Drake Devonshire and Motor Inn

My friend and I spent the weekend at the Devonshire Inn and purchased the package with the wine tour. The Devonshire is so beautiful from the common areas, to the individual rooms, and ESPECIALLY the lake side view. The wine tour experience was the highlight of our trip. We happened to be in PEC at the same time as the Elevage festival was going on and we got to enjoy lots of great tastings at local wineries. Our wine tour operator, Graham, was a fantastic tour guide. He was very communicative over email leading up to the trip and made sure to ask if we had any preferences or anywhere in particular we wanted to go. As my friend and I are not the most discerning wine drinkers (yet), we left the majority of the tour planning to Graham. He was able to put together a wonderful tour of wineries that we absolutely loved. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the county and various wineries but he also was very knowledgeable on the wine making process as well. He had a great network within the wineries and was able to suggest deals that are offered at each winery to make our experience even more unique. We strongly recommend taking the time to do a wine tour with Graham to any one who is visiting the Devonshire!

I was there for four days and three nights to work on a major piece of artwork during their ‘slower’ season. They gave me a fabulous space to work in and treated me wonderfully. My every need was attended to by the friendliest, kindest staff I could have asked for.

We choose to go to a place close to home! The view of the lake from our room was spectacular. Ever changing! Ammenities were luxurious. Our Sunday roast dinner was terrific as was the service from the restaurant and hotel. We highly recommend for a relaxing fun time!

If you are interested in staying for more than one night and as such might spend some of the day in between trying to enjoy the hotel, find out if there is a wedding the same weekend. We anticipated a quiet weekend getaway and looked forward to sitting by the fire outside or in the living room space, and playing in the games room. All of these spaces were either being set up, used, or taken apart for a wedding the entire time we were there. Out room, which was the only place we could spend time, was at the top of the stairs and wedding photography was happening outside our door the day-of, and noise travelled upwards from guests when we tried to sleep at night. It honestly felt like we were imposing which is not a fun vibe for a package that is supposed to be relaxing and romantic. Even if the hotel had set expectations and communicated this in advance, it would have made a difference. Several aspects of the package were not executed as described, and to be honest I wish we had just eaten at the Drake (restaurant and bar 10/10 as always) and stayed somewhere else as there are several hotels in the area that, to be frank, are imitating the Drake at a much lower price point, and the extras we had thought it was worth paying for did not exist for us.

I have read the reviews, and I must say, I wonder whether I stayed at the same place as those reviewers. On arrival we were underwhelmed. You park in the parking lot of the hotel, and firstly there was music blaring there. Then we went in and arrived (around 3 pm) in this crowded and congested area, which includes reception, a sitting area, and the wait area for the dining area, plus a flow through to the stairwell to the hotel rooms. No big deal, but not inviting. We went up to our room, and for 500.00$, even though the hotel is on the lake...the window looked out on a wall! And of course, no view, and no natural light. We wanted to dine in the restaurant. It is very popular, and not exclusive to the hotel guests. We were lucky to get a table. Food was good, service was good but counting on dropping a couple of $100.00 there. Most of the wine offered is local, as is the food. Food issues were pleasantly accommodated. Breakfast was not of interest, as we eat more simply than what was offered Coffee great at 7am available in the lobby, and guests can go down in their pyjamas if they like. Staff was pleasant. Decor over the top in the rooms. Comfy bed, terrible chairs, and TV good, but no TV guide available. Missing also were instructions to manage ventilation, and the bathroom light and hallway light were on the same switch???

Amazing view, food & service