Inside A Chic New Canadian Boutique Sleep: Kat Florence Hotels

When your hotel stay in one of Ontario’s most charming villages starts with valet service via a sweet ride in the house car—a Phantom Rolls Royce—you know you’re in for something extraordinary. This is how every guest experience starts at Kat Florence Hotels in Elora, and it’s just one of the many thoughtful, luxury details that makes time spent in the Kat Florence orb pure magic.

“My goal at Kat Florence Hotels is that every guest feels taken care of,” Florence shares with me as we catch up by phone a few days after I spent a dreamy 24 hours in her world. “Everything is here for you and your comfort. Our goal is to make you feel accommodated and totally looked after.”

A Hotel With History

Elora-born Florence is a globally renowned custom jewelry designer whose business is headquartered in Thailand. Her creations are dazzling, artful, precious, and one-of-a-kind. She brings the same ethos and vision for jewelry design to her first hotel property. Creating the boutique property was a passion project which began in 2020 when Florence returned to Canada with her family during the pandemic. She learned one of the oldest buildings in Elora, which once housed the Commercial Hotel and was still home to the Elora Cinema, had largely fallen into disrepair and was under threat of demolition. Florence wanted to preserve this rich part of her hometown’s history.

“Having travelled to every continent in the world, I trace my love for exploring back to those early days of my life in Elora,” Florence says. “That’s why it was so important to me to save not just the hotel but also the theatre, a place that sparked curiosity and imagination for myself and for so many others.”

A little about the quaint village of Elora. Knowns as one of Ontario’s prettiest towns, the riverside location was founded in 1832 by Scottish Captain William Gilkison. There is much to see and do in Elora, particularly if you love nature exploration. The Elora Gorge is a natural wonder of the area; the Grand River rushes past 22-meter-high cliffs, and in season you can tube or kayak down the waterway. If you prefer land adventures, there are beautiful trailways to hike along to catch views of the river and rapids.

The building which houses Kat Florence Hotels was originally build in 1848 and restoring it to a new level of grandeur took time. In 2024, Florence’s vision for a plush, intimate sanctuary combining old world grandeur with mod cons and ultimate comforts became a reality when the hotel opened its doors just before Christmas.

The Rooms Are (Literally) Gems

There are just four suites at Kat Florence Hotels all of them equally gorgeous, and aptly named after Florence’s favourite gemstones: Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, and Paraiba. When she was conceptualizing each of the suites, Florence tells me she set about designing the hotel rooms in much the same way she crafts her custom jewelry pieces. “I love design aesthetics that merge the past with the present in a seamless way, so the vibe is timeless and modern. I approached the look and feel of the hotel much as I would approach a designing a piece of jewelry. It felt like the same recipe.”

The Emerald Suite and Ruby Suites are located on the second floor of the hotel, and both have outdoor verandas which overlook Elora’s cutie main street. The Sapphire Suite and Paraiba Suite are one level up and feature dramatic vaulted ceilings.

I stayed in the Ruby Suite and loved every thoughtful detail about it. It has tons of natural light pervading throughout, which made the rich, neutral décor tones and the natural wood and limestone wall features shine. The suite was quiet, calming and imbued an instant feeling of Zen. All the thoughtful little details found throughout were also impeccable. The ultra-luxe bedding and linens. The fully equipped, modern farmhouse feels kitchen complete with dining table and banquette to enjoy morning sips and nibbles. The Dyson beauty tools. The yummy Canadian made beauty amenities and candles. The cozy living area outfitted with layers of deluxe throws and pillows. The perfectly styled, cozy balcony space. I wanted to move in and never leave.

There is one more extra-special place to stay at Kat Florence Hotels and that is the Diamond House which is located close by. Originally home to the town bakery built in 1858 it has been reimagined as a beautiful private residence to escape to complete with three bedrooms (each with luxury ensuites), a fully kitted out kitchen, and stunning outdoor terrace space including a hot tub and gas fireplace. This is the perfect place to escape to if you are a larger party, or just want a little extra space to explore and indulge in some ultra-relaxing quietude.

The Extra Extras

At Kat Florence Hotels, the Rolls Royce chauffeur service and deluxe rooms are actually just the start of your luxury experience which is personalized for you.

Before I checked in, the client care team called me to go over a few things in advance of my arrival to make sure everything was just right. What was my milk preference for morning drinks. What was my favourite band (Duranie for life!) so the soundtrack would be on brand when I walked into my room. When I arrived, there was also a bottle of Veuve Clicquot chilling which is a signature Kat Florence touch as well as a handwritten note from Kat, and tickets to the Elora Gorge Cinema which has also be refurbished as part of the renovation. This darling indie theatre now comes complete with front row couches and bar service.

With every hotel stay you are also treated to a 10-course tasting menu which is a three-hour gastro indulgence at the historic Elora Mill’s exclusive chef’s table, the Kitchen Counter. A one-hour massage for every guest at the Elora Mill Spa is also included (the views of the Elora Gorge are particularly spectacular from here), and you also have access to the spa pool, deck and hydrotherapy features. If you need anything at all during your stay, butler service is just a text away. Suffice to say during my stay, I felt very taken care of—thank you Kat! —Alison McGill