|
The Hillcrest is currently closed for renovations but will be reopening soon!
The Hillcrest is now hiring!
Please send a copy of your resume to info@thehilcrest.ca
All Spa Packages
Wellness Packages
Meet The Wellness Team
Rates
2008 Reader's Choice Awards
Best Boutique Spa
Best Cuisine
Best Spa, Mind-Body-Spirit
SpaFinder Gift Certificates accepted
Connoisseur Status - Spa Finder
Premier Spas of Ontario - accredited member
Premier Spas of Ontario
SPA TRAIN PARTICIPANT
Keep in Touch...
From Our Guestbook
From the minute I walked through the door, I had entered a different world...a world all about taking it slow, enjoying the moment, and was placed in the hands of a welcoming staff! What a magnificent experience!
Sondra Marcon, Ontario, Canada
Read more guest reviews
|
Northumberland County’s Most Elegant Mansion
“The Hillcrest” is the sole example of French Beaux Arts Style architecture in Port Hope, and is Port Hope’s most impressive home. Situated on 14 wooded acres, in a neighbourhood of century restored homes, the house faces south-east overlooking Lake Ontario.
    
Built for Love
In the 1870’s Emile Worts, daughter of renouned entrepreneur and distiller, James Worts, met a young lawyer from Port Hope, David Smart Jr., son of Port Hopes Post Master and local distiller. When Emile and David decided to marry and live in Port Hope, James built the Hillcrest as a wedding present to his daughter and son in law. Since women were not allowed to own property at that point, the Worts had the Hillcrest put in a family trust in case she outlived David: and she did.
American Family Summer in Port Hope
When David passed away in 1894 Emile moved back to Toronto and the Worts family sold the Hillcrest to Joseph Schwartz of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1917, the Schwartz family changed their sir name to “Black”. For over 75 years the Black family used the Hillcrest as the family’s summer home. Joseph’s brother used the same architect who designed the Hillcrest to build his family summer home, across the road. The large white mansion is known as Homewood. Julia Black died in 1973 and the house was sold out of the Black family and has been owned by 5 other owners since, with the most recent owners investing in the restoration and preservation of this Provincially designated historic property.
World Class Destination Inn & Spa
From 2000 to 2008, The Hillcrest brought people together from all over the world to experience the award winning cuisine and spa experience. Hundreds of guest testimonials and magazine editorials gave glowing accounts of time spent in this positive relaxing environment.
By Car:
The Hillcrest Valenova Inn is situated Port Hope, Ontario - 1 hour east of Toronto along Highway 401.
From Toronto:
Take the 401 east to exit # 461 (Hwy # 2 in Port Hope). Go south on Toronto Road (into Port Hope). Go straight through the first set of traffic lights (Marsh Road/Jocelyn Road). At second set of lights, turn left onto Ridout St. Then turn right onto Bramley St. Bramley makes a 90 degree turn to the left and becomes Dorset Street West. Hillcrest Valenova is on the right-hand side at this corner. Our building is a red-brick mansion with a white picket fence.
From Kingston:
Take the 401 west to exit # 464 (Hwy # 28 in Port Hope). Go south on Ontario Street (into Port Hope). When you come to a fork in the road, veer left (Mill Street). Go straight through the first set of lights (Walton Street), and turn right at the second set of lights (Peter Street). Continue up the hill into the residential area; this road becomes Dorset Street West. The Hillcrest is on the left-hand side at the top of the hill. Our building is a red-brick mansion with a white picket fence.
By Train:
 The Via Rail makes regular stops in Port Hope and more scheduled stops 10 minutes further east in Cobourg. For those choosing to live in Port Hope and commute to downtown Toronto to work, recent additions to the scheduled stops makes it very doable. The ride to Union Station is only 1 hour and 5 minutes; faster than taking the GO system from some places in the east.
Via Schedule for Commuters to Toronto
Port Hope Union Station
Departs Arrives Duration
7:11 8:20 1 hr, 9 min.
12:07 13:09 1 hr, 2 min
Union Station Port Hope
5:30 6:34 1 hr, 4 min.
6:35 7:44 1 hr. 9 min.
10:00 11:03
 Historic Port Hope:
One of the prettiest small towns in South central Ontario, Port Hope is built on the banks of the Ganaraska River.
While mentioned in Champlain’s journal of 1615, it was not settled until 1793. The Town was incorporated in 1834. The 19th century brought prosperity to the town as it became a port and lumber centre. Rich merchants built large mansions, and many charming four story brick buildings were built in the downtown area.
Due to the dedicated efforts of several local citizens, many of Port Hope’s original buildings remain. They have been restored so the Town has a strong architectural heritage. A walking tour around Port Hope’s beautiful treelined streets is exciting. Around every corner you may discover a fine mansion, gingerbread cottage or some beautiful Georgian Style houses.
As part of Northumberland county, many of the earliest settlements in Upper Canada are here in this beautiful scenic countryside.
Schools
Port hope is home of Trinity College School which attracts students from all over the world. Established in 1865, TCS is one of Canada's oldest and most respected educational institutions. The School is renowned for its challenging curriculum and abundant co-curricular opportunities in the arts, athletics and community service. Our supportive and close-knit community of students, parents, alumni, staff and friends make the School on the Hill a truly special place.
