As new B&B owners Sunny and Peter Montgomery are celebrating their first year anniversary in the bed and breakfast business as they opened their doors in June 2013.
It began when they bought a little house on Chemong Lake, outside of Peterborough, Ontario 10 years ago. Over time they added a big addition that included a B&B suite in the main house then turned the lakeside bunkie into a luxury suite. “It’s been a 10 year project."
It took five years for the transformation of the gardens, building the gazebo and the multi-tiered decks. Last year Sunny participated in the local Peterborough Garden Show and put the B&B out there as a wedding destination and from there the business blossomed. They immediately booked wedding ceremonies and this year their numbers have tripled.
They offer an “all-inclusive” concept for the ceremony; the chairs, covers, sashes, floral decorations, suites and music. The wedding party then goes to another destination for the reception but the bridal couple comes back to spend the night in one of the suites.
There are quality touches like L'Occitane amenities, Tassimo coffeemakers and a stocked bar fridge. The gardens are magnificent and are completely wired for music to enjoy as you wander about. This summer, Sunny added an alfresco High Tea by reservation. Guests can enjoy a two-hour high afternoon tea with all sorts of goodies like: berries and cream and a variety of teas, three tiered trays of finger sandwiches such as cucumber, carrot and ginger, smoked salmon, coronation chicken salad, lemon scones with blueberry compote and mascarpone and whipped cream. To top off this decadence everything is served on silver service and vintage china. There are pastries, French macaroons, salted caramel brownies, hydrangea cupcakes and lemon tarts to finish it all off. Sunny has been a fan of high tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC and she has worked 30+ years in the tourism field. She says she takes her inspiration from the special places she has visited and applies it to her business.
Their dream has come true and, “I never imagined it would be so good,” she says.
641 Lakeview Cres.
Peterborough, Ontario
705.741.3886
Stillwater on the Lake
Boutique Bed and Breakfast
By Mary Hughes
A decadent lakeside oasis amongst the gardens
Inns E-Magazine / Summer 2014
17