Lydia Ivy PhotographyA Comprehensive Guide to Elora Ontario | What to do & Where to stay *UPDATED 2021
Elora, Ontario has quickly become a destination location for tourists and weddings. Elora is known as "Ontario's most beautiful village." The charming township is located in Centre Wellington and is renowned for its 19th century limestone architecture, including the newly renovated Elora Mill Hotel & Spa operated by Pearle Hospitality. The town has a population of 3,796 and a population density of 1,072. The downtown has a main street, Geddes Street runs North/South and meets with Mill Street running East/West. At the end of Mill Street is The Elora Mill with a gated entrance at the corner of Mill St W and Price St.
ABOUT THE ELORA MILL
The Elora Mill Hotel & Spa has become a very popular venue for weddings in Ontario. The Mill consists of six buildings with the main building at the end of Mill Street that has a lobby, restaurant and bedrooms. Next to the Mill building is the Spa. Within the gated grounds is also The James Ross House, a private suite. The Coach House is the fifth building that hosts rooms with a beautiful view of The Grand River. The Granary building is where the cocktail hour and reception happen. The Foundry is across the river with an indoor and outdoor ceremony space.
In the main building, The Solarium Room (which is an amazing spot to photograph) is popular for wedding guests. It has a huge bathroom, bedroom and then a living room that's completely enclosed in glass and has a beautiful fireplace. The view of the gorge is amazing - and you can see The Foundry space! Stunning natural light everywhere here. The Solarium Room is cantilevered over The Grand River - a unique view for sure!
Weekday Rate - $1100
Weekend Rate - $1300
Mill Bedroom
These incredibly beautiful rooms are located in the original Mill. The room vary in size but include a king bed, soaker tub and river views.
Weekday Rate - $500
Weekend Rate - $700
Terrace Suite
The Terrace Suite is located in the main building. Each of the suits has a private walk-out terrace, which includes a fire pit and stunning view of the gorge.
Weekday Rate - $950
Weekend Rate - $1150
Loft Suite
The Loft Suite is located in the main building. It is a split level with two bathrooms. It has a main bedroom with a fireplace and timber stairs up to a second bedroom. This room would be recommended for small families for sure!
Weekday Rate - $1000
Weekend Rate - $1200
Juliet Balcony
The Juliet Balcony is a spacious suite in the main building of the mill. It features a stunning Juliet balcony which overlooks The Grand River. The room also has a beautiful living room space and bathroom with a soaker tub.
Weekday Rate - $800
The James Ross House
The James Ross House is a private two-storey villa locate opposite the main building. The house has a loft-style bedroom upstairs, and a living area, dining space and patio. The lighting is much darker here! It's recommended that you go up to the windows in the bedroom for portraits!
Weekday Rate - $1000
The Coach House
This building is on the corner of Mill Street and Price Street and has been transformed from it's original build in the 1800s to a private guest house with nine private guest rooms. It is separate from the main building and is perfect for couples who want a bit more privacy that overlook The Grand River.
Couch House Terrace View
Weekday Rate - $600
Weekend Rate - $800
Couch House River View
Weekday Rate - $700
Weekend Rate - $850
LOCATION RELATIVE TO OTHER CITIES
The Elora Mill has become a very popular travel destination in Ontario. Here is the approximate distance from the surrounding cities
Guelph = 25km
Kitchener = 30km
Cambridge = 45km
Hamilton = 75km
Mississauga = 90km
Oakville = 90km
Toronto = 115km
Vaughan = 115km
London = 140km
WEDDINGS AT THE ELORA MILL
Thinking about booking at The Elora Mill Hotel & Spa? Wedding packages range from $150-$250 per person. There are lots of things to consider, like where to stay! I've compiled a list of the rooms at the mill with average costs and some photos.
Your ceremony can be held inside at The Foundry or outside. Inside The Foundry space is a rustic and romantic space. Natural light coming through all side of the building, wooden beams, and a polished marble fire place.
The Granary - includes a main foyer, meeting rooms, The Irvine Room, The Grand Room and Rooftop Terrace. The building is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator that connects to all the floors including The Rooftop Terrace.
The Grand Room
The Grand Room is located on the second floor of The Granary. The Grand Room accommodates up to 200 guests with harvest tables, antique mirrors lining the wall, and stunning chandeliers.
Rooftop Terrace
If you book The Grand Room, you also have access to The Rooftop Terrace which is located on the third floor of The Granary. Both the Rooftop Terrace and The Grand Room are accessible via the elevator.
The Irvine Room
The Irvine Room is located on the main floor of The Granary building. The room has a rich, dark and romantic feel with a wood burning fire place and is perfect for a more intimate wedding with a seated capacity of 100.
Thinking about a sweetheart table? A lot of couples have recommended this!
TIP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS!
Check in with your Day Of Coordinator at the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa and organize to take your couple for a quick golden hour session outside. Golden hour is the time of day within the hour of the sunsetting - during this time, you can guarantee some really emotional photos using light flares! If you are shooting in The Grand Room you can go up to the Rooftop Terrace. If you are in the Irvine Room, you can try sneaking outside to the corner of Price Street and Mill St. Make sure to google what time the sunsets that day and ask to take the couple for about 15 minutes for photos the hour before.
