Looking for the perfect place to stay in Bruce County? From cozy motels to luxury glamping near Tobermory, here is where to stay in Bruce County !
Planning a getaway to Bruce County? You’re in for a treat. This region of Ontario is known for its rugged shoreline, turquoise waters, and charming small towns, but what makes it even better is where you choose to stay. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy beach motel, a boutique stay with a view, or a luxury dome under the stars, Bruce County has it all (and then some).
Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to stay in some of the most memorable places across the region, from glamping near the Grotto to retro-chic motels steps from the beach. In this post, I’m rounding up my favourite places to stay, including a few that technically aren’t in Bruce County (hello, Back Forty Glamping), but are close enough to deserve a spot on your radar.
So if you’re planning a weekend getaway or a full summer road trip through this corner of Ontario, here’s where to stay to make your trip just a little more special.
Don’t forget to check out all of my Ontario blog posts to make the most of your adventures!
Where to stay in Bruce County?
Trendy & Cozy Motels by the Beach
If you’re the kind of traveler who loves a bit of retro flair with your morning coffee and appreciates a design-forward stay that still feels casual, Bruce County delivers some gems.
June Motel — Sauble Beach
The OG of Ontario’s trendy motel revival. With its signature pink doors, surf-chic vibes, and adorable patio space, June Motel in Sauble Beach is a dream base for a summer escape. It’s just a short stroll from the beach and ideal for couples, girls’ trips, or anyone craving a bit of California-meets-Lake-Huron energy. Think morning smoothies, beach bikes, and wine spritzers at the Heydays (the onsite restaurante). If you’re into aesthetics, this one’s for you.
Read More // Don’t forget to check out my complete guide on what to do in Sauble Beach !
THE DETAILS
Price | 350$ a night (sleeps 2)
Reservations | Book your room here.
The Beach Motel — Southampton
This spot brings boutique hotel vibes to the Lake Huron shoreline. With a minimalist design, cozy lounges, and a spa-like atmosphere, The Beach Motel is perfect for a relaxing escape. You’re just steps from the water, and it’s close to downtown Southampton’s best shops and cafes. It’s quiet, elegant, and a lovely choice if you’re planning a restful couples’ weekend.
Read More // Don’t forget to check out my complete guide on what to do in Southampton!
THE DETAILS
Price | 269$ a night (sleeps 2)
Reservations | Book your room here.
South Beach Motel — Southampton
The newest addition to The Beach Motel family, South Beach Motel brings a playful and colorful flair to the Southampton shoreline. It’s bright, beachy, and just steps from one of the best beaches on Lake Huron. While it keeps the same attention to comfort and detail, it leans a little more casual, making it a great choice for a fun and affordable summer getaway. Perfect for families, friend groups, or anyone looking for laid-back vibes with that boutique touch.
Read More // Don’t forget to check out my complete guide on what to do in Southampton!
THE DETAILS
Price | 250$ a night (sleeps 2)
Reservations | Book your room here.
Glamping & Unique Stays
For those looking to swap traditional hotels for something a little more out-of-the-box, Bruce County has you covered. These spots offer all the comforts of a boutique stay with a serious dose of nature.
The Grotto Getaway — Tobermory
If glamping had a peak form, this would be it. Located just minutes from Bruce Peninsula National Park, the Grotto Getaway offers fully furnished luxury tents with real beds, cozy linens, and private decks. It’s the perfect way to feel immersed in nature without sacrificing comfort. Washrooms are shared but close by, and you’ll fall asleep under the stars and wake up to birdsong. Bonus: it’s only a short drive to the iconic Grotto.
Read More // Don’t forget to check out my complete guide on what to do in Bruce Peninsula and my full review of my stay at The Grotto Getaway.
THE DETAILS
Price | Starting at 200$ a night
Reservation | Book your stay here.
Back Forty Glamping — Meaford (close to Bruce County)
Okay, this one’s technically in Grey County, but it’s too good not to include. Back Forty offers stunning geodesic domes – some nestled in the forest, others in the meadow – all with their own private hot tubs. You also get access to a shared sauna tucked in the woods and a gorgeous outdoor shower. Inside, the domes are cozy and stylish, and you can add-on packages like gourmet meals or stargazing kits for an extra special experience. It’s a true rural escape, but still close enough to explore the Bruce Peninsula or waterfall-hop around Owen Sound.
Read More // Don’t forget to read my full review on Back Forty Glamping.
THE DETAILS
Price | Starting at 495$ a night
Reservation | Book your stay here.
Inns with a View
If you’re looking for comfort, charm, and front-row seats to Lake Huron sunsets, Bruce County has a few gems where the view is part of the experience
Inn at the Harbour — Kincardine
This locally loved inn sits steps from the iconic Kincardine lighthouse and offers some of the best lakefront views in town. Rooms are cozy, clean, and well-equipped, all with balconies facing the water, perfect for catching those fiery Lake Huron sunsets. You’re also just a short walk from Station Beach, Queen Street’s shops and restaurants, and the summer bagpiper performances that make Kincardine feel extra magical.
Read More // Don’t forget to check out my complete guide on what to do in Kincardine.
THE DETAILS
Price | Starting at 200$ a night
Reservation | Book your stay here.
Final Thoughts: Where to stay in Bruce County
Bruce County is one of those places that quietly surprises you. Whether you’re chasing sunsets in Kincardine, soaking in glamping luxury under the stars, or sipping morning coffee steps from the beach in Southampton, there’s a stay here that fits the vibe you’re after. From trendy motels to cozy inns and unforgettable domes, the accommodations are just as much a part of the experience as the views, the trails, and the waves.
