Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island

your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island

Property grounds
Beach
Exterior
Outdoor dining
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Breton Cove, NS
  • Ski Cape Smokey
    23 min drive
  • Cape Breton Highlands National Park
    28 min drive
  • Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal
    71 min drive
  • Sydney, NS (YQY)
    95 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Skir Dhu

A family-friendly stay in Skir Dhu awaits you at this farm stay. You'll be 16.5 km (10.2 mi) from Cape Smokey Provincial Park and 18.8 km (11.7 mi) from Saint Anns Bay. Highlights at this farm house include a kitchen, a washing machine and free WiFi. .This smoke-free farm house offers a garden and barbecues. .In proximity to this Skir Dhu farm house you'll find Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal.

What's nearby

  • Cape Smokey Provincial Park - 16 min drive
  • Ski Cape Smokey - 23 min drive
  • Cape Breton Highlands National Park - 28 min drive
  • Highlands Links - 31 min drive
  • Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal - 71 min drive

Getting around

  • Sydney, NS (YQY) - 95 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Clucking Hen Cafe - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Dancing Moose Cafe Inc - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Mermaid Seeker Restaurant - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Cal's Resturant & Grill - ‬15 min walk

About this property

Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island

Maggie's is a charming century-old 3-bedroom farmhouse on the Cabot Trail. It is located in Skir Dhu near Wreck Cove on the Atlantic Ocean side of Cape Breton Island. It includes numerous hiking trails, streams and two large ponds yet is close to numerous craft shops, restaurants and beaches. It is ideally located on the Cabot Trail between the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in the town of Baddeck.

Much like Maggie's, the community around it is very unique and it makes a great home-base while you visit the neighboring artisans (glass blowing, iron art, leather etc) or hike in the Highlands National Park. The house itself is built on a secluded knoll surrounded by mature silver Birch and sugar Maples. Maggie's has been carefully restored so as to keep its original charm yet is equipped with modern appliances, a fully equipped modern kitchen and high-speed Wifi. Walking trails on the property lead to two large pond, (Smith's Ponds) numerous streams and waterfall. There are many private and public beaches nearby. Kayaking, cafe's, a general store numerous artisan shops and an archery range are all nearby.

This part of Cape Breton was settled by Scottish homesteaders between 150 and 200 years ago. The son of the original settler, Angus Smith, built the house from wood cut, milled and planed by hand for his bride Maggie. Since she outlived her husband by many years the property became know as 'Maggie's Place'. We are proud to continue the tradition.

Guests will have the use of the entire house, including WIFI, modern appliances and cookware, dishes, linens and towels. Enjoy full use of the yard and trails on the property. There is a gas station nearby. Closest towns are Ingonish and Baddeck.

Property manager

Uli or Cathy Nikolai

Languages

English, German

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Internet access

Things to do

  • Books
  • Games
  • Golf
  • Music library
  • Playground
  • Video library

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dining table
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Separate dining area
  • Spices
  • Toaster

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Living room
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock in all accommodation.

Property Registration Number RYA-2023-24-03011411568545702-43436

Frequently asked questions

Are there any beaches close to Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island?

The closest beach to Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island is Black Brook Beach (34.2 km).

Does Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island have a pool?

No, this farm stay doesn't have a pool.

Is Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as a playground, a BBQ and highchairs, it's no surprise that Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island is a winner with our family travellers.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island?

No, Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island?

No, pets are not allowed.

Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 59 out of 63 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 63 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 63 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 63 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 63 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

tony p.

Liked: Cleanliness
Back in time
Well preserved old farm house with everything you need. Perfect location to see the fall foliage and it didn't disappoint. We were there during the Celtic Colours Festival and got to see the Nova Scotia culture first hand. nova
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pace B.

Liked: Cleanliness
A beautiful stay
Uli is an amazing man, a historian, and we connected quickly, He has travelled the world and we were able to talk history and enjoyed his great demeanor and his dog! I heated the place with firewood, and loved the wifi! I cannot wait to go back to this wonderful place with the victrola and beautiful fireplace Pace
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

shawn s., Ontario, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness
Our stay at Maggie’s Place
Beautiful old farm house with great character, brings back memories of some of the older homes growing up I visited. Hope to return again soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Monica F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay at Maggie's
Maggie's Place is a quaint, cozy and a delightful place to stay. It's well equipped and the beds were very comfortable. It's situated on a lovely property with a perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee. We would not hesitate to recommend Maggie's to others. And, look forward our next visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect cottage for family
When we arrived, 10:00pm, we met Uli (owner) and he had a fire already started in the wood stove. After a short chat and a walk around the cottage to show us how everything worked, Uli left us to go to bed after a days long drive to get to Cape Breton. The next morning, Uli delivered more firewood that lasted the duration of our stay. The cottage had everything that we needed. Beautiful morning sunrises.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica M., Nova Scotia

