Baldachin Inn is found in the town of Merrickville, Ontario, Canada, which is about 137 miles from Montreal. One of the building's most notable features is its on-site ballroom which can seat around 200 people, and it can be reserved by guests and used for weddings, conferences, banquets, and receptions. It also includes an on-site restaurant and pub, both operational throughout the day. Baldachin Inn is located near the Rideau Canal, which was once used to power over 50 buildings within the city. The inn is within walking distance of several restaurants, historical buildings, art galleries, and boutiques. It has operated as a bed and breakfast since 1988 and is currently owned by David Ellis.
Baldachin Inn, located in Merrickville, Ontario, Canada, can be found on the corner of St. Lawrence Street and Main Street near the Merrickville Blockhouse. It is around a block from the Rideau Canal, which is a 180-year-old river once used to power many historic buildings still standing in Merrickville.
The exterior of the building is an L-shape, with gray stone brick and white window frames. It was designed according to a construction system called the King's Post Truss system, which means that it needs no ceiling supports. According to David, the owner, the inn's exterior is about 100 by 100 feet.
Eleven rooms are available at the Baldachin Inn. Eight of these are called the Inn Rooms, and six of these are outfitted with a single queen bed, while the seventh has a king bed and the eighth has two twin beds. The other two accommodations, the Junior Suites, are more spacious, and each features a whirlpool tub, queen bed, and refrigerator. An additional Bridal Suite serves as the eleventh and largest room. It includes a queen-size bed, a shower, a whirlpool tub, and a separate bathroom. All rooms are located on the second and third floors of the inn. They also have on-suite bathrooms, TVs, air conditioning, coffee makers, and free Internet access. The rooms have also been decorated with "a touch of the 19th century" with their bedspreads, furniture, and paintings.
During the guests' stay at the Baldachin Inn, they can visit Harry McLean's Pub, an 1860's-European-style bar that provides both domestic and international drinks and meals for visitors. A nearby dining room that overlooks the Rideau Canal is also inside the building and offers both lunch and dinner. In David's own words, the diner offers "a little bit of everything." The pub can fit up to forty-five people, while the dining room can seat sixty. A grassy courtyard patio installed at the back of the building can seat one hundred people and is decorated with flowers and umbrella tables. The inn also has a 6000-square-foot ballroom for special events. It is complete with a hardwood floor, stone walls, and enough room to fit about two hundred people.
While breakfast is not provided at Baldachin Inn, David recommends Main St. Family Restaurant and The Village Bean Coffee House as alternatives, both of which are located within a block of the inn. If visitors decide to dine outside of the inn for lunch or dinner, he also suggests Goose and Gridiron, which serves several fish, bird, and crab dishes, among other things. David also refers to Iron Forge Pizza, which has at least sixteen different pizza options. Guests can also visit the Rideau Canal not far from the inn, along with a bird sanctuary, walking trails, biking trails, kayak, and cross-country skiing. Over one hundred locations in Merrickville are "historic designated properties" that visitors can find.
David says that he wants guests to feel happy and comfortable during their stay. As a worker, David tries to help his visitors experience the village through various activities and other features. Although he respects their privacy, he does his best to greet his patrons at check-in and dinner.
During their stay at Baldachin Inn, guests can use the on-site ballroom for special events. David has it reserved for his visitors' weddings, receptions, conferences, and banquets. A separate menu is available for groups that have booked the ballroom for use. Additionally, occupants can meet at Harry McLean's Pub, where children can eat free, or at the Baldachin Inn Restaurant. When it comes to the inn's best season of operation, David says it is during the summer months.
According to David, most of his clientele consists of middle-aged or older visitors. He estimates that most of them find out about Baldachin Inn through the Internet or as they visit friends in Merrickville. Many of his guests have visited several times, and David credits that to the "hard work and dedication" that has been built over 34 years, which he believes has been the key to his success. He says he loves the building and the people he gets to meet. One of his visitors noted in a review: "Great little courtyard for an afternoon drink or lunch. I had the duck salad, and my husband had the chicken burger with a Caesar salad. Everything was fantastic with great flavor."
Baldachin Inn has a few regulations that visitors should adhere to. Smoking is not allowed inside the building, and quiet time is enforced between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Dogs are permitted, although there is a one dog per room limit for an extra fee. Check-in is between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM only.
According to the owner, Baldachin Inn was built in 1860 by Mr. Whitmarsh as the largest department store in Canada, where it sold dry goods until the Great Depression of 1930. From the Depression until the 1980s, Merrickville was sparsely populated, and the building did not operate much. Then it was established as a bed and breakfast in 1987, and David, its current owner, purchased it in 1988 and has owned it since. He says he fell in love with the building despite not initially being interested in entering the lodging industry and has loved it throughout his ownership.
While he has owned Baldachin Inn, David has built the ballroom and two other rooms. He also had the back patio installed during his ownership, and additional cosmetic changes were made throughout the years. In the future, David plans to make use of the fourth floor, possibly installing more guest rooms or apartments for staff.
Bed and Breakfast
David Ellis
