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Our History

The legacy that is Leaside. The best of all worlds.

The history of leaside manor

Leaside Suites & Executive Apartments is a collection of 5 properties: Leaside Manor, Compton House, Midstream Manor, Westmount Manor and Airport Manor. The bulk of our properties reside on over 2.5 acres of mature trees and gardens in the Waterford valley area at the west end of St. John’s. Many of the estates in the area can trace their histories to the early 20th century, when many of the city’s merchant class families constructed their homes.

One of our main anchor properties, Leaside Manor was constructed in 1921 by John J. Parker, of legendary Parker & Monroe local footwear retail chain, and his new wife Flora. The couple named the property ‘The Lea’ meaning ‘meadow.’ The style of the house is unique for Newfoundland, inspired by the Scottish homestead of the Doulton family, of Royal Doulton fame, near where Flora spent her formative years in Kilmacolm, Scotland. The house’s exterior maintains much of its original construction: Tudor styling; cedar siding; unique stylized roof lines; colonial columns; lead-lined windows; double, beveled, plate glass doors at the entranceway; expansive lot with sweeping walkway; heavily treed lot; wrought iron fencing and double-gated drive. The property’s interior is influenced by the Arts and Craft movement of the early 20th century with its beamed ceilings, paneled walls, parquet wood floor, light sconces, ornate fireplaces, and inlaid wood flooring.

The grand 7,000 square foot Compton House property, was built in 1919-1920 by Ethelbert (Bert) Clayton Cousens, in the Victorian style that was contemporary to the period. Bert and his family owned the Mercantile Steam Cooperage and had originally named the estate ‘Clayton House’ after his ancestral home in England. For many years the house evolved organically, in tune with the ebb and flow of successive families, differing tastes and the common demands for functional space. When purchased in 1988 by Bob and Cindy Holden, their determination to restore this palatial residence to its original glory resulted in the glorious property you see today. Compton House is now designated as a Heritage Property by the City of St. John’s.

As proud as they are of their properties, present owners Dion and Dora Finlay know it is more than bricks and mortar that placed Leaside at the top of its field – it’s the experience. Leaside Suites & Executive Apartments is renowned for combining glorious properties and rich, contemporary décor with an unmatched level of personal service that has been recognized by TripAdvisor as the best in the city.

Dion and Dora are understandably pleased. “Most visitors talk about how nice the experience was first – then they mention how pretty everything is. For us, it’s the best of all worlds.”

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Additional Guests

Pricing in our Suites is based upon occupancy of two people per room. Extra guests will be charged $20, plus applicable taxes per person. We reserve the right to limit the number of guests per suite.

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Pets

Leaside does not typically allow pets in our suites. However, we are considerate to situations where exceptions would need to be made. In this case, there is a $35 Pet Fee. Please be advised that guests are fully responsible for ALL outside cleanup after their pets and may be subject to additional cleaning fees for the suite.

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Additional Housekeeping

If any additional housekeeping is required after your stay has ended (i.e.: moved furniture, excessive Jacuzzi abuse, etc…), an additional amount will be charged accordingly to your credit card.

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Payment Procedures

Cash, money orders, gift certificates, or major credit cards will be accepted for final payment. Personal cheques will not be accepted.

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Telephone Services

All Leaside Suites & Executive Apartments offer in-room phone and data lines. There is no charge for local calls. Leaside also offers a fax on the premises. Messages left on our main phone number (709 722 0387) will be relayed to guests immediately. Faxes should be directed to (709 739 1835).

All Leaside apartments have individual telephone lines. Any long distance charges accrued will be charged directly to your credit card. International calls are billed at an average cost of $0.50 per minute and North American calls at $0.10 per minute.

If you have any questions, please feel free discuss your long distance requirements with our front desk.

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Meetings and Special Occasions

Leaside Manor offers boardroom and reception spaces for various meetings, corporate retreats, cocktail receptions, and small performances. See Facilities section for more information.

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Allergies

Leaside is sensitive to the needs of guests with allergies. We would be happy to work with you to address any allergies you may have. Please bring them to the attention of our staff. If you suffer from food-related allergies, you should talk to us about the nature of your allergy, and together we can take steps to accommodate your specific needs.

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Children

Leaside is able to provide cots and cribs for our tinier guests. Also at Leaside, children under 12 eat for free. Kids 12 years and older will be charged $9.99 per person for breakfast.

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Holiday Planning

Leaside loves living up to its motto: Escape the everyday. Anything we can do to ensure your visit is everything you dreamed it would be, is second nature for us. Whether it is where to eat (plenty of tempting options), what not to miss (there is truly something for everyone), what to wear (and how much), even when the best time is to view the whales (evenings) or how to get there (we have maps and links galore), we are happy to oblige with information and recommendations. Our staff can make any reservations for our guests. Just inquire at the front desk.

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Laundry Services

Leaside Manor provides laundry services – typically within the same day through our facilities on premises. Our on-site laundry charges are $10 per washer and $10 per dryer load. Leaside also offers dry cleaning services through partner companies off premise. Dry cleaning will include a surcharge. An iron and ironing board is available in each room for guests’ convenience. Leaside’s staff can also provide ironing service upon request.

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Internet

Leaside Manor offers free Internet access. All guests have free access to the house computer located in the lobby of each residence. Printer, fax and scanner services are also available.

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Breakfast

Leaside Manor serves a delicious full breakfast from 7:30am to 9:30am daily during weekdays, and from 8:00am to 9:30am on weekends. Wake up to the enticing scent of fresh, gourmet coffee. Our breakfast menu includes fresh fruit, croissants, eggs Benedict, pancakes and sausages and multi grain cereals. If you prefer to eat privately while staying in one of our deluxe suites, simply request Leaside’s signature ‘breakfast in bed’.

The standard occupancy for rooms, suites and apartments at Leaside is two persons. However, we can accommodate additional breakfast requests at $9.99 per person. Children under 12 eat at no additional charge.

Coffee and tea are available in the kitchen 24 hours a day. Each room is equipped with a refrigerator to store beverages and perishables.

For diet restrictions and allergies, please contact Leaside in advance of your visit so that we can accommodate your nutritional breakfast needs.

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Deposit and Cancellation

All reservations at Leaside Suites & Executive Apartments require either a credit card number, cash, debit card information, email money transfer or certified cheque to secure your booking. Our reservation system doesn’t allow us to hold rooms in reserve.

For all Leaside’s rooms and suites, a $50 deposit per night, per room or suite is required. For all properties, we require a 48 hour notice of cancellations. Any cancellations within 48 hours of arrival will require payment in full.

For apartment bookings at Leaside, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required upon booking, with the remaining balance due upon check-in. For extended stay monthly rentals, Leaside requires a minimum of 30 days notice of any cancellations or alterations of your booking without incurring a penalty charge. For weekly and nightly rentals, Leaside requires a minimum of 2 weeks notice for cancellations or alterations of your booking to avoid incurring a penalty charge.

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Checking in at Leaside

For guests of our Leaside Manor properties, our check-in time is 3:00pm. Our checkout time is at 11:00am. If you find that you will be arriving late, just contact our front desk or email us at reservations@theleasidegroup.com to notify our staff to make arrangements for your keys or door codes.