This Charming Boutique Property is Located in The Heart of Prince Edward Island’s Historic District

Location

Walk in any direction from the Great George and you’ll bump into something fascinating to see or do. St. Dunstan’s Basilica is across the street, the Prince Edward Island Legislature is a few blocks away, and it will take you only a few minutes to get to Confederation Landing on foot.

Set within the Charlottetown’s enviable National Historic District, the rewards of the prime location abound, starting on its doorstep with an intriguing bronze statue of the two men named John Hamilton Gray who were instrumental in the birth of Canada. Even if you’re not a history buff there’s the farmer’s market, pubs, waterfront parks and live performance theatres nearby.

Arrive at the plum-coloured gorgeously restored mid-19^th century-built Pavillion, the hotel’s main lobby with 21 guestrooms, and it’s easy to miss the actual scope. Comprising nearly an entire city block worth of brightly coloured heritage buildings, you’ll pleasantly slip back in time.

Background

At the corner of two leafy streets, sporting matching plaques and transom windows, the Pavillion was briefly a general store before being turned into a hotel which it has remained ever since. It even hosted delegates to the Charlottetown conference that would lead to Canada’s confederation.

Thirty-five years ago, two enterprising locals began restoring the hotel and buying up the adjacent properties to preserve them. It’s this cluster of buildings lining Dorchester and Sydney streets along with the Pavillion that make up the hotel.

These days Charlottetown proudly promotes itself as a mix of old and new. And, the Murphy hospitality-owned property fits into this ethos, alongside the group’s other array of properties, restaurants and event spaces (and even a winery partnership) throughout the island and further afield in the Maritimes.

Rooms

A collection of 17 heritage buildings flank the Pavillion. Functional but with captivating details, each suite is unique and features its own entrance, full kitchen, bath, and two bedrooms. One was formerly the bishop’s house (remember the basilica across the street?), another the stables, still another belonged to carpenter James H. Downe whose handiwork at his own residence is mirrored in the wood framed hotel. Part of the fun of staying here is learning about the roots of your particular abode, and its importance to Charlottetown.

Behind the Pavillion there’s a small courtyard that doubles as parking, and, though it is reserved for guests, finding a spot is sometimes a challenge. Still, you’ll have easy access to your suite. Coupons are offered in lieu of housekeeping (though that’s available if you want it) and a new reprint of LM Montgomery’s first edition Anne of Green Gables in exchange for a few mornings of making your own bed is an apt memento.

Dining

Though there’s no on-site restaurant, you’ll want to take in evening drinks at Happy Hour, or grab cookies when you pop in to the lobby at the Pavillion. Mainly, it acts like a living room decorated with elegant dark wood antiques. At breakfast, you sit on the oversized leather sofas, balancing plates on the coffee tables while you interact with fellow guests or flip through a book. If you’re looking for a quieter spot, seek out the wrought iron tables outside near the courtyard. Either way, you’ll remember the overnight oats made with local blueberries accentuated with a thin strand of lemon zest, and mini quiches devoured in a few bites.

This original article first appeared in the WINTER 2025 2026 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.

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