Lovely Langdon Hall

A few weekends ago, in anticipation of the stressful home renovations we’re doing in the next few months, Arriz and I headed out to Langdon Hall in Cambridge, Ontario, for a bit of pampering and R&R. After months of planning the drawings and shifting the contents of our house around, we were already in need of a mini break.

It was so elegant and lovely — I called it my Downton Abbey weekend! If you have never been to Langdon Hall, it is a lovely chateau in south western Ontario, and it’s an amazingly relaxing experience — especially if you love food and spa services! It’s now my new quick getaway destination. I can’t believe I’d never been before!

Two of my favourite rooms at Langdon Hall are the sun porch (left) where they serve a traditional afternoon high tea and the bar lounge outside the main dining room. Arriz and I ate our dessert in front of that fireplace after dinner one night. With no one else in the room it felt very regal.

The staircase up to the guest rooms features charming details like 3/4 panelled walls and a plate rail filled with an array of plate styles. And I particularly liked the black Celtic-feeling newel post.

Arriz and I played a couple of rounds in the billiards room (he’s a shark, I’m terrible). I love the green-on-green impact of the walls, lights and tabletop and even the coffered ceiling. Such an authentic English space made complete with the oil painting, extra large fireplace and panelled walls.

Wine tastings are held in the red dining room where there’s yet another fireplace. Langdon Hall boasts 58 woodburning fireplaces, which makes it the perfect cosy winter retreat.

This is a private dining room for special occasions. I always get excited to see so much cutlery on a table and the diagonal rows of wine glasses. You know there are a myriad of flavours to come.

This is the dining room that overlooks the garden. It must be gorgeous in the summer time. While we were dining, I commented that the set-up was impeccable; just the right amount of space between the tables and the right overall number in the room, too. There’s energy but you still have privacy. We had a fabulous meal here on Saturday night. Arriz had the tasting menu and the chef adjusted my meal to match his pacing. We ate for three hours!

After all that food, we wanted to sleep, and I think the highlight of our stay was our room. We had a recently renovated room in the main house on the second floor above the entry. It was lovely and serene in shades of taupe and pale blue-green.

Here is a close-up of the matelassé coverlet and linens. I cannot rave enough about this bedding — it was gloriously comfortable. I truly had the best sleep I’ve ever had in my life. Quite frankly, I would happily have stayed in bed my entire time there.

The two chairs at the end of the bed were a cosy spot to watch TV and have a glass of wine. I would love to know where this textured tone-on-tone stripe fabric came from. They’re essentially open-armed wingbacks — such a perfect balance of open and closed design — comfortable without overwhelming the space.

This delicious tart with homemade honey was waiting for us in our room when we arrived. Arriz ate it while I was having my massage, so I didn’t actually get to try it!

Our room featured a number of charming details including this antique demilune table topped with a looking glass on a pedestal and a quad of four green bird prints. And of course our room also had a fireplace. If you ask, they will light the fire for you before you head up to bed.

I’m a total bath person so I was elated to see the clawfoot tub in the bathroom. There was also a large glass shower for my hubby (a shower person!). The inset tile work carpet detail was exquisite, as was the Victoria & Albert French faucet.

The floating vanity kept the bathroom feeling open. It was kitted out with bath salts in apothecary jars, pretty soaps and towel bars along the front for easy access.

Our room featured this separate entry with a panelled closet door, marble-topped luggage area and this full cleaning and coffee station. So efficient!

Brass doorknobs and chunky curtain rods with full pinch-pleat silk drapes added to all the special touches.

In the morning we enjoyed more fantastic food. Our eggs came in an iron skillet served on an artist’s palette.

And post-breakfast we attended a cooking class where we learned to prepare some of the dishes we ate the night before.

We spent Sunday exploring the grounds. A bowl of red apples is kept by the main door for a snack while you stroll.

I adored this Camperdown Elm tree with its wide canopy out back where I could envision people dining alfresco in the summer.

As we walked we spotted this massive pile of logs — presumably to keep all the fires burning in the rooms.

It was a hazy day but there was a quiet, stripped back beauty to the paths all around the property.

Just like Lord Grantham’s yellow Lab on Downton Abbey, Langdon Hall has its own resident dog, a gorgeous Bernese mountain dog.

All in all, a much-needed weekend of relaxation. I definitely recommend booking a weekend this winter if you’re in the area.

Stay tuned for my first blog post documenting the beginning of our reno stress, the basement demolition!

Photo credits:
1-23. Suzanne Dimma & Arriz Hassam