Mallard Inn

Mallard Inn is a lovely little hideaway in Quidi Vidi, St. John’s, with a real sense of place thanks to its fishing-village setting and harbour-side calm. You’re tucked into the rugged cliffs of this historic neighbourhood, yet still within walking distance of downtown, so it works brilliantly if you want the atmosphere of somewhere quieter and characterful without being cut off from the city’s restaurants, bars and waterfront.

Accommodation is kept intentionally simple and restful, with just eight air-conditioned king suites split across two houses. Each suite includes the practical essentials like a coffee maker and mini fridge, along with Bluetooth radios, but there are no televisions, which really adds to the switch-off feel. It’s an easy place to come back to after a day exploring the city, grab a drink, and just let the harbour setting do its thing.

On site, there’s a restaurant (it’s worth reserving in advance), plus shared spaces like a common area and garden for a bit of downtime. The building itself is part of the appeal too, as it’s one of the oldest wooden buildings in North America and a designated National Historic Site of Canada, which gives the whole stay a slightly storybook, heritage feel. WiFi is included, as is a very nice touch of coffee or tea delivery to your room each morning, and there’s limited parking, so it’s best to flag if you’ll need a space at the time of booking. There’s also no lift to the second-floor rooms, which is worth bearing in mind if stairs are a concern.