The best part? You don’t have to choose just one. Road-tripping through Bruce County and mixing up your stays—maybe a couple nights at a motel by the beach, followed by a few nights tucked away in nature, is a great way to soak up the full magic of this region.
Wherever you land, you’re in for slow mornings, golden hour glow, and a big dose of Ontario charm.
Looking for more Ontario travel ideas? Check out my other blog posts for itineraries, hiking trails, and hidden gems across the province!
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I almost made a very different version of this reel.
Last time I posted about Smiths Falls, the comments surprised me and a lot of them seemed to come from people who actually live there. There’s nothing to do here. It’s boring. My first instinct was to make a whole clap-back video, screenshots and all.
But honestly? I get it. Nobody is a tourist in their own town. The canal is just the thing you cross on your way to work. The museum is where you went once on a school trip in grade four. When you see a place every single day, it goes invisible.
I grew up near the Bay of Fundy – home of the highest tides on the planet – and as a kid I thought it was the most boring place on earth. It took moving away to realize people cross oceans to see what was in my backyard.
So this reel is me being a tourist in your town for you. The 1912 bridge you’d paddle under if you hadn’t stopped noticing it. The museum where you can climb into the trains, and even sleep in one. The thrift trail. The mural. All of it.
To everyone who’s never been: this is your sign for an easy day trip from Ottawa or Kingston.
And to Smiths Falls locals: I dare you to do one thing from this list this weekend. Report back. 😌
What’s the thing in YOUR town that you’ve stopped noticing? I want to hear it.
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#SmithsFalls #RideauCanal #OntarioDayTrip #ExploreOntario #smalltownontario
I have a confession: half my road trips are reverse-engineered.
I don’t pick a destination and find a coffee shop nearby. I pick the coffee shop, then build a whole day around justifying the drive. A hike here, a beach there, some antiquing, all very respectable cover stories for the fact that I drove two hours for an iced latte.
Because here’s what I’ve figured out after years of crisscrossing Ontario: the best coffee shops are never just coffee shops. They’re the unofficial welcome centre of every small town. The barista knows which trail is muddy this week. The regulars will tell you where to park for free. The bulletin board has better local intel than any travel blog, mine included.
So this list isn’t really about coffee. It’s about the 12 places I use as an excuse to keep exploring this province. Swipe through, every single one comes with what to pair it with so you can build your own cover story.
From Thunder Bay to the County, consider this your permission slip to drive unreasonably far for caffeine.
Which one’s closest to you? And more importantly, what’s YOUR coffee shop worth driving for? I’m always taking notes. ☕
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#OntarioCoffeeShops #OntarioRoadTrip #DiscoverOntario #OntarioTravel #SmallTownOntario
For over a hundred years, the men who lived in this house woke up, looked at the lake, and went to work captaining the Wolfe Island ferry. Three generations of them. Same water, same crossing, every day.
I thought about that a lot during my stay at @themullinhouse_ (mainly from the bathtub, because the tub faces the lake and once you’re in it there’s no reason to be anywhere else.)
The Mullin House just opened as a stay, and those who brought it back to life did it in the best way that possible. Keeping the soul of the place.Places with an actual story make my job as a photographer easy. I just have to pay attention.
And if you want to stay here too: It’s a free 20-minute ferry from Kingston, 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10. So this is your sign to plan the group trip you keep talking about.
Save this for when you book it, and be honest, would you make it out of that bathtub by checkout?
Thank you to @themullinhouse_ for having me!
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#wolfeisland #kingstonontario #thousandislands #exploreontario #ontariotravel
I grew up an hour from the Bay of Fundy. And every few years, my school would pile us onto a bus and take us to Hopewell Rocks or Fundy National Park. And every single time, as a kid, I thought : ‘okay, cool. Rocks. Trees. Can we go home now?’
I had absolutely no idea what I was standing next to.
It took me leaving New Brunswick, travelling across the country before I came back to the Bay of Fundy as an adult and genuinely had my breath taken away. I grew up next to one of the most extraordinary places on the planet and completely took it for granted. And I think a lot of Maritimers probably feel the same way.
This carousel is my attempt to fix that, for myself, and for anyone who’s never made the trip. Scroll through and I’ll show you exactly how I’d plan a road trip along the New Brunswick side, from the tidal flats to the coastal cliffs to the little fishing towns that feel completely frozen in time.
And if you have extra days to spare, Saint John is absolutely worth a stop, underrated city, great food scene, and it sits right on the bay.
I’m also heading back this summer to try a stay I’ve had my eye on for a while, I genuinely cannot wait to tell you all about it. 👀
Save this for your New Brunswick road trip. 🙌
👇 Have you ever been to the Bay of Fundy? Were you as underwhelmed as I was at 10 years old? 😄
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#BayOfFundy #NewBrunswick #ExploreCanada #CanadaTravel #FundyNationalPark
I’ll be honest, when I pulled up to @whispering_springs I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen the photos, I’d read the website, but nothing really prepares you for the moment you walk into your safari tent and realize this might actually be nicer than your apartment.
We’re talking a king bed, more space than I expected, and an actual bathtub, in a tent. I took a bath. In the woods. And I would do it again without hesitation.
Oh and the s’mores bar? Someone thought really hard about what would make people unreasonably happy at the end of a summer night and they nailed it.
Save this for your summer planning because at 90 minutes from Toronto there is really no reason to wait.
Now tell me have you ever gone glamping? If not, what are you waiting for!
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#OntarioGetaway #GlampingOntario #OntarioTravel #WeekendGetawayOntario
ExploreOntario
