The Hostelz.com Review
Bear on the Lake Guesthouse hostel just opened two years ago, overlooking the Whycocomagh Bay. It´s been renovated with an eye for details and now sleeps in about twenty people but is only open from May to October.
The Location
The hostel is situated about five kilometers north of Whycocomagh and thirty kilometers south of Baddeck, where the Bell family used to spend their summer vacation (there is a now museum which shows and explains the life and the inventions of Alexander Graham Bell). Nestled on a hill and overlooking the bay, the hostel is a very good place to relax. Shops, bars, and restaurants are in Whycocomagh. The Greyhound/Acadien bus arrives in Whycocomagh/Baddeck each day, but Salty Bear Adventure Travel picks up people from Halifax every Wednesday and Saturday. There is a beach within walking distance to the hostel and Whycocomagh Provincial Park is three kilometers away -- you can go for a picnic or for a hike and enjoy the spectacular views of the bay.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are nice decorated, huge, and come with free sheets and linen. The rooms, the kitchen, and the bathrooms are all very clean and tidy. There is no lock for the rooms but a locking front door, but we didn´t feel that our belongings were unsafe.
Common Spaces
There is a really nice and comfy common area with a couches, chairs, and tables. There is TV but since there are so many games and a bookshelf you will not miss it. The kitchen is very well equipped -- so if you want to cook or to bake you will find everything and you can use all ingredients in the kitchen. The computer and the wireless are for free. In front of the house there is a huge veranda with a BBQ, hammocks, and couches to relax. There is plenty of space to park your car just outside the hostel and at night you can watch the stars while you warm yourself at a crackling bonfire.
Summary
This hostel is definitely a place to get stuck. While taking it easy, you could spend weeks in this homey atmosphere. Explore the area around or use it as starting point for the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
It is a very clean and tidy, and with music at the bonfire you will try to extend your stay as long as possible.
The Location
The hostel is situated about five kilometers north of Whycocomagh and thirty kilometers south of Baddeck, where the Bell family used to spend their summer vacation (there is a now museum which shows and explains the life and the inventions of Alexander Graham Bell). Nestled on a hill and overlooking the bay, the hostel is a very good place to relax. Shops, bars, and restaurants are in Whycocomagh. The Greyhound/Acadien bus arrives in Whycocomagh/Baddeck each day, but Salty Bear Adventure Travel picks up people from Halifax every Wednesday and Saturday. There is a beach within walking distance to the hostel and Whycocomagh Provincial Park is three kilometers away -- you can go for a picnic or for a hike and enjoy the spectacular views of the bay.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are nice decorated, huge, and come with free sheets and linen. The rooms, the kitchen, and the bathrooms are all very clean and tidy. There is no lock for the rooms but a locking front door, but we didn´t feel that our belongings were unsafe.
Common Spaces
There is a really nice and comfy common area with a couches, chairs, and tables. There is TV but since there are so many games and a bookshelf you will not miss it. The kitchen is very well equipped -- so if you want to cook or to bake you will find everything and you can use all ingredients in the kitchen. The computer and the wireless are for free. In front of the house there is a huge veranda with a BBQ, hammocks, and couches to relax. There is plenty of space to park your car just outside the hostel and at night you can watch the stars while you warm yourself at a crackling bonfire.
Summary
This hostel is definitely a place to get stuck. While taking it easy, you could spend weeks in this homey atmosphere. Explore the area around or use it as starting point for the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
It is a very clean and tidy, and with music at the bonfire you will try to extend your stay as long as possible.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
June 2009
Their Description
HI - Cape Breton Island- Bear on the Lake Guesthouse Details
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HI - Cape Breton Island- Bear on the Lake Guesthouse Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
The place is very clean, KAT is super nice the shower again too small, but super clean. we were not lucky that night b/c a group of loud university students were visiting as well, those kids are just rude, have no consideration to other people. but the location is great, KAT is great and it is very clean have all the stuff u need in the kitchen. — Daisy , USA (2009-10-08) Home away from home! Great place to stay In all the years I have been traveling thus far, this hostel is really one of the best I have ever stayed in. It is not as most hostels functional, it is really home away from home. The house is very clean, the bathrooms are beautiful, the living room is like you are visiting a friend. I stayed two nights when the owners were there, Carman and Mel and one night when the manager Kat was there and they really made you feel at home. Besides that the location is really great, up an hill with an amazing view over the lake. It is still a ninety-minute drive to the Cape Breton Highlands national park, but the Cabot trial is just beautiful to drive and the hostel was so nice that is was not a problem. It would recommend this place to everyone. — Carola , Netherlands (2009-08-15) A great place to stay We stayed at this hostel for three nights and the manager (Kat) was just awesome! The hostel was spotlessly clean, nice location, and very comfortable. Kat did everything to make you and all the other guests feel at home (fresh flowers in your room!) and cooked up a great turkey dinner for Thanksgiving.
This was a wonderful experience! — Andrea & P. , German (2008-11-04)