The waitress at the brewpub on Main Street was enjoying a slow Tuesday lunch crowd, taking the opportunity to linger and chat with the two tables she was serving. The pub, named after the infamous Lazier murder case of 1883, is called 555 Brewery. Inside, the industrial aesthetic is softened by macramé planters suspended from the ceiling, while its expansive patio provides a front-row seat to the lively atmosphere of Main Street during the fairer months. Though rents are reportedly high in the County, our waitress has no plans to return to her native East Coast. She’s one of a growing number of “city people,” as locals call them, who have decided to make the County home.
Picton, Ontario, just a three-hour drive from Ottawa, offers an inviting escape into the heart of Prince Edward County (PEC). Known for its stunning landscapes, laid-back atmosphere, and vibrant cultural life, the County draws visitors looking to unwind and recharge. Picture rolling vineyards that stretch across the countryside, sandy beaches hugging the shores of Lake Ontario, and farmland steeped in history and charm. The Town of Picton is a seamless blend of small-town hospitality and creative energy—a hub for artists, food lovers, and wine enthusiasts alike. Whether exploring local history, sipping award-winning PEC wines, or soaking in the natural beauty of Sandbanks Provincial Park with its iconic dunes, Picton offers a pace and personality all its own.
ABOVE: While the top two floors of the façade are heritage-designated, the street level has been thoughtfully remodelled with larger windows that invite passersby into the welcoming communal space.
Just a short walk down Main Street is The Royal Hotel. General Manager Sol Korngold is one of those professionals who left the big city behind, reinventing himself while helping to revitalize the local economy.
Sol didn’t begin his career as a hotelier. In fact, his background in banking and Bay Street tech start-ups is worlds away from the hospitality industry. But when Zita Cobb—former head of JDS Fitel—gave a talk on the Fogo Island Inn at the Design Exchange (ironically located on Bay Street), Sol attended on behalf of his father-in-law, Greg Sorbara. Sorbara had purchased the derelict Picton hotel and was working with architects Giannone Petricone Associates to bring it back to life.
During Cobb’s presentation, Sol recalls, “The ideas in my head were going like popcorn—it was just so exciting.” He was hooked. That fateful day in 2016 kicked off a five-and-a-half-year journey, during which Sol led every aspect of the hotel’s transformation. His taste is exquisite, and each detail appears to have been carefully considered and flawlessly executed.
ABOVE: Marble accents are thoughtfully integrated throughout the hotel, appearing as occasional tables in each of the 28 guest rooms (there are an additional five rooms in the Annexe). An open tub and a Bodum coffee maker invite guests to embrace the County’s slower pace of life.
The hotel’s branding features a needlepoint-style crown, a nod to its 150-year-old history. A young John A. Macdonald—famously fond of a drink—likely visited the hotel parlour when he was a young lawyer practising in Picton, when it was still called Hallowell. Today, the same warm, inviting and reimagined space welcomes locals and visitors alike, whether they’re settling in with a laptop or grabbing a coffee or lunch.
While the rooms boast beautiful design, ultra-comfy beds, and luxurious linens, Sol believes it’s the staff who truly make The Royal special. He’s proud of the team—hardworking individuals who not only enjoy their jobs but also act as passionate ambassadors for Prince Edward County.
Guests are greeted by an impressive yet relaxed atmosphere—a harmony of textures and finishes—alongside an incredible, lingering scent. At first, Sol credits the bakery (the hotel employs its own in-house pastry chef), but then remembers, “Oh, it’s from the Telford.”
ABOVE: The reception area also serves as a boutique, featuring locally sourced products. RIGHT: The lobby bathroom, adorned with whimsical mirrors and stocked with Telford products.
The unforgettable aroma comes from an exclusive line of body care products designed by Sol’s sister-in-law, Claire Telford. The Ontario-made products feature notes of cedarwood, eucalyptus, bergamot, lavender, rosemary, and patchouli. They’re not pumped through vents; instead, they gently linger on everyone who uses them. If the fragrance came in a spray bottle, I’d mist it everywhere.
