Normaway Inn

My family and I visited Nova Scotia for an end of summer family vacation. We stayed at the Normaway Inn in one of their cabins, staying here was like a dream. The room was very cozy and rustic, we made a fire at night because it was chilly and that added to the coziness (there was pre-cut wood for us to use and everything). I loved going out and sitting on the front porch swing and drinking my coffee in the morning. The view was absolutely amazing from our cabin, we got to see the mountains with all the beautiful fall colors, the Highland cows grazing, and Eeyore, the farm donkey who they call the Walmart greeter because he will walk right up to you and hang out with you. They also have dinner in the main clubhouse and live music, for a small fee, in the red barn. The woman at the front desk was the absolute sweetest, she was very accommodating, professional, and we were met with a warm welcome. Upon leaving, we had a wonderful conversation, and she very sweetly welcomed us back anytime. I would 10 out of 10 recommend this place for a personal getaway or family vacation.

I took a solo trip to Margaree in October 2025 and stayed at the Normaway Inn for seven days, and it exceeded all my expectations. The best way I can describe it is that it felt like coming home to a place I’d never been before.||The Inn is tucked away on this beautiful, peaceful property in Margaree. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the kindest people. The vibe of the place is super warm and welcoming. My room was spacious and cozy. I had some of the best sleep I’ve had in a long time.||The food at the Inn was great too, especially the haddock, it was definitely a highlight of my meals there. ||Most nights they had live local music either in the cozy living room or out at the barn, which made the evenings feel really special.||One of my favorite parts of the stay was visiting the farm animals every day. There are horses, cows, and the cutest little donkey on the property. I couldn’t get enough of them.||What really made the trip unforgettable was the people. Everyone at the Inn went out of their way to make sure I felt welcome, especially Dave, the owner. He went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and gave me tons of great recommendations for places to check out around Cape Breton, stuff I definitely wouldn’t have found on my own.||This trip was hands down the highlight of my year. I’m already planning to make it a yearly tradition.

What an unreal spot. I came to stay here for a work trip that ended up feeling like the perfect getaway in the most perfect place. The cottages were cozy, clean and full of a charm with a bed comfier than my own. The grounds are absolutely stunning with the horses and highland cows making this even more of a welcoming spot. The property is large with a great deal of exploring to be done that my dog very much enjoyed. Along with all of that there is a stunning view of the mountains all around. As if that isn't enough the staff here go above and beyond and truly embody what Nova scotian hospitality is. They were truly wonderful, as is this place. I will most definitely be back , work trip or not this spot is amazing and coming back here everyday made it feel like a vacation

3.5 Stars. Very friendly staff. There are no complaints about the customer service or the outside which is very charming. You can tell it’s a family operation which is nice to see. However, considering that it is still advertised as “fine food and lodging” rather than a quaint cottage retreat, I expected more attention to detail in cleaning and maintenance. I have worked in the hotel industry and am aware of which things can be easily taken care of with an extra 5-10 minutes. For example, we found some cereals on the floor in the room, only one face cloth was provided, the sheets were the wrong size for the bed, there were cobwebs in corners, peeling wallpapers, and the shower did not drain well. On the positive side, the room had very cute decor and original furniture, you can see history in the common areas, and the room was relatively clean overall. We also found that while the dinner was good, there was nothing exceptional about it to set it apart from good home cooking to fine dining, considering the prices are closer to fine dining. If the owners did a little more maintenance on things that are cheaper to fix and made sure to take care of cobwebs and vacuum etc, this could be easily changed to 4 or 5 stars. Would still recommend if you are looking for a cute cottage style experience with great customer service and a beautiful setting, but don’t expect “fine” or luxury.

This is a most wonderful place to stay. The people are welcoming, the location is quiet, the accommodations are very clean. The music offered in the barn and in the living room is top quality and very fun. We also ate dinner there and it was very good. There is coffee every morning. The pictures on their website are accurate.

We were welcomed with great courtesy and friendliness. The father, who has earned considerable respect, spoke to us on the phone. Meanwhile, the son takes care of the practical implementation of most of the work. There was some confusion about the two locations that are operated. Eventually, we arrived at the right location (Egypt Road) and enjoyed dinner and some entertaining anecdotes from the father. In addition to hotel rooms, cabins are also available for rent. We were able to spend the night here. We had breakfast elsewhere along the Cabot Trail.

This place was the highlight of our Eastcost trip. If you are escaping a busy city life then you need to stay here. Staff was excellent. The ambiance was incredible. The most authentic Nova Scotia inn we have stayed at. From highland cows and horses, to the cuddly Inn donkey roaming around the premises, this place has been nothing but breathtaking. There was incredible live music in the common room and we got to sing in Gaelic which was honestly a magical experience. We will be back!

A lovely friendly picturesque inn. We stayed this time while we attended the Celtic Colours music festival; we were steeped in the colours of the forest. Cape Breton is a special place, Staying at the Normaway made it more so.