When you set foot on Prince Edward Island, Canada, a sense of calm washes over you as life slows to a relaxed pace and every breath is filled with fresh Atlantic Canadian air, so there’s no better place to find your little corner of the island and start over, such as the off-grid micro chalet at Meridian 63°, which opened last fall.
Named after the meridian on which it sits, four luxury lodges are located in Strathgani Provincial Park off the Canada Cross Highway in Bunshaw, about a 20-minute drive west of the provincial capital of Charlottetown.
“Our main hope is that guests will be able to slow down, relax, and enjoy the outdoors at Meridian 63°,” owner Mike Robertson told Travel + Leisure. “While our cabins offer far more comfort than traditional camping, we aim to capture the atmosphere of camping without the extra time and effort required to set up the campsite.” We strive to give our guests everything they need to make the most of their time exploring our beautiful island.”
Each 200-square-foot cabin has floor-to-ceiling Windows and a solar cell for lighting and charging equipment. The living area has a love seat, Ottoman chairs, more relaxed, and side tables, while the utility area has a sink. The elevated sleeping area can be accessed via a ladder to open a queen-size mattress from Canadian Endy.
Picnic tables and fire pits for grills are just outside, while shared Spaces include a guest room with a spacious shower bathroom, a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, sink, cooking essentials, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa.
What makes its location so unique is its prime location right within the Provincial Park. “This part of PEI is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts,” Robertson said, noting that the Brookvale Nordic Center is nearby. “We were fortunate to be surrounded by 25 kilometers (about 15.5 miles) of monorail trails, just steps from the cabin door. What sets us apart is our ability to provide off-grid accommodation for all seasons, catering to the demands of hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and the increasingly popular fat biking activities.”
Meridian 63° especially enjoys exploring nature on two wheels. It was a mountain biking course and tour company before branching out into accommodations. It still encourages guests to take their wheels out for a spin.
A lifelong resident of PEI, Robertson grew up in “a traditional fishing and farming family” before moving into tourism 20 years ago. “I’ve been associated with Strathgartney Park since the 1990s when I started mountain biking and camping here,” he said. “My affection for this place has only grown over the years.”
Even now, he is drawn to the beauty of the area. “What separates this place is the stunning views overlooking PEI’s countryside and West River,” he added. “Watching the sunrise and sunset from the cabin deck, or catching a glimpse of the cruise ship departing from Charlottetown Harbor at night, is an unforgettable experience.”
Tourists agree. One person wrote in the guest book, ” I need a space to recharge and reflect. This is perfect, “wrote another. The accommodation is really lovely.” One family with an 11-month-old child and a dog noted that “vacation away from electronic devices is exactly what we wanted… Thank you for creating such a lovely place to visit. So many family memories.”
That’s precisely what Robertson aims to do. “Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, we aim to provide an unforgettable experience for all our guests,” he said.
