I travel at least once a month, usually with my wife. We have stayed mostly in "luxury" hotels all over North America and Europe. We just finished our first stay in The Bruce Hotel and I would definitely rate it amongst the top 5 or 10 hotels of all the ones where we've stayed.
We have stayed in Stratford CN before, many times. Last year we discovered The Bruce -- because we went to their eponymous restaurant, which is the hands-down BESt RESTAURANT (separate) of all where we've eaten in Canada. When here last year, we "toured" the hotel itself and resolved to stay here on our next trip -- this year we did. It is a spectacular place to stay, and all the staff (hotel and restaurant) are knowledgeable, helpful, efficient and gracious. But most important to us is how terrific the hotel itself is.
First of all, all of the spaces are thoughtfully, tastefully, graciously and comfortably laid out and appointed. The guest rooms are all large -- every one of them is made to accommodate handicap needs (which we do not have ourselves), so the bathrooms are HUGE and well-designed in every way. The rest of the room (we had a suite, with an ample outside balcony, complete with chairs and table and chaise, overlooking the lovely green space surrounding three sides of the hotel) is similarly spacious, commodious. The furnishings are lovely and comfortable -- a great bed. The room has its own "side bar" complete with equipment and fixings to make press-pot coffee (a delicious blend is provided), in addition to the 24/7 coffee service available in a guest-space down the hall from our room, where one can make Nespresso coffees/espresso complete with cappuccino machine as well.
The common areas in the rest of the hotel are also lovely and spacious, as is the swimming pool/exercise area. There are quiet spaces (indoors and out) to sit and relax, read, and even smoke (outdoors but not"standing in a corner" to do so -- which made it possible to enjoy coffee (available everywhere 24/7 and free) while having my cigar, and not disturbing anyone else (including my wife!). There is a lovely and well-stocked bar outside the restaurant. Everywhere we went there were gracious and helpful staff who magically and unobtrusively "appeared" when needed.
The restaurant and food served is incredible -- I'm going to write a separate review of the restaurant, so as not to unduly lengthen this review. Suffice, for this, to say we decided to eat all three of our dinners there (instead of going to any of the other restaurants in Stratford at which we've previously eaten), in addition to having the lovely "included" breakfasts there each day.
You will love this place, whatever your tastes are. I confess that we are not "price-driven" in our choices of places to stay on our travels, so I leave it to you to decide how you view cost. What I can tell you is that whatever the cost was, it was more than worth it to my wife and me. read more