Dalvay By the Sea

A beautiful hotel located near Prince Edward Island National Park. Walking distance to long and inviting sandy ocean beaches . The hotel itself is stunning. Dinner was wonderful, table service was excellent. A great dinning experience. After diner, there are comfortable lounge chairs to sink into. The smell and the warm ambience of a cracking open hearth fire, while snuggling with my wife, sipping on a fruity port will always be memorable. Perhaps a point to consider. It would have been nice to have someone at check in, offer to help carry our bags to the second floor (no elevators)...just saying. Dalvay by the Sea, is a must visit on your travel itinerary. It's like a step back in time.

Popped in for a light meal at the cafe! We’re vegetarian so finding non-seafood dishes has been a challenge. The dish of the day was squash soup and a sandwich. The kitchen adapted the sand which to be vegetarian. Delicious meal! Attentive and knowledgeable staff. Great historic house with lovely garden and pond. Great!

We visited the Dalvay for our 20th anniversary, for a week in October, and we made lifelong memories every day. It was such a lovely place, with a stunning dining room, but it was really the people who made it special. The customer service was awesome, from the lovely MacKenzie who helped us make our reservation just right when we first called, to Handri who seemed ever-present with a smile, kind words, and excellent personalized local recommendations. We felt so taken care of the entire time! If you love the feeling of a truly historic inn, this place is perfect. Because it is listed and owned by Parks Canada, it isn’t completely updated but that leaves all the original charm intact! There is something so magical about the inn and the grounds, which makes you feel like you’re stepping out of time. The location is inside the national park and a bit outside of the more packed out tourist areas. For us it was a perfect home base for driving all over the island and seeing all the lighthouses and sights we could! I almost want to make an entire additional post about the food, which was excellent almost beyond description. Every bite was perfect! The farm-to-table feel and excellent local ingredients really show through. Being from the west coast I am partial to a London Fog, which they weren’t initially sure they could make. But when the fantastic barista/bartender made it, it was honestly one of the best I ever had! I didn’t catch her name but she was a magician. After that I had one every morning. Thanks for making our trip wonderful, Dalvay! (It should be noted that there is no elevator so keep that in mind when booking if stairs are a challenge.)

Mediocre novelty hotel at best. Plus side were the location near the ocean and the two employees who excelled at sincere customer service. The room itself was very basic with a large comfortable bed, nice view of the lake, two armchairs and a functioning washroom with a decent shower. The room lacked a fridge, had no coffee maker, had a dirty garbage can, and no facial tissue. The hotel did not respect the fire bans and had both wood burning fireplaces going even though there was a heatwave and there were other ways to enhance the ambience by having scented candles in fire safe glass instead. The smell of fire was disconcerting especially after spending two weeks travelling through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI where active fires were burning out of control and fire bans were in place. Several of the staff were indifferent at best and in one case down right rude. If you want to take in the complimentary morning tea or coffee make sure you get to the lobby before 7:30 am or it’s over. Not worth the price paid to stay there for two nights. Recommend you only pop in to see the property and carry on to somewhere else to stay where they will appreciate your business. I recommend going a short drive over to Charlottetown and stay at The Great George Hotel where all of the staff treat every guest royally and there are extras too numerous to mention included in the price of your stay. Fortunately Dalvay By the Sea is the ONLY place in all of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and PEI where we were not treated to exemplary customer service. Do better!

Overall, it was a good experience. The major drawback was noticing insects and cobwebs in our room and several common areas. I somewhat expected the insects given the location and age of the building, cobwebs not so much - these are a quick and easy fix. Staff always responded to our requests professionally. Would be good to have free coffee and tea beyond the hours of 530am to 730am. Yes, it is better than nothing, but for a hotel that leans to luxury, this is a basic that even cheap hotels find a way to offer. Having a minifridge in room would also be nice. There is also a lot of noise which travels between rooms, again, given the age of the building shouldnt come as a surprise, but good to know before you boom. The common areas are otherwise great and making use of the tennis court and local beach was excellent.

