Small towns across Ontario have been rapidly elevating their offerings one boutique hotel and culinary offering at a time. The latest addition to this unique hospitality scene is the Leeward House, a nine-room boutique property in the heart of Thornbury, a 15-minute drive from Blue Mountain. Set at the top of Bruce Street South, the hotel is conveniently situated a short walk from most restaurants, bars, and shops in town.
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This stay was hosted by Leeward House Thornbury, which did not review or approve this story.
The Vibe & Shared spaces
At first glance, the hotel feels like a modern reno, but unique architectural touches here and there expose it as a new build. Leeward House owner and founder John Paul Adamo purchased the lot with a Victorian house pub still intact. The original structure was not safe, but Adamo took inspiration from its character. The new build was designed by Hamilton-based interior design studio Westgrove, which leaned into the region’s Great Lakes shipping history and the rural character of Grey County. The result is a clean, classic build that seamlessly blends into the town and the nature surrounding it.
The main building is a lobby that serves as the hotel lounge. A few cosy, intimate seats surround the concierge desk, which also serves as a bar, ready to pour your wine and mix your cocktails. A built-in cabinet on the right is stacked with books and board games to facilitate a relaxing stay. The wrap-around porch with just a handful of tables is perfect for a pre-dinner beverage or an afternoon snack, like crudite and dips or a salumi plate.
Many of the carefully curated decorative elements around the property are sourced from local vendors like Danfield Antiques, Inheritance Studios, and reDiscovered on Marsh. By the main entrance is a large firepit, which upon request will be prepared for evening marshmallows and nightcaps by the hotel’s friendly staff.
Lobby and firepit at the Leeward House Thornbury, images by Kateryna Topol.
Built-in Wellness
The fenced area between the two buildings contains a year-round pool and a mini Nordic spa circuit. The hotel does not position itself as a wellness retreat per se, but the complimentary availability of such serves certainly makes it feel like one.
Bengal striped sunbeds, shaded by burgundy coloured umbrellas, line the long side of the pool. Loungers with similar motifs are set along the far end for a sit-down moment. At the far end, the hot tub is followed by a cold plunge pool, and a black Nordic sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the afternoon sun. Many hours can be purposefully lost in this space while the Leeward team attends to your every need.
When the winter comes, the heated pool flooring will be paired with space heaters and appropriately cosy decor, making this small wellness retreat a year-round wellness destination in Thornbury.
Sauna and poolside cava at the Leeward House Thornbury, images by Kateryna Topol.
Inside the Suite
Two of the larger guest suites are located in the main house. These rooms have king beds, built-in bunk beds, and private balconies with partial lake and town views. The Guest House contains the other seven rooms, each with a private entrance and a shaded balcony out back. A wall-mounted privacy spinner sits by each door.
The rooms follow a through design, with the bathroom by the main door and the bedroom with a vaulted ceiling closer to the window. The bathrooms have heated floors, rainfall showers and terracotta-tinted ceramic tiles, bringing that spa feeling into the room. The vanity, made of earthy Golden Cobra marble, is uniquely placed outside the bathroom, wrapping around the corner where it turns into the coffee nook. Each room is equipped with a Dyson hair dryer, portable Marshall speaker and smart TV, plush towels and bathrobes, and B-Corp-certified Le Labo bath and body amenities.
King room at the Leeward House Thornbury Guest House, images by Kateryna Topol.
The bedding is Italian linens with goose-down duvets and feather pillows resting on a Canadian-made organic mattress. Storage is hidden behind candy-striped curtains, a large, natural fibre rug, made by Montreal rug maker Mark Krebs, sits under the bed.
The balcony faces private homes, but there is enough tree shade to make it feel like your personal secret retreat. A couch, in the same pattern as the pool cushions, is paired with a coffee table and a comfortable lounge chair with a stand. Here you can take your morning coffee while listening to the sounds of nature and migrating birds as squirrels and chipmunks chase across the trees.
Book direct on leewardhouse.co to take advantage of special offers; compare rates to Expedia.
Private terrace at the Leeward House Thornbury Guest House, images by Kateryna Topol.
