Family-Friendly Places to Stay in Tobermory (2023)
Looking for family-friendly accommodations in Tobermory? You’re in the right place.
Tobermory is one of the most tourist small towns to visit in Ontario, especially in summertime.
Having been going to Tobermory almost every summer for the past decade, I’ve learned firsthand the best places to stay in Tobermory with kids. There are hotels, campsites, and Airbnbs. Almost every year, more accommodations are added.
Of course, you could stay in most of the accommodations with children (they are allowed almost everywhere), but the most family-friendly places to stay in Tobermory are:
- close proximity to things to do in Tobermory with kids
- offer amenities that make staying there easy and enjoyable for everyone in the family.
Whether you’re visiting Tobermory with a baby, or older children, these places will be comfortable, and fun for you and your family.
So, let’s jump in – best places to stay in Tobermory with kids.
Family-Friendly Places to Stay in Tobermory
The below places not only welcome children, but they have fun kid-friendly Tobermory attractions nearby.
1. Tobermory Cozy Lighthouse Cottage
26 Maple Golf Crescent
The Tobermory Cozy Lighthouse Cottage is the ideal family-friendly cottage – grab it fast, because its rarely available in the summer, especially on weekends. What I love about this place is the ability to stay in separate rooms – it’s so much easier travelling as a family when the parents can relax at the end of a busy day sightseeing in their own room, after the kids are in bed.
This cozy cottage is a 5-minute drive to several attractions you’ll want to spend time at in Tobermory – 5 minutes to Little Tub Harbour, 5 minutes to Dunk Bay Beach, 6 minutes to Little Cove Beach, and 8 minutes to Singing Sands – so its pretty central, and well located.
- ✅Free wifi
- ✅A/C
- ❌Continental breakfast
- ✅Close to some nearby attractions
- ✅Flat-screen TV
- ✅Mini-fridge
2. Bruce Anchor Motel
7468 Hwy 6, Tobermory
The Bruce Anchor Motel is a 5-minute walk from Little Tub Harbour. Restaurants, shops, cruise docking, and a grocery store are all easily within reach.
We had a positive experience staying here with our 1-year old. We liked that we could easily pop her into a stroller or baby carrier and walk to the harbour for food, or an outing.
The Bruce Anchor Motel offers cottages and suits in addition to their regular rooms, but we just booked one of the Queen Rooms. We liked that we were able to put our toddler to bed, and then sit outside in the courtyard in the comfy chairs and read a book.
Another bonus is that if you book a cruise through Bruce Anchor, the cruise docking area is right across the street. This made it easy for me to strap my baby into the carrier and head over to line up for my cruise.
- ✅Free wifi in room
- ✅A/C
- ❌Continental breakfast
- ✅Close to some nearby attractions
- ✅Flat-screen TV
- ✅Mini-fridge
4. Escarpment Heights Motel
16 Hay Bay Road
Escarpment Heights Motel gives you the best of both worlds- close to town, but tucked away in a serene, tranquil setting with lots of nature and gorgeous lake views. Escarprment Heights is located in a more private area in Tobermory, but it’s only a 2-minute drive or a 9-minute walk to the Little Tub harbour.
Featuring lake view rooms that have a balcony or patio, there are King and Queen rooms, and even a Suite that comes with a full kitchen.
Escarpment Heights also offers 3 and 4-bedroom cottages that sleep 6-8 people; perfect for bigger families or bringing the grandparents along!
- ✅Free wifi
- ✅A/C
- ❌Continental breakfast
- ✅Close to some nearby attractions
- ✅Flat-screen TV
- ✅Mini-fridge
5. Coach House Inn
Hwy 6, Tobermory
Coach House Inn is a 3-minute drive into Little Tub Harbour, and offers several newly renovated family-friendly rooms and amenities such as room service, a swimming pool. There’s also a cabin that you can rent.
As well as their own restaurant, Starvinn, its also very close to some of the best restaurants in Tobermory – Las Chulas, The Hungry Hiker and Tacomory.
- ✅Free wifi
- ✅A/C
- ✅ 24/7 Room service
- ❌Continental breakfast
- ✅Close to some nearby attractions
- ✅Flat-screen TV
- ✅Mini-fridge
6. The Harbourside Motel
24 Carlton st, Tobermory
The Harbourside Motel like the Bruce Anchor, also offers cottages in addition to hotel rooms.
There are several rooms along the Little Tub harbour, many of them with a view. There are also patio areas and shaded grassy picnic areas for you to spend time outside with your family.
- ✅Free wifi
- ✅A/C (in certain rooms)
- ❌Continental breakfast
- ✅ Close to some nearby attractions
- ✅TV with streaming services
- ✅Mini-fridge
7. The Princess Hotel
34 Bay St, Tobermory
The Princess Hotel has two floors of rooms in their prime location hotel on Little Tub Harbour, and they also have a few cottages that they rent out.
The Princess has elevators for accessibility, so there’s no trouble getting upstairs with a stroller or young kids. The rooms have balconies, so you can relax outside and enjoy the view after putting your children to bed.
While I’ve never actually stayed at the Princess, I’ve eaten here many times, and its on my bucket list for places to stay in Tobermory. Its one of the most family-friendly accommodations and restaurants in the area, and the food in their restaurant is delicious.
