A Love Letter to The High Acre in Dundas (Just Outside Hamilton)

Every so often, you come across a place that feels like a kindred spirit.

For us at The Liberty Inn in Caledon, one of those places is The High Acre, a stunning four-suite wellness retreat in Dundas, just minutes from Hamilton. It’s the kind of property that quietly raises the bar for what a restorative stay can be—thoughtful, deeply personal, and designed with a level of care you can feel the second you walk in.

This isn’t a sponsored post or a paid partnership. It’s simply a genuine recommendation from one independent, owner-run retreat to another.

What (and Where) Is The High Acre?

The High Acre is set in a beautifully restored 156-year-old Victorian manor in Dundas, Ontario—about 10 minutes from downtown Hamilton. Inside, you’ll find just four suites, each designed as its own private spa sanctuary. This small scale is part of what makes it special: it never feels crowded, rushed, or noisy. It feels like the place was built just for you.

If you’re based in Hamilton, Burlington, Ancaster, or the west end of the GTA, The High Acre is that rare retreat that’s close enough for a quick escape, but still feels a world away from regular life.

Owner-Led, From the Ground Up

One of the reasons we feel such a connection to The High Acre is that, like us, it’s very much an owner-led project.

The retreat was envisioned and created by Brett van Sickle, a former dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, who later turned his energy toward designing spaces that help people truly rest and reset. You can see that background in movement and performance reflected everywhere—the way light moves through the rooms, the flow from bed to bath to spa, and the balance of textures, shapes, and quiet negative space.

This isn’t a generic, copy-and-paste “wellness hotel.” It’s a place where you can feel a real person’s taste, values, and attention to detail in every decision—very much the way our guests often describe their experience at The Liberty Inn.

Private Spa Suites That Actually Feel Private

Each suite at The High Acre in Dundas is essentially a fully self-contained wellness space. Rather than sending you down a hallway to share facilities, your spa is inside your room.

Depending on the suite, you’ll find combinations of infrared sauna for deep, restorative heat, steam hammam or steam shower, a soaker tub designed for long, unhurried baths, outdoor plunge shower for contrast therapy, and thoughtful touches like aromatherapy, plush robes, and low-tech, analog details.

The entire retreat is adults-only, which keeps the atmosphere calm and quiet—perfect for couples, solo retreats, or anyone craving real downtime. Everything feels intentional. Nothing feels added “just because hotels usually have it.”

The Aesthetic: Minimal, Warm, and Deeply Calming

If you love soft neutrals, natural textures, and quietly luxurious finishes, The High Acre will make your design-loving heart very happy.

Expect original character from the historic Victorian bones of the building, layered modern interiors that never feel cold or over-styled, and a strong focus on wellness cues—from lighting to layout—that gently nudge you into slower rhythms.

It’s the kind of place where you want to read, journal, soak, and actually listen to your own thoughts for a while. You don’t feel like you need to “do” anything to get your money’s worth. Just being there is the point.

Apothe-ka: Extending the High Acre Experience Into Everyday Life

One of the things we admire most is how The High Acre’s philosophy doesn’t stop at the property line.

They’ve extended that same thoughtful, wellness-first approach into a sister brand: Apothe-ka (apothe.ka)—a skincare and fragrance line rooted in ritual, self-care, and sensory experience. Apothe-ka is a sister company to The High Acre, carrying the same calm, grounded, intentional energy into products you can use every day.

If you’re someone who loves bringing a piece of a retreat home with you, building simple, beautiful skincare rituals, and surrounding yourself with scents and textures that feel grounding, Apothe-ka is absolutely worth exploring.

Follow Apothe-ka on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/apothe.ka

Follow The High Acre on Instagram

If you’re the kind of person who collects future-stay ideas and design inspiration, The High Acre’s Instagram is a must-follow.

Follow them here:
https://www.instagram.com/thehighacre

Their feed is a calm mix of suite and spa photography, seasonal Dundas landscapes, and glimpses into the design and wellness philosophy behind the space. It’s the sort of account that makes you want to block off a weekend and disappear for a couple of nights.

Why We’re Writing About Another Retreat

We’re often asked for recommendations outside of Caledon, especially by guests who love what we’ve created at The Liberty Inn and want similar experiences in other parts of Ontario.

We genuinely believe there’s room—and a real need—for more independent, owner-run wellness stays that care deeply about thoughtful design, quality over quantity, and true rest and reconnection. The High Acre in Dundas is one of those rare places.

If you’re looking for a Hamilton-area wellness escape, a special spot for a couple’s reset, or a calm base near Dundas Valley, the escarpment, and local trails, we would happily point you there.

And if your travels ever bring you toward Caledon, the Forks of the Credit, we’d be honoured to welcome you to The Liberty Inn—another small, owner-led retreat built with the same kind of care and intention.