4 minute read
Hotel Julie: Centre Stage Shakespearean Luxury in Stratford
By Rebecca Dumais
In the theatre community, a “showstopper” is a performance that’s so outstanding the audience’s reaction calls a temporary halt to the show. In Downtown Stratford, Ontario, a town known for its love of theatre and annual Stratford Festival, the curtain has been lifted on Hotel Julie, a new Shakespearean-inspired boutique hotel, a luxurious showstopping destination for theatregoers and a “muse” of a setting for any bard.
Hotel Julie offers uniquely designed flats with soaring ceilings in a reimagined 19th-century row house and a modern twist on Elizabethan ambiance.
Located on St. Vincent Street, North, steps from Shakespearean Gardens, numerous trendy shops and restaurants, and multiple historic theatres, Hotel Julie is owned by husband-and-wife team Paula McFarlane and Jake Tayler, former paramedics who, over three years ago, decided to rewrite their life’s script to pursue their deepseated passion for design and hospitality.
For the aspiring hoteliers, an opportunity arose to purchase the historic inn and transform it into a sought-after lavish destination in Stratford’s downtown. “This project truly is a matter of the heart,” says Paula McFarlane, Co-Founder of Hotel Julie. “Jake and I had always wanted to create a legacy and become part of Stratford’s rich tapestry, and when we went through the historic building, we knew it presented a unique opportunity to create an iconic, theatre-inspired destination. We were married in this town, and Hotel Julie is our love letter to Stratford!”
By combining culture, class, and comfort with exceptional interior design, the team behind Hotel Julie transformed the inn building, circa 1809, into a chic boutique hotel — offering an unparalleled backdrop for poetic moments, notable memories, and bespoke guest experiences.
Flats range in size and amenity, with the larger units including a full kitchen. Flat 7, the largest, invites you in with a lush floral-wrapped hallway into a spacious two-bedroom suite. Its unique colour palette denotes dusty blues and deep maroon tones paired with edgy blue and yellow floral patterns. The first bedroom boasts soaring arched millwork flanking a luxe queen-sized memory foam bed, a comfy swivel accent chair for reading, a 32-inch TV, and a private four-piece bathroom with floor-to-ceiling checkered tile walls and a spa shower.
In the second bedroom, a luxe kingsized memory foam bed awaits, custom-designed furniture by Pompous Fox, a 32-inch TV, a private washroom with a full tub and shower, and a custom arched closet.
Gather in the “common area” with its large bouclé sofa, complete with golden velvet pillows and ottomans. A vintage black terrazzo fleck dining table seats three for dinner, with stools available to pull up for more guests. Make the most of your flat and embrace a quiet evening in; pick up a few groceries at The Little Green Grocery and perhaps a monster loaf of sourdough bread (or some baked goods) from Downie Street Bakehouse. Prepare your meal as you enjoy a glass of wine in the sleek galley kitchen, which features high-end built-in appliances: a range, microwave, fridge, freezer and dishwasher, topped off with a stunning Rosso Levanto marble countertop.
The overall project was fronted by Autumn Hachey, founder and creative director of Stay Here, a full-service multidisciplinary creative studio and lifestyle agency. Hachey brought in the expertise of Toronto-based full-service interior design firm Twenty-Two Twelve, owned and operated by sisters Haley McDonough and Jillian Smith-Moher.
Alongside Hachey, Twenty-Two Twelve brought Paula and Jake’s theatre-inspired vision to life with luxurious textures, bold motifs, and Victorian-era colour palettes.
After 10 months the transformation was complete and ready for its reveal, and the star of its own show, documented in the TV series Staying Inn: Hotel Julie. The series, which aired on CTV Life Channel, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, followed Smith-Moher and Hachey, along with their team, as they transformed the inn into a luxury hotel.
There’s much ado around Stratford any time of year, although the festival scene kicks off on April 16. Those who love to shop will find many eclectic gems and galleries downtown. Many of Hotel Julie’s decor items were sourced locally. A vibrant culinary scene offers something for every palate. (If you happen to be a proponent of pickles, order the Consigliere at Pazzo Pizza.) Be sure to call ahead for restaurant reservations and hours of operation. There are lots of other activities to keep visitors busy year-round too, including the Perth Museum, and self-guided trails such as The Chocolate Trail and The Bacon and Ale Trail. For some wintertime fun, the River Valley Tube Slide is a 20-minute drive away.
For more information visit: HotelJulie.com | VisitStratford.ca | StratfordFestival.ca
