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We are Carol and Jay Macdonald and are in our 29th year of hospitality service in PEI, first with a cottage business on the North Shore. Since 1988 we began to convert this beautiful 100 year old home into a Victorian Bed and Breakfast. While a large number of excellent tourist homes and B&Bs preceded us, in many ways we were pioneers of this form of personal high quality hospitality. We liked to travel and valued comfort, privacy and modern amenities and so began Elmwood with one room and two suites in August 1988 with all private tiled baths, all queen beds, hand made quilts, antiques delicious fresh breakfasts and a sense of comfort and luxury that was new to Eastern Canada at the time. We have been awarded Five Stars "" for thirteen years which is the highest level in the Canada Select Accommodation Grading System. This was the first Five Star accommodation rating given to any property in PEI, and only the sixth Five Star "" Bed and Breakfast rating granted in all of Canada.

As our “Your Hosts” page and our advertising say, “We hope you come as guests and leave as friends”.

Please "Bookmark This Page" so you can easily find us again.

Elmwood Gift Certificates make an excellent present for a special someone, as well as a business or corporate reward for a job well done. They are available in many denominations, please call or e-mail for details.

Antique wrought iron gates frame the entrance to Elmwood which is hidden up a majestic 350 foot long elm lined drive on a secluded park-like acre. Yet for being "off the beaten track", we are not "out of the way" since Elmwood is just 12 blocks from the main intersection downtown at the Confederation Centre of the Arts Theatre, Province House, shopping and restaurants and a mere 4 blocks to Victoria Park and the harbour. Each season offers a special treat on the grounds beginning with the shaded hidden entrance drive under the century old elm trees. Spring brings the flowering ornamental trees, our extensive perennial gardens, the shade garden, and open lawns through late summer to the explosion of golds and reds and rust in fall, followed by winter's magical contrast of minilights reflecting in snow-covered walks and trees. Elmwood is a wonderful destination for all seasons and all reasons.

This "oasis in the heart of the city" is the only Charlottetown area B&B not located on the street or at a corner for those who value privacy, peace and quiet. Street noises fade away in this elegant nineteenth-century estate. Pamper yourself for your vacation, business or convention stay, or that special honeymoon in PEI's first Five Star Victorian Bed and Breakfast, one of the finest in Canada.

Click here to visit the Elmwood Photo Gallery.

"Elmwood" was built in 1889 for Arthur Peters, grandson of Samuel Cunard, founder of the British steamship line. The property was originally part of an estate of over 20,000 acres awarded to Cunard in recognition of his contribution to the Empire. Cunard appointed his son-in-law, James Horsefield Peters, to oversee his Island holdings. James Peters became influential in the Province and was appointed to the Supreme Court. The "Judge" and his wife Mary had three sons, two of whom became Premier of P.E.I. Frederick, the elder, served from 1891 to 1897, and Arthur, owner of "Elmwood", from 1901 until his death in 1908. Arthur and his wife, Jane Amelia, moved into "Elmwood" with their two children, Kitty and 'baby' James (ten months old) on April 30, 1889.

William Critchlow Harris, the Maritimes' leading late Victorian era architect, designed the home on a 7 1/2 acre parcel of land that took its name from the seventy elm trees planted on it. Today, 35 of these trees plus many others still stand on the remaining park-like acre, including a gracious 300-foot-long drive lined with elms eighty feet tall. The 28 room house has hardwood floors throughout, 8 original working fireplaces, along with 2 new fireplaces added for atmosphere, and original woodwork.

We purchased the property in 1986 and have returned it to one unified house after 50 years as three apartments. Our personal touch is seen throughout and creates a luxurious "home-like" feel. The first floor covers nearly 3,500 square feet and includes the Dining Room, Main Reception Hall and the original Library, now developed as our only first floor luxury guest room. There are three individualized guest units on the 3,000 square foot second floor along with a comfortable guest living room with fireplace and balcony. The third floor, the former Peters family servants' quarters, had been a 2,000 square foot apartment nestled in the roof line since the Forties. It now features 3 more unique units.

Our high season is from June 1 to October 1, 2009. All our rates are in Canadian dollars, and are per room, double occupancy, and include breakfast. The federal GST of 5% and the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 10% are additional. There is no room tax charged at smaller properties in Charlottetown. We have a two week cancellation policy and charge a deposit on booking. The Canadian dollar has been recently trading at a slight discount to the US dollar. But, since this is just an indicator of the exchange, not a guarantee, the rates are quoted in Canadian dollars. Additional people sharing the suites are charged $25.00 per night

The various rooms and suites are described below. Our high season is from June 1 to October 1, 2008. All our rates are in Canadian dollars, and are per room, double occupancy, and include breakfast. We have a two week cancellation policy and charge a deposit on booking. The Canadian dollar has been recently trading at a slight discount to the US dollar. But, since this is just an indicator of the exchange, not a guarantee, the rates are quoted in Canadian dollars. Additional people sharing the suites are charged $25.00 per night.

