Driving north from the city of Owen South, Ontario, and into a newly constructed residential community, I thought that I’d taken a wrong turn.
I was looking for the Inn at Cobble Beach, but as I passed modern suburban homes on quiet cul-de-sacs, I wasn’t sure where my beachside lodging would turn out to be. After a few more minutes of winding my way through neighborhood streets, I glimpsed the waters of Georgian Bay, the manicured greens of a golf course, and then the inn by the shore.
Here’s the scoop:
The Inn at Cobble Beach is part of a Ontario residential development and golf club, a 2.5-hour drive northwest of Toronto, at the southern end of the Bruce Peninsula.
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In a turreted manor that would look right at home in coastal New England, the main inn houses a restaurant, lounge, fitness facility and spa, as well as 10 guest rooms. The fitness center has a hot tub, sauna, and a small outdoor plunge pool.
The 18-hole golf course and two tennis courts overlook the bay. More than eight miles (14 kilometers) of walking trails wend through the grounds. It’s a scenic setting for a weekend getaway.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The inn’s 10 traditionally furnished rooms are airy, bright, and beachy. Two have balconies, and several have water views.
They range in size from spacious loft-style suites to more petite, yet still comfortable, standard rooms. The finishes are all slightly different as well. You might find a four-poster bed in one, a soaker tub with views to the bay in another.
Bathrooms are modern, and the nightly turndown service includes a bonbon along with the next day’s weather report.
Cottages
Also on the property are five, two-bedroom, two-bathroom cottages with kitchenettes, accommodations that two couples could easily share. They’d be comfortable for families, too, with additional sleeping space on the living room sofabed in front of the fireplace.
Dining
One of the nicest spots on the property is the patio behind the inn, overlooking the golf course and the bay.
Facing the patio, with daytime bay views, the inn’s genteel, white tablecloth Sweetwater Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, is worth a meal even if you’re not staying at Cobble Bay. I enjoyed my pork tenderloin with potato gnocchi, butternut squash, and green beans, and I swooned over the apple butter tart with salted caramel sauce.
What’s Nearby?
You can use the Inn at Cobble Beach as a base for exploring the unique geography of the Bruce Peninsula, with its turquoise bays and unusual rock formations, particularly in the Bruce Peninsula National Park, where you can get outside on the hiking trails, in a kayak, or on a boat tour around the region.
In Owen Sound, about 15 minute’s drive from the inn, you can visit the Grey Roots Museum and Archives, with its excellent multimedia displays showcasing the area’s history. In the increasingly cool little downtown district, you can see what regional artists are crafting at the Owen Sound Artists’ Co-op, take in a concert, reading, or other event at funky Heartwood Hall, and eat tasty Mexican dishes made with lots of local ingredients at Casero Kitchen Table.
But once you find your way to the Inn at Cobble Beach, you might choose instead to settle into a lounge chair overlooking Georgian Bay, have a glass of wine, and congratulate yourself for discovering this scenic Ontario getaway.
Rates
Double room rates at the Inn at Cobble Beach range from CAD$179-479/night, including breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi. Cottages rates for quad occupancy range from CAD$359-499/night. You can also check Booking.com or Expedia to see if there are any deals.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. The Inn at Cobble Beach and Grey County Tourism arranged my stay for review purposes.
