Press

Canada’s hotel scene seems to be entering a new phase that’s less about volume and more about experience. While large full-service brands are expanding, smaller boutique properties – tree houses, art hotels, Nordic-style retreats – are leaning into design, wellness and a stronger sense of place.

Prince Edward County is not without its charms. The region (or, “The County” as locals call it) is situated on a manmade island between Montreal and Toronto, and beloved by citizens of both cities for its long beaches and local wine scene. While the region has a long history of agriculture, it’s all hit a fever-pitch over the last ten years when serious winemakers wised up to the region’s potential. Chardonnay shines here, Pinot Noir is well suited to the limestone bedrock and clay soils.

Prince Edward County isn’t just a wine-centric pastoral paradise. The Ontario region, about a two-and-a-half-hour road trip from Toronto, is also a burgeoning cultural destination. In its charming communities, including Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington, a serious creative streak is reflected in the food and drink scene, as well as vibrant summer festivals and events.

Purchased by a family of developers, the Cleaves, in 2020, the property has been significantly expanded. A brand-new renovation added an additional 20,000 square feet as well as a glass-enclosed back room that frames panoramic views of Picton Harbour. A bench-lined boardwalk, alive with turtles, herons and beavers, now links the Claramount to the base of Picton’s town hill.

Over the last few years, the Claramount Club’s Colonial waterfront estate (built in 1904) has been refreshed into a swish lakeside hotel. The original home was transformed into a set of suites, with maximalist wallpaper, colorful furnishings, and design details that highlight the history of the property and region (like original photographs of locals leisuring by the lake from the early ‘90s).

Ontario's very own Prince Edward County has officially earned a spot on a prestigious list of The Best Places to Go in 2026, joining international destinations from Morocco to Japan as one of the world's must-visit travel spots.

On Dec. 1, the landmark Claramount Club in Prince Edward County announced its opening after a contemporary wellness-focused upgrade. “The historic Claramount estate has been transformed into a flagship destination for Prince Edward Country’s explorers,” the team said.

The Claramount estate, one of the most recognizable waterfront landmarks in Ontario's celebrated Prince Edward County, has reopened as Claramount Club following an extensive restoration that began in 2019.

After a multi-year build and restoration, the long-awaited rebirth of The Claramount Club is here — and it’s been worth the wait. No expense has been spared by the owners, the Cleave family, in the build, design and furnishings of the complex on Picton Harbour, which will serve both local residents and visiting tourists. The club’s mantra is “Old Soul, New Era,” honouring The Claramount’s significant heritage in the community.

PEC is upon one such ancient limestone seabed that Prince Edward County in Southern Ontario, Canada, sits, which gives the region's new cool-climate wines their distinctive old-world character. PEC has long been a weekend destination for East Coast Canadians, but a spate of boutique hotels, family-run wineries, and excellent restaurants is sure to draw crowds from farther afield.

Prince Edward County—or PEC—is already a favorite long-weekend destination for many Canadians, especially those from Toronto and Montreal (it’s only a few hours drive from each). The region has been coming into its own for the past decade as a hot spot for boutique hotels, small family-run wineries, and world-class restaurants, but there’s plenty more to come. The region is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new hotel, The Claramount Club, which will have two new restaurants as well.