Marie_World_Travels
The Perfect Winter Writer’s Retreat||Summary:|Clean and affordable family run motel, with delicious meals available just steps from your room. I highly recommend the Haileybury Beach Motel. |If you're a writer looking for an affordable, peaceful retreat—or if you simply need a place to unwind and recharge— this is a quiet hidden gem in the winter.||Location: On the shore of Lake Temiskaming, in the small, quaint town of Haileybury, Ontario—1.5 hours north of North Bay. This family-run motel is situated in a very quiet area of town (at least in the winter). |Room Number 3:|When I first walked in, I immediately noticed how warm the room was—perfect after stepping in from the cold. Too often, I’ve entered a hotel room in the dead of a Canadian winter, only to find the heat turned down to 15°C. That means sitting in my coat, waiting for the room to warm up. Not here. I was freezing when I got out of my car, but the moment I stepped inside, the room was toasty warm. Bliss.|The room is compact—roughly 25 by 20 feet—but it feels cozy and inviting. The walls are freshly painted, and the north wall is covered in rustic barn board-style wallpaper that looks surprisingly realistic. The clean grey laminate flooring adds to the charm, and a plastic boot tray at the door is a thoughtful touch (a must-have for snowy boots in this neck of the woods).||The Bed:|The comfy double bed (head to the west, foot to the east) comes with four good-sized pillows and soft, clean cotton sheets. The plaid bedspread in shades of blue, white, grey, and wine-red adds a homey touch—making the space feel more like a well-appointed guest room at a friend’s house rather than a sterile, cookie-cutter hotel room.|To the left of the bed, there’s a nightstand with a small lamp and a box of good-quality, name-brand tissues. A nearby outlet makes charging electronics easy.|Futon/Sofa:|At the foot of the bed, a double futon sits lengthwise against the north wall, providing a spot to relax, watch TV, or accommodate an additional guest.||The Bathroom:|The bathroom is spotlessly clean and features a tub/shower with a new surround, a modern sink, and a new toilet. I was pleasantly surprised to find small hotel-sized tubes of shampoo and conditioner—far better than the single-use packets many family-run motels provide (and usually without conditioner). Two small soap packets were also provided (I only used one—waste not, want not).|Individually wrapped plastic cups were available for drinking water. (Haileybury tap water is perfectly drinkable—I don’t mind it at all, but I brought my refillable water bottle.)|Towels included:|Two midsized bath towels|Two hand towels|Two face cloths|If you’re someone who prefers a bath sheet or beach-sized towel, bring your own. Personally, I was perfectly happy with the standard-size bath towel. I just needed to dry off—not dress for a toga party.||Work Station:|A small table and chair sit next to a fridge/freezer combo, with a microwave on top. A coffee station on the table includes a 4-cup coffee maker, individually wrapped coffee pouches, coffee whitener, sugar, and a sugar-free sweetener, along with paper cups.|Even with the coffee setup, there was still plenty of space for my 15-inch laptop, notebooks, and writing materials. It was a compact but comfortable place to work.||Internet:|The Wi-Fi was fast and reliable. I used it for research during the day and streamed Netflix at night—no issues, no getting knocked offline, and no downtime.||TV:|A wall-mounted TV is positioned on an adjustable arm, allowing it to be angled toward the bed or futon. I never turned it on, so I can’t comment on the channel selection.||Pet-Friendly:|The motel welcomes pets, though I left mine at home in the care of my husband.||Beach Bitez – On-Site Takeout Restaurant (Hidden Gem!)|The front desk and restaurant were just steps from my room—and holy moly, the food is incredible!|Beach Bitez offers breakfast, Western food, and Indian cuisine. The first night, I ordered Chicken Tikka Masala with naan bread, which came with a small container of spicy relish—I couldn’t get enough of it! The meal was served with perfectly seasoned potatoes, fried onions, and green beans. I also got two samosas with an incredible dipping sauce. Not a single drop of that sauce went to waste—I used a piece of naan to wipe the container clean.|Now, I’ve had Indian food in England, Scotland, Toronto, Kingston, New Liskeard, North Bay, and beyond—but I have never had Tikka Masala this good. The chicken was tender, the spice blend perfect, and the sauce rich and flavourful.|On my second night, I ordered the Chicken Vindaloo—and was blown away again. Everything I wrote about the Tikka Masala applies here too.|I’m literally shocked that you can find Indian food of this quality in northeastern Ontario. I’d literally drive hours to eat Vimla’s cooking!|I didn’t try breakfast (I eat one meal a day unless I’m physically active), but based on the dinner quality, I’d wager breakfast is equally excellent.|(Find the full menu on Facebook—search for "Haileybury Beach Motel" or "Beach Bitez.")||Communication with the Owners:|After booking online, I received a personal welcome email from Vimla—a thoughtful touch! When I checked in, Vimla greeted me warmly, and moments later, she was taking my dinner order in advance.|She isn’t just a fantastic cook (honestly, I’d call her a chef)—she seems to be the driving force behind the whole business. What a hardworking person! I salute her!||Why Did I Stay Here? (If you're just here for the review, you can stop reading!)||I’ve been writing my 2X great-grandmother Anna’s story for over a year. She emigrated from Kuolajärvi/Kemijärvi, Finland, to Hancock, Michigan, in 1907, traveling alone with two small children. In 1909, they moved to Cobalt, Ontario during the Silver Boom. Anna was fearless, resourceful, and resilient—she didn’t just survive; she thrived.|I work from home, juggling business consulting and writing while wrangling three dogs and a pirate-yowling cat. Business writing? No problem. Anna’s story? A constant battle against distraction.|A cottage retreat was out of my budget, but a quiet winter weekend at Haileybury Beach Motel? Perfect.|I hope to return one weekend a month (finances allowing) until their busy season begins.||Final Thoughts:|Again, I reiterate - If you're a writer looking for an affordable, peaceful retreat—or if you simply need a place to unwind and recharge— this motel is a quiet hidden gem in the winter.|Maybe you just need to breathe, be still, and escape the noise of daily life—this little family run motel is the ideal winter getaway.