A difficult one. A lovely house and history, nice breakfast (we didn’t have a dinner as there are options outside) and nice staff. We booked early via trailfinders but ended up with an attic room whereas our friends had a better room on the floor below. This suggests that the hotel picks and chooses who goes where. The water took 10 minutes to run hot (and only warm in the evening), no tea/coffee in the room and no TV. |There are some really good facilities at the hotel (bikes, boats, laundry, walking) but just make sure what room you are getting.

For such a classy place, and for that high a bill we expected a lot more. Everything we had was very flavorful, let's get that out of the way. Service was abysmal, we were seated right away, but forgotten for 30 minutes, as other guests were getting service. I guess every waiter thought we were not in their section. Had to ask for water after 30 minutes. Everything that we asked for, we had to ask again 15-20 later, because it was forgotten. And of course, the tip options started at 20%. Very sad, because this was my wife's most looked after spot in our Trip to P.E.I., and this was not the experience she deserved.

We had the unpleasant experience of having their high tea. Where do I start? First there is a very limited type of tea to choose from and they couldn’t even get that right. They bring a pot half full of water and loose leaf tea but without a smaller pot of hot water so by the time you are on your second pour the tea is too strong. They eventually come around to refill the pot with hot water from a carafe. This makes the tea about right but then when you use that they just add even more hot water making for weak tea. So on average I guess you could say the tea was just right. There was one tea “ sandwich “ which was a couple of slices of cucumber on top of stale bread. I ate it as I was hungry but my wife just ate the cucumber. There were several small savories on offer but just one per table so we had to struggle to divide them so we could have a taste of each of them which was messy at best. But you may be thinking that the scones would be ok….. there were no scones. Yes, no scones. At this point we did tell the waitress and then someone who apparently was in charge about our disappointment and all he could say was “ well chef does not make scones” . Maybe chef could learn to make scones if you are marketing a high tea??? There was no attempt to provide a proper pastry and we ended up laughing when one of the many cookies on offer literally exploded in my hand when I tried to divide it. Well to summarize if want to spend $ 200 + to sit in a lovely room with a nice view and eat bad , I mean really bad, food then Dalvay’s Sunday tea is just the perfect thing to do.

What a lovely spot for lunch. The Inn is beautiful. Lunch is served in the bar area and is minimal with a choice of charcuterie or soup & sandwich. We tried both and they were equally delicious. We were actually visiting on a cruise ship. We rented a car, drove to some fun spots, then headed to Dalvay for lunch before heading back to Charlottetown. It worked perfectly.

This place is a dream! Popped in for breakfast and tea and it was wonderful! The grounds, the atmosphere, the building itself - very beautiful and delightful. If you're on the island, make this stop a priority.

Wonderful place! Beautiful, top tier cuisine, hospitable staff and altogether lovely atmosphere.

This was my first overseas trip in our new COVID reality and it was the most comfortable, restorative, and welcoming experience I've ever had at a hotel. Following many delays I was forced to arrive at 1am, and was greeted at the desk with as much warmth as if I'd just come home. The man working late at the desk, checked me in quickly, carried my bag up the stairs, and even offered to bring me a drink from the bar to help me unwind. The bed was wonderfully comfortable, I had the windows open a crack to let in the sound of the sea. I slept like a stone. In the morning, there was an included continental breakfast in the piano room. Beautiful views of the lake and the ocean, spaces to sit on the patio, or even the lawn to enjoy the fresh air. Bottomless coffee! I stayed at Dalvay for six days, and by the end I felt like I was friends with the entire team-bar staff, restaurant staff, housekeeping, and desk staff-all stopped to chat, and seemed to take special care as I was travelling alone. Makes me think that this is how travel used to be, an entry into new community. The food is excellent, the service top notch, and the commitment to QUIET, no blaring TVs or sport games, makes for a truly restful retreat. I can't wait to return!

Stayed for two nights and this is definitely a hidden gem. Food: -seafood at the restaurant is second to none on PEI and I have been going to PEI for 50 years and I am considered by most to be a "foodie". -lunch and dinner were both great. A few more options for lunch over dinner would be great. Cottages: -this is where I stayed and they are good. Exterior scared me a bit but the interior is nice and the beds were super comfortable. -resort doesn't have much to do, especially for kids, but I knew that going in.