The Telford line is just one example of how The Royal uses its platform to elevate local artisans and businesses. The lobby is filled with premium seasonal merchandise—handmade hats, quilts, scarves, pottery, candles (some custom-ordered by the hotel), as well as branded apparel and Telford products, all available for purchase.
ABOVE: The sleek counter bar bathed in light from the street-front windows.
In the adjacent coffee bar and bakery, shelves are stocked with local preserves and speciality food items, including daily baked goods like the pistachio crema-filled bomboloni—a favourite of Toronto-based lawyer and recent County transplant Marie Henein. In a Watershed Magazine interview, she remarked that, unlike weekenders in Muskoka who pack everything with them, in the County, “I bring nothing here… and bring so much back to Toronto, rather than the other way around.”
This embrace of the County’s bounty is another key to The Royal’s success. The hotel’s restaurant, named one of Canada’s best new restaurants in its first year, benefits from a dedicated farm—yet another Sorbara family initiative—located just 15 minutes away. The farm supplies the hotel with organic beef, pork, and seasonal vegetables.
ABOVE: The hotel restaurant with its theatre-like kitchen and refined yet understated decor.
The dinner special the night I visited was braised short ribs—tender, flavourful, and absolutely delicious. My partner opted for a simple yet perfectly prepared steak. The dinner special the night I visited was braised short ribs—tender, flavourful, and absolutely delicious. My partner opted for a simple yet perfectly prepared steak. Like the hotel itself, the restaurant, helmed by Chef Albert Ponzo, finds that sweet spot between refined elegance and casual comfort. An open kitchen adds an engaging visual touch without disturbing the serene ambiance.
The service was attentive but never overbearing, and Chef Ponzo made the rounds, personally extending birthday wishes to a nearby table. Perhaps most surprising of all were the prices—exceptionally reasonable for the quality offered, and on par with other local dining spots.
ABOVE: The decorative ceiling medallions echo the ripples of falling water—a subtle, poetic nod from the architect to the years of water damage that once seeped through the abandoned hotel, floor by floor. RIGHT: Every detail has been thoughtfully curated, right down to the jewel-toned bench outside the main-floor restaurant, which doubles as a stylish waiting area and an irresistible selfie spot.
In the warmer months, an expansive, well-designed back patio more than doubles the dining space. A louvered roof offers shelter from surprise showers, and the courtyard also houses a fun, refurbished camper that serves as a bar. A chic pool area with oversized cushioned loungers also beckons.
Rounding out the amenities is a spa, gym, and sauna tucked into the basement. Everything at The Royal feels thoughtfully curated, like it was designed for a family—which, in a way, it was. But more than that, the hotel feels like a generous gift from one family to the County. If buildings could talk, The Royal would surely thank the Sorbara family for saving it from ruin.
ABOVE: The Royal Hotel’s branding as it appears on the street-front signage. RIGHT: Red stickers on the front window subtly announce the hotel’s well-earned acclaim.
With summer just around the corner, the hotel is preparing for its busiest season yet. Whether visitors are returning guests, new arrivals drawn by its appearance on the Condé Nast leaders list, or intrigued by its recent Michelin Key status (a notable achievement, with only 38 awarded nationwide), Sol reports bookings are up nearly 30 percent.
Whatever your reason for visiting The Royal Hotel—be it a peaceful retreat, a culinary experience, or simple curiosity—you’ll leave with more than just memories. With its rich history, thoughtful design, and deep roots in the community, The Royal is more than a hotel. It’s a beacon of what’s possible when vision meets heart. And like so many who’ve fallen in love with the County, you will find yourself planning your return.
Follow The Royal Hotel on Instagram @theroyalhotelpicton, and explore more at www.theroyalhotel.ca.
Header image: The Royal Hotel’s General Manager, Sol Korngold, proudly displays the hotel’s recently awarded Michelin Key plaque.
