The Little Inn- Bayfield, ON

Located at the end of Bayfield’s Main Street, The Little Inn has been welcoming visitors to the tiny lakeside town for over a century.

Originally an 1850s era stagecoach stop built out of the ruins of a fire damaged general store, the inn pivoted to welcoming traveling professionals under the name Commercial Hotel in the 1860s. By the early 20th century the property was known as the Lakeview Hotel, and catered to tourists who came to the area for fishing, swimming and boating.

In the 1940s, George and Ida Little purchased the property, which suffered during the lean Depression years. While the Little’s provided the current name, and much needed updating, their alterations also stripped the inn of its most remarkable feature, its double veranda.

The Little’s sold up in 1954, and under the new owner the Inn became known for its extravagant Sunday brunches, featuring tea poured from a pewter teapot (as the hotel was dry during this period, this is as exciting as it got- no swinging midcentury cocktail parties here).

In 1981, new owners restored the hotel’s original grand veranda, and added the adjacent carriage house to the property, via a new dining room.

Today, while updated, the Little Inn retains much of its original character. Each of its 16 rooms are unique, some with exposed brick walls, others with gas fireplaces or veranda access. Given our last minute booking, our room had none of these things, but did include a fantastic little minibar, with a selection of premade cocktails. The inn also includes a charming tap room, and dining room, all within steps of everything in Bayfield.