It's hard not to enjoy time at Dalvay. I stayed with my mom during the off season (early June) the house is stunning and has the wow factor when you arrive. When I book a hotel it's a mediocre chain and this made me feel like royalty. The room we stayed in was huge. It had two double beds, two chairs and a table over looking the lake view and a balcony over looking the lake! There were complementary macarons and bathrobes (I'm a sucker for perks and feeling luxurious). Outside the room I loved exploring the house and various sitting rooms. My favorite was a cozy couch in front of the fireplace to enjoy a book and a warm beverage. There are lovely chairs to sit outside by the lake which I did when it was warm enough although generally it wasn't very warm. They had tennis rackets and tennis balls we could use at the courts. Lovely walk to beach, bike trails, etc. Perfect stay. Food at Dalvay was good. Expensive but good. I loved breakfast there and charging to the room is so easy, it makes the whole stay more enjoyable. I liked dinner a little less than breakfast but it was still good. I thought it a bit odd that even fancy food like steak was being served with french fries. Overall food was good but breakfast was the best!

We stayed here last September. It was so relaxing and beautiful. I fell asleep in a chair by the fire while my husband enjoyed a drink. This is a must stop if in the area or on a Trip to visit Anne!

Dalvay by the Sea is a beautiful estate with a long history. There are only 25 guest rooms, two sitting rooms, a lounge and a restaurant. There are no TVs anywhere, and air conditioning is a new addition. The estate overlooks a lake, and the ocean is a short walk away. The hotel is within the national park, so you need to purchase a park pass to come and go. We enjoyed walking the beautiful beaches and enjoying drinks by the lake. Our room was on the top floor and very comfortable. It had a sitting area, full size bed, and an en-suite bathroom with a soaker tub. We enjoyed drinks on the patio and in the lounge, dinner, and breakfast. Everything was lovely, and the food is outstanding -there is a new in-house chef and a baker that makes everything fresh. Our only disappointment was the service. We had to ask twice for a check and wave down our bartender to get it, servers were scarce, and we had to ask for things like a pen when it should have been brought with a check. While everyone is so friendly and helpful, these little things make a huge difference.

I don't often cry while writing reviews, but our stay at the Dalvay will be one that we remember fondly for a lifetime. Upon driving onto the property, I uttered an audible gasp - there is stands in all it's splendor, situated on the shores of Dalvay Beach. If you're a nature lover and a history buff, this is the hotel for you. The lobby and suites seem untouched by time, simple and elegant, without all the modern day noise and fancy updates which leave us feeling sterile and cold. Stone fireplaces warm the lobby and lounge, where people read actual books, and sit quietly soaking in the peaceful and decadent surroundings. Perhaps the one modern day amenity worth every penny paid, is the incredible restaurant at the Dalvay. Fresh, local cuisine, cooked to perfection and served by thoughtful friendly staff who clearly care about making the experience as rich as it can possibly be. I can't wait to return. Oh, yes, and Hail to the Cesar Salad!

We stopped by today for lunch , amazing staff, ambiance and the food is outstanding, try the toffee pudding yuuuumm

Went for High Tea. Incredibly disappointing! The location and service were excellent but the food was disgusting! Huge chunk of gristle in the croissant sandwich, squares that were partially defrosted and I am sure came from Costco, dry, tasteless scones and 3 sad old strawberries all for $40.00 each plus tax and tip. Both my companion and I experienced severe indigestion starting 45 minutes later. Do not waste your money

We went for a special birthday celebration and we were underwhelmed. Was hoping for an upscale experience but sadly it was not what we were expecting. The service was good but the food was just ok. Biggest turn off was the amount of flies in the restaurant. It was worse than having a picnic outside. We could not eat our expensive dinner without swatting flies the whole entire time. Not what I would expect at one of the best restaurants on the island. Willing to try again and hope to have a better experience.

