Wellington, Ontario

On the north shore of Lake Ontario, Wellington is a charming small town that offers heritage, beautiful natural scenery and proximity to some excellent wineries. It makes for a relaxing long weekend break and some of the best places to stay in Wellington also ensure you can wake up to sparkling views.

One of the town's best features is its long length of lakeshore which offers some of the best sandy swimming beaches in the province. From the lakeshore you can go fishing, do watersports or walk along the boardwalk to the lighthouse. From the boardwalk you can also gaze at the world's largest freshwater sand dunes at Sandbanks Provincial Park, well worth taking the short trip to explore. The Park also includes another gorgeous stretch of white sands called the Outlet.

The town itself has charming 18th- and 19th-century architecture, a Heritage Museum in the former Quaker Meeting House, artists' studios and galleries, quirky boutiques and a Saturday market. And don't forget to leave plenty of time to explore the nearby wineries. Wellington has an excellent central position for visiting the vineyards of Canada's newest VQA wine region. Our choice of the best places to stay in Wellington allows you to make the most of the town's warm and welcoming atmosphere.

For a lake-side location

• On the shores of Lake Ontario, the contemporary, chalet-style Drake Devonshire offers 13 chic, light-filled rooms, some with balconies, all with glorious views. Dine outside or in, borrow a bicycle to explore or just relax on the outside decking.

For more choices, browse our list of the best places to stay in Wellington, expand your search to include all our Ontario recommendations, or contact a friendly guru for advice.