A Boutique Hotel in Paris, Ontario – not that Paris

Have you ever heard that old saying “no two things are alike“? When entering the lobby of the Arlington Hotel that is exactly what comes to mind. The longer I stayed at this hotel, the more apparent it became that the Arlington truly was a unique and one of a kind hotel. When visiting Paris (not that Paris) for your Ontario staycation, plan an over-night stay at the Arlington Hotel, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Paris, Ontario.

Arlington Hotel Review

an historic boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Paris, Ontario, Canada

How to Get to Paris, Ontario

Paris, Ontario is central to Toronto, Kitchener, and London and is easy to get to by the 403. It’s close proximity to Southern Ontario’s largest cities, makes Paris the perfect Ontario road trip destination. Paris has been dubbed one of the prettiest Towns in Canada and believe me when I tell you that it is also a foodies delight. You will enjoy Paris so much that I know you will be too zonked for the drive home and you will want to spend the night. There is nowhere better to stay than at the historic Arlington Hotel!

Toronto to Paris: 110.8 km

London to Paris: 87.3 km.

History of the Arlington Hotel

You can’t miss this stately boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Paris, Ontario. The hotel has been in existence as far back as the 1850’s and it is now an Ontario Heritage Site. The Arlington has changed hands numerous times over the years and was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Skupnik and Joe’s brother John in the Fall of 1988. In November, 1998 Joe and John completely gutted and renovated the entire inside of the hotel. The renovations were extensive and took one year and six months to complete. Within the past few months the Arlington has changed hands yet again when it was purchased by Carmen’s, a group of companies based out of Hamilton, Ontario.

Rooms at the Arlington Hotel

The 23 rooms are uniquely decorated in different themes each emulating various literary geniuses, from Emily Dickinson to Dr. Seuss. The rooms are what make the Arlington such a unique place to stay and makes a visit to Paris, Ontario worthwhile just to check them out.

Just One Tip: If you come across a room steward in the hall, they will take you and show you different rooms if the rooms are unoccupied. You just have to ask

In addition to the different themed rooms, the Arlington also offers various categories of rooms ranging in price:

• Standard room
• Junior suite
• Executive suite
• 2 double beds
• Queen bed
• King bed

Since I stayed at the Arlington during the height of COVID, I’m unable to say exactly what amenities each room had, as the coffee makers and bottled water had been removed from the rooms. There is a receptionist manning the front desk 24/7 who will gladly fetch whatever you need (including extra blankets).

The rooms are located over four floors, and there are elevators available for whose who require accessibility (and those who are to lazy to walk the stairs 🙂 )

Over-Night Packages at the Arlington Hotel

The Arlington is forever offering over-night packages, so you will have to keep an eye on the website or check out their Instagram stories to see what new packages they have on the go.

Just One Note: The Arlington is one of the few hotels that I have come across that offers various solo packages (thank you!)

Dining at the Arlington Hotel

If the rooms alone aren’t enough to entice you to visit this little gem, then the food definitely will! Whether you go for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you won’t be disappointed.

1850 Public House

The Public House is tucked away in the cellar of the hotel and is the perfect spot to host a small private function. I have heard rumor’s that this room was once known as the “gentlemen’s room”, however, I didn’t think to ask the hotel staff about that when I was visiting (I guess I’ll just have to go back).

Dominion Telegraph Centre

The Dominion Telegraph Centre is located in a separate building kitty corner to the hotel, over-looking the Grand River. Believe me when I say that it’s the perfect spot for a wedding. With the expertise of the hotel’s very own wedding coordinators, there is nothing for the bride and groom to do except show up and enjoy their special day.

Parking

If there was one downfall to the Arlington Hotel, then parking was it. Since the hotel is located smack dab in the middle of downtown Paris, there is limited parking available on site. There is parking around the corner and is only about a 3 minute walk, but if you are carrying luggage, clothing, etc., this can be cumbersome.

Customer Service

Customer service is where the Arlington Hotel shines like none other! Each and every staff member from the cleaning staff right up to the managers did everything in their power to ensure that the stay was perfect. If you want something, all you have to do is ask and you shall receive.

