ROADSIDE CHIC
The Royal Hotel Set in the heart of downtown Picton, Ontario, The Royal Hotel is where heritage meets modern indulgence. First opened in 1879, this lovingly restored landmark has become the beating heart of Prince Edward County’s contemporary renaissance. Step through its arched doorway and the old-world charm is immediate; wide plank floors, high ceilings, and restored brickwork, but so too is the design precision of its rebirth. It feels like a dialogue between centuries: Victorian bones with a 21st-century soul. Every corner tells a story. Behind the historic facade lies a quietly confident blend of craftsmanship and comfort. The Royal’s 33 guest rooms are a master class in understated elegance with linen drapes, sculpted oak furnishings, locally commissioned art, and bathrooms dressed in marble and brass. Each space feels curated rather than decorated, equally suited to a spontaneous weekend escape or a long exhale after the drive from Toronto or Ottawa. Mornings begin slowly here. Downstairs, the café hums to life with the hiss of espresso and the scent of croissants still warm from the oven. By midday, the restaurant transforms into a lively culinary stage. Executive Chef Albert Ponzo, formerly of Le Sélect Bistro, orchestrates a menu that celebrates County ingredients with European finesse. House-made pastas, line-caught fish, and vegetables from The Royal’s own Edwin County Farms speak to a philosophy of sustainable luxury. It’s an embracing connection between soil, season, and plate. Out back, the courtyard terrace is a study in relaxed refinement. Glass lanterns hang from iron beams, casting an amber glow over marble tables as evening descends. The wine list reads like a love letter to the region, with thoughtful nods to France and Italy alongside bottles from nearby wineries such as Closson Chase and Norman Hardie. It’s the kind of place where a second bottle feels less like indulgence and more like good judgment.
The Royal’s wellness spaces add another dimension to the experience. The spa’s Finnish-style sauna and plunge pool contrast hot and cold in rhythmic sequence, while the adjoining fitness studio mirrors the calm minimalism found throughout the hotel. For those who prefer gentler pursuits, a stroll along Picton’s Main Street reveals independent galleries, boutiques, and cafés, all within a few steps of The Royal’s front door. Venture further and Prince Edward County unfolds in cinematic layers; rolling vineyards, windswept beaches, and farm roads that seem to stretch toward eternity. Sandbanks Provincial Park is twenty minutes away, offering dunes that rival those of Lake Michigan, while the village of Wellington beckons with fine dining and
Story: Jeff Voth
“The Royal Hotel feels like a dialogue between centuries; Victorian
bones with a 21st-century soul.”
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