Dropped by for drinks on a hot Saturday afternoon. The hotel looks very stately from afar and on well maintained grounds. You can look around the hotel, but only if you either dine or are staying there as a guest. The main floor is beautifully decorated in antique and modern furnishings, giving one the impression of an old English style hunting Lodge. The property is spotless and has a beautifully kept lawn looking over the water. There are deck chairs and hammocks to catch some rays or relax, as well as on the patio. Our drinks were quite good, though the waiter was quite fresh and didn't understand everything. Even though we weren't there for food, I got a good look at the menu and it looked amazing! Can't wait to go back and try it

We came to the lovely Dalvay hotel for lunch before visiting the PEI National Park. We ordered the "Belle Rock River Crab & Local Lobster Roll" and hands down, the best lobster roll we've ever had (and we've tried out a lot!). The lobster chunks were large and so fresh, flavoured well by the brown-butter-ginger aioli. The sauce did not overpower the seafood as we found in many other lobster rolls. And the fries, cooked in parmesan and herbs, were a perfect compliment. We also ordered "PEI Blue Mussels steamed in a dry vermouth/chorizo broth" which came in a large bowl with the broth at the bottom. The broth was delicious and added so much flavor to the mussels, and we happily drank the rest of it as soup. Definitely recommend the food at this beautiful location! Everyone was so friendly and we had a great time.

A group of 5 of us stayed at Dalvay by the Sea for two nights during a recent trip to Prince Edward Island. Our group opted to stay in one of their cottages, so that we could stay together. The cottage had three bedrooms / 2 baths and was a short walk to the main lodge. The place was an excellent place to stay and I would stay here again if I were on PEI. The cottage was cozy with a thermostat controlled gas fireplace in the living area. This was a great place to sit and have drink by the fire while catching up with old friends. One negative of the place was that the fireplace was the only source of heat in the cottage. The temp in our mid June visit dipped to the single Celsius digits (8°), or 40ish for you Fahrenheit folks. A word about our lack of heat to the front desk had them scurrying for portable electric heaters which they installed and got up and running while we enjoyed dinner at the main lodge. And enjoy that dinner, we did. I had the filet mignon which was excellent! Others at the table also raved about their meals. There were some grumblings about after dinner Baileys servings being served as extremely small portions. Not being Canadian, I wonder if this was not a standard 1 oz. pour they experienced. I had no similar complaint about my cognac's size, nor did our group's port drinker. Breakfast also didn't disappoint. I had the banana battered french toast which I announced was the best french toast I've ever had. Service at Dalvay by the Sea was excellent from responses from the front desk, to dinner, to breakfast. Dalvay by the Sea deserves a solid 4 Yelp! stars. It is a charming place, but I do think it could use some upgrading. I don't think the improvements would detract from the charm for most people. One last item: As I mentioned there were 5 of us in the cottage. By the morning's shower number five, the water was a tolerable warm but it was no longer hot.

Elegant hotel that perfectly evokes Anne of Green Gables' White Sands! The setting is gorgeous as well. Check out the scrapbook in the foyer detailing Kate and William's visit! We stopped in for breakfast. It's a simpler menu than I thought it might be but reasonably priced and delicious.

We had a special birthday dinner here on a chilly early fall night. There were wonderful aromatic fires in each fireplace. The inn and restaurant Itself is a charming converted mansion...lovely and expansive. Warm woods throughout. Our meals were each superb concoctions with delicious rich sauces and beautiful garnishes. The sticky pudding desert was gorgeous and scrumptiously delicious. The drink service was slow and the drinks were not done quite to our satisfaction, but we think the breakdown was at the bar, not the server because the bartender was slow and indifferent when we requested after dinner drinks in the lounge. The server was extremely pleasant and accommodating. She answered questions about the menu efficiently. She promptly had the table leveled when we requested it. This was a truly memorable experience with a price to match.

Actually 3.5, rounded down. Cottage on beautiful bucolic property. Main house is storybook quaint and lovely. Cottages are like lodge/chalet. We have the 3BR 2BA cottage which has a master with queen, ensuite; room with 2 twins, and loft with a king. PROS: nice solid construction, beds are super comfortable, plenty of towels. Fireplaces are cozy in the main bldg. CONS: TV not operational, "kitchen" area has no microwave, toaster, oven, paper towels, soap, plates; no grill; loft arch window has no shade. Restaurant very expensive and food nothing to write home me about. All in all a pretty, relaxing property, but the cottages are not "housekeeping" units... Probably not worth the 10-hr drive from Boston. Will seek outer Cape for similar peaceful vac spot.