A Little Extra at the Arlington Hotel

Not to scare you, but it has been said that the Arlington Hotel is haunted. It is said that as recently as 2016 guests have experienced “haunted happenings”. There are specific rooms which these experiences occurred. If you are interested in knowing if you have booked one of these rooms, ask the receptionist for a printout of the “haunted room stories”. I did ask some of the personnel that were working if they had ever experienced any “haunted happenings”, and none of them had.

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Why You Should Stay at the Arlington Hotel, a Boutique Hotel in Paris

There are so many reasons why you should stay at the Arlington Hotel. If you are looking for a a boutique hotel in the heart of Paris, offering a fun, eclectic experience, with superior customer service and personal attention, hurry up and book now….they fill up fast. I can assure you that you won’t regret it!

Things to Do in Paris, Ontario

Even though I know that you will love hanging out at the Arlington Hotel, there are so many other things to do and see in Paris, Ontario that you won’t want to miss!

The Paris Wincey Mills and Browse the Shops on Main Street

I highly recommend that you leave your hotel room to browse the shops along the main street of Paris and the stalls filled with locally made crafts at the Paris Wincey Mills. Wincey Mills is not to be missed during a visit to Paris.

Kayak the Grand River

If you love the water and kayaking, don’t forget to bring your kayak to cruise down one of Canada’s premier rivers for kayaking. If you don’t have your own, you are in luck. You can rent a kayak or book a tour with Grand Experience Outdoor Adventures .

If kayaking isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy some time on the water by renting a tube from Grand River Rafting Company.

Cycle or Hike a Trail

There certainly are no shortage of trails in Paris, Ontario. Paris is close to the hub of Ontario Trails, and is easily cyclable to Brantford, Ancaster, Hamilton, Cambridge, and Kitchener. You won’t encounter a lot of traffic and you will enjoy a reasonably flat slow ride which makes these trails perfect for all skill levels.

Stroll the Nith River Sensory Trail

The Nith River Sensory Trail is the perfect spot to take a leisurely stroll. It is easily accessible from Lion’s Park and is an amazing trail for family, solo travellers, or the handicapped impaired, to spend a leisurely afternoon out in nature. This spot is popular for the fly fisherman, and the kiddos love the park, so put aside a couple of hours and have a picnic at the park before or after your stroll.

Pinehurst Lake

You could easily spend an entire day at Pinehurst Lake lazing on the beach, hiking the trails, or kayaking around the lake. If you fall in love with Pinehurst and don’t want to leave, why not book a camp site and spend the night.

Self-Guided Cobblestone Tour

The history buff will fall in love with the self-guided cobblestone tour. Paris is known as the Cobblestone Capital of Canada boasting 13 cobblestone buildings still remaining. If you are interested in this self-guided Paris tour, you will want to grab a map.

Food and Treats in Paris, Ontario

Paris is a foodies paradise. For such a small town, it has many great restaurants and it’s difficult to choose which one’s are the best. I’m going to help you out a bit and recommend my favourites:

Best Place for Breakfast and Coffee In Paris, Ontario

• Dog-Eared Cafe, 121 Grand River Street North
• Egg Smart,156 Dundas Street East
• Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House, 1070 Rest Acres Road

Best Place for Lunch In Paris, Ontario

• Cobblestone Public House, 111 Grand River Street North
• Grand Bayou Cajun Kitchen & Watering Hole, 27 Dumfries Street
• Camp 31, 22 Paris Road
• Fry Days (food truck), 79 King Edward Street

Best Place for Dinner In Paris, Ontario

Reservations are recommended for all of these restaurants!

• E.D.I.T. 106 Grand River Street North
• Stillwaters Plate & Pour, 61 Grand River Street North
• Juniper Dining, 3 Elm Street
• Capeesh Craft Kitchen & Cellar, 59 Grand River Street North

Best Place for Treats In Paris, Ontario

• Paris Twisted Treats, 79 King Edward Street
• Chocolate Sensations, 89 Grand River Street North
• Wicked Witches & Pies, 20 William Street
• Paris Gluten-Free Marketplace, 74 Scott Avenue

End the Day at the Arlington Hotel, a Boutique Hotel in the Heart of Downtown Paris, Ontario

After having an incredible day exploring Paris, one of the prettiest towns in Canada, you will be rewarded with the most luxurious stay when you book a room at the Arlington Hotel, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Paris.

HAPPY TRAVELS 🙂

PIN THE ARLINGTON HOTEL, A BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN PARIS, ONTARIO