culinary Director, to provide diners with exquisite cuisine. Enjoy appetizers and mains from ‘Smoked Duck’ to ‘Locally-Sourced Daily Beef,’ your palate is teased with layers of flavours.

Former dairy farmers turned B & B hosts; the Cressman Family offers a stay unlike any other at their famed Puddicombe House in New Hamburg. Built in 1868 by Member of Parliament and businessman, Samuel Merner, this historic location has lived a few different lives before its final transformation in 2004 by the Cressman Family.

This charming inn has been beautifully restored with hand-picked antiques and four-poster beds. There are eight guest rooms and two cottage suites with all the comforts of home. On-site a full-service restaurant offers fresh seasonal fare. This home is very inviting and many people choose this escape for rest and relaxation; a girlfriend getaway or to attend the Stratford Festival, only twenty minutes away.

Recently the family added an event space where guests can host weddings and other celebratory events. The operation of the house is truly a family affair. Their son, Nick is the general manager and daughter Amber runs the spa and salon.

You couldn’t ask for a better location. The town of New Hamburg is quaint. Near Hamburg is Mountain Oak, an award-winning cheese maker, and Bitte Schon Brauhaus, a craft brewery that offers German-style beers, tapas, and live entertainment.