Island Eats

Dalvay by the Sea – An Essential PEI Experience

There’s something timeless and effortlessly romantic about Dalvay by the Sea. This elegant Victorian Inn and National Historic Site stands proudly along PEI’s North Shore, where it’s a treasured destination for visitors and Islanders.

Grand Beginnings and Victorian Design

Alexander MacDonald was a wealthy businessman and one-time president of the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. MacDonald fell in love with the North Shore’s pastoral landscape, tranquil lake and sparkling beach complete with sand dunes and, in 1895, he built a luxurious house here. He named it “Dalvay by the Sea” after his boyhood home in Scotland. In the 1930s, Dalvay became a resort hotel and has been treasured by locals and visitors since then.

 

Dalvay by the Sea is a stunning Queen Anne Revival Victorian home. Though it has passed through several noble hands, its old-world grandeur remains preserved. A grand staircase greets guests upon entry and flames dance inside huge fireplaces constructed of quarried blocks of the Island’s red hued sandstone. Wooden floors and beams, a veranda wrapping around the front of the property overlooking the manicured grounds, and a horse-drawn carriage are among the original features connecting Dalvay’s past to its present.

 

Favoured by Fans and Royals

As part of their 2011 honeymoon tour, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, visited Dalvay by the Sea. The royal couple later named Prince Edward Island one of their top five travel destinations from their first year of marriage.

 

Fans of Anne will recognize Dalvay from the Anne of Green Gables movies and the Canadian television series, Road to Avonlea, where it was featured as the “White Sands Hotel”. Guests can retrace the actors’ steps or find themselves amid the now famous landscape as they explore the surrounding PEI National Park.

 

Exquisite Food, Casual Elegance

Dalvay’s MacMillan Dining Room is a staple of Island hospitality, world-class culinary creations and tradition. The full-service restaurant offers guests an opportunity to enjoy fresh local ingredients prepared with a modern flair.

 

Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner or a cocktail on the sprawling veranda and you’ll understand why Chef Ryan Janssens and the Dalvay team set the standard for relaxed fine dining.

 

There is something truly special about this place, this inn, these grounds, the food and the history. It is, after all, a destination fit for Royalty. Experience Dalvay by the Sea for yourself. What are you waiting for? 

Add some extra magic to your next Island excursion with inspiration from Rural Views That Will Make City Dwellers Swoon and Discover Charming PEI

 

 

Fall Staycation in Charlottetown

As the days get shorter, the leaves start to fall, and temperatures drop, Prince Edward Island moves back into a slow and comfortable pace. Fall…

MORE

Historic Places to Stay in PEI

Prince Edward Island boasts a rich history, and what better way to experience it firsthand than by staying in a beautifully restored heritage property? From…

MORE

Ultimate Girls’ Getaway Guide

Photo by Karle Milligan. Whether you’re planning a birthday celebration, an unforgettable bachelorette party, or an idyllic getaway for you and your closest girlfriend, Prince…

MORE

PEI’s Pet Friendly Accommodations

Families! They come in many shapes and sizes. And luckily when you book your PEI family vacation, your whole family can look forward to Island…

MORE

Experience the Island in Style

Whether you live on or off the Island, there’s nothing sweeter than a little get-away full of rest and relaxation. A few days just to…

MORE

46 Travel Tips from PEI Locals

Having trouble deciding what to do and where to go during your upcoming trip to PEI? Relax, we’ve got you. We sifted through locals’ recommendations…

MORE

Above Par Hospitality at The Gables of PEI

If luxury lodging, golf and natural beauty are your cup of tea, then, was made for you. This handsome haven in Stanley Bridge – adjacent…

MORE

Why Mill River is the Perfect Place for Winter Adventure

Whether you love the snow or not, winter does not have to be a drag, especially in PEI! With so many beautiful sights to see…

MORE

A Charlottetown Winter Getaway

We could all use a  little vacation right and luckily we don’t have to go far to find the perfect getaway destination! There’s no  better…

MORE

An Eastern PEI Adventure

Points East Coastal Drive’s winding roads are breathtaking, their shops are small and unique, and the local food, straight from the ocean or farmers’ fields,…

MORE

Great Winter Escapes

The snow has fallen and the Island has transformed! No longer a land of reds and greens, PEI is now covered in a blanket of…

MORE