Drake Devonshire
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Hotel Details
Location
Drake Devonshire · Wellington ON, Canada
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Expert Review: Drake Devonshire
The Drake Devonshire, nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario in Wellington, Prince Edward County, Canada, is celebrated as a Michelin Key Selected property, offering a unique blend of contemporary design, artistic flair, and rustic charm. It stands out as an "ideal retreat" in Ontario's wine country, drawing a sociable crowd to its thoughtfully curated spaces.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The overall sentiment for Drake Devonshire is largely positive, often described as a "stylish," "boutique," and "luxury" hotel. Guests frequently commend its beautiful location, distinct design, and excellent dining. On booking platforms, it generally receives good to superb ratings, with an average score of 7.6 ("Rated good"). However, feedback regarding value for money and service can be mixed.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several aspects of the Drake Devonshire:
- Location & Design: The hotel's setting directly on Lake Ontario is a major draw, described as "beautiful," "amazing," and "fantastic". The design, a conversion of a 19th-century foundry into a contemporary farmhouse-cottage, is rich with personality, featuring contemporary artworks, "funky room decor," and an "architecturally stunning dining room".
- Amenities: The property offers a wealth of amenities designed for relaxation and engagement. These include a communal living room, a lakeside fire pit perfect for s'mores, a barn-like Pavilion for events and performances, and a games room equipped with ping-pong and foosball. Outdoor amenities feature an outdoor terrace, a sauna, pickleball and boules courts, and direct beach access with loungers. The hotel also provides bike rentals, in-room spa services, an inspiring art walk, and even a unique "Drake vending machine." It is also pet-friendly, accommodating dogs for a fee.
3. Room Quality
The Drake Devonshire offers 11 individually designed hotel rooms and two suites in the main building, along with additional rooms at the Drake Motor Inn. The rooms blend vintage and country-cottage aesthetics with modern comforts and original artwork. Most rooms are described as "spacious and airy," though the "Stargazer Crash Pad" is noted for being tiny with only a skylight for a window. Standard room amenities include flat-screen TVs, Bose docking stations, laptop-sized safes, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Bathrooms feature marble finishes, Malin and Goetz bath products, and cozy sweatshirt-style robes. Guests appreciate thoughtful touches like a choice of pillows (soft, medium, firm) and nightly turndown service with chocolates and a weather forecast. Some rooms boast breathtaking lake views or private terraces.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel's restaurant receives high praise, particularly for its "superb" setting with captivating views of Lake Ontario. The dining experience emphasizes seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with Chef Amanda collaborating closely with local farmers, foragers, and artisans to create innovative dishes that reflect the region's bounty. The menu covers breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and weekend brunch. Popular offerings include seasonal plates like lime and chili-redolent Ontario perch, gourmet burgers, classic eggs benedict, and even chili rellenos. The beverage program includes creative cocktails and a wine list showcasing local Prince Edward County selections, often with a sommelier available to guide choices. Many consider the food to be "upscale comfort food with an extra rustic touch."
5. Service & Staff
Feedback on service and staff is somewhat varied. Many guests highlight the staff as "beyond friendly and helpful," "attentive," and "extraordinary." The team is often successful in providing an "exceptional experience" to guests. However, some guests have commented that staff "weren't the most hospitable" given the price point of the hotel, suggesting room for improvement. Employee reviews, while outside of typical guest feedback, indicate that management can be perceived as inconsistent, with some employees citing a lack of thorough training, long hours, and a stressful work environment.
6. Location & Accessibility
The Drake Devonshire enjoys a prime location in Wellington, Prince Edward County, directly on the northern shores of Lake Ontario. This makes it an ideal base for exploring "The County," known for its wineries, cideries, breweries, and charming villages. The hotel is conveniently within walking distance of local restaurants, art galleries, shops, the farmers market, Wellington Beach, and the scenic Millennium Trail. Sandbanks Provincial Park, famous for its dunes, is also a short distance away. The hotel is approximately a 2.5-hour drive east of Toronto. Complimentary self-parking is available for guests.