Port Hope’s public school system and separate schools are well established in the community and are listed on the town’s web site.
Arts & Culture 
Many well-known musicians, artists and writers live in Port Hope and area. One of the community projects that reflects the values of the town is the restoration and operation of the Capitol Theatre. Refurbished to its splendor of the 1930’s, the Capitol Theatre is the last atmospheric theatre of this era left in Canada.
One of the Oldest Forests on the Northern Shore
The mature deciduous forest contains a stand of red and white oaks with the largest measurements recorded for a natural community along the waterfront. (red oak – 130cm; white oak – 122cm; sugar maple – 102cm) These trees are estimated to be 200-350 years old. Of the 13.9 acres with the Hillcrest, 11 are woods.
Wildlife
This is one of the largest natural areas within the Town of Port Hope and supports a comparatively large and diverse wildlife population. A number of guests have had the opportunity to see the red fox peak out of the woods to drink from the fountain in the driveway, or have seen the deer foraging at the woods near the marsh. Skunks and raccoons and rabbits find homes in the old fallen trees or standing dead stumps. We leave some brush in the woods which the rabbits inhabit.
The Lighting
Few homes to-day have the character that is evident in every facet of the Hillcrest. The Waterford Chrystal chandelier is original to the home and was originally gas lit and converted to electricity. It is a stunning piece of history that welcomes guests into the front entrance. All of the original ceiling lights and wall sconces are elegant and a reflection of the times.
Fireplaces
There are 13 fireplaces in the Hillcrest; each finished to suit the room that it is in. The carved woodwork on the mantle faces dawn everything from the family
crest to intricate designs that are replicated throughout the home.
The Coffin Window
Built at a time of etiquette or superstition, the original dining room has a coffin
window that was used to remove the body after the wake and funeral.
The Crown Moldings
Rarely do you see such beautiful detail in deep crown moldings adorn with plaster roses as in the original dining room. Each of the principal rooms still have original crown moldings that intricately follow irregular dimensions of the room.
Hardwood Floors
A trademark of the local tradesmen of the
1800s, the mosaic of inlaid hardwood
Add character to the principal bedrooms.
Acreage: 3.4 acres with the mansion plus 10 acres of managed forest wood lot available.
Heating: (Gas forced air furnace & electric baseboard)
Town services: water and sewer
Outbuildings: 1 garage, 2 gazebos at edge of woods
| Type of Room |
Dimensions (Feet) |
| Principle Rooms - Main Level |
|
| Library/Games Room (Reception) |
16.6 x 45.5 |
| Office |
16.6 x 18 |
|
Living Room |
16.6 x 36 |
| Front Hall |
10 x 30 |
| Original Dining Rm (2nd Living Room) |
16.6 x 27 |
| Sun Room (Current Dining Room) |
17 x 34 |
| Butlers Pantry |
13 x 13 |
| Kitchen |
18 x 29 |
| Breakfast Nook (Chef Line) |
22 x 10 |
|
|
| Bedrooms-Second Level |
Dimensions (Feet) |
| 2nd Bedroom Master Suite (Georgina Rose) (1) |
16.5 x 13.5 |
| Master Bedroom (Laura Margaret) (2) |
16.5 x 20 |
| East Guest Bedroom (David Allan) (3) |
16.5 x 20 |
| North East Guest Bedroom (Clara Jane) (4) |
16.5 x 22 |
| North Bedroom (Stephen Russell) (5) |
16 x 16.5 |
| Cooks Bedroom (Mary Kathleen) (6) |
12 x 21 |
| Open Hall (7) |
10 x 36 |
| Servant Bedroom (Robin's Nest) (9) |
17 x 18 |
| Rooms - Third Level |
Dimensions (Feet) |
| Guest Bedroom (East Gables) (1) |
19 x 18 |
| Guest Bedroom (Attic Hideaway) (2) |
22 x 10 |
| Guest Bedroom Suite (Valenova) (3) |
|
| Main Room (4) |
19 x 28 |
| Second Room (5) |
19 x 18 |
| Cedar Closet (6) |
|
| Widows Walk (7) |
21 x 30 |
| Hallway (8) |
5 x 30 |
| Common Area (9) |
10 x 20 |
| Kitchenette (10) |
7 x 7 |
| Sitting/Yoga Room (11) |
16 x 14 |
| Basement Level |
Dimensions (Feet) |
| Exercise Room (1) |
14.5 x 31 |
| Sunflower Spa Room (2) |
10 x 16 |
| Hot Tub Room (3) |
15.5 x 28 |
| Bathroom 2 piece & Shower (4) |
|
| Dry Sauna (5) |
|
| Laundry Room (6) |
18 x 12 |
| Sitting area at bottom of stairs (7) |
9 x 16 |
| Cellar (Currently Spa Rooms) (8) |
64 x 16 |
| Storage Area (beneath office) (9) |
16.6 x 18 |
| Floor Space based on Circumference |
Square Feet |
| Main Floor |
4,627 |
| Second Floor |
3,725 |
| Third Floor |
2,875 |
| Basement |
4,000 |
| Total |
15,227 |
Contact: Robin Dines, Owner (905-391-2404)
robin.dines@thehillcrest.ca
|
