Visitors to Prince Edward Island need not fret about finding a pillow upon which to rest their head after a day’s excursions. However, one might worry about how to choose from the wide array of accommodations that Prince Edward Island has to offer. Due to the seasonal nature of the Island’s tourism industry, some proprietors are open only during the tourist season.
The best source of information and contact numbers for Island accommodations is the Visitors Guide, which is updated and published annually by the provincial Department of Tourism. All properties listed in the Guide are inspected to ensure they meet provincial cleanliness and state-of-repair regulations. Accommodations found on the Island are grouped into the following categories: Hotel/Motel, Resort, Cottage, Bed and Breakfast/Hospitality Home, and Inn.
Hotels and motels provide a range of facilities and services in addition to their guestrooms with private bath facilities. Many private property owners operate independent hotels and motels in communities throughout the province. The Island is also home to numerous national and international hotel/motel franchises. Resorts differ from hotel/motels in that they are considered destination properties offering extensive recreational activities, on-site dining, and many additional guest services. Cottages, very popular among vacationers, are self-contained units with private baths and cooking facilities. They can incorporate detached or linked units and include houses and housekeeping apartments or suites.
Prince
Edward Island bed and breakfasts and country inns offer
visitors to the province an authentic opportunity to
experience “the Island way of life.” A bed and
breakfast (B&B) is a private residence where the
owners are the hosts. Guestrooms are private, but the
guest’s bathroom may be shared. Breakfast is served
every morning in a B&B. Inns differ in that they
offer an evening meal in addition to breakfast. They also
have private bath facilities for each guestroom. In many
cases, inns and B&Bs offer dens, family rooms, music
rooms or libraries for guests’ enjoyment. A number
of Prince Edward Island’s B&Bs are located on
family farms. Many others are in restored heritage homes
with charming decor and period furniture.
B&Bs offer visitors
the unique opportunity to spend a night or more with
Island hosts who have extensive knowledge of their region
of the Island and are personally devoted to making their
guests’ stay as comfortable and as enjoyable as
possible. When staying at such an establishment, a
visitor has the benefit of a local’s experience and
knowledge—the name of the restaurant serving the
best seafood casserole in the world, directions to the
nearest secluded beach, spots to capture picture-postcard
vistas, and information about local and Island
attractions and community festivals.
Prince Edward Island boasts over fifty campgrounds or RV parks. The vast majority of these properties are seasonal operations. All provide basic amenities including washroom facilities, serviced sites, and playgrounds. Many also have beaches, pools, recreation programs, supply stores and Laundromats. However, winter camping on the Island is growing in popularity and campground owners are striving to meet the demand.
