#TRAVEL: THE ROYAL HOTEL PRESENT FALL 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

The Royal Hotel is embracing the changing seasons in Prince Edward County with a new lineup of offerings that highlight wellness, entertainment and community programming. Newly re-awarded a MICHELIN Key designation for excellence in hospitality, and also recognized by the ACO Heritage Awards with the Paul Oberman Award for Adaptive Reuse on a large scale, as well as by VineRoutes’ inaugural Restaurant Awards and the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for its standout culinary and guest experiences, the hotel continues to redefine County hospitality with experiences rooted in both comfort and connection – from the debut of an in-room service designed to elevate rest, to festive year-end celebrations.

“The colder months in Prince Edward County are all about slowing down, connecting with the community, and celebrating the beauty of the changing seasons,” says Sol Korngold, General Manager of The Royal Hotel. “At The Royal, we’ve designed programming for the colder seasons to bring together everything our guests love most about the County – exceptional food, restorative wellness, and meaningful experiences.”

Fall highlights at The Royal Hotel:
NEW Turndown Service and Sleep + Wellness Menu – Launched earlier this month, all guests can now request a complimentary nightly turndown service, which includes thoughtful touches to prepare the room for deep rest. Rooms are readied with curtains drawn and lighting dimmed, the fireplace is lit to create a warm glow, and a calming herbal tisane is set out to enjoy before bed. The experience is completed with a guided sleep meditation, recorded exclusively for The Royal by Reiki practitioner Dr. Krista Van Slingerland.

Guests may further enhance their evening with the new Sleep + Wellness Menu, designed to bring comfort, relaxation, and restoration into every detail of the night. Offerings include:

Bath & Shower: Signature Telford Basics amenities made in Picton, Bathorium shower steamers and bath soaks, and Comfort Zone Tranquility Oil.

Comforts: A Saje diffuser with calming essential oil blends, lavender pillow mist, therapy lamp with white noise, ear plugs, a hot water bottle, herbal “Sleepy Time” tea, and a Royal eye mask.

Pillows: Three complimentary pillow types, tailored to your sleep style—medium-firm down for side sleepers, hypoallergenic microfibre for back sleepers, and a plush low-profile option for stomach sleepers.

Winemakers’ Hour November 19 – Winemakers’ Hour returns to The Royal Hotel this winter, offering guests a rare chance to taste beyond the everyday portfolio. Each Wednesday evening, local wineries present distinctive selections—whether small-lot bottlings, new releases, or special pours chosen to highlight what makes their wines unique. From the nuances of terroir to the character of each growing season, every glass reveals a story of place, time, and craft. Guests are invited to engage directly with the winemakers, ask questions, and discover the details behind each pour in an intimate, one-hour complimentary tasting.

Spa Open House November 17 – The Royal Spa will welcome the community to explore mini treatments, facial demo, discounted products, giveaways and promotions.
Welcome drink and goodie bag

Personalized skin consultations

Special offers from Comfort Zone, Coola, and Three Ships

Live facial demo with our estheticians

Mini RMT massage sessions

Sauna Club session led by Dr. Krista Van Slingerland

20% off when booking your next facial or body treatment

Glow Bundle – This November, The Royal Hotel launches The Glow Bundle, featuring four facial treatments designed to keep skin radiant and refreshed. Subscribers will enjoy early access to promotions and spa events, along with a special birthday gift—making it the perfect way to embrace effortless, ongoing self-care.

The Royal Panettone – This December, The Royal brings back a beloved holiday tradition with its signature Panettone–an artisinal take on the Italian classic. Each loaf begins with a sourdough starter, and is baked in small batches using fresh egg yolks, pure butter, local honey, and vibrant candied orange peel. The Royal Panettone makes the perfect thoughtful gift or seasonal indulgence as the holidays approach.

On New Year’s Eve, The Royal comes alive in the spirit of a Roman street party—a night of food, music, and shared celebration. Guests will gather around chef-led stations and passed canapés that invite conversation and connection. As the night deepens, music fills the room and the celebration carries through to midnight.

For more information, to book a stay, or to make restaurant or spa reservations, visit theroyalhotel.ca.

#TRAVEL: THE ROYAL HOTEL RECOGNIZED WITH MICHELIN KEY

The Royal Hotel is proud to announce its continued recognition among Canada’s leading destinations for culinary and guest excellence. The property has once again been awarded a prestigious MICHELIN Key, a distinction reserved for hotels that exemplify exceptional hospitality and design. The Royal Hotel is the only property in Ontario, outside of a major city center, to be recognized with this honour in 2025.

