Prince Edward Island, a bucolic maritime province in eastern Canada is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, west of Cape Breton Island, north of the Nova Scotia peninsula and east of New Brunswick. It’s known for its seafood, pastoral landscape, red soil, white-sand beaches and as the setting for Maud Montgomery’s beloved Victorian-era novel Anne of Green Gables.

About the same time Montgomery wrote her endearing novel, wealthy industrialist Alexander McDonald built a seaside retreat and Dalvay by the Sea was born. Built in the Queen Anne Revival style, an extensive use of island sandstone and wood reflects a long-time maritime tradition. The McDonald family owned the handsome turn-of-the-century summer residence until 1932. It changed hands until 1937 when the provincial government acquired it to be part of the newly created Prince Edward Island National Park.

Today the elegant-but-casual summer hotel features 25 unique guestrooms, all furnished with period antiques. The furniture is consistent with the age of the property, the staff efficient and friendly.

© Ellen Clark

Meals are a treat. Eclectic fare celebrates the regions’ farmers and fishermen with prominent use of Atlantic Canadian seafood, locally raised meat and handpicked vegetables and herbs from Dalvay’s organic garden. I snacked on succulent mussels and oysters in a darkly paneled room with windows looking out to the sea. To really get into the turn-of-the-century mood, afternoon tea is served with a 12-hour advance reservation.

Where activities are concerned, the hotel offers bikes for rent; plenty of places for hiking; canoeing, kayaking and paddle boating on Dalvay Lake; tennis; golfing; and fishing. Even lawn bowling can be arranged. And, of course, there’s beachcombing and scenic drives. From my point of view, though, this is a place to soak up the ambience, put your feet up, grab a mindless beach read and chill.  Adirondack chairs line up on the rolling green lawn, and wicker chairs rock on the broad, covered porches.

In the long-ago tradition of relaxing at a summer resort, Dalvay by the Sea fits the bill. This is a place for reading, eating and reflecting. And, to add a bit of celebrity panache, the hotel hosted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — better known as William and Kate — while they were on their Royal Tour in 2011.

Dalvay by the Sea

16 Cottage Crescent, York, PE C0A 1P0, Canada
tel 902 672 2048