Luxurious Getaway At Port Colbornes Lakebreeze Niagara Studio Suites
Added by Heidi Grzesina on June 18, 2013.
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Tags: John and Gloria Simon, Lakebreeze Bed and Breakfast, newsinportcolborne.com, Port Colborne
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_MG_1658One hundred years after it was built, the home once belonging to Port Colborne’s barber, Jeff Johnson was purchased, renovated, extended and brought to a glory he probably never dreamt possible.
It had been renovated and turned into a duplex when Lester Schultz owned it, but interior designer, Gloria Simon, elevated the home to a luxurious state no one ever dreamt possible.
Simon left her Nova Scotia home of about 3,000 when she was just 18, going to Toronto to develop a career.
Working several jobs after graduating from Sheridan College, Simon eventually hung out her own shingle in 1989. Uniquely Classic was first in established in Markham, then moved to Oak Ridges in Richmond Hill.
Residential design is Simon’s expertise, a flare recognized by Imperial Carpet and Home, who lured Simon to join their company. She stayed with them until Dec. 31, 2004, when the 1904 Port Colborne home was purchased as an investment property.
Simon had dreamt of retiring and running a bed and breakfast and the investment purchase was the beginning of her dream unfolding. Challenges arose with health problems slowing her down, and renovations took two and a half years to complete, during which time, girl met boy, fell in love and married.
“I was known as the lady with the red glasses who was renovating that corner house,” says Gloria.
Well, that’s true, but she was also known as the lady who married Port Colborne’s favourite mailman, John Simon.
The corner house became Lakebreeze Bed and Breakfast.
Sam Armenti and Son served as her foundation contractors and arranged the other trades, which Gloria oversaw and highly recommends, but she spoke particularly fondly of Eddie, a contractor who served the Simons with a degree of five-star professionalism sometimes lacking in today’s world.
“Usually, bed and breakfast owners have a five year life,” says Gloria.
“We are now going into our seventh year and our plans are to carry on.”
“I came from a little town in Nova Scotia,” says Gloria.
“Moving to Port Colborne brought me back to being in a smaller community after living in Toronto for years. No more crazy traffic, no more go, go, go.”
Lakebreeze features three suites; two of the three being family suites and one being a single. All have separate keyless entrances and all are soundproofed for privacy.
The Century Suite occupies the main floor of the house, catering to those “wanting to be pampered” or those not interested in dealing with stairs.
“The three room suite (650 sq. ft.) features a luxurious king size bed (with the option of two twin beds), with large walk-in closet with a coffee bar with a Keurig beverage maker, microwave, bar fridge and private French Doors leading to the wrap around veranda.
The extra large bathroom includes a whirlpool tub and separate shower equipped with a built in seat and a hand held showerhead as well as a heated floor. The shower has shampoo, conditioner, body wash dispenser for your convenience, as well as a hair dryer.
The living room has a gas fireplace, large screen LCD TV
and direct access to the veranda. Other amenities include wireless Internet and a separate keyless entrance. All interior and exterior walls have been insulated for sound control,”
The Loft Suite is an exquisite two-floor suite, suited to accommodate up to three guests.
“The Loft Suite now features the main bedroom with an over-sized King Bed and a second smaller room off the main bedroom with a Double Bed and lots of closet space.
The suite features a private bathroom with a combination deep-soaker
tub and shower with dispenser of shampoo, conditioner and body wash
for your convenience and a large vanity with make up mirror and hair dryer. The large armoire houses the TV and lots of drawer space.
The Loft Suites 600 sq. ft. includes a bright sun-lit sitting room that has
a desk, sofa and armchair for your comfort. Other amenities include TV, wireless Internet, bar fridge, microwave and a Keurig coffee/tea maker,”
Finally, but by no means, the least, Lakebreeze Bed and Breakfast offers a luxurious 950 sq. ft. two bedroom apartment named The Heritage Suite, “with a pull out double bed in the living room ideal for a family, two couples or an extended stay.”
“This unit comes equipped with a separate central heating and air conditioning unit, wireless Internet, laundry facilities and phone with free long distance in Canada and the US. A private separate keyless entrance allows you to come and go without the worry of disturbing other guests.
The Heritage Room offers a luxurious queen size bed, fireplace and TV.
The Far East Room gives you a choice of two twin beds or a king size bed depending on your needs. It has a spacious closet and a TV with DVD.
In the spacious sitting room, the sofa makes into a double bed and has its own TV and DVD player.
The fully equipped kitchen has everything you would need for your stay including fridge, stove, microwave, coffee maker and dishwasher.
Gloria and John refer to their bed and breakfast as a micro hotel that delivers several steps beyond the typical with the separate keyless entrances, separate heating and air conditioning controls, eco-friendly cleaning processes, and gluten free and vegan meal options.