Where to stay in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia for every travel style and (almost) every budget

Chimney Corner Beach, Cape Breton

Chimney Corner Beach, Cape Breton

While we spend a good part of the year travelling the world, we typically spend most summers exploring our own backyard, our home province of Nova Scotia (if you’re unfamiliar, it’s on the very east coast of Canada). A lot of that time was spent in the northern region of Nova Scotia, an island called Cape Breton. 

While Cape Breton might be new to you, it’s often voted as Canada’s top Island, as well one of the best islands in North America, and even the world. Cape Breton is full of fun and interesting things to do, gorgeous beaches, waterfalls, and loads of nature. You’ll also find some of the best seafood dishes around. Not to be missed is the Cape Breton Highlands (often compared to the highlands of Scotland), and the Cabot Trail is an absolute must! 

Spending most summers here has allowed us time to visit a whole bunch of locations and stay in many different accommodations! We’ve put together a list of some of our favourites that should suit almost every travel style and most budgets. However, if this is your first visit to Canada be warned that it’s definitely not an overly budget friendly country (we always joke that it costs us more to be home in Canada than travelling around the world!), to get lower prices be sure to book early and be flexible, finding anything for under $100/night will definitely be challenging. 

Try Glamping in the Cape Breton Highlands

One of the most memorable ways to experience the Cape Breton Highlands is by spending the night in a geodesic glamping dome. These unique dome-style stays offer all the fun of sleeping under the stars—without sacrificing comfort. Think: cozy beds, private bathrooms, and full electricity. It’s the perfect setup for people (like us!) who love nature but don’t love roughing it.

Many glamping spots in the area also include your own outdoor area complete with a fire pit, picnic table, and even a charcoal barbecue. Some even offer kayaks, paddle boards, or canoe rentals to make the most of nearby lakes and rivers.

Cape Breton’s glamping scene is growing quickly, and these stays book up fast—so we highly recommend reserving early. You can browse available domes and similar stays on the map below.


Go Tiny!

We used to own a beautiful tiny house nestled right here in Cape Breton—and it was one of the most special places we’ve ever stayed (even if we’re biased!). Designed with comfort and style in mind, it offered everything you’d need in a compact space: a cozy loft bed, modern finishes, and big windows that brought the outdoors in. While we’ve since sold the property, we still think tiny homes are one of the coolest ways to experience the area.

If you’re looking for a unique and cozy place to stay, there are several tiny house rentals nearby that offer a similar off-the-grid charm. We’ve linked a few below from platforms we trust—perfect for anyone craving a simple stay surrounded by nature.

Watch the video (including a full tour):


We had another “tiny” experience but this time in a tiny shed! Situated in a backyard in Cheticamp this AirBNB was in the perfect location, directly across from the best restaurant in Cheticamp (and honestly one the best meals we had all summer!), L’Abri. However, if you aren’t looking to eat out, there is a small kitchen. 

Watch the video:


Try out a beautiful Inn:

We understand a lot of people either don’t want to try out AirBNB or would rather stick to a more traditional accommodation with an Inn. Over the summer we stayed at a few different Inns across Cape Breton and really enjoyed the experience. 

Castlerock Inn, Ingonish:  While making your way around the Cabot Trail, you’ll inevitably end up in Ingonish. It’s probably best known for National Park camping and beaches. Just outside of the town you’ll find Castlerock Inn. We didn’t have an opportunity to eat at their restaurant but if you’re there on a nice day the views are stunning and they have a fabulous outdoor patio. 

Chanterelle Inn, North River Bridge: If you’re looking to get off the beaten path and away from the crowds, then this place is for you! You’ll again find some stunning views around the property and there’s also an onsite restaurant that sources the majority of their ingredients locally. 

Clairestone Inn, Arichat: On the other side of Cape Breton, just off the coast on Isle Madame you’ll find the town of Arichat. The recently renovated Clairestone Inn is the perfect place to stay while visiting the area. The rooms are bright and airy and the huge front patio again has amazing views! 

Watch the videos of our food/Inn tour of Cape Breton:


Take a beach vacation:

Despite having spent a lot of time in Cape Breton over the years (Trevor is from there), we’d sadly never spent much time on the west side! Port Hood was a new discovery for us. It’s a very small town with one grocery store and about two restaurants. However, it’s home to five beaches directly in the town making it the perfect spot for a low key beach vacation. We found the perfect little cottage just a two-minute walk from the beach that was super cute, stylish and well equipped! 

Watch the video:


Go Luxury! 

Ready for a splurge? While Cabot Links is the top place to golf in Canada (and one of the top in the world), even if you’re not a golfer you’ll love staying here. The rooms are gorgeous and we had the most amazing view of the greens and the stunning western sunset. They also have a few different delicious dining options on site. If you’re looking for a beach vacation, Cabot Links is situated right in Inverness and the beach is just a few minutes walk away. 

Watch the video:

Still searching for the perfect stay? Use the map below to browse a variety of top-rated accommodations, including boutique hotels, cabins, and unique places to stay. These are trusted platforms we personally use when booking our own trips.

There are affiliate links included in this post, which means when you book through them you help support us and our travels!

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