Festival Courtyard Inn is a straightforward, budget-friendly inn at 1144 Ontario Street, on the edge of Stratford rather than in the centre. It offers double rooms with two double beds that sleep four, and single rooms with one queen bed that sleep two, so it suits couples, small families and friends travelling together. Rooms have free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a shower with free toiletries and a phone, and the property has an on-site restaurant and a bar, a 24-hour front desk and free parking. Housekeeping is provided and the premises are smoke-free. The location means this is a base for guests who drive: the Festival Theatre is about a seven-minute drive away, and no short walking route is given, with a guest review describing a long walk along the road. Coffee shops and fast-food places are a short walk away, and downtown with its restaurants and the Avon Theatre is a short drive. Dogs are accepted for a fee per stay, which is useful for travellers with a pet, and service animals are exempt from the fee. The inn does not pretend to be a boutique stay. It is a practical room, a car park and a restaurant at a lower price than the downtown inns, which is exactly what many visitors want.
Location and getting around
The inn is at the east end of Ontario Street, well outside the walkable downtown core, so plan on driving or taking a taxi to the theatres and the restaurants. The Festival Theatre is about a seven-minute drive, and the Avon Theatre and downtown are a similar short drive. Free parking at the inn means you can leave the car there between trips, but remember that theatre parking in town may be paid and limited, so allow time to find a space before curtain.
The rooms and the feel
The rooms are simple and functional, with two double beds in the larger room and a queen bed in the single room. The emphasis is on value rather than design, and there is no boutique styling or fitness suite to speak of. An on-site restaurant and bar mean you can eat without driving after a late show, though many guests still drive downtown for the wider choice. Check what the breakfast arrangements are when you book, because a breakfast offer is not guaranteed in the rate.
Who it suits and what to know: choose it for budget-conscious drivers, small families and groups, and visitors with a dog. Check-in starts at 4 pm and runs until midnight, with late check-in available in limited hours, and check-out is at 11 am. Dogs are allowed for a fee per pet per stay, so confirm the amount when you book.
Do not assume there is a pool; ask the front desk if one matters to you. If you want to be on foot for dinner and the Avon Theatre, choose one of the downtown inns instead. Rates are usually lower in the quiet months, and the inn is a sensible base for exploring the farmers' market, the trails and day trips by car.
Why stay here
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Bar
- ✓Free parking
- ✓Free in-room Wi-Fi
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Rooms for two to four guests
- ✓Dogs accepted for a fee
Good questions
How far is Festival Courtyard Inn from the Festival Theatre?+
About a seven-minute drive. There is no short walk, so plan on a car or a taxi.
Is parking free?+
Yes, self-parking is free at the inn.
Does the inn have a restaurant?+
Yes, it has an on-site restaurant and a bar. Confirm what breakfast arrangements apply to your rate.
