There’s a lot behind the Yellow Door
at Fort Erie bed and breakfast
Business recently named most bike-friendly in Niagara, by cycling organization
Apr 22, 2019
by Richard Hutton Fort Erie Post
at Fort Erie bed and breakfast
Business recently named most bike-friendly in Niagara, by cycling organization
Apr 22, 2019
by Richard Hutton Fort Erie Post
Deirdre Donnelly is the owner of the
Yellow Door Bed and Breakfast in Crystal Beach.
The Yellow Door was recently named the winner of
Ontario By Bike's 2019 Best Bicycle Friendly Business for Niagara Region,
- Richard Hutton/Metroland
The bedroom inside the Yellow Door Bed and Breakfast's Poppy Suite.
- Richard Hutton/Metroland
- Richard Hutton/Metroland
The Poppy Suite inside the Yellow Door Bed and Breakfast in Crystal Beach.
- Richard Hutton/Metroland
You can excuse Deirdre Donnelly for riding high these days.
Her business, the Yellow Door Bed & Breakfast in Crystal Beach, was recently named the 2019 Best Bicycle Friendly Business for the Niagara Region, by Ontario By Bike. The award can be added to the string of positive reviews the B&B has earned on TripAdvisor and that resulted in a five-bubble rating — the highest available — on the travel website.
There’s a reason for Yellow Door’s success, she says.
“I live in the home, and a lot of people say it’s just like being at home. I have a lot of repeat guests.”
Since earning the Ontario By Bike award last month, she has received two bookings from cycling enthusiasts as a result. Part of the reason, she says, is the proximity of the Friendship Trail, a link of the Greater Niagara Circle Route.
“There’s a loop, and they can go on a lot of different trails,” she says.
She strives to make all her guests as comfortable as possible, providing everything from free hot and cold drinks to toiletries and even toothbrushes.
You would be surprised that people forget toothbrushes,”she says. “I try to cover everything. I try to make it a really special experience.”
Many of her guests come from Europe, and a large number come from the United States. And the reasons for visits are many.
“I’ve had a few guests who are applying for NEXUS cards," she says. (NEXUS is a voluntary program designed to speed up border crossings for low-risk, pre-approved travellers crossing the border between Canada and the United States.) "I’ve had guests who are crossing the border to fly out of Buffalo. I’ve had guests for weddings and funerals. I even had a couple come here for their honeymoon and stay for a few days.”
Other touches include special items such as confetti for weddings and flags for every occasion, whether it be a holiday or another type of special occasion.
“I try to make it special,” she says. “I think that really sets me apart from the other establishments.
As a part of the local business community, Donnelly says, it’s important to promote other businesses as a part of her work.“I really think I should be doing that,” she says.
To that end, the website for the yellow door (www.yellowdoorbandb.com) features links to restaurants and events in the area, such as The Crystal Ball Café, The Crystal Chandelier, The Sanctuary Centre for the Arts, the Ridgeway Farmers’Market and more.
The room rate for the Yellow Door is $165 per night during the peak season from May to September and $115 per night from October to April.
Her business, the Yellow Door Bed & Breakfast in Crystal Beach, was recently named the 2019 Best Bicycle Friendly Business for the Niagara Region, by Ontario By Bike. The award can be added to the string of positive reviews the B&B has earned on TripAdvisor and that resulted in a five-bubble rating — the highest available — on the travel website.
There’s a reason for Yellow Door’s success, she says.
“I live in the home, and a lot of people say it’s just like being at home. I have a lot of repeat guests.”
Since earning the Ontario By Bike award last month, she has received two bookings from cycling enthusiasts as a result. Part of the reason, she says, is the proximity of the Friendship Trail, a link of the Greater Niagara Circle Route.
“There’s a loop, and they can go on a lot of different trails,” she says.
She strives to make all her guests as comfortable as possible, providing everything from free hot and cold drinks to toiletries and even toothbrushes.
You would be surprised that people forget toothbrushes,”she says. “I try to cover everything. I try to make it a really special experience.”
Many of her guests come from Europe, and a large number come from the United States. And the reasons for visits are many.
“I’ve had a few guests who are applying for NEXUS cards," she says. (NEXUS is a voluntary program designed to speed up border crossings for low-risk, pre-approved travellers crossing the border between Canada and the United States.) "I’ve had guests who are crossing the border to fly out of Buffalo. I’ve had guests for weddings and funerals. I even had a couple come here for their honeymoon and stay for a few days.”
Other touches include special items such as confetti for weddings and flags for every occasion, whether it be a holiday or another type of special occasion.
“I try to make it special,” she says. “I think that really sets me apart from the other establishments.
As a part of the local business community, Donnelly says, it’s important to promote other businesses as a part of her work.“I really think I should be doing that,” she says.
To that end, the website for the yellow door (www.yellowdoorbandb.com) features links to restaurants and events in the area, such as The Crystal Ball Café, The Crystal Chandelier, The Sanctuary Centre for the Arts, the Ridgeway Farmers’Market and more.
The room rate for the Yellow Door is $165 per night during the peak season from May to September and $115 per night from October to April.
Richard Hutton is a Reporter-Photographer for Niagara this Week,
covering everything from politics to community stories
and everything in between in Niagara’s southern tier.
Email: rhutton@niagarathisweek.comFacebook Twitter
