The Kat Florence hotel, Elora: What’s the Draw
Nestled in the storybook town of Elora, often dubbed Ontario’s prettiest, the Kat Florence hotel is a destination in and of itself. The eight suites (four in the heritage stone building and four more in a nearby private cottage) have been meticulously renovated to honour the 185-year-old building’s history, and the result is quiet luxury and modern indulgence.
Kat Florence, the famed jewellery designer and Elora local, has left her mark on this stunning property, which offers a serene escape with the convenience of the nearby town. Spend your mornings meandering through the Elora Gorge, where towering limestone cliffs dramatically frame the Grand River; and your afternoons exploring the cobblestone streets of its walkable downtown. Elora’s beautiful 19th-century stone buildings house boutique shops, restaurants, galleries and cafés, making it perfect for a weekend getaway.
The Kat Florence hotel, Elora: Special Events
To entice people to make the trip from Toronto, Florence was keen to create a calendar of events that showcase Elora and its many charms. With her Icons Series, she has curated a blend of high design, fine dining and live music that gives people a reason to get out of the city — and stay the weekend.
Earlier this year, I got to experience the event, which featured six Canadian legends of music and culinary arts. Patrick Kriss created a decadent eight-course tasting menu from one-Michelin-star restaurant Alo; cocktails were shaken up by renowned BarChef mixologist Frankie Solarik; and an intimate performance from iconic Canadian indie band, Broken Social Scene, topped off the fabulous evening. More acts are still to be announced, but trust us — they’ll be worth the trip.
Kat Florence is also behind Elora’s Christmas Market, which takes place in December, featuring cedar chalets filled with locally made items, a pop-up skating rink and a nightly switch-on ceremony for the 10,000 twinkly lights that line the picturesque town.
The Kat Florence hotel, Elora: The Rooms
The suites at Kat Florence are all-out indulgence, so don’t feel bad if your weekend plans suddenly consist of hanging out in your room. There’s no common area or restaurant on site — instead, guests are given a code for access to their private suite so they can check in peacefully and relax.
All the restoration work on the hotel was completed by local artisans with a deep respect for the heritage of the building and Elora in general, making the original stone a main design feature. Plush king beds, spa-like bathrooms, fireplaces and full kitchens (with dishwashers and washing machines) make the rooms feel like a chic pied-à-terre.
The four suites — Emerald, Paraiba, Sapphire and Ruby — are all named after Florence’s passion for jewellery design. Want to spread out? There are two cottage suites for larger gatherings, which feature three bedrooms, each with a private en-suite bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen and a lush garden, including a hot tub and gas fire pit — perfect for slow mornings and star-gazing in the evenings.
Rooms from $980 per night, katflorencehotels.com
