A Traveler’s Reprieve in Niagara-on-the-Lake
…helping you explore & experience Niagara!
If your heart beats faster each time you pack your bag to discover new and exciting sights, then Explorer House is your ideal lodging choice! This modern home-turned boutique bed and breakfast was built with guests’ needs in mind, and reflects the owners’ love of global travel. Inside you’ll find luxuriously comfortable accommodations for your explorations of the Niagara Region.
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Each of our beautiful guest suites is uniquely decorated with a global décor. All are lavishly appointed and include luxurious amenities, use of common areas and a delicious breakfast each morning.
Experience Niagara from our peaceful and beautifully landscaped location on a quiet cul-de-sac near parklands, just a 15-minute walk from Queen Street. Explore the Old Town area with its 19th-century charm; take a carriage ride through the beautiful streets of town or marvel at our town’s beauty by foot, as you duck into the specialty shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants throughout town. Nearby visit the oldest golf course in North America, historic sites, biking/walking trails, wineries and the famous Shaw Theatre Festival; all can be reached via a short walk, bike or car ride. Then return to a quite oasis in our beautiful backyard, which includes a fire-pit-table sitting area, gazebo and hot-tub.
There is so much to explore and experience in the Niagara Region. Let Explorer House host your southern Ontario travels!
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” – Saint Augustine of Hippo.
If for some reason you’re delaying on acting on your wanderlust, remember that travel can be one of the most life-changing experiences…. not all of us can travel the whole globe, but just making travel a priority—even to a new place a day’s drive away—can be eye-opening. – Mark Twain
COVID-19 Update – PLEASE READ
We look forward to your visit! As part of our preparation for your stay we have modified some of our policies to take into account the changing times due to COVID-19. All other policies remain in effect if not specifically modified here. We are taking every reasonable precaution per the Canadian Government guidelines that have been issued, as we take seriously the safety and comfort of our guests. If you are uncomfortable with any of these new policies as a response to COVID-19 please let us know before reserving with us to clarify any question’s you may have, as these policies will be a part of your reservation confirmation acceptance.
As a small 3 room B&B we do not have large groups of people coming & going, but, we’ve taken extra precautions to ensure everyone’s good health. We ask our guests to social distance when using common areas both inside and outside of the B&B. Guests will be required to wear masks in public areas inside of Explorer House and outside where they are unable to meet the safe social distancing standard of 2 meters (6 feet). We will be prepared to wear masks when interacting with our guests for your protection and we expect the same courtesy in return. We will also require you to use hand sanitizer, which we will provide, each time you enter the B&B. Your suite has been prepared with the utmost level of care, beyond our current high standards ensuring thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all touchable surfaces within the suite. We will be cleaning and disinfecting high touch areas in our common rooms throughout the day and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the common areas as well.
On stays of 1-4 days we will not be offering refresh service of suites for your safety and ours. However, fresh towels and/or amenities will be available to you upon request each day. Just let us know what you need and we will provide it to you.
We normally serve a full 3 course breakfast for all guests together in the dining room at 9am but given the requirement for social distancing we will be offering a breakfast picnic basket for each of our suites. This will be delivered at 9am to your chosen location and each night you will have the opportunity to select from a menu of various items (food & drink) that you would like for breakfast along with the location on the property that you would like to have it delivered to. You will have various options on where you would like to have your breakfast (your room/your private balcony, outside in the gazebo, outside at the fireplace table, etc.). This menu will need to be submitted by 6pm the night before breakfast in order for us to be able to have it ready for you the next morning.
Please note that while staying at Explorer House, you will have to adhere to Niagara-on-the-Lake regulations. Our own policies may change as the town policies change.