Adding to this achievement, The Royal has also recently been recognized by the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and VineRoutes’ inaugural Restaurant Awards, underscoring its reputation as a premier destination for food, wine, and refined travel experiences in Prince Edward County.

“To receive a MICHELIN Key for the second year in a row is nothing short of surreal,” says Sol Korngold, General Manager at The Royal Hotel. “We’re a small team with a big heart, and this recognition celebrates every thoughtful detail and every warm welcome. It’s an honour we don’t take lightly—and one that inspires us to keep raising the bar.”

Recent distinctions include:

2025 MICHELIN Key: Awarded to hotels that deliver extraordinary hospitality experiences, exceptional design, and outstanding service – representing the MICHELIN Guide’s highest honour for accommodations.

Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards – Top 20 Hotels in Eastern Canada: One of the world’s most respected travel honours, voted on by readers to spotlight hotels that consistently exceed guest expectations in service, atmosphere, and experience.

VineRoutes 2025 Restaurant Awards: The first-ever edition celebrating Ontario’s most inspiring food and wine destinations, recognizing excellence in culinary creativity, beverage programs, and regional storytelling.

“To be given a Vine Routes Award of Distinction, named a Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice for three straight years – and now a two-time Michelin Key recipient – feels like a dream we never dared to dream. I see these honours as love letters from our guests; affirmations that soul, service, and sincerity still stand out,” says Korngold.

The Royal Hotel has also recently been featured in Forbes, highlighting Chef Albert Ponzo’s vision in bringing elevated culinary experiences to Prince Edward County, further cementing the property’s reputation as a must-visit destination for food and hospitality enthusiasts. Read the full article that was published today here.

These accolades reflect The Royal’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful hospitality, elevated dining, and a distinctly County-inspired approach to luxury. For more information, to book a stay, or to make restaurant or spa reservations, visit theroyalhotel.ca.

Connect with The Royal Hotel
Website: www.theroyalhotel.ca
Instagram: @theroyalhotelpicton
Facebook: TheRoyalHotelPicton

About The Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel is a contemporary resort and spa in the heart of Prince Edward County, offering guests a refined yet relaxed hospitality experience rooted in the region’s vibrant food, wine, and wellness culture. Reopened in 2022 after a decade-long restoration, the hotel features 28 beautifully appointed rooms in its historic main building and five additional suites in the adjacent Royal Annex. Guests can enjoy a full suite of amenities including an award-winning restaurant led by Executive Chef Albert Ponzo, an in-house bakery, a cozy hotel bar, curated retail offerings, conference and event spaces, a full-service spa and sauna, and a seasonal outdoor garden with a heated spa pool and bar. With many ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own Edwin County Farms and partnerships with local artisans and producers, The Royal is both a welcoming home base and a gateway to exploring all that Prince Edward County has to offer

#TRAVEL: THE ROYAL HOTEL ANNOUNCES NEW SUMMER 2025 EXPERIENCES

The Royal Hotel, a historic landmark resort and spa in the heart of Prince Edward County, is delighted to unveil its full slate of summer programming designed to celebrate the region’s rich culture, vibrant community and natural charm. This exciting lineup comes as the hotel proudly builds on the momentum of its recent recognition as one of the first hotels in Canada to receive the prestigious MICHELIN Key distinction.

New Summer Experiences at The Royal

This summer, guests can enjoy a variety of thoughtfully curated experiences that embrace the laid-back, welcoming spirit of the County:

Free Yoga Sundays – Every Sunday morning in Benson Park before the Picton Farmers Market, guests can join a guided yoga session from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

‘Baby and Me’ Playtime in The Garden – Every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., The Garden will be outfitted with play mats and toys for parents and little ones to enjoy.

Coach-Haus in The Royal Gym – A full-body 45-minute strength workout led by Coach-Haus takes place every Wednesday. Complimentary for all hotel guests. All fitness levels welcome.

Trailer Bar Activation – Enjoy a curated selection of beverages served from The Royal Hotel’s charming Trailer Bar, perfect for warm summer afternoons.

Soft-Serve Ice Cream – Cool off with classic summer treats from a new soft-serve stand, perfect for families and guests of all ages. Available in the Restaurant or take out from our Counter Bar.

Music in the Garden – Unwind to live performances by local musicians every Thursday evening in the hotel’s lush garden. July and August, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Province of Canada Pop-Up – Throughout July and August, shop exclusive PEC-inspired apparel from this iconic Canadian brand in the hotel’s retail space. The Barlow Room in The Royal Annex.

Curated Sleep Menu – Launching soon, this thoughtfully designed menu will feature Bathorium bath salts and bombs, calming essential oil diffusers, a personalized pillow menu, and specialized night treatments to promote deep, restorative sleep.

