The Greystone Manor, Niagara Falls

The Greystone Manor Bed and Breakfast, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Continuing with my recent Canadian holiday, the Greystone Manor is the bed and breakfast I chose for our overnight stay at Niagara Falls in Canada. 

Then dining room

The living room

Pat in the stairwell to the first floor from our room

Last year Pat made our overnight accommodations for our stay in Niagara Falls. I forget the name of the hotel but it was one of those chain hotels that cater to families. Folks, even though I've been in the hotel business for the past eighteen years, I'm finding I'm not predisposed at staying at these touristy, kid worn out hotels.  I was going to say at hotels but I held back because this year we stayed at a Best Western in Hamilton, Ontario, which was probably the best hotel I've ever stayed in.  So I can't make a blanket judgment.  

Pat resting in our room - NO RUGS ON THE FLOOR!

I did my research this year and I chose a bed and breakfast on the Canadian side of the border of Niagara Falls called the Greystone Manor.  I choose well.

Located a short distance from downtown Niagara Falls, on a quiet street, the Greystone Manor was an ideal location.  We were greeted warmly (with a smile!) as we exited our car.  We were expected!  

"Lisa" showed us around the delightful Victorian style house where we were going to spend our night.  Ah, no kids.  No worn out rugs from the rug rats. No surly front desk personnel burned out by all the tourist families with their little kiddies. No dirty carpets. No noise. Ah yes, accommodations for two senior men who are way past the family accommodations.  Oh why it took me so long to discover bed and breakfasts.  

The Greystone Manor was spotlessly clean.  No rugs.  And did I say quiet?  Oh yes, I did.  

We were shown the dining room where our breakfast would be served.  I have to tell you folks, the next morning when we had our breakfast that was the first time in my life I've been treated like that.  Wow.  So this is how the Other Half lives?  It's a shame that Pat and I aren't big breakfast eaters but it was a pleasant surprise to be treated like special guests.  

You know folks, I wasn't going to go back to Niagara Falls next year but after our delightful experience at this bed and breakfast, I'm going back!

The Hollywood Bed and Breakfast

One of my absolute indulgences is that we stay at The Hollywood Bed and Breakfast on Hollywood Boulevard.  This is the first bed and breakfast I've ever stayed in and I have to tell you I hit a home run by choosing this delightful bed and breakfast.

Pat checking his e-mail by the pool

Last year was the first time we stayed here and again, I was very pleased.  The location is ideal, right in the heart of West Hollywood.  Within walking distance of 8000 Sunset Boulevard,

Pat at 8000 Sunset Blvd, taking a picture of the Chateau Marmot on the hill across the street

were we often eat at the Veggie Grill.  We can also walk to Hollywood and Vine as well as our laundry, conveniently named The Hollywood Laundry.  Hey folks, a lot of the businesses in Hollywood are named "Hollywood."  What are the odds?

Me soaking up the ambiance by the pool

Well, we LOVE The Hollywood Bed and Breakfast. Last year we stayed there the whole of our ten days.  This year we split our stay between The Hollywood Bed and Breakfast and an Air B & B in the Hollywood Hills, that Pat choose.  That stay wasn't a good experience, which I'll write about in a future blog posting.

"Let's take a dip!" (Pat suggests)  HA! I don't reveal my pudgy bod in public anymore

Pat, being the minimalist that he is, was at first put off by all the "busyness" (color, nick nacks, etc) of the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast but soon became accustomed to our host Nina's eclectic taste in decor.  Of course you know I love all the color and tchotchkes.   

Pat and our host William in the breakfast area - spotless!

When I'm at the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast I feel like I'm at home.  Our hosts William and Nina are gracious, available but not intrusive.  And the place is SO CLEAN, which you know I love.  

And the breakfast is perfect.  Anything you could want in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere.  This year we didn't get to meet any fellow travelers but last year we did and they were most pleasant to share a breakfast with.  

