OldTrout

We're taking a family trip to PEI in July or August 2009.
Does anyone have any advice for nice cottages/hotels/resorts to stay in for a few days while we're there?
Also, and advice on some neat points of interest and restaurants?

krp329

PEI has lots of great beaches - find a cottage along one of the sandy beaches with miles of sand bars ... if your kids are still young, supply 'em with pails and shovels and you won't need anything else.

For rainy days.... PEI is reknown for all things "Anne" (of Green Gables), so if that is of interest (including island Victorian life), there are various attractions related to that.... Green Gables itself (in PEI National Park), the author's birthplace, the Lower Bedeque schoolhouse where she taught for one year etc. Avonlea, a recreated village, is fun for families - although a bit touristy and artificial. The Anne of GG musical is always enjoyable. Province House, in Charlottetown, is a must-see if you are interested in Canadian history. Take in a celidh (celtic music variety show) at the various community halls - they are on various nights of the week. Or take in a musical performance at the Indian River Festival (google them, they're online). Take scenic drives - there are several loops around parts of the island (I like going to North Cape). Rent bikes and cycle some of the country roads, or part of Confederation Trail. Go kayaking. Visit lighthouses. Lots of great craft shops to browse. The possibilities are endless - check out the PEI government tourism site, they have lots of good info there.

Can't advise about rentals as we have a family cottage there. Likewise with restaurants, we mostly eat in. The one thing we always do is a lobster dinner at St. Ann's church - but it might be a bit expensive for a family dinner. (about $30 pp)

joandg

I'm looking for a good place to stay in Charlottetown,max cost approx 140 Canadian$ Any suggestions? The Inns I have looked at all look more expensive.We would prefer to be within walking distance of restaurants etc
Thanks

Mactimes3

Holland College is located right downtown and they have a residence they rent out during the summer called Glendening college. Clean and neat and can't beat the location. Mac

Mactimes3

As far as places to go I would go to St Peters Bay before I would go to Cavendish and I would avoid everything to do with Anne of GG. Drive up to Basin Head beach and walk on the singing sands. I agree about the Ceilidh.

joandg

Thanks Mactimes3

I've checked Holland College and it looked ideal. Only problem is it's not available in September when we are visiting PEI.So still looking for suitable accomodation for two nights. Are you saying it would be better to stay in St Peters Bay rather than Charlottetown?
I don't think we will be seeing many/any of the Anne of GG attractions. Last year we were in Salzburg and must have been the only tourists not to go on a Sound of Music tour!

Thanks for your help.

Mactimes3

Congrats on going in September. Best time to go to PEI, weather is still warm, water at it's warmest and those darn tourists are mostly gone home. I would not stay in St Peters but that would be a great day trip instead of Cavendish. When I was growing up we could lug our beer out to the beach but now it is a national park. St Peters is a beautiful little town with a very picturesque Catholic church looking across the harbour at the Protestant church. A great little restaurant with amazing fish and chips which you order at the take out window and take out on the deck to eat. To get to the beach now you have to may to enter the national park as they are protecting the dunes but the beautiful hike to the beach will reward you with miles of white sand beach you have almost to yourself. The beach at Basin Head near the east end is not as long but there is a channel where you can surf the tide if you arrange to be there when the tide turns. As far as hotels I have the same problem as krp329, we own our own cottage so never have to look for a place to stay. I have put my in laws in the South port motel, www.southportmotel.ca. It is not fancy but clean and well kept and just over the bridge from Charlottetown center. Nice waterfront location with views of Charlottetown. There are also lots of nice B and Bs to choose from. Mac

joandg

Thanks Mactimes3 for your advice. St Peters looks a good place to visit but I'm afraid the Motel does not appeal to us although it looks very good value for money!
I will try again to find an inn nearer to the centre of Charlottetown at a reasonable price.Jo

LJ

The price range you seek and the charming inn thing in the centre of town thing are a bit at odds, but you might try bbccanada.com.

There are 57 listings and The Prince of Tides is on there and is one I actually know and can reccomend...now we are talking glorified B&B here, not room service style inn, but it may do the trick.

PEI is not a bargain hunters paradise anymore like the old days when we stayed in a 2 bedroom cottage on the shore for a week for under $100 for the entire week! (Don't get excited...it was many, many years ago...)

live42day

if you are staying in Charlottetown we stayed at the Fairholm B and B, downtown. Magnificent old heritige home restored to perfection.
We staying in one of their smaller less expensive rooms but were so thrilled to stay there.
http://www.fairholminn.com/guestrooms.php

joandg

live42day Thanks for your recommendation. It looks lovely but we are in Canada for just over three and a half weeks so have to watch the pennies or should I say dollars! I think the max we want to pay per night is around 140 dollars.Yesterday I was looking at Charlottes Rose Inn and A Garden View so if anyone has any experience of these inns I would love to hear from you.Thanks Jo

geminixo

I would recommend staying in Charlottetown for the duration of your PEI adventures. Charlottetown is a great place to set up your "HQ" so to speak...everything of interest is just a short drive away.

I reccomend two places: Heritage Harbour House Inn...or "The Sonata Inn. The problem is...I don't think Sonata Inn operates during September...and Heritage Harbour House Inn is really popular, so acquiring a booking may be difficult.

Websites:
http://www.hhhouse.net
http://www.sonatainn.com

Good luck with your trip!

joandg

Have booked A Garden View so now need to work out how best to spend an evening and a full day on PEI!Not long to see such a beautiful place.

Thanks for everyones help.