Prince Edward Island will always have a special place in my heart. As a child we spent time every summer on the island. I have fond memories of building sand castles in Cavendish, eating Cow’s Ice Cream in Charlottetown and taking the beautiful ferry ride back home. My time on the island has always been paired with new friendships, new experiences and a whole lot of fun!
Recently, I had the pleasure of staying at The Holman Grand Hotel on a quick trip to PEI to see Anne & Gilbert at The Guild. My last trip to PEI was over 5 years ago and I was thrilled to explore Charlottetown through a different lense. Upon, my arrival at the hotel I was greeted by the lovely staff and welcomed with open arms. The maritime hospitality was present in abundance. I was so excited.
The room had stunning views of the harbour and the city. With an entire wall of windows – I could have spent days simply admiring the view. I was struck by how clean, fresh and modern the rooms felt. Cleanliness is a big thing for me and I could tell how important it was for the staff as well because the room was spotless. The floors in every room are hardwood – how awesome is that?! My room was also fully equipped with a Keurig coffee machine, mini fridge, flat screen television, safety deposit box and Aveda amenities in the bathroom.
The Holman Grand Hotel bodes 80 guest rooms and suites in the heart of downtown Charlottetown. Plus, Guest Services Manager, Joshua Hooper and Sales & Marketing Manager, Suellen Clow-Munro let me snap some photos in the beautiful Penthouse Suite. The Penthouse includes 4 rooms and guests can decide to book a couple or all of them. If that wasn’t enough to convince you – country sensation Shania Twain has stayed in this very penthouse. (Great spot for a family getaway!)
With 3 meeting rooms, 2 exterior terraces, the Redwater Rustic Grille, a swimming pool, hot tub, the Grand Senses Spa and HD Golf Simulators – this hotel is fully equipped for all of your travel and business needs. The hotel is connected to the Confederation Centre of the Arts, dining, shopping and so much more! I had the pleasure of visiting the spa for a 15-minute complimentary water bed massage (amazing!). I definitely would have stayed for a facial as well but I ran out of time. The facility is relaxing and chic; complete with a caring and compassionate staff. A trip to The Holman Grand Hotel would not be complete without taking advantage of these wonderful amenities.
I would also like to highlight that the hotel is absolutely bursting with beautiful artwork including stunning pieces highlighting all of the beauty that Prince Edward Island has to offer. Be sure to check out the artwork in your room as well as in the common spaces around the hotel. There’s also a 7-storey atrium that provides some pretty cool architectural views while beautifully displaying 3 colourful paintings from a 4 piece set by renowned visual artist Caroline Vis from Amsterdam. The hotel owns the entire 4 piece collections but 3 of the 4 pieces are displayed in the atrium. Be sure to check them out!
I just graduated from the Acting Program at the Fountain School of Performing Arts and one of my classmates has a summer gig in Charlottetown in Anne & Gilbert at The Guild. I was beyond ecstatic to have the opportunity to see the show and support local Theatre. If you see the show her name is Maggie Anderson and she’s got dance moves for days and an absolutely beautiful voice. I highly encourage anyone visiting PEI to take in some local theatre and support the arts scene in Charlottetown. I had a lot of fun seeing the PEI classic in person.
Exploring the streets of this cute little city led to a lot of delicious food. This started with a delicious meal at John Brown Richmond St Grille which was recommended to us by the hotel valet. It was such a good choice. I had a burger and fries and it was spot on. Complete with gluten and dairy free options. So good. I popped into Receiver Coffee Company for a chai latte and the Fisherman’s Breakfast before heading to the theatre. The vibe in the shop is really nice and relaxing. They have a lot of gluten free and vegan options as well. It would be a great place to do some writing! I stopped into Gahan House for some scallops, salads and a drink. Great pub atmosphere! Finally, I tried the coffee cider at Hopyard and snacked on some ribs. Hopyard has a really cool vibe for a shared dining experience. It’s the perfect place to grab your friends and try one of everything. I could go on and on but you get the picture – there’s no shortage of tasty grub in this city.
A trip to PEI wouldn’t be complete without a drive to Cavendish and a walk along the beach. Admiring the red sand dunes and touching the cold waters of the Atlantic ocean are a must on a trip to the island.
I’m sending a huge, heartfelt, thank you to The Holman Grand Hotel. It was a grand experience. I can’t wait to come back!
xoxo,
linds
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