Gowrie House Country Inn

Description:

• Located across the harbor from Sydney and a few minutes' drive north of the Newfoundland ferry, Gowrie House is at once resplendent and comfortable, historic and up-to-date. Portions of the home were built in 1820, and the building has since been expanded and decorated with Oriental carpets, Asian ceramics, stout Regency furniture, and splashes of modern art. Some guest rooms are a bit frilly, but even the smallest are more spacious than the largest units at many other inns. Especially nice is the Caretaker's Cottage, lavishly furnished and accompanied by its own small deck, garden, and French doors; it costs considerably more than the inn. But the four big rooms in the modern Garden House are almost as nice; they are carpeted and airy, with microwaves and refrigerators. The only problem? Getting a room. The whole summer is often booked up by mid-June, so call as far in advance as you can. The dining room serves a tasty four-course prix fixe dinner of regional cuisine and ingredients such as halibut, lamb, seared scallops, or a dessert of phyllo shells filled with raspberry ice cream. There's one seating nightly at 7:30pm; the price is about C$40 (US$36/£20) per person. Houseguests receive a carafe of wine; outside guests, who should reserve 3 or 4 days in advance at least, must BYOB.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010