Where to go for photos?
VICTORIA PARK
This park is located right up the road from Elora Mill Hotel & Spa. Ask the Elora Mill staff and they will take you and the couple (bridal party and family even!) to this spot. If you are looking for that iconic shot of the couple on a rock in The Elora Gorge - it's best to make sure the couple is adventurous first! and then plan time that day to hike down to the spot. It's a very steep staircase to get down to the water from the park. Plan to be here for at least 30 minutes if you are taking photos - and an hour if you are walking down to the water. There are beautiful trees all around and the light is stunning!
BISSELL PARK
This park is located on Mill Street and is a beautiful place to walk along the Grand River. There is a little waterfall and a board walk that runs through the park. There's a lovely little red iron bridge that crosses the river - great for bridal party photos.
WHERE TO STAY IN ELORA - TOP 10 AIR BNBs
I did a quick search on Air Bnb to find the most popular places in the area in reference to the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa. Here is the list of the Top 10 Air Bnb with the name of the place; average cost per nights; the walking distance from the Elora Mill Hotel Mill & Spa; the number of guests; the rating and link! The places range from 2 guests to 6 guests and in price from about $175 up.
Average Cost Per Night - $175
Distance From Elora Mill - 500m
Number of Guests - 2 guests
Air BnB Rating - 4.92
Air BNB Elora - Victoria Street Retreat
Average Cost Per Night - $200
Distance From Elora Mill - 400m
Number of Guests - 3 guests
Air BnB Rating - 4.96
Average Cost Per Night - $330
Distance From Elora Mill - 200m
Number of Guests - 2 guests
Air BnB Rating - 4.99
Average Cost Per Night - $220
Distance From Elora Mill - 200m
Number of Guests - 4 guests
Air BnB Rating - 4.95
Limestone…a unique experience downtown Elora
Average Cost Per Night - $250
Distance From Elora Mill - 1.1km
Number of Guests - 4 guests
Air BnB Rating - 5
The Wright’s Coach House - Cozy up by the Fire
Average Cost Per Night - $230
Distance From Elora Mill - 1.8km
Number of Guests - 6 guests
Air BnB Rating - 4.98
Average Cost Per Night - $185
Distance From Elora Mill - 2.1km
Number of Guests - 6 guests
Air BnB Rating - No Reviews Yet
Average Cost Per Night - $190
Distance From Elora Mill - 900m
Number of Guests - 4 guests
Air BnB Rating - 5
Average Cost Per Night - $175
Distance From Elora Mill - 500m
Number of Guests - 5 guests
Air BnB Rating - 4.93
Local Nest Steps to Elora Mill, Shops and Gorge
Average Cost Per Night - $425
Distance From Elora Mill - 300m
Number of Guests - 6 guests
Air BnB Rating - No Reviews Yet
WHERE TO EAT IN ELORA - TOP 10 RESTAURANTS
Take a look at the most popular places to eat in the area with the price range, distance from the Elora Mill Hotel & Spa and google review.
Cafe Creperie of Elora
Price: $$
Distance from Mill: 100m
Rating: 4.1
Scoop Icecream
Distance from Mill: 50m
The Evelyn
Distance from Mill: 300m
Rating: 4.8
Elora Brewing Company
Price: $$
Distance from Mill: 350m
Rating :4.4
The Cellar Pub and Grill
Price: $$
Distance from Mill: 250m
Rating: 4.5
The Lost & Found Cafe
Distance from Mill: 150m
Rating: 4.7
Elora Mill Restaurant
Distance from Mill: At the Mill
Rating: 4.4
Wreckless Eric
Price: $
Distance from Mill: 200m
Rating: 4.4
Box Social
Price: $
Distance from Mill: 400m
Rating: 4.4
Restaurant: The Friendly
Distance from Mill: 110m
Rating: 4.7
WHAT TO DO IN ELORA - ACTIVITIES & SHOPS
Thinking about going for a hike? Check out the Elora Conservation Area - Park and Conservation Area - located in the Grand RiverValley. The Grand River rushes through the gorge, which has 22 meter high cliffs - in the warm seasons you'll often see kayakers and tubers in the gorge! Fun fact - you can sometimes see this from your rooms at the Elora Mill!
If you are looking at some adventure in Elora, One Axe Pursuits provides ice climbing, zip lining and urban repelling! Check out the links and costs below
Ice climbing
https://www.oneaxepursuits.com/ice-climbing
$250 per person
Time 10am-4pm
2-10 people
Skill level - beginner
Zip-lining Extreme
https://www.oneaxepursuits.com/zipline-extreme
$250 per person
Time 10am-4pm
2-10 people
Skill level - beginner
Urban Repelling
https://www.oneaxepursuits.com/urban-rappelling
$150 per person for 3 rappels or per hour per person
1-12 participants
skill level - beginner
Glass blowing at Blown Away which is known nation-wide as one of the most hands-on glass blowing experiences! The names of their classes are quite funny - First Base, Second Base, Third Base - go check it out yourself http://www.blownawayglassstudio.com Classes start around $295 plus HST and up!
ELORA MILL CONDOMINIUMS
Think you want to join the Elora Community? Check out the new Elora Mill Condominiums being built