7. Value & Pricing
The Drake Devonshire is generally positioned as an upscale property. Standard double room rates can range from CAD$339 to $399, with some recent prices found around $209.57 to $211.21 CAD per night for two adults. Average prices reported over a two-week period indicate weeknights at C$506 and weekend nights at C$347. Pricing is seasonal, with March typically being the cheapest month and August the most expensive. While many appreciate the quality and experience, some guests have noted that the price can be "a bit high," reflected in a "Value for money" score that sometimes lags behind other categories.
8. Common Complaints
Despite its many positive attributes, a few recurring criticisms emerge:
- Noise: Some guests have reported issues with soundproofing, experiencing noise from music on the property until late at night and early morning activities.
- Room Discrepancies: There have been instances where guests felt misled when booking, particularly regarding the distinction between rooms in the main hotel and those at the Drake Motor Inn across the road. Some Motor Inn rooms are smaller and may face a parking lot rather than the desirable lake view, leading to disappointment.
- Bed Comfort: A few reviews mention beds being "extremely soft," causing discomfort or pain for some guests.
- Cleaning Issues: Isolated reports of cleaning issues, such as previous trash in bins, visible hair, or dusty sheets, have been noted, primarily concerning the Motor Inn rooms.
- Internet Service: Some guests have experienced subpar internet service in the area, leading to connectivity issues.
- Dining Rigidity: The restaurant has received criticism for its inability to accommodate certain dietary restrictions, such as celiac guests, or to allow outside food, which some found unaccommodating.
- Minor Room Amenities: A few guests have wished for additional amenities in rooms, such as a mini-fridge or more cups in the washroom.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Despite its many positive attributes, a few recurring criticisms emerge:
- •Noise: Some guests have reported issues with soundproofing, experiencing noise from music on the property until late at night and early morning activities.
- •Cleaning Issues: Isolated reports of cleaning issues, such as previous trash in bins, visible hair, or dusty sheets, have been noted, primarily concerning the Motor Inn rooms.
- •Internet Service: Some guests have experienced subpar internet service in the area, leading to connectivity issues.
Google Reviews
2,780 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Catherine A.
My friend and I had the pleasure of experiencing the High Tea menu at the Drake Devonshire restaurant. We had the absolute most incredible time — the food was divine, the view was spectacular, but the service was the most stellar part of the whole experience. Ashlee, our waitress, was kind, sweet, knowledgeable, and gave us incredible customer service during our visit. I would come back just for A...
Jon
Visited the Devonshire restaurant during the holidays. The ambiance and decor were lovely. The food was average at best. We got the Cuban sandwich, burger and big salad with salmon. The salmon was $12 for a ridiculously small portion. Aside from that, the service was poor. Server wasn't warm or friendly. She was curt and seemed to be bothered by us being there.
Lindsay Mark
Overall, we had a good experience at The Drake Devonshire. This was our second stay, and we did enjoy our time and would still love to return. That said, there were a few areas that made this visit a bit less smooth than our first. The reservation process had some hiccups, including delays in receiving confirmation and confusion around payment, which was eventually resolved but felt more stressfu...
Zach
Beware the crater in the road before the parking lot, it will damage your vehicle. Also parking is for hotel guests only so if you are coming to eat, you'll have to find somewhere else to park (not the foodland you'll be towed). Food is amazing though.
MC Simeoni
Impeccable service and friendliness from all the staff. Makes you feel welcomed upon entering. Francis was super helpful and courteous throughout the evening. Food experience was as expected and didn't let us down in terms of texture, taste and quality. Wine prices per glass is still my only pet peeve, even for locally sourced PEC wines. This isn't a knock against Drake Devonshire but the restaura...
Amy
We went to Drake Devonshire as a bit of a treat on one of the last nights of our trip to Canada. The location is great (but once it gets dark outside you can't see the wonderful view) and the dining room was lovely with the right level of music to talk comfortably. The food was nice. Bread and butter starter was a warm and tasty. I had the lamb rack, which was perfectly cooked, and my husband had...
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