Niagara-on-the-Lake’s newest full-service luxury hotel hits the mark with flying colours for boutique style and cheerful service. The former Royal Park Hotel remodelled its 30 rooms to create a serene and totally modern hotel that enjoys one of town’s best locations, directly across the street from the Shaw Festival Theatre. The colour palette is subdued neutrals—dark wood, brown velour armchairs—with red or ice blue touches. Modern accents include 42-inch plasma televisions, mini-televisions embedded in bathroom mirrors, MP3 hookups, and slate-tiled rain-head showers nearly big enough to dance in. For a decadent getaway, consider Suite 208, which has a wet bar overlooking the L-shaped living room sofa, a two-person tub and a balcony. Not only does the hotel have two pet-friendly rooms, but it also offers in-room therapy from a certified canine massage practitioner. Pet-less visitors may request a betta fish for company. Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant, which has the hottest patio in town. St. David’s proscuitto, Cumbrae Farms organic striploins and Quebec foie gras are featured on a short but smart menu. An adjoining spa offers a wide range of treatments and a three-seat manicure bar, where girlfriends chat over smoothies and cappuccinos while getting a formaldehyde-free Zoya polish. Six “traditional” Shaw Club guest rooms above the spa have updated bathrooms, but in-room Jacuzzi tubs with mirrored surrounds, and faux Victorian furnishings remain in the bedrooms.