Bright Unique Creative Loft in a Historic Gothic Stone Church with Bell Tower
This bright & spacious studio loft is built into the steeple of a 1900 Historic Gothic Stone Church with a 4 storey bell tower. Located just 10 minutes from downtown Perth or Smiths Falls, it is a perfect setting for authentic travelers and cultural explorers. Experience a beautiful region known for its lakes, rivers, parks & farms. Take art lessons, canoe, kayak, cross country ski, hike, bike or simply relax & take in panoramic views of the great outdoors, quaint towns and bucolic villages.
You can find us online at Artmakers Studio, Perth, Ontario.
If you plan on visiting "Ontario's Prettiest Little Town" one hour South of Ottawa, you can stay at this quaint, one-of-a-kind studio loft built into a historic stone church steeple and enjoy this unique space surrounded by art, architecture, history and nature created by Designers.
Our Listing rates, terms and conditions are none negotiable. Serious inquiries only. Please be mindful and give yourselves flexibility before you book. Our cancellation policy is strict.
This self check-in private studio loft is perfect for a retreat setting and is very spacious and features 3 bedrooms: First bedroom has a Queen bed and features vaulted and open ceiling with soaring beams. Second bedroom has a Queen bed and features curved walls as it is built into the Nave of the original architecture. Third bedroom is actually in the original Bell Tower and it has a Single bed with ladder steps up to an additional Single bed. In addition, there is a gallery with artwork throughout, an open concept living room/dining room & kitchen, a bathroom, wood stove and plenty of closet spaces. The top floor of a 4 storey bell tower feature a quiet room with a spectacular view perfect for reading, meditation or yoga. Throughout the loft, enjoy stained glass, an art gallery, soaring vaulted ceiling with original beams and from the bell tower, a bird's eye view of the Tay Basin as it comes to meet the Rideau Lake. The en suite bedroom built into the Nave feature curved walls. A South garden facing floor to ceiling window and deck brings the outdoors in.
Close to Provincial Parks, Lakes, quaint villages and towns. Canoe/Kayak/Paddle Board, Park Pass, Snow Shoes available to lend out.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts cash
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Port Elmsley
Located in Drummond-North Elmsley, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Port Elmsley Drive-In Theatre and Perth Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Rideau Canal Visitor Information Center and Mica Mines Conservation Reserve. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking.
Port Elmsley Drive-In Theatre - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
Studio Theatre Perth - 9 min drive - 11.8 km
Stewart Park - 9 min drive - 11.8 km
Canadian Tire Centre - 49 min drive - 75.7 km
Getting around
Smiths Falls Station - 10 min drive
Restaurants
Tim Hortons - 11 min drive
Tim Hortons - 8 min drive
Starbucks - 10 min drive
McDonald's - 9 min drive
Tim Hortons - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Bright Unique Creative Loft in a Historic Gothic Stone Church with Bell Tower pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Bright Unique Creative Loft in a Historic Gothic Stone Church with Bell Tower?
As of 16 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bright Unique Creative Loft in a Historic Gothic Stone Church with Bell Tower on 27 Oct 2026 start from AU$323, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Bright Unique Creative Loft in a Historic Gothic Stone Church with Bell Tower?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Bright Unique Creative Loft in a Historic Gothic Stone Church with Bell Tower?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Bright Unique Creative Loft in a Historic Gothic Stone Church with Bell Tower?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Bright Unique Creative Loft in a Historic Gothic Stone Church with Bell Tower located?
Situated on a river, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Big Rideau Lake and Port Elmsley Drive-In Theatre. Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario and Otty Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Wonderful hosts and wonderful place - we will be back.
Tamara V.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Feb 2025
Great to welcome you and your friends. We look forward to welcoming you all back for a creative retreat and to enjoy more wonders in our community like a local.
The church is quite beautiful and the towns of Smith Falls and Perth are ten minutes away and we enjoyed visiting both of them and will be coming back in the summer for sure
A quiet lovely spot to stay. Easy check in. Close to Perth and Smiths Falls which are fabulous for shopping and great eateries. Beautiful property we will be back!
Shone and Nathan J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 July 2023
Thank you so much. It was such a pleasure and joy to host you and your family. Looking forward to seeing you all again.
We enjoyed staying at this unique property. It was well stocked with essentials and comfortable. The hosts were very responsive to any questions or concerns that we had. It was ideally located for exploring the area. Thanks Janice and Garry for facilitating a peaceful vacation.
We had a wonderful week in this charming property and exploring the local area. The open plan layout gives it a spacious feel and the tower was an added bonus.
Janice and Gary were very welcoming and helpful throughout our stay.
We were here for a Spartan race weekend. This beautiful refurbished church exceeded our expectations. It’s an experience in itself just getting to know the building and it’s historical beauty. Very clean, comfy and all amenities one would need. Janice and Garry were amazing hosts always available to help with any questions.
Julie G.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Aug 2023
Thank you so much Julie. So wonderful to have met you at our studio loft built into a historical stone church. We look forward to seeing you again. Have a wonderful Summer and we are very proud of you, your husband and your friends' accomplishments at the races. Bravo!
