The Historic Royal Hotel Reopens in Beautiful Prince Edward County
Exquisite cuisine and modern amenities in a historical setting make The Royal a preferred destination.
Following an extensive and loving restoration, The Royal Hotel in picturesque Prince Edward County has reopened on Main Street in Picton, Ont., on the shores of Lake Ontario. The Royal Hotel is certain to attract discerning guests who will admire its historical significance and beautiful guest rooms, which are complemented by fine dining emphasizing locally grown produce.
Originally built in 1879 to coincide with the arrival of the railroad bringing guests from Toronto and Montreal to enjoy the beauty and splendour of the idyllic countryside, the hotel fell into disrepair before being purchased by the Sorbara family in 2013. The family’s mandate was to return the hotel to its former position as a primary destination for hospitality and comfort in Prince Edward County.
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“My family has been fortunate to be a part of Prince Edward County for many years, and we are thrilled to bring back this iconic piece of Prince Edward County’s history,” says Greg Sorbara. “We see it as an important investment in our community and our province. Our community has shared many remarkable stories about personal connections to The Royal. Now, we are ready to welcome both new and returning guests for years to come.”
The restored hotel honours the deep roots of the building, as evidenced by the painstaking, brick-by-brick restoration of the historically designated Main Street facade. The reimagined Royal Hotel, by architects Giannone Petricone Associates, now offers 28 beautiful guest rooms in the main building with five guest suites in the ancillary Royal Annex space, manufactured by Unique Store Fixtures, who also manufactured the doors, closets, feature ceiling wood and stairs, as well as the kitchens and bathroom sinks.
The restoration is a fusion of old and new while balancing historical touches with a modern and comforting environment and the latest amenities. Guest room windows on the facade have been custom matched to replicate the original design as much as possible, with each type of room named after an Ontario heritage apple variety as a nod to the region’s many historical orchards.
The Royal Hotel contains an on-site bakery, hotel bar, spa and sauna, as well as conference and meeting spaces. The dining room, under the direction of Executive Chef Albert Ponzo, offers a combination of French- and Italian-inspired cuisine with ingredients sourced from the Sorbara family’s organic farm, Edwin County Farms, as well as many of Prince Edward County’s acclaimed locally grown producers.
Heading outdoors, guests get a resort-like experience with dining in The Garden, or groups can book The Harvest Table, a semi-private space nestled beneath a fireside pergola. A special custom-tiled pool and lounge area complete the outdoor space and will be the centrepiece of the Grand Reopening scheduled for May of this year.
The Royal Hotel, in Picton, brings together the historical significance of a grand hotel with modern conveniences and fine dining in enhancing any visit to beautiful Prince Edward County.