Per our normal cancellation policies, for those that booked direct a credit card is required to guarantee your reservation. Cancellation 15 days prior to your scheduled arrival results in no cancellation charges and for cancellations from 7 to 14 days prior to scheduled arrival, a $50 cancellation fee will be charged to your credit card. For cancellations under 7 days prior to scheduled arrival, the full amount of your booking will be charged to your credit card which is non-refundable. Additionally given COVID-19 for those booking direct, should you need to cancel on shorter notice, up to 72 hours before your arrival, we will provide you with a certificate for 50% of the cost of your stay towards a future visit (to be used within a 1 year period of original arrival date).
For reservations made via an on-line booking agency (i.e. Booking.com, Expedia, etc.) the credit card used to hold the reservation will be charged the full amount 31 days prior to your stay. All booking agency cancellations of less than 31 days prior to scheduled arrival are non-refundable and no credit will be issued.
If you are sick or have any symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing, etc.) before your arrival you must cancel your reservation, so please call us as soon as possible. No guests will be permitted should they be demonstrating any COVID-19 symptoms. We strongly encourage our guests to have travel insurance and/or book direct as the above cancellation policies hold no matter the reason for cancellation.
If you should fall ill during your stay you must notify us immediately and we will work with you on the best way to handle the situation, as there are so many variables that may come into play.
It is always sad when you have to leave us, unfortunately hugs will not be available but we will be there to see you off and wish you safe travels when you check out.
We greatly appreciate you giving us the opportunity to share our home with you. We look forward to making your visit as safe and comfortable as possible and while you are here we are only a phone call away. Please let us know if you need anything or have any questions. We are here for you.
Stay Safe, Stay Small, Stay With Us!
Keep checking in here to see the latest in happenings in Niagara-on-the-Lake and if you feel like just relaxing you can enjoy our lovely guest sitting area with Adirondack/Muskoka chairs & firepit table, or the gazebo and/or the hot tub…all available for our guests. So don’t forget to bring along your swimsuit!. Come explore with Explorer House, book your travel now!
NOTL Update:
As of July 24, 2020 Niagara moves into Phase 3 of opening back up. Nearly all businesses and public spaces will be able to gradually reopen in Stage 3, with public health and workplace safety restrictions in place. To find out which businesses are open and what services they provide visit Open in Niagara.
Restaurants – With stage 3 restaurants are now allowed inside seating (although limited & with restrictions). Almost all in Niagara-on-the-Lake are offering patio dining, take-out & delivery.
Shops – most shops on Queen Street and the Niagara Region are open with social distancing.
Wineries – many wineries now are offering tasting again with social distancing as well as their boutiques are open again for purchases. Most are requiring advance reservations, links for many of the wineries can be found under “Explore Niagara” tab on this website. Also the Homegrown Wine Festival is celebrating all things VQA through the winery partners across the Niagara Region with the Festival Guide to Summer.
Looking for a relaxing day, try a picnic in the park! Enjoy a quaint afternoon picnic in the park with Niagara Parks Picnic Kits. Simply choose your kit option, pick up at McFarland House, find the perfect spot along the scenic Niagara River Recreation Trail, relax and enjoy! And if you need to borrow a blanket for your picnic we are happy to provide you with one!
Niagara Falls attractions have started to open again as of June 19, 2020.
Whirlpool Jet Boats re-opened July 1, 2020 but with extreme limited seating.
Shaw Festival has now cancelled all plays to at least to September 15, 2020. All 2020 performances of Gypsy, The Devil’s Disciple, Sherlock Holmes and The Raven’s Curse, Prince Caspian, The Playboy of the Western World, Assassins, Desire Under the Elms, Trouble in Mind and Me and My Girl are cancelled. Performances of Charley’s Aunt, Flush and A Christmas Carol after September 16 have not yet been cancelled in the hopes that The Shaw can safely welcome audiences into reduced-capacity theatres. The Festival will announce details of protocols and safety measures in the coming weeks, in conjunction with guidance from Public Health and the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The Handmade Market is still on schedule for Sept. 11 & 12, 2020. 13th Street Winery will host 150 one-of-a-kind Canadian makers and artists from across Ontario, Quebec and the East Coast. Sip wine by the glass while you shop and savour the gourmet food trucks that will also be in attendance.