Pillar and Post, A Vintage Inn

It is a well known fact in Canada that Niagara-on-the-Lake is known for its 100’s of vineyards and people flock from all over to visit Canada’s premier wineries. What is little known about Niagara-on-the-Lake is that it is home to many of the Country’s finest inns, bed and breakfasts and Airbnb’s. So many in fact, you will have a difficult time deciding where to stay during your visit to Ontario’s largest wine region.

Trust me when I say that you can’t go wrong with any of them. I have stayed at many and have loved them all, but I haven’t loved any quite as much as I love the Pillar and Post. After a day of exploring Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Pillar and Post is the perfect spot to return to in order to catch up on some much needed rest.

Pillar and Post, a Vintage Inn

The Pillar and Post is part of a hotel group of Vintage Inns which has expanded in recent years and now consists of seven hotels:

• Prince of Whales
• Queens Landing
• Pillar and Post
• Millcroft Inn & Spa
• Jordan House
• Inn on the Twenty,
• and the most recently acquired, Moffat Inn

I admit that I haven’t stayed at any of the other Vintage Inns other than the Pillar and Post. I have been staying at the Pillar and Post for years and I am absolutely in love with it. My motto is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, so I keep coming back to the same Inn and I continue to be met with the same hospitality that I experienced during my first visit. So, if you are wondering where to stay when visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Pillar and Post is where you want to be for your home away from home.

The Pillar and Post is brimming with elegance at every turn, while at the same time you won’t be able to resist lounging with a glass of wine on one of the many couches scattered throughout the Inn. It is no wonder that the Pillar and Post is one of Ontario’s finest Country Inn.

How to Get to Pillar and Post

The Pillar and Post is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, a small town a short 25 minute drive from Niagara Falls and a 30 minute drive from the Rainbow Bridge, the border between Canada and the U.S.

If driving to Niagara-on-the-Lake from Toronto, you can expect to be on the road for approximately an hour and a half.

If you will be arriving from Southern Ontario or the Windsor/Detroit border, the drive is long and you will be driving through some high traffic areas making for a long drive of close to 4 hours.

While Niagara-on-the-Lake is considered to be a tourist town, I guarantee that you will find it much quieter and quainter than Niagara Falls. It is the perfect destination to just relax, wander the quaint shops, taste award winning wine and eat delectable food. What more could you ask for?

History of Pillar and Post

The Pillar and Post was built in the late 1980’s and was operating as a canning factory for Niagara’s peaches and tomatoes under the name of Factory 13.

Later at the beginning of World War One, Factory 13 became home to Polish soldiers who were training in Canada and needed a place to stay. The factory continued canning operations while at the same time housing the soldiers. By 1970 the Inn had been transformed into a restaurant and craft center. By 1972 the Inn became known as the Pillar and Post with capacity to accommodate 35 guests. Believe me when I say that the Inn has evolved immensely since this time.

Pillar and Post Guest Rooms

This Inn has so many things to offer that it is difficult to know where to start, but since the main purpose of booking a room is for a place to sleep, I will begin with the rooms.

Pillar and Post offers 122 guest rooms to suit all of your needs and budget. When choosing your room, you will have a choice of:

• Traditional Guest Rooms
• Superior Guest Rooms
• Deluxe Guest Rooms
• Premium Guest Rooms
• Suites
• Penthouse Parlour Suite

The room you choose will depend on your plans throughout your visit, as well as the number of people you are travelling with.

I have stayed in all of the rooms with the exception of the suites and I can tell you that there isn’t a bad room. If you are travelling alone or as a couple, the traditional room will suit your needs. If you have friends staying in the Inn with you, I would recommend a Deluxe or Premium Guest Room as they offer a sitting area which is perfect for socializing. If you want to splurge or you are entertaining a few people, I highly recommend the Penthouse Parlour Suite (it even has a bar 🙂 ). The rooms are located over 2 floors and all rooms are close to the Inn’s amenities.

Just One Tip: In the Summer, I prefer a room on the 2nd floor over-looking the outdoor pool. If you’re lucky, you might even witness a wedding in the gardens.

Restaurants at the Pillar and Post

I could write for hours about the food at the Pillar and Post. I’m pretty sure it’s the food that keeps me coming back. It’s to die for!

There are three choices of dining at the Pillar and Post available throughout the day:

The Cannery Restaurant

The Cannery is a fine dining restaurant offering a cozy, intimate atmosphere and some of the best food on the planet (the prime rib is my fav). While the dinner is outstanding, the breakfast is just as good. Reservations are required for the Cannery.

Vintages Wine Bar

Vintages Wine Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere and is the perfect spot to grab a quick bite to eat or gather with friends. This is also where you can grab a cocktail and sit back and relax by a fireplace. Reservations are not required and are on a first come first serve basis.

The Outpost at the Gardens

The Outpost at the Gardens is a located outdoors by the pool and is open throughout the warmer months of the year.

Make sure you check out the menu to see all of the yummy food!