If you are staying in Chatham for business or pleasure stay no where else other than the Duchess. Its lovely home to stay and its very clean and peaceful. The hosts Rick and Antja are excellent people and its a pleasure to know them. You will for sure enjoy the excellent breakfast and your stay will be lot more worth than staying in a hotel. I spent there about 9 nights spread over the march and april 2011 and was visiting the CKHA. Mr Rick used to pick me up from the station each time. On a few raining mornings they were so kind enough to drop me at the workplace. Everytime I think of my stay in the Duchess it makes me smile.

I stay at the Dutchess whenever I am in Chatham, typically twice a year. The rooms are well appointed, quiet, and the beds are extremely comfortable. The bathrooms are large, warm and clean, with soft towels and Aveda bath products. There is great attention to detail (cookies and ice water in the room every evening), an evening tea tray if desired, as well as a comfortable common area for TV watching and reading. The hosts are great, attentive and caring, but giving ample privacy. Breakfasts are wonderful, lunch may prove unecessary as a result. While I have consistently been unable to get the wireless to work, the library is only 2 blocks away, with readily available computers.

Form the moment we arrived we couldn't believe the great service. We were helped with our bags. My wife was cold so they made us hot ciders to enjoy. We said we needed extra pillows and the room temperature was cold. When we got back we had the extra pillows plus a nice note explaining that the room temperature was now up. They really seem to care about the guests and that is what makes all the difference. We had a great breakfast, and they are so nice to talk to, without be too intrusive.

My husband and I stayed for four nights in the Duchess of Wellington and enjoyed every one of them! The tasteful restoration and furnishing of the Duchess has restored it to its former grandeur without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Rick and Andja could not have been more welcoming and the breakfasts were indeed memorable - something we looked forward to each morning. We especially appreciated the way Andja cooked and presented so many locally produced/sourced ingredients while Rick acted as host with a bottomless pot of coffee. Our baked goods, chocolates and bottled water on ice that "majically" appeared in our room - The Hunt Room - each night were also appreciated. Although we were in Chatham to visit my mother who is now in assisted living, I think that Chatham would be a good base from which to visit a number of interesting sites.