For Honeymoons, Anniversaries and other Special Occasions we offer a complimentary service of a chilled split or bottle of bubbly, other wine, or a non-alcoholic beverage along with a light snack and a chocolate treat. It is our way of sharing in your celebration and valuing what is a milestone for you. If we can assist you in making other special plans on your behalf including fresh flowers, fruit or cheese basket, Island treats, theatre tickets, dinner reservations, please ask. It is our desire to help you have the best visit possible and we are pleased to assist in any way.

Please call our toll-free number 1-877-933-3310, fax us, or e-mail us at elmwood@pei.sympatico.ca for our low season rates before June and after September.

Elmwood Guest Rooms
"Click" on the room names or photos to see more views of each room

		First Floor: The Library - It was first built as a Library for the Peters' home, and is the only guest room located on first floor of the Inn, making it an excellent choice for those guests for whom accessibility is important. It is a lovely air conditioned room with a large three-sided bay window that features the original shutters that fold into the nearly foot-thick wall. There is a working black marble fireplace, queen bed, tv/vcr, a pair of wing back chairs with ottoman and Oriental rugs over the hardwood floors. The room also has a small refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker, iron and board, and terry cloth bathrobes. The luxury tiled private bath with a radiant-heat floor has a double corner Ultra Bath air whirlpool tub, a corner shower with body sprays, and a cultured marble sink set in an 1880's walnut buffet as a vanity. This room is not available in the winter.    High Season maximum rate is $229.  Shoulder season range is from $205 to $175.
		Second Floor: The Premier's Suite - Our most elegant unit, the Premier's Suite was called, "The most beautiful room in the Province", by a Tourism Official. A luxurious eight-sided queen bed-sitting room, with a sofa and wing back chair nestled in a wide three-sided bay window. There is a coffee table and a magnificent seven foot mahogany armoire (circa 1850) from a castle in Scotland, black marble fireplace, bordered broadloom over the hardwood floors, dressing room with a Pakistan made Bokhara, six foot Ultra Bath thermo-masseur air tub for two set in a green marble deck, small desk and second phone, mahogany and walnut woods. Microwave, coffee maker and refrigerator for your own entertaining and special needs. Through French doors is the lavish tiled private bath with corner green cultured marble shower.    High Season maximum rate is $249.  Shoulder season range is from $225 to $175.
		Cunard Suite - A spacious living room with a tole painted original working fireplace, hardwood flooring and a Nain Persian rug and an antique mahogany burl sleigh bed as a sofa plus being a wonderfully comfortable overnight accommodation for an additional guest, French doors open to a queen bedroom with lacy canopy topper over the pillows. From the other side of the living room is a fully equipped galley kitchen. We suggest to most guests that they may consider it as a giant minibar, with fridge, stove, dishwasher, coffeemaker, teapot, microwave, although it is usable for cooking as well as for special dietary needs. The oak and pine furnishings reflect the country styling, private skylit bathroom, radiant heated floor with a corner Ultra Bath thermo-masseur air tub for two with shower. Sleeps up to four (with one single airbed cot for the fourth person).    High Season maximum rate is $249 for 2 persons.  Shoulder season range is from $225 to $175. Additional guests sharing the suite are charged $25.
		Victorian Room - An inviting room with shallow queen bed alcove, modest seating area with a pair of wing backs and coffee table, a broadloom area rug topped with a silk Oriental rug over the hardwood floor, an outstanding 1800's marble top step dresser with tall mirrored back and candle stands, walnut decor, footed soaking tub with shower in the private bath.    High Season maximum rate is $165.  Shoulder season range is from $145 to $110.
		Third Floor: Peake Suite - A private secluded roomy garret living room with a three-sided Halifax dormer, twin oak Mission beds flanking the fireplace as sofas. The separate bedroom has a queen bed with romantic angled canopy and a Confederation era circa 1864 marble topped serpentine front dresser with the original stencilling. And as in the Cunard Suite, there is a small galley kitchen which we suggest to most guests that they may consider as a giant minibar, with fridge, stove, dishwasher, coffeemaker, teapot, microwave, although it is usable for cooking as well as for special dietary needs. There is a footed Victorian soaking tub with shower in the private bath. A full Suite for the price of a room. Oak and pine predominate with hardwood floors and plush broadloom. Sleeps up to four.    High Season maximum rate is $199 for two persons.  Shoulder season range is from $175 to $145. Additional guests sharing the suite are charged $25.
		Nurse's Room - A cozy queen room with a new Dimplex electric fireplace for atmosphere, cut Chinese rug over hardwood, Double Irish Chain quilt, small sitting area, Eastlake dresser, desk and mantle mirror in oak, private tiled bath has s skylight. There is an overlength five and one half foot long footed Victorian soaking tub with shower.    High Season maximum rate is $149.  Shoulder season range is from $135 to $99.
		Rosa's Room - Perhaps our most romantic room, it has fabric draped angled walls making the queen bed area into a dreamy canopied cocoon that anchors one end of the 45 foot long space. The other end of the narrow unit has an elegant mirror-bordered bath with a six foot Ultra Bath thermo-masseur air tub for two with shower. A handknotted Chinese silk rug, hardwood floors, small sitting area with Victorian sofa and rocker, a new Dimplex electric fireplace for atmosphere.    High Season maximum rate is $189.  Shoulder season range is from $175 to $145.