- ✅Free wifi
- ✅A/C
- ✅Continental breakfast
- ✅Close to some nearby attractions
- ✅ Flat-screen TV
- ✅Mini-fridge
6. Driftwood Cove Acres
Driftwood Cove Acres is a bed and breakfast just 6 km from downtown Tobermory. You rent the entire ground level of the house, and the host, Mike, lives upstairs.
The ground-level apartment has a portable AC, kitchen with microwave and fridge, free laundry and parking, a fire pit, and your own personal trail to use on their 5-acres of property. There’s also a separate bedroom, which makes it easy to put kids to bed and still enjoy some adult quiet time in the common area.
The breakfast includes eggs, bacon, potato, toast, coffee and juice. You have the option for forgo the breakfast and instead get a private tour to Driftwood Cove (worth $50!) , a beautiful rocky pebble beach.The hike is 1 hour.
I want to say that I have no experience staying at Driftwood Acres, nor have I seen any reviews online. The owner shared with me his website and photo directly.
- ❌Free wifi
- ✅A/C
- ✅Continental breakfast
- ✅Close to nearby attractions
- ✅Flat-screen TV
- ✅Mini-fridge
7. Big Tub Harbour Resort
236 Big Tub rd, Tobermory
The Big Tub Harbour Resort is one of the few accommodation options located on Big Tub Harbour (not to be confused with Little Tub Harbour.) Big Tub Harbour is much quieter and more residential, so it’s well-suited to families who want some peace and quiet at the end of the day.
You can rent kayaks, canoes and boards through the resort – rates are $20-$25/hour and are first come-first served. There are also picnic areas on-site for you to enjoy the outdoors and beautiful scenery with your family.
- ✅Free wifi
- ✅A/C
- ❌Continental breakfast
- ✅Close to some nearby attractions
- ✅Flat-screen TV
- ✅Mini-fridge
8. The Grandview Motel
8 Earl st, Tobermory
The Grandview Motel is a family-owned business located near Little Tub Harbour, and only a 5-minute walk to shops, restaurants and other amenities. Their rooms offer a stunning view of the lakes with the boats coming in.
Their rooms have a ‘beach house’ look and are beautifully painted and finished. They also offer complimentary coffee!
- ✅Free wifi
- ✅A/C
- ❌Continental breakfast
- ✅Close to some nearby attractions
- ✅Flat-screen TV
- ❌Mini-fridge
Family-Friendly Camping in Tobermory
10. Little Cove Adventures Cabins
7111 Hwy 6, Tobermory
Little Cove Adventures is a fantastic place to stay as a family with older children especially. It has cabins that sleep families of four. If you enjoy a rustic experience, this is one of the best kid-friendly places to stay in Tobermory.
Located on a plot of land, there are plenty of things to do within the park for kids to do. There’s a high ropes course (minimum age requirement is 9 years old) and low-ropes course.
- ✅Free wifi (in common areas)
- ✅Shower facilities on site
- ✅High rope and low rope aerial parks
- ✅BBQ facilities
11. Tobermory Village Campground
7159 Hwy 6, Tobermory
Tobermory Village Campgrounds is one of the best campgrounds to stay at in Tobermory with younger children. I stayed here with a 2-year old, we camped with a tent in one of their sites. It was a great way to enjoy being out in nature, and it wasn’t far from Little Tub Harbour (5-minute drive.)
The best part about this place is the amenities it offers for young kids – splash pad, in-ground swimming pool and playground! No other campground in the area offer a swimming pool or splash pad.
- ✅Free wifi (in common areas)
- ✅Shower facilities on site
- ✅Playground
- ✅Laundry
- ❌Splash pad
- ✅Swimming pool
12. Cyprus Lake Campground
Cyprus Lake Campground doesn’t offer as many exciting amenities as Tobermory Village Campground, but if you love camping, then don’t let that dissuade you. This is a beautiful family campground that often books up fast in the summer months, so don’t miss your chance if you have one.
One definite perk to staying here is that you can hike to the grotto instead of having to park at the grotto – you skip the parking fee and get an exclusive pass. Also, Cyprus Lake bans alcohol on long weekends, which prevents any loud partying, and keeps it family-friendly.
Cyprus Lake is located on a national park, and reservations will have to be made online through Parks Canada.
- ✅Free wifi (in common areas)
- ✅BBQ facilities
- ❌Shower facilities on site
- ❌Playground
- ❌Laundry
13. Lands End Park
Lands End Park is a private campground surrounded by 90 acres of natural forest. It offers campsites and cabins. The cabins sleep 4 and have electricity. It’s a short (5-minute) drive into town.
Lands End Park has quiet time in effect from 11 pm to 7 am, which prevents the wild party atmosphere and keeps it quieter for families. There’s also no vehicle entry after 11 pm.
- ✅Free wifi (in common areas)
- ✅Shower facilities on site
- ✅Fire pit
- ❌Laundry
- ✅Playground
- ✅Sports area and volleyball court
- ✅Bike rentals
- ✅Small sand beach for swimming
Conclusion: Family-friendly Places to Stay in Tobermory
So there you have it – your 13 best options for family-friendly places to stay in Tobermory. Between hotels, cabins, and camping, there are a lot of different options depending on your personal preference and budget.
Despite there being so many options, places in Tobermory tend to fill up months in advance, especially for weekends. Tobermory is insanely popular, and one of the most touristy small towns in Ontario. So if you have your eyes sent on a particular place, I would book it soon.
Know of any other family-friendly places to stay in Tobermory that should be on this list? Feel free to contact me.