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful home
Wonderful home that is cozy and welcoming. Close to all amenities such as shopping, gas station, and trails. Perfect for families!! The hosts were attentive and provided a wealth of information about local attractions. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming
We loved everything about Maggie's! The farmhouse was so cozy, warm and inviting with the old charm feel and supplied with everything needed. Uli's greeting made us feel right at home the moment we walked to the door. This was our first trip east and Uli had great tips for exploring and directions. Hurricane Lee put a damper on the hike to the waterfall but Uli was wonderful and took us on a hike along the waters edge that was simply amazing. Could not have asked for anything more! Thank You
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne U.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enchanted cottage
We spent four nights at Maggie's Place, and it was just a dream. The host was gracious, and has preserved the historical integrity of the cottage. It had been his family's summer home. We went to a local dock and picked up lobsters from his niece, a lobster trapper. We warmed ourselves by the woodstove in the kitchen and listened to the Victrola! No hotel will ever be able to match the experience we enjoyed at this little home, nestled in the white birches on the Cabot Trail.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great pleasant spot.
We loved it more and more each day we were there.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Maggie's Place post hurricane Fiona
Beautiful cottage in woods directly on Cabot Trail. Lovely antique filled 2 story residence with everything necessary for a relaxing stay. My one problem was that the description did not mention that the only heat comes from a wood burning kitchen stove. We stayed in the week directly after Fiona struck the Maritimes and were on PEI during the actual event, so Nova Scotia seemed much better to us, but the temperstures plummeted as we drove north in Nova Scotia and we were very cold the last 2 days. Ulli is a wonderful host and very congenial, caring and helpful. He had a great fire going when we arrived in the evening and it is not his fault that we could not get the large pieces of wood to burn. It was damp and would burn for a short while then go out. There were plenty of blankets and quilts but it was cold in the bedrooms and the bathrooms were icy. He provided electric heaters and if we had stayed longer than the 4 days, we would have used them. I spent a ton of time trying to get the fire to go at night and during the night to no avail, except once. My only negative is that I would have like to have known about the stove in advance. I would have been more prepared. AS it was, I used every piece of kindling, paper bags, carboard and most of my magazines to try to start the fire and get the logs to actually burn more than 10 minutes! That part was not fun but my daughter is autistic and cold, so I persevered. We ll had a very good time in a very unique place and beautiful place, so that is the important part. It was clean, well stocked with dishes and linens and full of history with a fabulous bookshelf. The trails were pretty covered from the hurricane that had just swept through but nothing compared to the destruction on PEI, so we thought it was great. The Cabot trail was clear and despite the National Park site saying everything was closed, we found the visitor center open and many trails were passable, plus we could hike directly up the highway 50 feet from our door to some beautiful sites. I would love to go back when it is not 3o degrees F and really explore the area more closely. I highly recommend this cottage to anyone interested in getting off the tourist carousel and really enjoying nature and sublime beauty.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brenda R., Oklahoma

Liked: Cleanliness
Unusual experience.....
My plans took an unexpected turn....we had a sudden death in the family of a beautiful 20 year old niece....so I immediately headed home to the States. I contacted my wonderful hosts who couldn't have been more understanding. So I didn't make it to Skir Dhu...and I didn't see the property....but I can tell you that my communications with my hosts started immediately after my booking....they welcomed me prior to arrival....and offered to help me get familiar with the area...and when I told them I had to head home unexpectedly, they were most gracious and kind....and isn't that what really counts? Kindness....and these two are ten stars....A most sincere thank you to you both from me and my family...
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andraea S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay!!!!
Beautiful, homey location! Well cared for and well loved property with incredible amenities for entertainment and food! It was hot upstairs as the outside temp was high but it cooled down overnight with fans. Will not forget the stay and our hospitable host.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maura M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A charming and authentic Cape Breton cottage home
Maggie’s place is a quirky historic wooden house, having been hand built 120 years ago. It is also very comfortable and well-equipped. We had everything we needed for our three night stay in Cape Breton, and very much enjoyed the local area with kayaking, whale watching and beaches in easy driving distance. A great place for a family break.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

jan k.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place- lots of room for 6 adults.
Great place- very clean and everything you need for preparing meals.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gerri L.

