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

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Welcome to Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail

Overview
Rooms
Location
Policies

Exceptional

Popular amenities

Parking available

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Free WiFi

Explore the area

Breton Cove, NS

Cape Smokey Provincial Park
16 min drive
Ski Cape Smokey
23 min drive
Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal
71 min drive
Sydney, NS (YQY)
95 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

About this property

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

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Parking available

Similar properties

Ocean view

Kitchen

Parking available

Toys/games

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Access to barn, attic and cellar not permitted.

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

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Skir Dhu

Located in Skir Dhu, this farm stay is in a rural area and by the sea. Great Bras d'Or Range Rear Lighthouse and Munroe Point Lighthouse are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Cape Smokey Provincial Park. Discover the area's water adventures with water tubing and windsurfing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking/biking trails.

Breton Cove, NS

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

Frequently asked questions

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

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

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

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

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

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island located?

Located by the sea, this family-friendly farm stay is 10.2 mi (16.5 km) from Cape Smokey Provincial Park and 11.7 mi (18.8 km) from Saint Anns Bay. North River Provincial Park and Ski Cape Smokey are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

shawn s., Ontario, Canada

22 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

18 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

17 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

9 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

5 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

8/10 Good

Pierre J.

30 Aug 2023

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cabot trail home

Nice old historic house. Very quiet location. Relaxing setting. Very friendly host makes you feel welcome.

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gunnar H.

9 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Urgemütliches Haus mit Seele

Wir durften zu fünft eine Woche in „Maggies“ Zeit verbringen. Das Haus war für uns soviel mehr als eine Unterkunft. Schon am Tag der Ankunft wurde uns die Geschichte des Hauses erzählt und gleichzeitig das Haus zum Wohlfühlen und vollständigen Nutzung übergeben, egal ob Kamin, Aussenbereich oder das alte Grammophon. Maggies ist ein Haus mit Seele, es ist alt, es macht leise Geräusche und alles ist liebevoll eingerichtet. Es ist ein Haus, mit all den zum Alter dazugehörigen Eigenschaften, perfekt zum Entschleunigen und genießen, und es passt für uns genau in die herrlichen Landschaft des Cape Bretons. Uli als Gastgeber war immer eine Hilfe und hat uns mit seinen Tipps geholfen die Tage bestens zu nutzen. Vielen herzlichen Dank für alles! Keiner von uns wird diese Zeit vergessen.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne U.

9 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

24 May 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

17 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

14 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

16 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

27 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

10/10 Excellent

Rachel T.

17 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Belle maison ancienne très bien située

Nous avons été charmé par l’accueil de Uli et de sa jolie maison bien entretenue au fil des années, située dans un endroit très reposant. À quelques minutes de voiture d’une magnifique plage, la famille en a profité pour se reposer et aller à la pêche! Aussi l’emplacement était parfaitement situé pour aller visiter La Forteresse de Louisbourg (2h environ), le Parc National du Cap Breton (45 min.) ainsi que les boutiques d’artisans locaux à proximité . Nous avons même eu la chance de savourer les meilleurs homards de la région grâce aux bons conseils de Uli. Les quatre journées passées à Maggie’s place ont passé très rapidement. Notre voyage en Nouvelle Ecosse n’aurait pas été complet sans arrêter dans un endroit si accueillant et reposant pour toute la famille!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

jan k.

16 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Suzanne L.

24 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Très beau séjour!

Très belle maison ancestrale rénovée avec goût. Situation idéale pour visiter l’île du Cap Breton! Merci Uli pour l’accueil!

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gerri L.

9 Nov 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

perfection

beautiful

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Wendy J.

4 Nov 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

26 Oct 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

13 Oct 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

3 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

29 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

29 Oct 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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.

12 Oct 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

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.

25 Sept 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A very positive experience.

Everything was as described. A lovely stay in this pretty house in the woods!

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019

About the host

Hosted by Uli or Cathy Nikolai

The owners, Uli and Cathy Nikolai, are retired from many years of working in international schools. They live 1 km away and are happy to tell you about hiking trails and other great places to visit along the Cabot Trail if you request their assistance.

Why they chose this property

Staying at Maggie's is more than the usual holiday experience. To quote one of our reviews, "It was like we had stepped back in time and we had this beautiful historic house all to ourselves. This is a home where you can feel not like a tourist but like a local for a while - you feel like you belong."

What makes this property unique

Skir Dhu is in the heart of the what has been described as the "best maintained lobster grounds on the Atlantic". In season and with prior notice you can purchase lobsters and crab from the nearby harbour and government wharf at Little River - 5 minute drive from Maggie's. If you are adventurous, we can help arrange for you to accompany a crew on their very early morning fishing rounds.