Dalvay by the Sea is a beautify restored summer home built from 1896-99 in the Queen Anne style. The grounds are beautiful and spacious. The pristine PEI beach (in a provincial park) is an easy walk. The restaurant is fantastic. This is a place for grown-ups who appreciate a very well-managed hotel and attention to detail. What stands out more than anything in this excellent property is the service: It was just wonderful; and everyone was nice. People went out of their way to help. We're going back. And that's all the way from Kansas City.

If you enjoy history and especially enjoy the feeling of being transported back in time then Dalvay By the Sea is a must-stay. It is a gorgeous hotel that rewards the curious with so many interesting details hidden everywhere. My wife loved the claw-foot bathtub. We both loved the proximity to the beach (right across the street). Its unique location inside the national park means that there is nothing else around, which gives you that wonderful seclusion to slow down and take it easy. Along those lines, Dalvay has some unique characteristics. No phones, no TVs, no AC, and enforced quiet times make this a no frills place to take it easy.

Let me admit that I am an Anne of Green Gables freak. As evidence of my freakage I even dressed up in Anne garb while visiting the Anne of Green Gables house. Yup. I am one of "those" crazy-ass people. I have always wanted to stay at Dalvay-by-the-Sea for this very reason because in Avonlea land the exterior was used as the White Sands Hotel. Throughout my childhood I would watch the Anne movies and Avonlea and I would see Dalvay-by-the-Sea in all its glory perched smugly on its sandy bunker taunting me. I knew that someday I would stay there. In the meantime, I had a picture of the place as my screen saver on my computer. You might say I'm only giving this place a 5 star review because I'm an Anne of Green Gables stan, but honestly it's not the reason. If anything, this place had a lot to live up to because of it. My hubby and I took a vacation to the Maritime provinces for our 10th wedding anniversary in July 2014. We planned for two nights on P.E. Island and I knew that for at least one of them we had to stay at Dalvay-by-the-Sea. This is some bucket list shit here. It was pricier than the other hotels I had been booking for this vacation, but I booked us in one of the cheap and smallest rooms with no ocean view to cut down on cost. It didn't really matter to me. I wasn't going to P.E.I. to sit in my room all day and who cares if the view out the window is of the Dalvay's dumpster instead of the sea? I would be tickled pink because it's actually the White Sand's dumpster and maybe Anne and Gilbert's trash is in it. I made our reservation online and all that I put in the "special comments" section was that we were staying for our 10th anniversary. When we arrived and went up to our room, my hubby and I were pleasantly surprised that they upgraded us to one of the larger, mackdaddy rooms with an ocean view for no extra charge. I have no idea if the anniversary comment had anything to do with it or if it was just luck. Our room was right in one of the front gables of the house overlooking the front lawn and sea, just like my screen saver. There are no phones and TVs in the rooms but who goes to a quiet, romantic getaway such as Dalvay to watch TV? If you want TVs, movies, vending machines, and pools laden with chlorine and kiddie piss stay at a chain hotel. The place has wi-fi (at least it did in the main house) and it was decent wi-fi so I could Instagram whore away to my heart's content. We had dinner in the restaurant and yes it was expensive, but it's a fine dining restaurant overlooking the beach and everything even the fucking pasta, is made in house from scratch. I honestly had one of the most romantic dinners of my life here. Our waiter was attentive without being obtrusive and in our faces the entire time. The atmosphere perfect. We made our dinner reservation pseudo at the last minute (after we checked in to the hotel) and still managed to score one of the coveted tables by the window. This was on a Tuesday night but it was peak season. I am vegetarian and had a delicious pasta dish. Homemade pasta is killer. The best part of the meal was the dessert. The sticky date pudding is worth the airfare for the trip to Canada alone. Holy hell! The pudding along with the melted toffee shit they drape over it and homemade vanilla ice cream (they make their own ice cream squee) left me feeling just so freaking happy. I find that with most fancier dining restaurants the desserts can be the let down of the meal. They tend to be microscopic. At Dalvay the desserts are generous. They weren't miserly with the ice cream and toffee sauce. The Canadians really do know how to do their desserts up right. So good! After dinner my hubby ordered a beer and because I'm a loony toon, I wanted some coffee at ten o'clock at night. Dalvay didn't have any left because they were closing up the kitchen at that point, but the staff kindly brewed me another pot and even put it in a little carafe thing so I could have multiple cups and heavily caffeinate myself before bed. We sat outside on the porch with our drinks and it was so quiet and dark. Not a hint of light pollution. You could see so many stars. The only sounds were the murmurs of other hotel guests (also chilling out on the porch) and the soft waves of the sea gently lapping on the shore. It was just the way a romantic summer night should be. I loved everything about my stay. One small bitch: (agreeing with other reviewers) a cup of complimentary cup of coffee in the morning would be nice. This isn't the freaking Days Inn so I'm not expecting the freebie breakfast spread of stale danishes and shit, but access to free morning coffee should be a basic human right. I ended up paying close to $4 to get my caffeine fix downstairs in the restaurant. Still, this wasn't enough to keep me from falling in love with everything about this place. It was easy to overlook when the Anne of Green Gables fan girl in me was as Anne herself would say "as glad as glad can be."

My sister and I brought our elderly mother and aunt for Labor Day weekend. I CAN NOT say enough about the staff. They were personable, entertaining and tolerant. Our mom can be a challenge...I'm cold, I need coffee, where is, why, how come....etc. But they all smiled, treated her like gold, and made her feel special. The food was excellent, the cottage was warm and inviting, the grounds were immaculate. Thank you all for making our "Sister Trip" so memorable. You all deserve much more than the tips we left. You made 2 old ladies feel special, humored their over protective, slightly stressed daughters/nieces. And showed compassion. Again, thank you. My sister and I will be back, together, to enjoy your beautiful place in the future. We promise to be low maintenance next time!

A beautiful Victorian mansion facing the water. We stopped in for high tea. The tea selection was nothing special especially when you're paying $30 per person for high tea... that only has 6 tea options. We got one 3 tier tray to share with very little food and it was mostly dessert but not enough savoury options. Over priced for what it was. Hubby loved the smoked salmon crepe but it was less than half a bite size. The lawn was fully mowed..... yet they were mowing it right outside the window where we were trying to have a nice quiet tea. He kept going over the same spots over and over and over again. I wanted to kill myself. Also there were too many flies inside for our taste. Overall everything tasted great but for the value we wouldn't do it again nor recommend it to anyone else. There was a bike rental place next door however that we would recommend you stopping by and renting a bike to tour around the scenic property.

They have charming scenery , handsome waiter and delicious food. Tacos and beef burg are good. French fries use the local potato very delicious. They add some cheese make the fries different, I like it.

Day 7/30 - 30-day yelp challenge... And a first to review here as well! So this place markets itself as "PEI's grand oceanfront beach resort"... hmmm, I probably should have read the fine print on the site as opposed to just looking at the title and pictures when I booked! Had to stay here for a wedding and honestly, I would never stay here again unless I was forced to in order to help someone meet the minimum room booking requirements. I appreciate that it's a historical place and that Kate and William stayed here during their 2011 Royal Tour. All I can say is that they must have made sure to tell their entourage to keep quiet since this place has ZERO soundproofing. No elevators. We stayed in the main hotel portion, but there are options to book out a 3 bedroom cottage. In retrospect, I would have done that just to get some peace and quiet during the constant thumping music sounds/stairs creaking. The location itself is beautiful and hubby and I had fun kayaking in the small lake on the property (no additional charge). I suppose if you're truly someone who is a deep sleeper and wants to "get away from it all", you may be OK with this place. I'm totally not this kind of person. NONE of the rooms have alarm clocks, or any clocks whatsover. There's also no phone. This may not seem like a big deal, but when you realize that you're short towels and already undressed, it's a royal pain in the butt to have to re-dress, walk downstairs (or walk outside!) to go to the front desk to ask for some. I suppose I could have tried to google their number on my cell phone and call using that, but it's an extra hassle you don't want to have to deal with on vacation. The rooms in the hotel main building have no TV's either. If you want TV, there's some in the cottages, but the cottages don't have Wi-Fi. Choose which you would rather go without. The restaurant on site is quite expensive for the what you get... $17 bucks for a few cold pastries and cereal? Unfortunately, the nearest place is 10km away. On the plus side, it's historical, the beach is nearby, parking is free and it's a great area for running and biking along the highway leading here. The beds are high but very comfortable. Bathrooms are not modern, so be prepared to have your shower warm up for 5 minutes before you get in and the head is not adjustable. Nice Philosophy toiletries however. Check-in could be smoother. They should be more polished and have the spelling of their guests' names done accurately. Seriously, the girl had no information about the ONLY wedding that was booked on their property. I was going stir crazy here. I love PEI, but I definitely don't love Dalvay by the Sea.

