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By Kristina Smith
Tucked right into a quiet nook of Ontario’s Prince Edward County—a area nonetheless blissfully under-the-radar for many travellers—sits a farmhouse retreat that appears to exist exterior of time. Framed by golden wheat fields and a cover of whispering bushes, with a forest path resulting in a non-public stretch of waterfront, this seven-bedroom retreat presents the form of serenity that makes you exhale the second you arrive.
Owned and operated by New York City-based husbands Dan Hadad and Dan Fricker, the property has grow to be greater than only a trip rental. It’s a deeply private challenge, a love letter to slower dwelling and considerate design, and a spot they themselves escape to every time metropolis life will get too loud.
“We remember waking up here for the first time and just thinking, wow, this is truly a magical place,” mentioned Fricker. “And we wanted to share that feeling with others.”
That intention is clear in each room of the home. Originally an genuine nation farmhouse, the house has been restored with a eager eye for element. Think creamy whites, pure wooden tones, and authentic pine flooring underfoot. The aesthetic is as calming as the encompassing panorama, designed to assist company instantly decelerate.
With seven bedrooms and eleven beds, the area simply sleeps 14—a uncommon discover within the County. It’s supreme for household gatherings, buddy getaways, or retreat teams in search of a house base that’s as cozy as it’s expansive. The main-floor main bed room features a king mattress, whereas the upstairs options two queen rooms and 4 rooms with twin beds, providing privateness for every kind of group dynamics. Three newly renovated loos add trendy consolation with out disrupting the house’s heritage character.
Communal areas are the place the farmhouse shines. The open-concept kitchen flows right into a spacious eating room, anchored by an extended, family-style desk that virtually begs for shared meals and sluggish mornings over espresso. Sun-soaked dwelling rooms characteristic overstuffed couches and studying nooks. Outside, company can collect on the deck, gentle up the BBQ, or roast marshmallows underneath a sky unspoiled by metropolis lights.
But maybe essentially the most unforgettable characteristic is the land itself. The farmhouse sits on over a dozen acres, with authentic barns, winding forest paths, and a secluded bluff that leads right down to Adolphus Reach—a quiet stretch of water the place the Bay of Quinte meets Lake Ontario. It’s about 150 steps down via the bushes, and price each little bit of the climb again up.
“When you get through to the end, the water just appears. You can’t see people in any direction,” mentioned Fricker. “You’re just isolated. It’s really nice.”
The Dans have targeted on making the farmhouse and barn areas retreat-friendly, providing a 34-foot-long renovated studio on website for personal bookings. Yoga instructors and wellness facilitators are invited to host their teams with as little or as a lot hand-holding as desired.
“Some retreat leaders, if they’re new to it or new to the area, we can point them in the direction of, say, a winery that’s a bike ride away, or maybe activities they want to fit into the weekend. We can dial it up or down based on what the hosts need,” mentioned Fricker.
The similar goes for teams staying on the farmhouse, who could want to herald a non-public chef, for instance, as Fricker did lately for his mother’s birthday dinner, or have a non-public yoga session booked within the studio throughout their keep.
While it might really feel worlds away, this farmhouse retreat remains to be a brief drive to every part Prince Edward County has to supply—from the wineries of the countryside to the boutiques and bakeries of downtown Picton. Sandbanks Provincial Park, with its notorious dune-backed seashores, is about half-hour away.
Beyond the aesthetics and placement, what actually units this place aside is the spirit behind it. As a queer-owned property, inclusivity and hospitality are woven into the material of the visitor expertise, and each Dans agree that the neighborhood of Prince Edward County itself lends to that feeling. A portion of every reserving additionally helps The Dans’ personal animal welfare basis, named for his or her late pup, Neeko, a trigger they’re obsessed with.
“It’s not just about giving people a beautiful place to stay,” mentioned Fricker. “It’s such a unique experience. You’ve got this beautiful farmland—13 acres of open space, old buildings and barns, horses in a neighbouring field. You can see 360-degree views of the sunrise and sunset from the house. It’s nice to have space to roam around.”
The property is open year-round, providing an entire new form of magic within the quieter months—one thing the Dans have skilled firsthand.
“ During COVID, Dan and I personally spent a lot of time there. We got out of our place in Toronto and ended up spending the better part of six months there. It was great. While I thought it was peaceful in the summer, waking up there with snow-covered ground is even more serene.”
As you hike down the forest path to the shore, or watch the sundown from the deck with a glass of County wine in hand, it’s onerous to not really feel that intention. Whether you’re planning a restorative wellness retreat, a reunion with previous associates, or only a quiet weekend to unplug, this farmhouse retreat is greater than a vacation spot. It’s a sense you received’t wish to depart.
Getting There: Prince Edward County is a couple of 2.5-hour drive from Toronto. The precise location is shared upon reserving.
To Learn More or Book: Visit welcometothedans.com.
Neeko’s Foundation: Learn extra at neekosfoundation.org.