Prince Edward County Bed and Breakfasts for a Lakeside Retreat

In the village of Milford, The Miller’s House Bed and Breakfast exudes pure County charisma. This quaint bed and breakfast overlooks both a waterfall and a centuries-old mill. Much-appreciated period accents remain from the 19th-century build, like restored pine floors on which pioneers once walked. You’ll get nothing but modern comforts in your private digs, that means an updated en-suite, air conditioning for hot summer nights and free WiFi. For extra space, book into the Mill Room Suite where you’ll soak up countryside charm in the cheerful yellow living room bathed in natural light, or cozy up next to the gas fireplace when wintry winds come in off the lake.

Mornings are a delight when you wake up to homemade jams and freshly baked goodies. You can enjoy your two-course breakfast with your fellow guests as you prepare to take on the day. At The Miller’s House, you’re always within a quick drive of all that the county has to offer. Waupoos Estates Winery and Restaurant is just 20 minutes away, and a 15-minute trip will get you to the antique shops and ice cream bars of Picton. Looking for a picnic lunch? Ask your hosts and they’ll pack you one to go.

When you come back “home”, take a snooze in a chaise lounge, soothed by the sound of the babbling creek running through dewy perennial gardens. If you’re feeling like some fitness, toss around a Frisbee on the large lawn or set up a croquet course. At night, bask in the crackly glow of the outdoor fire with some marshmallows and a glass of County wine.

You’ll feel like a local while staying at the Newsroom Suites in the bustling lakeside village of Wellington. Designed as self-catered mini apartments, the three contemporary suites in this white clapboard home let you live life at your own pace. If you’ve got kids in tow, you’ll want to check out the 600-square-foot Deluxe King Suite. You’ll sleep soundly in a king bed while the wee ones get a pull-out in the next-door sitting room, and you can make bath time a fun family event in the splash-worthy claw-foot tub (also great for kid-free, candlelit soaks). For something a touch more intimate but just as pretty, revel in the coloured light filtering through a stained-glass window in the King Suite. You’ll even have a place to store your locally bought wine and cider in the adorable eat-in kitchen.

Breakfast can be found at nearby Enid Grace Café, a much-loved spot among locals and visitors alike. The owners are friendly with the Lavazza family of the famed espresso brand, so you can be that sure your fragrant cup will be brewed to perfection. Take your coffee to go and drive just 20 minutes to Sandbanks Provincial Park, or one of the many 18-hole golf courses in the region. If you’d rather a low-key afternoon in, settle into a seat on the Newsroom’s covered veranda overlooking the village’s main strip. Sip that Italian coffee while watching hipsters on their way to craft breweries or cyclists zipping past on the flat County road. If you didn’t bring your own wheels along, inquire in town about renting a bike for a day or a week. As evening settles in, stroll to one of the village restaurants for a mouthwatering dinner focused on local, wholesome ingredients.

Boaters, bikers and big-city folks looking for a slower pace will find lots to love at the Picton Harbour Inn. Its location at the head of Picton Bay was the site of an inn as early as 1790, and it has seen plenty of history since then. Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, practiced law just down the street, and steamships full of passengers and freight have been docking nearby for centuries.

Picton’s rich history is reflected in the inn’s décor, like the archival photos of Picton Harbour that grace the walls. Of course, your guest room or suite will still be kitted out with upgraded WiFi and shiny new TVs to keep you comfortably in the 21st century. If you’re travelling with friends, choose the third-floor Rosebud or Aletha Suites and throw open the adjoining doors for group hangouts. You’ll be able to make good use of the kitchenette (or just the bar) in the Aletha Suite, taking your snacks and bevvies onto the walkout balcony to cheers while overlooking the harbour. Families will feel at home in the Alexandra Suite, where a kitchenette and living area let you save some Loonies by preparing your own hearty home-cooked meals. When you’ve tucked the kids into the plush queen-size bed in their own room, take a moment for yourself to stargaze from your private ground-floor courtyard as the town settles into sleep.

The on-site Lighthouse Restaurant is the destination of choice for gourmet morning meals and afternoon fish ‘n’ chips. Try grilled specialities like Lulu’s French Toast with melted Swiss cheese and ham, or the beer-battered haddock fillets if your “breakfast” is leaning more toward late brunch. In surrounding Picton, the biggest of the County’s communities, you’ll be well set up for restaurants, cafés and shops. Lovers of hops and all things ale can try new house-made brews at 555 Brewing, or hop on a bike and head to Parsons Brewing Company, about a 40-minute pedal away.

If you’re only planning a day trip into the County or you just prefer to bed down in a bigger locale, check out Victoria Place Bed and Breakfast in the city of Belleville. Just across the glistening Bay of Quinte, Belleville gives you quick access to the quaint County but is close to major highways and urban amenities.

The unique set-up at Victoria Place assures you complete privacy, with the knowledge that your hosts are right nearby to tend to your every need. Your two-storey guest accommodation is attached to the main house, but you’ll have access through your own private entrance. Claim the cushy queen-size bed in the upstairs bedroom while the the kids get comfy on the sitting room futon. If you’re travelling with teens, relegate them to their own private bathroom and keep the en-suite with its vintage claw-foot tub and gleaming brass fixtures for yourself. Your guest space gives you 1,000 square feet to relax in, but you’ll still find more on the wooden deck—ideal for supervising energetic young ones engrossed in an early-spring snowball fight in the fenced-in backyard.

Every morning, join your hosts for continental breakfast in the dining room, where a wood-burning stove will keep you toasty in the winter months. Fill your plate with homemade apple cake, plus flaky croissants, jam, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, juice, tea and coffee. When you want to head over to the County, you can reach Picton or Sandbanks Provincial Park in just 30 minutes. Summer visitors can splash into the warm shallows of the park, or stay behind to rent a boat and explore the calm waters of the bay on the back side of Prince Edward County.