The Eddie Hotel & Farm Brings Acres Of Possibility To PEC
Town and country converge at this ultra-stylish country inn
Many city dwellers talk about moving to the country to start a B&B, or some other pastoral dream, but few actually do. During the pandemic, Michael von Teichman and Alex Portman did just that, chasing their dreams to The Eddie—an 1860s Loyalist manor house turned hotel set on 78 acres in prime Prince Edward County. Only a 2.5 hour drive from downtown Toronto, it’s a destination that’s easy to say yes to.
Photography by Tara McMullen.
When we arrived, von Teichman was outside with a fire going to welcome us—our first glimpse at the pair’s casual and generous hospitality. Once inside, the historic house reveals its many charms—sky-high baseboards, original wood doors and the kind of room proportions and ceiling heights that make interior design lovers shriek. The pair refurbished the entire house, the carriage house and iconic gambrel-roofed event barn. A renovation and addition to the back of the house by Montreal’s Neuf Architects is in the works.
In the main living room, a Paul Smith collection rug from The Rug Company anchors unique modern and antique finds. Brass desk and chair, South Hill Home; knit ottoman, Christophe Delcourt chairs, Avenue Road.
To offset and add to this bounty, is a carefully curated collection of modern Canadian art starting with a quilt by local Bill Stearman (hanging over the self-serve ‘honesty mini-bar’) and several pieces by Charles Pachter that riff on the Loyalist era of the home (think Queen Elizabeth on a moose). Furniture pieces are equally fine-tuned with a standout chair by Yabu Pushelberg in the main sitting room. Portman and von Teichman welcomed us with food and drink in this incredible space where colourful, contemporary pieces offset the formality of the traditional dark woods. Elsewhere, Portman tells us of his cool and thrifty finds at vintage shops and auctions, all adding to the personalized interiors at The Eddie Hotel & Farm.
The bedrooms at The Eddie Hotel & Farm vary from rustic to chic, giving guests the power to set their vibe.
The property itself is also steeped in history as one of the first Loyalist manors in the region. The Eddie has seven beautiful bedrooms (each with their own luxurious bathroom), three bunkies and a studio for larger groups staying together. A glorious breakfast of waffles, fruit, eggs and sausages sourced locally is served in the hotel’s sun-drenched dining room overlooking farmer fields. The property, with its heritage buildings, landscaped gardens and pond begs to be explored. Our room was even equipped with a picnic-backpack ready to take on a day’s excursion through the County. With the addition of an outdoor pavilion, The Eddie Hotel & Farm also hosts festivals, plays and concerts.
Michael von Teichman and Alex Portman in front of The Eddie’s 1800’s red barn. Photography by Tara McMullen.
Portman and von Teichman have used the property’s giant 1800s red barn as an opportunity to not only add to the existing community, but to create one. They host numerous weddings, events, children’s summer camps, corporate retreats, comedy nights with the likes of Colin Mochrie, as well as winter fondue nights in the adjacent Clubhouse that feels straight out of old England and was originally designed for the Tragically Hip’s “Ouch” music video.
The exterior of the 1860s Loyalist manor house.
With every conversation, we learned of new initiatives that the couple was taking on – an updated greenhouse, the Wellington farmer’s market on site, and a shop selling local foods and gifts. Open year-round, the Eddie Hotel & Farm has something to offer each season, including fall apple picking, a Christmas market in December and an Easter egg hunt in the spring. With seemingly boundless energy and a natural ability to connect with people, Michael and Alex are truly the light of this special place in the County.