Historic Idlewyld Inn
The Idlewyld mansion was built in 1878 as a private home for Charles Smith Hyman. Mr. Hyman was a successful businessman, Mayor of London, a Cabinet Minister in the government of Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier, captain of Canada’s most successful national cricket team, and seven times Canadian men’s singles tennis champion. Mr. Hyman is also credited with introducing the game of bridge to Canada.
The Idlewyld was sold in the thirties to Ernest Moore who transformed the mansion into luxury apartments. It was also converted to a nursing home in the late sixties by Dr. Charles Mayor. The Idlewyld was sold in 1985 and then underwent six months of refurbishment. Orchestra London’s “Interiors” showcased the Idlewyld during May of 1986 and the Idlewyld Inn officially opened as a luxurious Inn in July 1986. The Inn was immediately designated as a four-diamond property by AAA/CAA.
The original house included a formal parlour (present living room), a dining room with original Linsrusts-Walton wall coverings (present boardroom), and an informal parlour for the lady of the house (present reception area), a library with private study (room 101), and a ballroom (present breakfast room and rooms 103 & 105). The master bedroom (present rooms 202 & 204) was once directly attached to a sunroom, which is now the second floor landing of the main staircase. The third floor would have been used as servants’ quarters.
Elegant Oriental carpets would have covered the floors of the original mansion. As many as five different papers would have covered the ceilings and walls as wallpaper became inexpensive and popular. The shuttered windows would have been covered with heavy-fringed drapes. Lighting would have been in the form of gas chandeliers, sconces and table lamps. A coal-burning furnace with ornate radiators was installed in the 1890’s to supplement the original fireplaces.
The Idlewyld has undergone many changes over the years. Guests tell us that our Inn is the best change yet!
