In downtown Kingston on the corner of William Street and King Street, you’ll discover a building that has been a bank, a boarding house, and an exclusive gentlemen's club that now stands as Kingston’s most distinctive boutique hotel. When you become a guest at the Frontenac Club you join the company of opera singers, poets, and even prime ministers who have walked the halls and enjoyed the comforts of this historic space.

I spent an evening at the Frontenac Club and was blown away by the mixture of modern luxuries and the historic beauty that’s been carefully preserved. As can be expected with a hotel with its own in-house historian the experience at the Frontenac Club is influenced as much by the past as it is by the present. Every nook and cranny of the Frontenac Club is carefully curated to reflect Kingston’s storied history and vibrant culture.

There are 20 unique room layouts, each inspired by a significant element of Kingston’s identity such as our beginning as Canada’s first capital, our connection to the beautiful 1000 Islands and our long history as the city of music.

My stay at the Frontenac Club started with a historic tour led by their in-house historian, Arthur Milnes who showed me all the most interesting parts of the Club and answred all my burning questions. The tour with Arthur is something I would highly recommnend to elevate your own stay at the Frontenac Club.

I stayed in the Canadian Locomotive Company Suite, the largest room in the hotel, which was inspired by Kingston’s connection to the beginning of Canada’s railways back in the mid-19th century. Carefully placed around the room are delightful train-themed decor and knick-knacks to make you feel like you've just stepped aboard the Orient Express. Some quests of this room even report that if you close your eyes and imagine earlier times you might just hear a train whistle.

The room greets you with a fabulous view of downtown, which can be enjoyed from a cozy sitting nook where you can relax in front of a sleek fireplace. Each room in the hotel includes a King-size bed you won't want to get out of and gas fireplaces to snuggle up by.

The pièce de résistance of the suite was a luxurious bathroom bigger than my apartment which included a huge walk-in shower, comfy bathrobes, lotions and a deep soaker tub pulled straight from my dreams. While some might be tempted to steal shampoo and towels from their hotel rooms, I was trying to think of a way to sneak the entire bathtub into my suitcase.

Everything about the room was designed so I could create the exact vibe I wanted from the dimness of the lights, the sheerness of the curtains, the temperature of the room and the music or movie playing from the TV. I could easily imagine wanting to spend an entire vacation in this room alone but then I would’ve missed out on the all-you-can-eat candy bar, the Miss Pac-Man Machine and the fantastic dining room.

Each night’s stay comes with a complimentary breakfast that can be enjoyed in your room, on the patio or in the absolutely stunning on-site lounge, The Bank Gastrobar. Saturday morning’s feature breakfast was Eggs Frontenac, their spin on the classic Eggs Benedict. With a fluffy poached egg on savoury smoked salmon smothered in a rich hollandaise sauce paired with a fresh bowl of fruit and a light salad, it was equally decadent and refreshing. A great start to the day!

The Bank Gastrobar on its own is worth a trip to the Frontenac Club for a delicious night out and yes, it is open to guests not staying in accommodations. They boast an extensive list of wines, none of which you can find at an LCBO, and a curated menu bursting with flavour. Their dedication to fine cuisine includes sending their chefs to Europe every year to find inspiration for new menus. If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a group dinner you must check out ‘the Vault’ a private dining room built in the building's original bank vault.

A stay at the Frontenac Club will change with the seasons including the decor, the menus and the activities. In the winter the courtyard is transformed into a wellness wonderland with Stoked Sauna Co., a Nordic spa experience and in the summer, you can enjoy live music while enjoying a cool drink on the patio.

Whether it's the room you stay in, the people you meet, the food you indulge in or the adventure you have, each stay at The Frontenac Club will be different than the last in the best way possible. Some dedicated guests are known to make it a personal goal to stay in all 20 unique rooms and I can’t blame them.

Your experience at the Frontenac Club will make you leave even more in love with Kingston and its history than you were when you arrived.

Book your stay here!