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4- and 5-star hotels in Owen Sound
This shortlist gathers the 4- and 5-star hotels in Owen Sound, from a five-star motel with a 4.7 guest rating to lodges and self-catering suites in the surrounding countryside. It is for travellers who want a base on Georgian Bay for the Bruce Peninsula, the escarpment and the city's arts scene.
Staying in Owen Sound
Owen Sound is the largest city on Georgian Bay's southern shore and the gateway to the Bruce Peninsula and the Niagara Escarpment. Visitors come for the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, the Roxy Theatre, the harbour, Harrison Park with its Black History Cairn, and the annual Salmon Spectacular fishing derby. The city mixes maritime history with trails, cycling along the Sydenham River and summer festivals.
The hotels here sit outside the walkable core. Penny's Motel occupies a 5-star address on King Street East, while Danby House is on Main Street East. The remaining properties stand on rural roads and side roads around the city — 12Th Side Road, Berry Street, Grey Road 15 and St Andrews Drive in the Meaford direction — so a car is useful. That mix suits couples and small groups wanting quiet, families needing kitchens and family rooms, and anyone on a short break built around golf, skiing, fishing or the Bruce Trail.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Penny's Motel
141 King Street East Penny's Motel, Owen Sound, Canada
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Beach nearby
Why stay herePenny's Motel is the only 5-star address on this shortlist and guests rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 457 reviews. Its restaurant and bar keep meals and drinks on site, and free parking plus free wifi remove the usual errands. Pets are allowed and there is a garden, terrace and picnic area, so travellers touring with a dog have room to spread out. A concierge and express check-in suit guests who want their stay handled quickly.
See Penny's MotelBowering Lodge
608069 12Th Side Road Po Box 68, Owen Sound, Canada
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Bar/Lounge
- Family rooms
Why stay hereBowering Lodge is a 4-star property with several self-catering options: kitchens and kitchenettes, refrigerators, microwaves and ovens. That makes it a practical base for families, who also get family rooms and a babysitting service. A garden, patio and picnic area, plus canoe and bike rental, keep days outdoors, and the 24-hour front desk with 24-hour security covers late arrivals. Golfers and anglers have a golf course and fishing listed among the facilities.
See Bowering LodgeDanby House
46 Main Street East, Owen Sound, Canada
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Spa
- Parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereDanby House is a 4-star house with breakfast served in the room or as a breakfast service, a spa, and a garden with picnic area. Bathrobes in the bathroom add a comfortable touch, and air conditioning, wifi and parking are all provided. Couples and small groups can add canoeing, diving or horse riding to their days, and family rooms with a cot and high chairs make it workable for guests travelling with a baby.
See Danby HouseHike at Hills Meaford Pet Friendly 2BD Suite
16 Berry Street Unit 2, Owen Sound, Canada
Best for: Travelling with pets
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereThis pet-friendly 2-bedroom suite is a 4-star option built around a full kitchen, with dishwasher, oven, microwave and refrigerator, plus a washing machine and iron and board. Wifi is free and the suite is non-smoking. It suits guests staying several nights who would rather cook than eat out, and the nearby beach gives them somewhere to go between outings. A good fit for a couple or small family travelling with a dog.
See Hike at Hills Meaford Pet Friendly 2BD SuitePaddle at Hills Meaford Penthouse 3rd Floor Suite w Deck & Balcony
16 Berry Street Unit 4, Owen Sound, Canada
- Kitchen
- Beach nearby
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereThe penthouse occupies the third floor of this 4-star Meaford property and adds a deck and balcony to the kitchen, dishwasher, oven and washing machine found throughout. Free wifi, air conditioning and a non-smoking interior keep the stay straightforward, and the beach is nearby. It suits guests who want extra outdoor space with their own cooking facilities, whether for a longer stay or a quiet weekend.
See Paddle at Hills Meaford Penthouse 3rd Floor Suite w Deck & BalconySki at Hills Meaford Second Floor Suite w Bunk Beds
16 Berry Street Unit 3, Owen Sound, Canada
Best for: Families
- Family rooms
- Kitchen
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereThis second-floor suite is a 4-star choice for groups and families, with family rooms and bunk beds alongside a full kitchen with dishwasher, oven, microwave and refrigerator. A washing machine, iron and board, hairdryer and towels cover the practical side, and wifi is free. The beach nearby gives guests somewhere to head on foot, and the non-smoking suite works well for a shared stay of several nights.
See Ski at Hills Meaford Second Floor Suite w Bunk BedsCasa Maria Irena
303025 Grey Road 15, Owen Sound, Canada
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereCasa Maria Irena is a 4-star house with a kitchen that includes a dishwasher, oven, microwave and refrigerator, and a washing machine for longer stays. A fireplace, terrace, patio and garden, plus a games room, give guests space to gather, and pets are allowed. Free parking and free wifi are provided, and family rooms with a sofa bed make it flexible. It sits closest to the centre of the properties listed here.
See Casa Maria IrenaWinter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain
67 St Andrews Dr, Owen Sound, Canada
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Pool bar
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereWinter retreat in Meaford is a 4-star house with a swimming pool and pool bar, a games room and entertainment activities, and a fireplace indoors. The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, oven, microwave and refrigerator, and a washing machine, cot and high chairs help families. Pets are allowed and parking is free. Skiing, fishing and a golf course are listed among the facilities, matching the property's name for a cold-season stay.
See Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penny's Motel | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | 37.9 km |
| Bowering Lodge | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Danby House | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | 35.2 km |
| Hike at Hills Meaford Pet Friendly 2BD Suite | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | 26.5 km |
| Paddle at Hills Meaford Penthouse 3rd Floor Suite w Deck & Balcony | ★★★★ | – | – | – | 26.5 km |
| Ski at Hills Meaford Second Floor Suite w Bunk Beds | ★★★★ | – | – | – | 26.5 km |
| Casa Maria Irena | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | 7.4 km |
| Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 25.7 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Bowering Lodge, Danby House, Ski at Hills Meaford Second Floor Suite w Bunk Beds, Casa Maria Irena and Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain all list family rooms. Several add kitchens or kitchenettes, cots and high chairs, and Casa Maria Irena and Danby House have a games room or spa. Bunk beds at the Ski suite and a swimming pool at the Winter retreat give children something to do on site.
Bowering Lodge · Danby House · Ski at Hills Meaford Second Floor Suite w Bunk Beds · Casa Maria Irena · Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain
For pet owners
Penny's Motel, Hike at Hills Meaford Pet Friendly 2BD Suite, Casa Maria Irena and Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain state that pets are allowed. Penny's Motel adds a garden, terrace and picnic area, and the Meaford suites and Casa Maria Irena provide kitchens, so pet owners can settle in for more than one night without leaving the dog behind.
Penny's Motel · Hike at Hills Meaford Pet Friendly 2BD Suite · Casa Maria Irena · Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain
For self-catering
The three suites at 16 Berry Street, Casa Maria Irena and Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain all include a kitchen with oven, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher, plus washing machines. The Paddle penthouse adds a terrace and balcony, and the Ski suite has bunk beds, so longer stays and group cooking are straightforward.
Hike at Hills Meaford Pet Friendly 2BD Suite · Paddle at Hills Meaford Penthouse 3rd Floor Suite w Deck & Balcony · Ski at Hills Meaford Second Floor Suite w Bunk Beds · Casa Maria Irena · Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain
For dining and drinks on site
Penny's Motel and Bowering Lodge both list restaurants or bars and room service, and Danby House serves breakfast, including breakfast in the room and special diets. These three are the picks if you would rather not drive out again for dinner after a day on the trails or the water.
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Owen Sound is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Toronto via Highway 400 and Highway 26, and roughly two hours from Barrie. The nearest major airport is Toronto Pearson International, and regional bus services connect the city to Toronto and other Ontario cities. Once in Owen Sound, downtown and the waterfront are walkable, with cycling popular on the trails along the Sydenham River, and local taxi services and limited public transit are available. A car helps for the surrounding Bruce Peninsula and Grey County — useful here, since several listed hotels lie on rural roads outside the city.
When to go
Summer, from June to August, is the most popular time, with warm weather for hiking, boating and events such as the Salmon Spectacular. Autumn, in September and October, brings fall colours to the escarpment and is ideal for scenic drives. Winter offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and spring can be cool and wet. The best time depends on your preferred activities, and the hotels here support all four seasons: Danby House and Penny's Motel list skiing, and Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain is built around the winter months.
Questions, answered
Which hotel is closest to the centre of Owen Sound?
Casa Maria Irena is the closest of the listed hotels, at 7.4 km from the centre, on Grey Road 15. Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain is 25.7 km out, the three suites on Berry Street are 26.5 km out, Danby House is 35.2 km out and Penny's Motel is 37.9 km out.
Do any of these hotels allow pets?
Yes. Penny's Motel, Hike at Hills Meaford Pet Friendly 2BD Suite, Casa Maria Irena and Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain all list pets allowed among their facilities. The others on this shortlist do not state it, so check before booking if you travel with an animal.
Which hotels have free parking?
Penny's Motel, Bowering Lodge, Casa Maria Irena and Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain list free car parking. Danby House and the three Berry Street suites list parking but do not state that it is free, so an overnight stop by car is easiest at the first four.
Which is the best-rated hotel on this list?
Penny's Motel has the highest guest rating, 4.7 out of 5, from 457 reviews. It is also the only 5-star property here; Bowering Lodge, Danby House, the Meaford suites, Casa Maria Irena and Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain are all 4-star.
Do any hotels have a pool or spa?
Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain lists a swimming pool and a pool bar, and Casa Maria Irena lists a games room. Danby House is the only property here with a spa. No other hotel on this shortlist states a pool or spa among its facilities.
Do the hotels serve breakfast?
Danby House lists breakfast, breakfast in room and special diets, making it the clearest choice for a morning meal on site. Penny's Motel and Bowering Lodge both list restaurants and room service, and several of the self-catering properties, including the Berry Street suites and Casa Maria Irena, provide kitchens.
Which hotels suit families best?
Bowering Lodge, Danby House, Ski at Hills Meaford Second Floor Suite w Bunk Beds, Casa Maria Irena and Winter retreat in Meaford Near Blue Mountain all list family rooms. The Ski suite adds bunk beds and laundry service, and Danby House provides cots and high chairs for younger children.
Can I stay here without a car?
Downtown Owen Sound and the waterfront are walkable, with local taxis and limited public transit. However, the listed hotels mostly sit outside the core: Danby House and Penny's Motel are on city streets, while the Berry Street, Grey Road 15 and St Andrews Drive addresses are rural. A car makes those far easier to reach.