Bear on the Lake Guesthouse

I had just completed a 1400 mile bicycle trip that culminated with the Cabot Trail. This was the most perfectly relaxing atmosphere I needed after my journey. Beautiful place, friendly manager and guests, huge kitchen, comfy beds. Extremely clean.

This Hostel had me a bit nervous at first because it's in the middle of nowhere, busing around is not an option, and I didn't have a car. But after I settled and the Host/Owner-Nancy offered the use of a free mountain bike, the possibilities really opened up! Trails, local market, mountains, historical church, and free ferry ride at nearby Little Narrows. Made this a really cool place! I'm a top bunk sleeper. There was no actual ladder, but fairly maneuverable through the wooden bed slacks. Clean, accommodating, good space and snacks left by previous Adventurers. Free morning coffee, Yes!😊

Exceptional hospitality and a beautiful view! Nancy and Bob are wonderful hosts, and I can't wait for my next trip back.

Great stay for 2 nights in a private room. Cozy homey feel, awesome patio with a beautiful view. Very clean shared space/ bathrooms with towels provided. The owner was lovely and very accommodating. Perfect location to start the Cabot trail!

Beautiful view, convenient location, comfortable and hospitable stay for our family. The host of the guesthouse is especially kind and friendly.

The hostel was in a good location with nice views of the lake. We were welcomed by Nancy the hostel owner and she was very nice. It was a typical hostel stay with a mixture of families, couples and individuals. ||The kitchen was well equipped and everywhere very clean. Nice towels and flannels were provided.||However the main negative thing would be that the beds were of the wooden slatted base type and the cross pieces were too far apart and the mattresses very thin. This meant you could feel the slats through the mattress and we didn’t get a very good nights sleep. Also there are 3 rooms on each level, 5 beds in each room. This means 15 to each bathroom. The bathrooms have a shower or bath and toilet combined and so there was often a wait for the bathroom and too bad if you need the toilet urgently.||Although the website says canoes and bike available to hire, they are not and have never been. I think that was the intention but insurance has proved too much and so the idea has been shelved. ||There is a micro brewery 5 minutes up the road (The Big Spruce) which regularly has live music but unfortunately we missed it as there was no mention of it at the hostel.

I've been in many HI hostels but this is by far the best. It felt more like a home than an institution. It really encouraged interaction between the guests (but allowed solitude if desired). Great location near the Cabot Trail, the amazing CB Highlands National Park and Bras d'or Lake. The lady running the hostel was super friendly and helpful. Only minor quibbles are that upstairs, the wifi is weak and the rooms should have a fan. But if I go to Cape Breton again (and I hope to), I will definitely try to stay there again.

Me and my sister are currently at this hostel and it’s way better then we expected. It’s just like a house with communal kitchen, living room (with Netflix for the evening and a computer) and bathroom but also private rooms and private bathrooms for every dorm. The host picked us up at whycocomagh (we paid for the gas) and she proposed to drive us to close towns since we don’t have a car! You can pay one night at a time if you reserve by phone and the view is INCREDIBLE! As a fellow Canadian, best trip I could of had :)