Regional Roadtrips: High-end Nevis Estate boutique hotel yet another reason to visit Perth

March 20, 2025

Editor's Note

Regional Roadtrips is a column prepared by local travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet of Ottawa Road Trips to inspire day trips and weekend getaways. It is supported by Ottawa’s Star Motors.

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Terri Hofan had been planning to start an inn but hadn’t settled on a location. Then her husband, real estate agent Scott Moore, spotted the perfect property for sale in Perth, an hour southwest of Ottawa. The couple put in an offer and took possession of the 7,000-square-foot bed and breakfast in late 2020. Then, they embarked on substantial renovations, which included upgrading the electrical systems and overhauling guest bathrooms. In August 2021, they reopened the property as the Nevis Estate Boutique Hotel. The 183-year-old stone home, set among mature trees on a four-acre lot, looks deceptively small from the street. Once home to senator and lumber baron Peter McLaren, it was christened “Nevis Cottage” after the highest mountain in Scotland. The hotel is elegant now, but the renovation wasn’t easy. Wiring had to be upgraded. Wood in the cupola required the attention of a master carpenter. And one morning a burst upstairs water tank sent water pouring into the breakfast room below. “This was like a waterfall,” Hofan says, glancing up ruefully at the repaired ceiling. “It wasn’t fun.” The mansion now offers six ensuite guest rooms, each named for a different single-malt Scotch. The ground floor features sunny common areas, including a living room and a lobby bar. In the breakfast room, guests can choose from a cooked-to-order breakfast or a selection of fruit, yogurt parfaits and house-made baked treats. “Our pastry, it changes every day,” says Hofan. “It’s always freshly baked in the morning.” Hofan graduated from a hospitality program in her native Indonesia before moving to Ottawa to study business at Algonquin College and pursue a career in finance. When she decided to return to her hospitality roots, she was determined to create a high-end property. Luxurious guest room flourishes at Nevis Estate include Frette linens, Nespresso coffeemakers and Dyson hairdryers. So far, Hofan has done little advertising, relying on Google searches, word-of-mouth and repeat business to build her clientele. Business is busiest in summer. At other times of year, the hotel hosts special events — such as “long table dinners” with visiting chefs — to draw people to the property. The lobby bar is open to guests and non-guests alike, providing another reason to check the place out. Hofan is also working to have Nevis Estate certified as cyclist-friendly and has plans to restore the 3,500-square-foot coach house as a venue for corporate events and wellness retreats. “We will be doing a lot more events and workshops,” she promises.

Guest rooms at Nevis Estate feature a mix of grand antiques and sleek modern pieces. Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet.
Renovated bathrooms at Nevis Estate have amenities like soaker tubs and oversized showers. Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet.
Hofan has researched the history of the building, constructed in 1842. Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet.
The current owners installed a sleek lobby bar, which is open to guests and non-guests alike. Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet.
From the outside, Nevis Estate looks much smaller than it is. Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet.
Nevis Estate serves house-made pastries and yogurt parfaits for breakfast, as well as hot dishes. Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet.
Limestone buildings, including the clocktower-topped town hall, line Gore Street in downtown Perth. Photo by Laura Byrne Paquet.

Things to see and do in Perth

Ontario leisure travellers comprise a significant portion of Nevis Estate’s clientele, often attracted by Perth’s lively downtown. If shopping is your thing, you could head to Riverguild Fine Crafts for items made by local and other Canadian artists, Strévé Design for locally made women’s coats and other clothing, Queen Bee Millinery for fetching fascinators and other hats, and Kelly’s Flowers and Gift Boutique for home décor and bouquets — among many other shops. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, Mex & Co. serves Mexican dishes, which you can enjoy on a terrace beside the Tay Canal in warm weather. Gather is a charming bistro that makes great salads, soups and sandwiches, and the Stone Cellar is a good choice for special occasions. Perth also hosts a range of popular events. They include the Festival of the Maples (April 26), the newly revived Perth Kilt Run (June 21) and, for music fans, the free Stewart Park Festival (July 18 to 20). Studio Theatre Perth presents plays, concerts and other live performances, including the upcoming play Holmes and Watson (March 20 to 23 and March 27 to 30). Award-winning Ottawa travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet shares her sightseeing tips for Eastern Ontario and beyond on her website, Ottawa Road Trips.