At the gateway to Old Town Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Clayfield will be a new option for visitors to one of Canada’s prettiest towns when it opens in late summer as part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, a curated portfolio of independent hotels recognized for their strong sense of identity and place.
The hotel will anchor Clayfield Commons, a walkable new district centred around a tree-lined public square with restaurants, cafés, retail, and gathering spaces reflecting the evolving character of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Already one of Ontario’s leading food and wine destinations, Niagara-on-the-Lake continues to evolve through a growing culinary scene, ambitious wineries, and a new generation of design-driven hospitality experiences shaping the region today.
The Clayfield brings together the families behind the award-winning residential and commercial community known as The Village and Stratus Vineyards, the world’s first fully LEED-certified winery, reflecting decades of investment and innovation in Niagara-on-the-Lake through community-building, hospitality, and wine.
Rooted in Niagara
“I think people are looking for experiences now that feel a little more personal and a little more connected to where they are,” says David Feldberg, co-owner of The Clayfield and founder of Stratus Vineyards. “Niagara-on-the-Lake already has incredible food, wine, theatre, and hospitality. What interested us with The Clayfield was creating something that still felt relaxed and very much part of the rhythm of the region.”
Rooted in the land and shaped by the seasons, The Clayfield brings together boutique wellness, destination dining, and community life in a way that feels layered, lively, and distinctly tied to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Architecture
Designed by Montreal-based Sid Lee Architecture, The Clayfield draws its name and design philosophy from the layered clay soils and ancient sediments that define Niagara’s vineyards and agricultural landscape.
The building’s rounded silhouette was conceived as an extension of the terrain itself, with vertical wood elements rising from layered concrete forms inspired by vines emerging through clay soil. Repeating architectural lines reference the geometry of the surrounding vineyards, reinforcing the relationship between landscape and architecture.
Inside, the hotel unfolds as a journey through the seasons of the vineyard, with each space shaped by a distinct atmosphere and emotional tone. Guestrooms draw from winter through soft, calm, and introspective interiors defined by earthy mineral textures and understated warmth.
Inspired by spring, the lobby captures a sense of arrival and renewal, while the restaurant reflects the warmth, abundance, and conviviality of harvest season. The spa takes its cues from summer, conceived as a relaxed environment centred around enjoyment, restoration, and connection.
Culinary
At the centre of the culinary program will be Terrain, a modern wine country restaurant developed and operated by Toronto’s Ascari Group, with Niagara-born chef Joel LaBute leading the kitchen.
Grounded in Ontario wine country cuisine, the restaurant’s approach will be shaped by Niagara’s growers, vineyards, and agricultural community while drawing inspiration from wine regions across Canada. Menus will evolve alongside the seasons and the region’s network of local producers.
LaBute brings more than two decades of experience across some of Canada’s leading restaurants, wineries, and hospitality destinations, including Scaramouche Restaurant (Ontario), Langdon Hall (Ontario), Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar (British Columbia), and Quails’ Gate Winery (British Columbia). Throughout his career, he has remained closely connected to agriculture and local sourcing, including nearly a decade operating a 10-acre organic farm supplying specialty produce to restaurants and kitchens.
The culinary experience at The Clayfield is intended to feel dynamic throughout the day, extending from the lobby café and restaurant to the rooftop terrace, with food and beverage programs designed around seasonality, warm hospitality, and a strong connection to Niagara wine country.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
“From the beginning, the vision for Clayfield Commons was to create a place connected to the character of Niagara-on-the-Lake itself,” says John Hawley, co-owner of The Clayfield. “We wanted the hotel, restaurants, public spaces, and surrounding village to feel integrated into the everyday experience of the region.”
Additional details surrounding The Clayfield’s programming will be released ahead of the hotel’s late summer 2026 debut.For more information, visit: The Clayfield Hotel. Imagery here.
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