The Royal Hotel’s Spa will also be expanding its offerings with the launch of new body treatments and the introduction of Reiki, further enhancing its menu of therapeutic and restorative services. Guests are invited to learn more and sample offerings at the Spa Open House on May 20, presented in partnership with Comfort Zone. The open house will feature free skin consultations, live mini facial demonstrations, mini RMT massage treatments, lymphatic brush work, free giveaways and much more! As a special treat, the first 30 guests will receive a curated gift bag, and all attendees will enjoy a 20% discount on spa products throughout the event.

Summer programming officially launches on June 1, with special events and experiences continuing throughout the season. For more information, to book a stay, or to make restaurant or spa reservations, visit theroyalhotel.ca.

Connect with The Royal Hotel
Website: www.theroyalhotel.ca
Instagram: @theroyalhotelpicton
Facebook: TheRoyalHotelPicton

About The Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel is a contemporary resort and spa in the heart of Prince Edward County, offering guests a refined yet relaxed hospitality experience rooted in the region’s vibrant food, wine, and wellness culture. Reopened in 2022 after a decade-long restoration, the hotel features 28 beautifully appointed rooms in its historic main building and five additional suites in the adjacent Royal Annex. Guests can enjoy a full suite of amenities including an award-winning restaurant led by Executive Chef Albert Ponzo, an in-house bakery, a cozy hotel bar, curated retail offerings, conference and event spaces, a full-service spa and sauna, and a seasonal outdoor garden with a heated spa pool and bar. With many ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own Edwin County Farms and partnerships with local artisans and producers, The Royal is both a welcoming home base and a gateway to exploring all that Prince Edward County has to offer.

#FIRSTLOOK: RELEASE PATTERN FOR “THE ROYAL HOTEL” SET

THE ROYAL HOTEL was certainly one of our faves at TIFF ’23! Today we get a new Trailer and release schedule.

Synopsis:

Americans Hanna and Liv are best friends backpacking in Australia. After they run out of money, Liv, looking for an adventure, convinces Hanna to take a temporary live-in job behind the bar of a pub called ’The Royal Hotel’ in a remote Outback mining town. Bar owner Billy and a host of locals give the girls a riotous introduction to Down Under drinking culture but soon Hanna and Liv find themselves trapped in an unnerving situation that grows rapidly out of their control.

Directed by: Kitty Green
Starring: Julia Garner, Jessica Henwick

Elevation Pictures release THE ROYAL HOTEL as follows:

Canadian release – October 6
Imagine Cinemas Market Square – Toronto, ON
TIFF Bell Lightbox – Toronto, ON
Landmark Whitby 24 IMAX – Whitby, ON
Hamilton Playhouse Cinema – Hamilton, ON
Landmark Kanata 24 IMAX – Kanata, ON
Princess Original Theatre Waterloo – Waterloo, ON
Imagine Cinemas Elgin Mills – Richmond Hill, ON
Imagine Cinemas Lakeshore – Windsor, ON
Cineplex International Village Cinemas – Vancouver, BC
Landmark City Centre 9 – Edmonton, AB
Scotiabank Theatre Halifax – Halifax, NS

Canadian release – October 11
Sudbury Indie Cinema Co-op – Sudbury, ON

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures/NEON)

#TIFF23: “THE ROYAL HOTEL” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Director Kitty Green and Actor Julia Garner, who worked together on critically-acclaimed The Assistant, reunite to deliver one of the most intense films of the year.

When Hanna (Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick), who are backpacking across Australia, run out of money they take the only job available which is at a pub in the outback. Every day the two are forced to serve rowdy, sexist men who come into The Royal Hotel. Soon, Hanna becomes unsettled by the unwarranted male advances and aggression aimed at them that grows more sinister by the day.

With this follow-up to her feature debut, Green continues her examination of the power dynamics between men and women but this time using a bigger setting to delve deeper and more explicit. As soon as Hanna and Liv arrive at The Royal Hotel tension hangs in the air. The suspense grows through Hanna who becomes increasingly anxious about staying at this isolated and toxic testosterone-loaded pub.

Garner turns in a towering performance as Hanna. Her subtle, nuanced performance has us gripped by the anxiety that consumes Hanna. Green’s assured direction enhances this headspace, creating tension in every corner and conversation within the pub. This tension builds with each frame leading to one of the most engrossing, stressful viewing experiences of the year.

The Royal Hotel screens at TIFF ’23:

Monday, September 11 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thompson Hall

Wednesday, September 13 at 12:05 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto