Travel + Design: The Royal Hotel

The Annex, along with The Royal’s bevy of bespoke perks – you know, a blissed-out spa, toothsome polpette, a fireside library – boasts another rather delightful commodity for a hotel: privacy. “We designed The Annex for a more discreet experience, and for those who wish to be away from the public areas of The Royal,” says Pina Petricone, principal at Toronto’s Giannone Petricone Associates (the firm behind the rebuild and restoration of the Victorian-era hotel in Picton, which opened its doors in spring 2022).

At 6,800 square feet, The Annex is set behind The Royal Hotel in Picton. The location was once occupied by the original stables of the Prince Edward County hotel, which have since been demolished. “Unlike the heritage structure of the hotel, nothing of the original stables building remained, so we decided that it was essential to create a contrast between The Royal and this auxiliary building,” says Petricone. The result is a mix of street-level gallery/exhibition space and five second-floor guest rooms imagined with longer, lingering stays in mind (each has a wet bar and toaster oven, some have dining and sitting areas). It’s also a design feat – think a contemporary reiteration of cocoon-like coziness.

“The exterior is our clean and modern interpretation of a barn,” says The Royal general manager Sol Korngold. “The unfettered lines and uniform materials allow the building to stand out. It’s a modern approach that moves away from the hotel’s Victorian history and follows a more Scandinavian sensibility.” Inside, hyper-mod meets hygge for a mashup that is dynamic. Clean lines and concrete floors share the space with plush drapery, tactile chandeliers crafted from industrial wool-felt, custom quilts hung behind headboards and wide-weave rugs that layer in softness underfoot. Walnut panels in rich toffee shades act as room dividers.

For all its undeniable appeal, The Royal Hotel’s Annex is more than an alternative to traditional guest rooms. “We had already bought The Royal Hotel when the building where The Annex now stands came up for sale, so it was an obvious purchase,” says Korngold. Bonus: the new acquisition also opened up space for guest parking and some resort-like amenities, including a garden and pool area.

All of the hallmarks of a reassuringly comfortable inn are firmly in place at The Royal Hotel in Picton. There are Italian bed linens, duvet-wrapped feather pillows, blackout blinds and Dyson hair dryers, along with PEC touches such as locally made, all-natural Telford Basics toiletries. The mix of features feels in step with the design. Petricone says, “The Annex was envisioned as a romanticized shed, so it’s anchored to the farming context of the County, but in a fresh way that expands and solidifies a new contemporary voice.” And, luckily for travellers, offers a stylish getaway worthy of repeat bookings.

For more information, visit THEROYALHOTEL.CA

IF YOU GO

		Main Street Shopping Picton’s Main Street delights with an array of shops. Bibliophiles will flock to Books & Company; and Field Made Goods is a must for contemporary ceramics and all-natural scents.
		Maison Depoivre Gallery MD Gallery, located in WWII barracks, offers a roster of rotating exhibits showcasing works from photography to paintings by local and visiting artists.
		Luso Bites In Main Street’s Armoury building, this snack bar/café will make you feel like you’re in Porto. It’s a perfect spot to refuel with a coffee and enjoy a traditional rissóis de camarão.
		Parsons Brewing Company Complete with a taproom, bottle shop and food menu, Parsons prides itself on locality and sustainability — serving a menu of unmissable pours.
		Birdhouse City A short walk from downtown, this is a unique outdoor space with nearly 100 working birdhouses. Each is handcrafted and most are models of famous local or landmark buildings.