Unique Places To Stay In Norfolk County: Better Than A Hotel
Norfolk County is a popular Ontario tourist destination which boasts miles of beaches. But did you know that this part of Southwestern Ontario is packed with charming hideaways and glamping pods, offering a cozy place to stay after a day at the beach or a day of winery hopping? In this post, I’ll share some of my favourite places to stay when I visit Norfolk County, which hopefully will make your next getaway something special.
Where Is Norfolk County
Norfolk County is tucked away in southwestern Ontario, right along the north shore of Lake Erie. It sits south of Brantford and Hamilton, west of Niagara, and about a 90-minute drive from Toronto. It’s close enough for a weekend escape, but far enough to feel like a true getaway. This region is made up of charming small towns like Simcoe, Port Dover, and Waterford, surrounded by rolling farmland, forests, and sandy beaches. It’s also one of my favourite summer Ontario road trip destinations.
Often called Ontario’s garden, Norfolk County is known for its rich soil, local farms, brew pubs and wineries, and laid-back rural vibe. With Lake Erie breezes, scenic backroads, and some of the province’s warmest summer temperatures, it’s a favourite spot for road trippers, beach lovers, and anyone looking to slow down and explore a quieter side of Ontario.
Why Spend The Night In Norfolk County
Staying overnight in Norfolk County lets you soak up the relaxed, small-town charm that makes this corner of southwestern Ontario so special. Instead of rushing through, you can linger on Lake Erie beaches at sunset, enjoy a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant, or sip wine and cider without watching the clock. Once the day-trippers head home, Norfolk slows down even more which makes it perfect for unwinding and enjoying those peaceful country evenings.
An overnight stay also means more time to explore the backroads, farms, trails, and hidden gems that are easy to miss on a quick visit. After staring at one unique places to stay in Norfolk County, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t done it sooner.
Driver’s Tip: If you’re taking the Cruise the Coast road trip, Norfolk County is an area that you might want to consider spending at least 1 night.
Hide Away Hills
Hide Away Hills is an upscale, couples, glamping retreat in Norfolk Country. Its location along the UNESCO Long Point Biosphere site provides couples with the ultimate in seclusion and romance.
This romantic place to stay in Norfolk County offers couples the opportunity to reconnect with each other, as well as nature.
Glamping In Long Point
If you’re looking for the ultimate in outdoor adventure, then glamping at Eco Adventures in Long Point is where you want to be. It offers a variety of glamping cabins, as well as yurts, which are perfect for star-filled evenings.
In addition, Eco Adventures offers hiking and biking trails, an onsite restaurant, a tree-top canopy, as well as guided kayak tours through the nearby river.
Eco Adventures is not only a place to lay your head, it’s a destination all of its own.
Driver’s Tip: If you’re looking for outdoor adventure and travelling with a group, I recommend booking the yurts. There are 3 pods, each sleeps 2 people. The yurts are in their own private area and also has one yurt that is used for indoor space in the event of rain.
The Farmhouse Inn
The Farmhouse Inn is wine country bliss. This is the spot wine lover’s will want to stay. It’s located right on the grounds of the Burning Kiln Winery where guests can experience farm-to-glass experiences by day, then cozy up beside the fire with a glass of local wine at night.
The rustic vibe of the Farmhouse pairs beautifully with the vineyard views and rolling fields that you’ll find at this popular Norfolk Winery.
Clonmel Castle
Clonmel Castle is a boutique bed and breakfast in Port Dover. It’s full of historic charm which is apparent by its elegant rooms and beautiful gardens.
The warm welcome makes Clonmel Castle feel more personal. It’s one of those places to stay where breakfast feels like a destination in itself.
Dover Sands Cottages
Have you been dreaming of waking up to lake breezes and sandy shores? The Dover Sands Cottages are ideal for families or a group of friends seeking laid-back summer vibes, close to beaches, biking, restaurants, and shops.
These cottages located in the heart of the action, are the perfect home away from home.
Driver’s Tip: A 1 week stay is required when staying at the Dover Sands Cottages
The Erie Beach Hotel
Anyone who has been to Port Dover is familiar with the Erie Beach Hotel, which is popular for its fresh, locally caught perch. It’s a local classic in Port Dover which combines historic charm and beach town vibes.
When staying at the Erie Beach Hotel, you’ll be right in the center of the action and within walking distance to the beach and local shops. Not to mention the best perch in Ontario.
Maybee Marsh Cabin
The Maybee Marsh Cabin is perfect for large families or a larger group of friends. This cabin will sleep up to 12 people and is part of Eco Adventures.
Located beside the Burning Kiln Winery and across the street from Eco Adventures, there are no shortage of activities within walking distance. I’ve stayed in this cabin 3 times now and I would go back any chance I got. I loved it that much.
🛏️ SEARCH MORE ACCOMMODATIONS IN NORFOLK COUNTY 🛏️
Unique Places To Stay In Norfolk County You Won’t Want To Miss
After staying in a few different places around Norfolk County, I’ve learned that where you stay really shapes the whole experience. Each overnight spot is relaxed and welcoming, which this part of southwestern Ontario is known for.
What stood out most to me was how staying overnight allowed me to experience Norfolk beyond a quick visit. There is so much to do in this part of Ontario that one day just isn’t enough. Once you’ve spent the night in Norfolk County, you won’t want to leave.
Are you in the midst of planning a vacation in Ontario, Canada? Let me help you out. As a life-long resident, the following are the platforms that I generally use when I’m road tripping around my beautiful Province:
🏡 Rentals: Ontario has every style of accommodation rental imaginable, to suit every budget and travel style. For my vacation rentals, I use VRBO. This platform provides a wide variety of accommodations for every budget.
🏢 Hotels: Sometimes, I prefer to stay at a hotel, especially if I’m just staying in the area for a night or two. My go-to platform for booking hotels in Ontario is always Booking.com
🚴♀️ Activities: Ontario has so many activities to offer that it’s often difficult to choose. My favourite platform to find activities in each area of Ontario is Get Your Guide
🚗 Car Rentals: Ontario is so massive that’s it’s literally impossible to explore everything without a vehicle. Although I do have my own car, there have been times that I’ve rented a vehicle – especially for longer road trips. When in doubt, I’ve used Booking.com to find the best deal on rentals.
💰 Insurance: When travelling abroad, I purchase my medical insurance through Advisor Max, as well as my cancellation and trip-interruption insurance. Advisor Max is also the ideal company for visitors to Ontario, or any part of Canada, to purchase their travel insurance.
SAVE PLACES TO STAY IN NORFOLK COUNTY
Wow. This looks beautiful and very relaxing. I’m not sure which place I like the most!
I love them all! That’s what I love about this part of Ontario