Liked: Cleanliness
perfection
beautiful
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Wendy J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Take a step back in time
We arrived to this lovely original Cape Breton homestead and were swept back in time. The countryside is surrounded in beauty and the hospitality shown to us made us feel peaceful and welcome. Uli and his wife made a delicious apple pie made with the local apples from the area. Such a surprise and so delicious. We fell in love with all that this place had to offer and wish we could have stayed longer. Thank you so much for such a wonderful visit! This was not just a place to stay, it was an experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan T.

Liked: Cleanliness
True Cape Breton Hospitality
Our hosts were amazing and responsive from the initial contact, throughout our stay, to our reluctant leaving. Maggie's Place exceeded our expectations in every way. A cozy century farmhouse with a rich local history, Maggie's has been lovingly restored. It retains all its charm while also offering modern conveniences. The kitchen is well equipped for preparing full meals. Our hosts offered many very helpful suggestions to enhance our exploration of the Island. We spent a very comfortable week and look forward to returning. You couldn't ask for better.

10/10 Excellent

Jim H.

Liked: Cleanliness
A truely wonderfull home to stay on your holidays
a very beautiful piece of property set in among white birches just far enough off the road . we loved or stay
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alison M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful Getaway
We used this for a 4 night vacation. Great location, only 15 mintues from Ingonish and 1h 15minutes from Sydney. Quaint house showing original features and charm. Well maintained and very well outfitted. Uli and Cathy were great hosts. We will gladly return here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Cape Breton Home Retreat
The location of Maggie’s Place was perfect for our adventures in the area and it was a most delightful spot to stay with all the comfort, amenities and coziness of home. Uli warmly welcomed us and introduced us to this most charming old Cape Breton farmhouse. We would love to stay here again and longer when we return to Cape Breton.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ashlee J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Fall Staycation to Maggie’s Place
I can’t say enough good things about this property, this location and especially about the amazing hospitality shown to us by the home owner. Uli went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed our stay. This unique and authentic century farm house is nestled at the bottom of a beautiful mountain that has a wonderful series of hiking trails, one of which that goes all the way to the top where you can perch over a highland lake and scan the tree line for moose! Uli was very helpful in making sure that we were well informed and able to find our way to the top. He was also very kind to keep our fire going while we were driving around the Cabot trail so that we could return to a toasty warm house. The house itself has everything you could ever need, many beds and comfortable sofas. The kitchen was well stocked with all the items you would need for cooking meals, we didn’t want for anything. Lots of hot water and also a cooler of spring water if you prefer to use that instead. This property is perfectly and conveniently located on the world famous Cabot trail and gives you easy access to all sorts of amazing sites to see, mountains to climb and waterfalls to be astonished by. We will definitely be coming back to stay at Maggie’s Place and hike the spinnagan trail in the summer when we can take a dip in the highland lake!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

8/10 Good

Karen R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy home
We enjoyed being at Maggie's....loved the wood heat, which we have at our home. Everything you need for a stay, provided. Hope to come back again
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kimberley O.

Liked: Cleanliness
A very positive experience.
Everything was as described. A lovely stay in this pretty house in the woods!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect place to enjoy Cape Breton
Maggie's is a well-preserved old farmhouse that has been lovingly maintained. It's full of antique furniture but has all the modern conveniences one might need (good wifi!), as well as books to read and movies to watch on a rainy day. And for those chilly evenings, a wood stove in the kitchen. Although right on the Cabot Trail it is set back from the road amid lawn, garden and woods. It's in a perfect location to explore all parts of Cape Breton on day trips. Uli and Cathy are the consummate hosts, attentive and full of suggestions for local hiking, swimming and eating, not to mention an incredible strawberry rhubarb pie from Cathy, and fresh flowers in each room! Thanks to Uli's recommendation, we so enjoyed the Little River wharf and beach just down the road - fishing boats, a beautiful long beach on one side of the wharf and a great sandy swimming beach on the other side. We highly recommend Maggie's as a base for exploring Cape Breton. It's a magic home away from home with superb hosts. Thanks for sharing it with us. James and Lorraine, Toronto Island
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Derek G.

Wonderful Stay
Great host and a wonderful property. We enjoyed our stay and loved the property. Great location.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019