An abandoned 185-year-old hotel is reimagined as a getaway that brims with contemporary creature comforts.

The Kat Florence Hotel Backstory

In case you didn’t know, the historic village of Elora, Ontario, is one of the prettiest places in Canada. There’s a jaw-dropping scenic gorge, a slew of honey-coloured 19th-century limestone buildings, and a spoiled-for-choice array of independent shops and restaurants.

It’s a special place, particularly for Kat Florence, a jeweller who also happens to be a sixth-generation Elora native. When there were whispers that the village’s historic Commercial Hotel and cinema were to be demolished to make way for a hotel chain, Kat took charge. She and her husband, Don Kogen, bought the building and planned a thoughtful restoration that would restore the cinema and create a boutique hotel.

The Vision

Kat was determined to create a hotel in step with Elora’s rich history and was adamant about working with local materials, trades, and artisans. The building, which had sat empty for 30 years, was meticulously restored by a family-run team of stonemasons who used local limestone to capture the hotel facade’s former glory. Kat hired Thirteen Design Studio, an all-female team, to cultivate her vision of contemporary luxury within a historic setting.

The Design

Kat Florence Hotel offers four suites, as well as a separate cottage accommodation with three suites (it feels more like a private home, and you could really imagine moving in). The hotel suites—Paraiba, Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby—are named after gemstones and a nod to Kat’s jeweller status. They’re individually decorated and brilliantly laid out. Expect sleek kitchens with Miele appliances, proper seating areas, fireplaces, service bars, and bathrooms that lift the spirit. 

The Details

Oh, how Kat Florence gets the details. The hotel is contactless, but the reception is anything but. Guests will find a handwritten, personalized card and a bottle of chilled Champagne (proper capital ‘C,’ mind you) waiting for them, along with instructions for contacting the concierge should anything else be required. The like-a-caress sheets and towels are from Canadian company Au Lit, and the naturally scented Lovefresh toiletries are made nearby. Java lovers will appreciate the full-size bags of One Point Twenty One coffee, which is small-batch and roasted in Ontario. Even the furnishings and accessories are made by local artisans. It’s pretty special.

The Cottage

While each hotel suite is superlative, the jewel in the crown may just be The Cottage. It’s a former 19th-century bakery located around the corner from the hotel, and it’s va-va-voom. There’s a lush hidden garden dotted with sculptures and a hot tub, a full kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, a dining area, a cushy living room, and three suites.
 

The principal bedroom is hard to leave. Its charming limestone walls, exposed beams and mural-like garden views will make you feel like you’re in an English Cottage. Whichever suite you choose, Kat Florence will ensure you’re cossetted, cared for, and certainly in no hurry to leave.

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