Now, they have created what they say is "a true doggie paradise," completed with a fenced-in yard and agility tunnel. The Black Lab Inn is also decorated with dog-themed arts and crafts. Of course, guests without dogs are also welcome at this four-room bed and breakfast. (The room names are Good Dog, Bad Dog, Top Dog and Lucky Dog.)
Cliff and Lianne answered some questions for us about The Black Lab Inn.
Please tell us a little about your inn's history.
Our inn opened in November 2008 after we purchased our house in mid-2007 and completed the necessary renovations and redecorating.
When we moved in 2007, we wanted to find a house in a country setting, away from the traffic and noise of downtown Ottawa -- but close to the amenities of Ottawa -- that we could make into a dog-friendly bed and breakfast for people like us who wanted to travel with their dogs. We wanted to create an inn that was comfortable and where guests could relax and meet other dog lovers.
Our bed and breakfast was going to reflect what we looked for when we traveled with our two dogs and some of our values, especially making it as "green" as possible.
Why did you decide to cater to those who travel with dogs, and what special dog-friendly touches does The Black Lab Inn have?
My wife and I have always had dogs and when we went on vacation, we found it was very difficult to find a nice place to relax, where we could take our dogs and where we could play with them in a safe and fun environment.
We never felt comfortable putting our dogs in a kennel and preferred to bring them with us. Our dogs are members of the family, but it was hard to shorten our vacations because we couldn't find suitable accommodations. We thought that our hometown really needed a dog-friendly inn for visitors to Ottawa.
Our Victorian-style house is a true doggie paradise. Besides a fenced-in yard complete with an agility tunnel, we are close to a city park and a nearby river. It is decorated with a dog/lab theme with numerous prints and crafts throughout the house, and with dog beds and bowls provided to those who need them.
How do you make a stay at The Black Lab Inn special?
Whether guests come with a dog our not, they are treated like family and we truly strive to make their stay a relaxing and enjoyable one and that they would not hesitate to recommend us to their friends and family.
What are some of the attractions in the Ottawa area that you would rate as must-see?
The nearby village of Manotick has several quaint shops and very good restaurants. There is an off-leash dog park not too far form us and hiking with your dog in the Gatineau Hills has been popular with many of our guests.
What might a guest at your B&B expect to have for breakfast?
We pride ourselves on serving unique, delicious breakfasts with al recipes developed in-house. A typical breakfast might start with juice and our house blend coffee served with home made banana-Kona bread. We have over a dozen gourmet French toast recipes and try to have our recipes use local ingredients and ones that are in season. And for our doggie guest we have home-made dog treats!
Which is your personal favorite guest room?
All our rooms are decorated with several, often whimsical dog-themed art prints and we designed each room to be spacious enough and have what any owner would be looking for if traveling with a doggie companion. Our Top Dog room, our biggest room, also has the business traveler in mind as it is the only room on the uppermost floor and has a desk to work at. It can also be turned into a suite for those traveling with another couple.
What advice would you give to aspiring innkeepers?
We are pretty new to being a B&B owners but have quite a lot of experience running a business. Just having stayed at numerous B&Bs, I'd have to say focus on the things that make a B&B a better experience than a hotel; the breakfast foremost and the atmosphere and level of service to the guest.
