WELLINGTON, Ont. — Construction of the second Drake hotel iteration, Drake Devonshire Inn, is nearly complete, and after a two-year restoration of a centuries-old foundry building, the property is set to open for an extended preview Sept. 15.
Located in Prince Edward County, it features 11 guestrooms and two suites. Added amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, Bose docking stations, turndown service, curated snack and gift trays and brown-bagged libations. Concierge services are available to book excursions, such as fishing, wine tasting, cross-country skiing, art tours and more.
Design highlights include the cantilevered dining room with views of Lake Ontario, the ping-pong room and the barn-like pavilion, available for special events, fall markets and wine tastings. Art is prominently displayed throughout the property and grounds, featuring works by several locally and internationally recognized artists. Snippets of poetry from Al Purdy are placed in each of the guestrooms, while each room also features a custom mural by Canadian artist Rick Leong.
Chef Matt DeMille has created a farm- and lake-to-table menu with Drake favourites alongside new Devonshire dishes, such as the farmer’s lunch of smoked fish, deviled eggs, fruit, cold roast beef, rye and sourdough breads, horseradish cream and mustard. DeMille is also planning regular plat-du-jour offerings, such as surf-and-turf tacos and prime-rib roast with Yorkshire pudding as well as community-focused seasonal evenings, including pig roasts, clambakes, sushi and barbecues.
“We’ve worked really hard to incorporate classic Drake elements, whether cultural, artistic, design- or service-focused, and we think our customers will agree it’s been well worth the wait.,” said Jeff Stober, founder and CEO of Drake Hotel Properties in Toronto. We’re excited to show the world our labour of love that has turned this historic foundry into a playful, sophisticated country inn.”
Drake Hotel Properties also owns the Drake Hotel, the Drake One Fifty restaurant and three Drake General Store locations, all in Toronto.