Oct 9, 2025

Luxury hotel receives triple honours with MICHELIN Key, Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and VineRoutes Restaurant Awards

TORONTO – 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.

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

Press Images HERE

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