I've slept in tents, inns, hotels, cars and vans, resorts, jails (twice!) but this was my first time sleeping in a bank. I discovered this gem of a boutique hotel through a company, Unexpected Journeys, which offers similar surprise itineraries as Guess Where Trips, with Ottawa as the main city of departure. As part of the 5 leg journey, we were given a list of hotels to turn our day trip into a weekend adventure. When I saw the option to stay at the Rob Thompson Hotel in Brockville, a 1922 Bank of Toronto completely refurbished into a swank hotel, I didn't hesitate: I booked two rooms, the Steampunk for me and the Holt for my friends.
At first we were confused: we arrived in front of a closed door with a code lock... after a panicked phone call to the concierge, we learned that the hotel was completely operated through codes. We entered a code to enter into the bank and another to enter into our rooms: no reception desk, no porters, just sleek corridors decorated with vaults and modern art. It was both impressive and a little intimidating. We quickly found our rooms and shrieked with delight: the rooms are gorgeous! They are spacious, elegant, comfortable with a plethora of amenities, including a giant-screen TV, a fireplace, a small kitchen, and a beautiful shower with no less than two shower heads. My friends even had an old-fashioned copper bathtub big enough to accommodate a 6'4" frame (it was tested). It was pure bliss and only our grumbling tummies could convince us to go get some food. The itinerary came with plenty of restaurant suggestions, as well. Thanks to small town collaboration, the first jam-packed place sent us to a colleague who happened to have a free table. Off we went to The Mill for some deliciously traditional Italian fare.
Our unexpected journey led us to much more than just the hotel. We went on two hikes in the Thousand Islands National Park and one in Limerick Forest. We discovered lovely little spots which included a Tartan House, a Blue Church and a three-span bridge finished in 1857 and built with stones so old they are thought to be a billion years old. We visited a vintage boat museum, enjoyed the breeze on a dock sitting in Muskoka chairs, found delicacies and fancy iced coffees in an independant coffeehouse, and walked amongst murals. Mostly we enjoyed Brockville with its friendly charm, bright colours and welcoming waterfront. We came home exhausted but delighted... I may be hooked on these surprise itineraries!
I do have a preference for Unexpected Journeys over Guess Where Trips: they offer 9 trips from Ottawa. Guess Where is expanding to other parts of Canada and has left the Capital Region a bit behind with 5 itineraries. However, both companies offer a weekend option, restaurant and shopping recommendations, free sights and hikes, and a lot of quirky stops. Note that there are overlaps between the two companies, so best is to choose very different themes for the most diversity.
Oh! About sleeping in a jail... you may enjoy the King George Inn, former provincial jail, or, for the more adventurous, the Ottawa Jail Hostel which some say is haunted...
