A charming stay at the historic Merrill House, Prince Edward County

From the outside, the Merrill House, Picton, looks like something out of a fairy tale book. The red brick building, trimmed with intricate white detail and edgy pointy roof, demands attention and immediately sets expectations. The interior is a maze of doors and staircases accessible through various entrances, some only to guests. The decor is maximalist to the core. Colourfully loud wallpaper, mixed-size paintings, books, antiques and artefacts, bug and butterfly displays, wall murals, and cheerful furnishings, just might make you feel like a hero in your own fantasy book.

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Merrill House, Prince Edward County. Large abstract square painting in orange tones, in front of it is an old piano.

A large painting of a chetah wearing a silk orange blouse, vintage chair and a snake plant near it. A charming stay at the historic Merrill House, Prince Edward County.

A mixed series of images from the Merrill House shared guest areas. All images by Kateryna Topol.

The Vibe & Shared Spaces

The dining facilities are located at the back of the house, creating a secluded area for the Merrill House guests. The shared living space is designed for multiple uses. The fireplace works as a conversation corner, the dining table can be used to play games, and then there is the piano, setting the mood for intellectual gatherings. The conversation bit of it all is, of course, optional. This room is ideal for quiet contemplation with a glass of wine or a brown spirit nightcap.

Throughout the house, there are various sitting corners looking out on the historic Picton neighbourhood. The back terrace houses a barrel sauna and gardens with a separate entrance to the Atlas Bar.

A stack of games including Sorry!, Clue, and Scattegories. A charming stay at the historic Merrill House, Prince Edward County.

Fireplace in the shared area, there are various paintings and figurines above the metal.
A charming stay at the historic Merrill House, Prince Edward County.

White door with a gold trip and bright blue wallpaper around it.
A charming stay at the historic Merrill House, Prince Edward County.

Dining & Bar

Brasserie Alexandria is new to Prince Edward County (PEC) and is already well-known as a dining destination. The space is divided into a parlour and a library area with two intimate tables. The bright blue decor, accented by golden finishes and an intricately complex wall mural, promises to transport you to Alexandria. The restaurant, led by Head Chef Michael Sullivan, features French cuisine (primarily Burgundy) leaning on the fresh seasonal ingredients of the PEC terroir. In addition to the regional staples like tartare and escargot, the menu has uniquely interesting dishes like white-wine braised rabbit and duck confit leg.

The menu is complemented by a robust wine collection with Prince Edward and Old World selections. A lot of this collection can be seen in the cellar on your way to the cocktail bar or during breakfast. The breakfast is optional and must be requested the night before. Guests are welcome to a selection of buffet offerings (meats, cheeses, baked goods, and parfaits), and a daily hot dish like salmon gravlax or avocado toast.

Out in the garden is the tented Bar Atlas, which feels like an art garden from the inside just as much. The cheerful interior is paired with a diverse cocktail selection of world-inspired cocktails. You just might want to arrive a little earlier for your dinner reservations to enjoy an aperitivo in the garden.

Dining room at the Merrill House in Picton, PEC. There are 3 two-top tables with blue velvet chairs in front of a large wall mural depicting Egyptian gods. A charming stay at the historic Merrill House, Prince Edward County.

Round table with 6 blue velvet chairs around it.
A charming stay at the historic Merrill House, Prince Edward County.

Inside the Suite

There are 14 rooms and suites at the Merril House, all individually designed. Each room has its own story guests can read up on online. The Victorian Suite, pictured in this article, is the only room that retains its wallpaper through the restoration project. All suites have mixed sitting areas with antique furniture, spa-like showers, and luxury toiletries.

Some rooms are naturally larger than others, like the Owner’s Suite on the top floor. This suite has a separate living room and two washrooms (sleeps four). The Prince Edward Room was originally a sitting room and has been converted into a two-queen room with a view of the historic Ross House.

Complimentary sparkling water and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are a staple in each suite.

Ongoing efforts at the Merrill House include a range of sustainability efforts to lower the hotel’s footprint throughout the year. The owners, Jordan and Evert, also use a portion of the profits to support local and international organisations, including local theatre and performing arts, independent foundations, environmental organisations, and LGBTQ+ rights and human rights organisations such as UNHCR and Rainbow Railroad.

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Merrill House
Room prices starting at $220 CAD
Picton Main Street, 343 Main St E #343, Picton, ON K0K 2T0
Book directly on merrill-house.com or with your favourite booking website: Expedia | Booking.com | Hotels.com | TripAdvisor