There’s a certain emotional undercurrent when returning to a place you once lived after an abundance of time has passed. It feels akin to conversing with the version of yourself that you were when you left, and when that version is a stressed-out graduating university student, there’s an added layer of tension.
Jonah and I recently visited Kingston, Ontario — an exciting film festival for him and a homecoming of sorts for me. Although not from the city originally, I did spend four years there during my stint as a Queen’s University student, and after graduating in 2018, I packed up my bedroom and hadn’t been back since.
Although initially hesitant when Jonah first pitched the idea of taking 24 hours to see a film he worked on screen at the local film festival, I quickly got on board. A buzzy hotel opening always has a way of getting me excited about a place, and that was that.
The Belvedere Hotel opened its doors in 2025, the most recent chapter of a storied Victorian building along Kingston’s waterfront. Walking up the front steps and entering through the sunroom, we were greeted with a beautifully grand staircase and the most friendly staff. The ground floor of the lobby is filled with historic charm, from the stone fireplace in the drawing room that I can only imagine is original, to the absolutely beautiful cast iron radiators throughout. There’s an immediate sense that you’ve stepped into a historic space.
Despite the stately surroundings, the hotel never feels uptight or overly formal. The interiors thoughtfully blend nineteenth-century Empire-style with Art Deco and sleek midcentury modern, culminating in a space that feels truly collected and curated. They’re the sort of spaces where you want to order a martini and catch up with friends for hours on end.
Our room was spacious, with a luxurious king bed and beautiful furnishings, from the built-in wardrobe & desk combination to the light fixtures. The cast iron radiator cast a cozy air about the room, which was most welcome during the frigid February weekend we were in town. While visually simple, the pops of colour and texture throughout satisfied my maximalist heart, and the forest green carpet has found its way onto all of my future home moodboards.
In the morning, breakfast is served in the lounge. The buffet feels truly European, with baked goods, cheeses and meats, yogurt, and granola. Like the rest of the hotel, the space feels grand yet cozy at the same time, with large-scale artwork and a beautiful bar. By evening, the room transforms for dinner, with a menu of small plates, craft cocktails, and thoughtfully selected wines.
Refined and elegant yet cozy all at once, the Belvedere is the perfect hideaway for a little trip to Kingston. Although we didn’t have time to explore the bathhouse during our 24-hour stay, I’m taking it as an excuse to return. It was a quick overnight but one that felt so full-circle; a younger me could have only dreamed of staying in places like this while living in my cramped and decrepit student housing. It was like having a small conversation with that worried, anxious version of me, as if reminding myself that if a 150-year old building can find a new lease on life this beautiful, that girl will too.
