Winter ain’t over yet, and Drake Devonshire offers a cozy getaway that will help buffer the bump to spring. Along with 11 stylishly designed hotel rooms + two expansive suites, you can treat yourself to their seasonal menus featuring farm and lake-to-table dining, an inventive cocktail program and PEC wines. They’ll keep you occupied with stunning art installations, cultural programming and events, or act as your County Concierge, giving you the scoop on excursions and activities in the area.
We talked to innkeeper Chris Loane about what you can expect from this idyllic retreat located in the heart of Prince Edward County.
SDTC: When you wander the grounds at Devonshire, what novels come to mind?
Chris Loane: The Great Gatsby – It’s the casual nature in which they took they’re lives. It’s the work to live mentality. You have people here enjoying a book by the fire, engaging in conversation at the bar, sitting on the patio and watching the sunset. People dress to impress here, and there is always something going on in the building like a guitar player in the glass box, or open mic on Tuesdays.
What would you say is the most romantic feature?
For the colder seasons, it’s got to be the big leather couch in front of the fireplace in the living room. Soooo cozy.
Tell us what magic grows on your property.
We have mint and watercress growing wild by the stream at the mouth of the lake, right beside the dining room. We use the watercress and the mint we pick in some of the meals we serve!
What local farms or vineyards have you forged relationships with to integrate into your menu?
Matt DeMille, our head chef, has done a great job working with the best of what’s grown here locally. We have Kendall Dewey Fisheries fish, McColl’s Lamb, Prinzen Farms Chicken and Steak, and Honeywagon Farms vegetables. We also feature Rosehall Run wines as our house wines – Vintner’s Daughter white and red are special blends they created just for us, and we have more than 20 PEC wines on our wine list, as well as local spirits. We try to celebrate the bounty of PEC as much as we can. There’s so much good stuff here. We’re really fortunate to be spoiled for choice.
If we were to lie in one of your beds, what would we see?
If you were in our “Stargazer” room, you would see exactly that. That room has a HUGE skylight over the bed, letting guests see the morning light as it streams in, and all the stars at night. People from the city forget just how many stars you can see when it’s black out in the country, so the Stargazer room is a perfect reminder.
How would you describe Drake Devonshire?
The Devonshire is a fast-paced restaurant in a very laid back Inn. You come here to relax and decompress, but our dining room is always buzzing, so you also get a feeling of the city, even though you’re in a town of 1,700 people. It’s a really nice blend of busy and quiet, so guests can gravitate toward whatever energy they prefer.
For more information or to book your room, visit here.
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