This Charming Ontario Inn Is A Luxe Country Escape

A girls’ getaway is good for the soul, and that’s exactly what a bestie and I decided we needed in order to catch up after more than 365 days of not seeing each other IRL. Like most of us in the always-on modern era we both lead busy lives, so a chic spot offering unmatched quietude, serenity and comfort were the top considerations for our staycation. We found all of this and more at the postcard-picture perfect Liberty Inn.

Opened in February, The Liberty Inn is an enchanting and intimate boutique hotel in the hamlet of Cataract (population just over 100) located within the town of Caledon just 60 kilometers away from Toronto. This is one of Ontario’s most beauteous rural areas offering a bucolic mix of rolling farmland and romantic rocky terrain—complete with a few hidden waterfalls—which makes it an incredible hiking and adventure destination. The Forks of the Credit Provincial Park is literally 25 steps away from The Liberty Inn’s front door, and the inn’s neighbouring areas abound with the quaintest towns, artist studios and shops, craft breweries, cafés, and restaurants.

The inn itself has been a fixture of the area since 1855 and has had many storied lives. It’s latest and most luxe reinvention was conceived by co-founders Jacqui Liberty and Bruno Roldan who had a vision to meticulously restore and reimagine this spot into a place that feels at once incredibly modern and totally old world. The Liberty Inn is perfect for every type of getaway from romantic interludes to solo-selfcare breaks and friend hangs.

The Rooms

Everything at The Liberty Inn has been designed and curated with an intentional eye. There are just five luxuriously appointed suites at the inn, two of which are two-bedrooms, both located on the upper floor. Every room features a unique design and colour palette and the vibe is giving English modern farmhouse. Co-founder Liberty—who is also a gifted ceramic artist and founder of Soft Fire Ceramics—was intimately involved with the aesthetic of the inn and worked in partnership with acclaimed designer Tiffany Leigh, principle of Tiffany Leigh Designs, to create natural light-filled rooms that feel elevated, authentic, and warm. Throughout each suite creamy white walls and natural wood accents prevail, while rich and rustic tones of oxblood, mushroom, British racing green, and espresso add depth, dimension, and differentiation to the spaces.

There are many standout details found in the suites of The Liberty Inn including the dreamy artwork created expressly for the inn by Canadian artists Melissa Mary Jenkins, Kayla Gale Campbell, Donna Délano, Ethel Voronkova, Melanie Cheung and Karine M. Liberty herself handcrafted the vast array of ceramic tiles found throughout the inn. In total, there are more than 10,000 unique tiles which were rolled, cut and glazed by hand in Liberty’s nearby studio in Alton. Each suite also comes complete with a full kitchen, complete with a farmhouse style sink and a retro-vibes SMEG refrigerator. It’s also kitted out with the most exquisite handcrafted ceramic tableware which was created by Liberty too.

The In-Room Amenities

It’s always the little things that make a hotel stay truly unforgettable, and The Liberty Inn ticks every box when it comes to best-in-class comfort. I stayed in the two-bedroom Rhodes suite which was perfect for my girl’s getaway. The bedrooms in this room are located at the front and back of the inn and we had the best nights sleeps because the surrounding area is *so quiet*. Each of our guestroom’s had weighted-collar robes to cozy up in. The beds were pillowy perfection outfitted in buttery-soft bedding; the pillows were one of my favourite features because they offered a sumptuous feel combined with a firm support. In the bedside table was a red and blue light therapy mask (the BEST!), and the steam-shower equipped bathroom also came stocked with spa-inspired goodies in the form of a holistic skin care sampler kit from Canadian brand Skin Frequency. An in-room record player was a fun nostalgic touch—we spun some vintage Etta James to mellow out to before bedtime. In the morning we baked up croissants pre-prepped in the fridge for us (there’s were eggs, milk, and oat milk in there too), and enjoyed their flakey, golden perfection with teas, lattes, and email check-ins at our farmhouse dining table. A literal dream start to the day.

The Nordic Spa

One of the most unique features of The Liberty Inn is the Scandi-inspired outdoor spa, a completely private little nook of Zen tucked away just off the main driveway. Set against a tranquil backdrop of soaring pine trees you can enjoy your own personal healing oasis with a cedar hot tub, Finnish sauna, and cold plunge tub as the main characters. As you book your own personal appointment to exclusively enjoy the spa space, you can do the wellness circuit at your own pace. We chose early evening for our visit which was a glorious time to experience it and take time to linger a little longer by the fireplace under the fairy lights and dusky summer skies. From there we took a wander through the newest addition to the outdoor space, a sprawling perennial garden planted behind the inn. When I visited, this serene space was transitioning from spring to summer blooms (there are more than 2,000 tulip bulbs planted here). It was a thoughtful spot to end the day with a meditative sunset stroll. —Alison McGill