Edison's Inn is a small, design-minded inn at 48 Ontario Street, in the middle of Stratford's downtown. It has only three rooms, The Music Suite, Edison's Room and The Swan Suite, each with its own name and character, which makes it feel closer to a guesthouse than a hotel. The beds are memory foam with down comforters, the TVs are 54 inch smart sets with streaming services, and every room has an electric kettle and an espresso maker, so you can have a proper coffee before you step outside. Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and heating are included. The inn has no restaurant of its own, but it does not need one: coffee shops, a pub, a beer hall and a brittle and milkshake shop are all within one to four minutes on foot. The Avon Theatre is about five minutes away, the Tom Patterson Theatre about seven and the Festival Theatre about 16, so the whole theatre district is within walking distance of the front door. With only three rooms, it books out early in the summer season, and the small scale suits couples and anyone who likes a quiet, personal stay.
Location and getting around
Ontario Street is Stratford's main downtown artery, and Edison's Inn is a short walk from the Chocolate Trail and Bacon and Ale Trail shops, the Avon Theatre, and a large choice of restaurants. Because everything central is on foot, a car is a convenience rather than a necessity. If you do drive, parking is free but guests describe it as off-site, usually a short walk away, so ask where you should leave the car when you book and allow time to carry bags.
The rooms and the feel
The three rooms are individually named and styled, and the emphasis is on comfort, with good beds, plenty of bedding, streaming TVs and coffee making in the room. There is no breakfast restaurant or bar, so plan to walk to one of the nearby cafes in the morning, which many guests enjoy as part of a Stratford stay. With so few rooms, the inn is quiet, but it is also a good idea to check noise and stairs when you book if either matters to you.
Who it suits and what to know: choose it for couples, anniversaries and theatre weekends where you want a central, characterful base and are happy to eat out. Check-in starts at 3 pm and check-out is at 11 am. Pets are not allowed. The inn has no on-site restaurant, so it is not the best choice for guests who want a hotel bar or room service.
Rates climb in peak season and the three rooms can sell out well ahead of summer weekends, so book early. Families or groups of more than two or three adults may find the room count limiting, and larger parties are better placed at one of the larger hotels. In the quiet months, a stay here is a relaxed way to enjoy the trails, the gallery and the town without the summer crowds.
Why stay here
- ✓Three individually named rooms
- ✓Memory foam beds and down comforters
- ✓Espresso maker and electric kettle
- ✓54-inch smart TVs with streaming
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Free self-parking
- ✓Air conditioning and heating
- ✓Cafes and pubs within a few minutes on foot
Good questions
How many rooms does Edison's Inn have?+
Three: The Music Suite, Edison's Room and The Swan Suite. Book early in the theatre season.
How far is it from the theatres?+
About five minutes on foot to the Avon Theatre, seven to the Tom Patterson Theatre and 16 to the Festival Theatre.
Is there a restaurant?+
No, there is no on-site restaurant, but cafes, a pub and a beer hall are within one to four minutes on foot.