They cancelled my reservation a couple of weeks after I had made it with reason or excuse. I suppose its better than not letting me know but I'd prefer to not try to plan a trip around an activity that could get cancelled.

Update: my review stands mostly the same, although I have met a few very nice waitresses in the dining room who have been helpful and hospitable. Breakfast at the restaurant was delicious but pricey ($38 for two before tip), but it offered convenience and a beautiful setting. The location is unbeatable and the place is growing on me, but would still like a complimentary pot of coffee offered to guests past 8am. After over-hearing other guests, I do not appear to be alone on that point. :)

The food here was amazing. So much so that I forgot to take a pic of the absolutely amazing main course - the sole - which absolutely melted in my mouth. The setting by the lake was beautiful, as was the historic building. But back to the food. The appetizers. I had the tomato salad which was refreshing and delicious with citrus and bursting with simple flavours. Hubby had the mussels and I think they were the best I've ever had (the few I managed to get in). The curry broth and something crispy on top (I didn't really pay attention to the menu on this item, so perhaps they were fried potatoes since we are on PEI?!?) I had a bite of my husband's chicken dish. It was also amazing. I should mention that we were dining with our 6 year old. And while there was fine dining for the adults, they also had a limited kids menu. It did have grilled cheese, so we were set! For dessert, we shared the creme brûlée. It was light as a cloud with a mild hint of lavender. The 6yo had the ice cream sandwich and made a few declarations while eating it. After I showed him how to dip the peanut butter and jam filled sandwich into the chocolate sauce... "YUmmm! I'm so glad they invented napkins!" And a little later "this is better than Pokemon Go!" (Did I mention this is also a Pokestop!) It wasn't cheap, but it was worth it!

Our group of seven went here for high tea and what a great experience. Our server was so personable and the teas and treats were excellent. There wasn't one treat that we didn't scoop right up! The atmosphere was old fashioned and special. It gets a bit toasty in the dining area so dress appropriately. Worth the price and the drive.

The grandeur of the Inn and its estate are 5 star. I'll go with 2 stars for everything else. (Except the server on the front porch. She was the saving grace of the service.) The front desk host was less than friendly. We were a group of four couples. Two couples got upgraded to King Suites. Two couples remained in small, one-window Queen rooms. I mean if you are going to upgrade, then do it for the WHOLE party! We rented bikes that needed a lot of work. We booked an early 6:30 dinner in the restaurant so we would be finished in time for sunset. 2 1/2 hours later we finished but missed sunset. (Bread was baking for about an hour, server rarely filled water glasses or checked in, soup/salad came our with entree, and we waited a long time for the entrees to come out which were just o.k.) To top it off, water was leaking through our ceiling in the morning as we were packing. We were told, "It usually leaks into the lobby. Surprised it leaked into your room." Glad we had booked only one night.

Our party rented bikes from the hotel, enjoyed a ride through the parks and down the coast, and then had lunch at the hotel. I enjoyed the wild fish tacos, which were excellent, and a local draft. Friendly and helpful service, who made us feel comfortable even though we were a bit mismatched with their decor (after a long before me ride). Everyone in our group enjoyed.

Amazing food with even more amazing scenery and view! Food was amazing and we were allowed to explore the hotel. Make sure to allow plenty of time to walk around the ground and enjoy the waterfront views. Friendly staff and worth the trip.

A lovely old place in a beautiful location. The old building does not muffle noise, as others have commented. I accept that in return for the abundant charm. But the heritage value does not excuse the poor meals at high prices and the restaurant staff who are keen, but lack training. No one at the front desk asked if we enjoyed our stay as we were leaving. What is the manger thinking?