Travelling to Prince Edward County for a Weekend (A Miles and Points Destination Guide for Prince Edward County)

Just outside of Toronto, we’re lucky enough to have the beautiful Prince Edward County, a quaint, picturesque countryside that’s easily accessible from both Toronto and Montreal. Even as vaccines return, it’s expected that the quarantine for travelers returning to Canada may return, which means that this summer may be another summer for exploring our backyard. As a part of my Miles & Points series in Canada, I’m featuring my second destination, Prince Edward County. 

Why is Prince Edward County a great destination?

Prince Edward County brings the country charm, relaxation and fresh farm to table food and it’s only 2 and a half hours from Toronto. With a plethora of breweries and vineyards, along with the epic beaches of Sandbanks Provincial Park (Ontario’s most popular provincial park), it’s a perfect place to spend a long weekend to get away from the city. 

Parsons Brewing Company, near Picton

How to get to Prince Edward County?

Prince Edward County is located on a headland jutting into the Eastern part of Lake Ontario. With about 25,000 people living over 1000 square kilometers, this county has the country feel with the small towns of Bloomfield, Picton, and Wellington making up about a third of the county’s population. Located 2.5 hours from Toronto, 4 hours from Montreal, and about 2.5 hours from Ottawa, it’s a perfect stop on a longer Canadian trip. If you’re flying in from outside of Ontario, consider flying into Ottawa if possible, as Toronto’s airport is on the other side of the city. 

For those of you who are not driving, you can take Via Rail to Belleville, where many of the Points and Miles accommodations are, and then cycle around the county, or hire a driver for a tour. I took the Via Rail on this route a few years ago in Business Class and it was great. In addition, Alex took this route in Economy class, if you’re looking for the cheapest option. If I was to go on another cycling trip, I’d likely take the train out again!

Don’t cycle there, cycle while there.

Where to stay in Prince Edward County?

While Prince Edward County itself doesn’t have anywhere that you can stay with the traditional Hotel points program, that makes it a perfect match for the Hotels.com program. If that’s not for you, major chains including Hilton and Marriott have a few options just on the edge of the county in Belleville. 

I’ve stayed twice in Belleville recently, at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Belleville and at the Best Western Belleville. While the Best Western is a good enough place to spend a night if you’re looking for a good deal, it’s not a fancy hotel by any means. That being said, the price point, of about $110 a night, is hard to beat if you’re looking for a place for a cycling trip like I was looking for. 

That being said, the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Belleville was a solid hotel, especially considering it’s only about 5 years old. All rooms had a decent kitchen, in addition to the comfy bed, it’s a perfect option for those loyal to the Marriott brand. Although the hotel is now a Marriott Category 3 hotel, rates can be over $300 a night during the summer! 

Instead, 20K a night is a lot better option in my opinion, a great use of Marriott points. 

If you’re looking for a cheaper option in Belleville by Marriott, consider the Fairfield Inn and Suites Belleville, although it’s a bit older and likely similar to the Best Western.

Hilton on the other hand recently opened the Hampton Inn and Suites Belleville, perfect for those Hilton points. While there isn’t a kitchen in the hotel, it still seems like a comfortable stay for the weekend. In addition, it’s a cheaper cash rate for many nights, as it’s ~$200 a night for a weekend in the summer. 

Points are less of a deal, as it’s about 40K points a night during the summer, but it’s still not a bad deal. 

In addition, IHG offers the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Belleville (which appears to be unbookable through summer 2021, although rooms seem to go for about 20K IHG points a night), Radisson offers the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Belleville which can get up to $300 a night in the summer, or about 38,000 Radisson points a night. 

Finally, for the trifecta of hotels without a Canadian cobranded card, the Ramada by Wyndham Belleville Harbourview Conference Centre may be older, but it’s right near the water in a nice location, and prices are much lower (at around $160 a night for members) or 15,000 Wyndham points a night. 

In Prince Edward County itself, for non-aligned hotels, I prefer to use Hotels.com as it has a unique program that gives you back the equivalent of 10% on each booking. For every ten nights stayed, you get one-night free equivalent to the average price of those ten nights booked, that’s a pretty wicked return! Plenty of small boutique hotels exist, including the Picton Harbour Inn and even the Huff Estates Inn & Winery.

In addition, two of the most famous hotels in the County are the Drake Devonshire Inn, which takes bookings only through their website. The Prince Edward County location of the Toronto Drake Hotel (featured in my Toronto Guide) is located in picturesque Wellington on the water. You’re only able to book this hotel through the website, expect to pay at least $500 a night during the summer (and you’ll have to book 6+ months in advance, especially on the weekends). The Drake chain also has a “motel”, the Drake Motor Inn, which is a little bit cheaper but located across the road. 

On the other side of the county is the Instagram-worthy June Motel. Located just outside of Picton, it’s a bachelorette party paradise. Yet again, you’ll have to book 6+ months in advance, as the hotel is busy all summer, but it’s still a perfect place to visit in the Fall. 

The Point

No matter the purpose, if you’re looking to escape the city for a spring, summer, or fall holiday, Prince Edward County is calling. If you’re looking to book for this summer, do it now!