Room features include:

All rooms are air conditioned and the windows also open for fresh Island breezes. They all feature luxury support queen sized pillow top Simmons BeautyRest beds, terry cloth bathrobes, clock radios, colour cable TV's with VCR's, telephones, irons and boards, unique antiques, and hand made quilts: the bathrooms all have either footed Victorian soaking tubs with showers or double sized Ultra Bath therapeutic air whirlpools with showers, and two with a separate corner shower in addition to the whirlpool, plus hairdryers.

Wireless LAN (802.11g) for laptop use throughout the house plus we will supply a "g" wireless card for older laptops, fax, and access to our computer, printer and high speed internet. We are also setting up a guest terminal on the main floor. Meetings can be arranged with notice. There is a common guest living room with its own fireplace and balcony on the 2nd floor, refrigerator, CD player, and both video and reading collections. Our videos include over 170 titles with over 50 "Best Picture" Academy Award winners. While changes have been made to accommodate the Bed and Breakfast, we feel that there is an appropriate balance between elegance and "homey"-ness and between privacy and our personal hospitality.

We are located in a quiet residential neighbourhood just a fifteen minute walk from Confederation Centre of the Arts and downtown restaurants and shopping. Four blocks away is beautiful Victoria Park on the harbour, featuring a water's edge boardwalk, swimming, horseshoes, and tennis on lighted courts, along with groomed cross country ski trails in winter. Our famous hot chocolate and mulled hot cider are wonderful treats in cool weather.

Breakfast is usually served by candlelight downstairs in the Main Reception Hall and the 24 foot Dining Room with a black faux marble fireplace. Our breakfast includes fresh squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit, cereals, a hot daily entrée, such as sundried tomato pecan pesto omelet, apple-sausage cobbler, French toast "Suzette" with either maple syrup or Grand Marnier butter sauce, a baked cheese omelet with a mild salsa, or lemon ricotta pancakes with a raspberry maple syrup, home baking and preserves, hot coffee and specialty teas. We regularly offer both creamery butter and no-cholesterol margarine, pick-me-up or decaffeinated beverages. We are pleased to offer vegetarian and vegan items for breakfast, and can usually find recipes for sugar-free, gluten-free, egg-free, and milk-free baking, as well. We accept Interac Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, enRoute, AmEx, Diners Club, Carte Blanche and have a no smoking policy indoors.

"Elmwood" set a standard for the elegant Charlottetown home of the 1890's. It was a home built for comfort and entertaining; hardly a day went by when family or friends didn't stop in for a cup of tea in the afternoon. Now, as a Five Star "" Bed & Breakfast Inn, it is again. We hope our period antiques, colourful bed quilts, and heartfelt hospitality will enhance your vacation, honeymoon or business trip to Prince Edward Island. We love the comment our guests have often made, "It's just like coming home." We look forward to your visit.

The Macdonald Family (click here)

INNS of DISTINCTION
Prince Edward Island

LODGING WORLD

121 North River Road, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, C1A 3K7 email: elmwood@pei.sympatico.ca

Modern Comforts in an 1889 Five Star Victorian Bed and Breakfast Inn - non smoking indoors!

Suites, fireplaces, private baths, whirlpools, air conditioned. Open year round. Local Telephone: 902-368-3310, Toll-Free: 1-877-933-3310, Fax: 902-628-8457

Photography by Wayne Barrett and Anne MacKay except where noted