Folks, I have to admit I feel like calling the airline right now and arranging for another two weeks in sunny California to stay at this wonder home away from home.  At least to get through the month of February. There is nothing like getting off the plane in California in January, walking out the door the LAX to catch the Enterprise Car Rental Shuttle buss and to see the swaying palm trees and the warm caress of California sunshine on your cheek.

Real palm trees folks and that's California sun warming our faces . . in January!

What was the name of that Mama's and Papa's song?  Oh yes, "California Dreaming."  

The Hollywood Bed and Breakfast

Pat relaxing by the pool at the Hollywood Bed & Breakfast

During our ten-day stay in California, Pat and I stayed at the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast.  This is the first time I've stayed at a bed and breakfast.  I have to say I was very pleased with my choice.  Of course I did my homework first, I checked Trip Advisor.  The Hollywood Bed and Breakfast received consistently excellent reviews.  

William, one of the owners (along with his wife Nina) of the Hollywood Bed & Breakfast. William was always reading his newspaper in the morning off the side of the kitchen, welcoming guests as they came in for breakfast. The great thing about William was that he was always there but unobtrusive.  The perfect host.  There is you needed him but didn't interfere with  your breakfast.  William is looking in askance at me taking his photo. He eventually got used to my photo taking.

I was leary about staying at a bed and breakfast but my fears were soon dispelled by the accommodations and the superior hospitality given to us by our hosts, William and Nina, the proprietors of this delightful bed and breakfast.

William and Nina, the owners and operators of the Hollywood Bed & Breakfast in West Hollywood

Pat and I get up early so we were the first ones in the kitchen. I have to say I was very surprised by the wide and excellent selections of breakfast items that Nina had laid out for us.  Very surprised and happy.



Where to start? At home for breakfast I always have a bowl of Walmart store brand (Great Value) bran flakes with strawberries and vanilla almond milk. Yep, that's it folks, a very basic breakfast complete with all the vitamins and minerals I need for the day and I'm not stuffing myself with grease and cholesterol. At the Hollywood B & B, our hosts provided us with almond milk but since there was no cereal I didn't use it which I did feel guilty about.

Pat chatting with our host William during breakfast

But what I had for breakfast every day we stayed there was two pieces of toasted raisin bread slathered in 100% fat cholesterol ladened butter. Hey, I was on vacation.  I could afford to splurge (I think). 



Our first day we didn't take advantage of this wonderful breakfast layout. We went to Body Works

Pat waiting for his smoothie at the Body Works

at that wonderful mall on 8000 Sunset Boulevard and got two delicious super sized smoothies for $7.50 each. As good as those smoothies were, we should have taken advantage of the B & B's breakfast. Not only was the breakfast excellent, it was included in our room payment.

On some days other guests at the B & B joined us round the dining table for breakfast. 
 

These were guests from England. Later, there was an older male couple from Tennessee who we had breakfast with.  All just wonderful people.  This is what a holiday is all about folks.  And  . . . no kids!

Without exception they were all delightful and friendly.  Thus my other reservation about staying at a B & B was dispelled, eating with strangers.  

Our room ("TheMaverick") at the Hollywood B & B

The room where we stayed was called "The Maverick".

The hallway leading to our room at the Hollywood B & B

 
It was the smallest room at the B & B.  While it was comfortable,  the room and the bathroom was just a little too small for us.  Also, the decorations (curtains especially) were a bit much for Pat's minimalist taste but he adjusted. 

Pat adjusting to the overflow of curtains in our room (he has zero curtains at his Toronto home)

No complaints about our bed though, it was very, very comfortable.  If there was any complaint it was from Pat because, as usual I took up most of the bed, sleeping on a diagonal as I usually do.  Hey, I'm used to sleeping by myself.  When I'm sleeping my unconscious brain must think I'm sleeping solo again.

One very comfortable bed with a cozy duvet.  The fan you see wasn't to keep things cool but "white noise" that I need to put me to sleep.

Here we are returning to our wonderful accommodations, the Hollywood Bed and Breakfast.  We will be back next year!