4 Best Hotels in Central Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island

Rustico, just below Brackley Beach, is one of the oldest communities on the Island—and this 1880 inn's Victorian elegance blends right in with the historic surroundings. Built for a local merchant, Gallant House (the original heritage home) has four rooms appointed with antiques and fine art, while the adjacent MacDonald House (a contemporary structure with period style) has a quartet of suites, each with a fireplace, kitchenette, and balcony or deck. The inn overlooks a quiet Victorian garden and the bucolic countryside around Rustico Bay. 

Built in 1895 as the summer retreat for a U.S. oil tycoon, this sprawling Queen Anne Revival "cottage" on the east edge of Prince Edward Island National Park is filled with antique furnishings, giving guest rooms a lovely period look. The nearby three-bedroom guesthouses (added in the 1990s) are more countrified. After enjoying beach time and free on-site activities like paddleboating, kayaking, tennis, and croquet, you can sip a cocktail or "take tea" on the pretty porch. Dinner is served nightly in the well-regarded MacMillan Dining Room. Dalvay prides itself on providing royal treatment, too: it hosted Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge when they visited PEI on their first official trip together in the summer of 2011.

Named in a nod to Anne, this lovely 6-acre property is just a short walk from Green Gables. Inn guests can relax by the parlor fireplace then retreat to one of the 25 bright country-style rooms or suites. Surrounding the lawns and gardens are 20 large cottages that range from economy to luxury. All are fully equipped for cooking (right down to the propane barbecues), and upper-end units have fireplaces and hot tubs. The presence of a pool, playground, fitness center, and games room means there is a range of recreational facilities, too.

Canada's oldest family-operated inn has been winning a faithful following since opening in 1860, and the homey rooms in the three-story lodge are attractive enough. This is a family-friendly spot, though, so guests often choose roomy one- to four-bedroom cottages or chalets: many of which have kitchens, fireplaces, and bay views. The intergenerational ambience carries into the restaurant where a kids' menu is available.