We were looking for a quiet family get away and this setting provided a beautiful escape. The unit was comfortable, clean and quiet. The whole space is inviting and the attention and creativity put into the renovation are evident throughout. Communications with Janice and Garry were always friendly and helpful.
We loved our stay at The Artists Loft. This converted church rental is intriguing in architectural design, layout and decor. The beds were very comfortable, and the loft was very clean, spacious with lots of natural light, and a wood stove to warm up too in the evening. The kitchen is equipped with all amenities you may require. Janice and Garry were excellent communicators in every aspect. And it was lovely to meet them at the property upon our arrival and be given fresh picked tomatoes from their garden. The four of us loved our stay here. Janice and Garry are lovely people.
We had a wonderful stay at this church loft. Janice put together wonderful touches to make our stay enjoyable. We would recommend this to anyone who loves history and enjoys a country experience.
Chose this authentic loft apartment because of a long time dream of restoring and renovating an old Church into a home. It did not disappoint. If you enjoy history and appreciate a labor of love, this is the place for you. You'll find peace and serenity here. The pictures of the loft are as you'll find it. It is very clean and extra precautions are taken right now due to the pandemic. Enjoyed sitting on the deck and listening to the water feature in the pond below. The hosts, Janice and Garry, are very warm and welcoming. They greeted us upon arrival, made themselves available to answer any questions we had, and offered helpful information on places to visit in neighboring towns. It was a wonderful area to explore. We would highly recommend a stay here.
I have to be frank, there was no extensive planning for my mom and I to spend a week in this wonderful place.. With past year in lockdown stucked home my objective was to leave the city, and get out to truly discover Ontario hidden gems. And the county and little towns around were just that.
It all would not be possible without unforgettable experience staying at the unique and memorable experience staying in this magical place. Our hosts "adopted" my mom and I for a period of our stay. Janice and Garry were so caring and attentive to our needs that we felt incredibly blessed. Thanks to both of them we felt at home during the whole week. Beautiful and rich of stories old church and lovely garden with a beautiful pond, with mixture of animal and plants worlds felt as if we were in one of the children books with treasures hunting at the every step...
To fully enjoy the stay you would benefit from getting to know the history of the place, stories of the people who have invested so much love into this wonderful home.
With suggestions from Janice we have explored the area better if we would on our own. We fell in love with the region and friendly people that we started discussing plans to retire in the area 🙂.
Our curiosity led us to learn Chinese traditional art of ink calligraphy taught by our incredible host. Oh, boy, what an amazing experience that was! We've learned so much about history behind it, the magic of each tool, and the wisdom of one of the oldest forms of ancient art...
There is so much to share about the experience but that would take me way too long.
My mom and I have endless appreciation for this precious opportunity to add to our memories of the summer 2021.
We have found new friends, and regardless of where our paths take us in the future, we will keep the warmth in our hearts filled with smiles and joy. Thank you once again.
Irina and Anna
Irina K.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Aug 2021
It was such joy to meet you both and privilege to be your hosts. We look forward to welcoming you back home any time.
Such an amazing place! We were blown away by the quality of the property and the warm welcome from Janice and Harry. Our hosts communicated with us just enough to ensure we have everything we needed and also gave us some tips on interesting places to visit in Lanark County. Inside the property every little thing was very well thought through. Overall - excellent experience! We highly recommend
Just came back from our stay at this location. The arrangement, room, the checkin process, the cleanliness … everything was superlative .
The actual unit with high ceilings is an experience in itself
Highly recommend….. thank you Janice and Gary
March 2021 - What a unique place! The photos provided show off the funky architecture and tasteful interior. Nice little getaway, easy to find, respectful hosts! We stayed in and made our suppers and relaxed, and slept very well. Lovely to be there even in winter, but it must be stunning in the summer!
With family Christmas gatherings out of the question (with COVID-19), it was just our four person bubble that opted for Christmas in Port Elmsley. We had a great time and it was made all the better by staying at the Artmakers Studio. The property is beautiful and the accommodation is perfect. Our upstairs unit was well appointed and the hosts (Janice and Garry) were very attentive. This was our second trip to the property and it won’t be our last.
We had a wonderful time - this is an excellent place to stay. It's clean, well-equipped, unique, creative, spacious, cozy and so very peaceful. Big thanks to Janice and Garry, who are fantastic hosts and made us feel very welcome. We hope to return!
The main level accommodations where we stayed were spacious, beautiful, comfortable and unique. The lovely shared back yard space is a large well tended oasis with a pond, apple trees, and creative artistic touches. The hosts Janice and Garry were friendly, interesting and easily reachable if needed.
We were two friends having a two day getaway and would easily return to this charming place!
The loft was open, spacious and comfortable, with a balcony overlooking a peaceful garden and fish pond. We had fun climbing the stairs to discover what was on each of the four floors of the tower. Our son particularly enjoyed playing guitar in the "crouching library" on the third floor. Hosts Janice and Garry were very nice. Overall, our experience at the loft was so enjoyable that we preferred just hanging out there over our little excursions to the nearby towns and sites (which were great too).