Best Places to Stay in Stratford, Ontario

A trip to Stratford, Ontario to take in a play at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival makes an ideal summer escape. Stratford is a charming Ontario town with many heritage buildings, and is situated on the banks of the tranquil Avon River. The city offers first class cuisine and upscale shopping on the City’s main street, Ontario Street. If you’re planning on staying overnight, you can choose cheap and cheerful, comfortable or deluxe accommodations.

1. Stratford General Hospital Residence, 130 Youngs Street, 519-271-5084. The Stratford Hospital residence is a great deal for those who want to stay over night in Stratford without paying an arm and a leg. Single and double rooms are $59-$69 plus tax per night, and that includes breakfast at the Stratford General Hospital across the road. Each room has a small fridge and sink while common area lounges have kitchenettes. Separate male and female washrooms are located on each floor. Best of all at this price is the outdoor swimming pool. The residence is about a 10 minute drive to the Festival Theatre.
2. The Forest Motel & Woodland Retreat, 2941 Forest Road, 519-271-4573, offers a secluded retreat with swimming, canoeing and kayaking on its own private lake, BBQs, bicycles and a continental breakfast. The rustic rooms, which are decorated with pine furnishings, start at $135 per night and include wireless Internet, cable TV, fridge and microwave oven. The Forest Motel is about a 15 minute drive to the Festival Theatre.
3. The Festival Inn, 1144 Ontario Street, 1-800-463-3581. You’ll pass the Festival Inn as you drive along Ontario Street into Stratford. This inn is in fact several buildings, all of which offer mid-price, warmly decorated double or queen rooms starting at $159 in high season. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, sauna and whirlpool, as well as its own restaurant.
4. The Stewart House Inn, 62 John Street North, (Toll Free) 866-826-7772. You might just want to skip the play and hang out at this luxurious 1870s Victorian mansion. Each of the theme rooms is equipped with Egyptian cotton linens, fireplaces, heated marble bathroom floors, LCD flat screen TVs and Internet connections. When weather permits, you can enjoy the included gourmet breakfast by the Inn’s salt water pool. High season rates start at $219 per night with a special discount for two-night stays during the week.