Hotels

Cheticamp

A handful of motels service the thousands of travelers who pass through each summer. Laurie's Motor Inn, on Main Street (tel. 800/959-4253 or 902/224-2400), has more than 50 motel rooms and newer suites in a string of buildings situated right in town; rates run from C$99 to C$299 per night (mostly toward the lower end of that range). The inn also manages some nice rental homes and apartments around town for longer stays; inquire if you're interested in something bigger or need cooking facilities.

Ingonish

A number of serviceable cottage courts and motels are located in the area. (If you're booking by phone, be sure to find out which Ingonish you're staying in; the town names in this area all sound the same, which could create confusion.)

In addition to the choices listed inthis guide, Glenghorm Beach Resort in Ingonish (tel. 800/565-5660 or 902/285-2049) has about 75 units on a spacious 8-hectare (20-acre) property that fronts a sandy beach. Calling it a resort is a little bit of a stretch. Some rooms feature painted cinderblock walls and decor that's plain and a bit dated, though others feel a bit fresher and nicer. The expensive two-bedroom deluxe suite on the second floor is quite nice, though, featuring Jacuzzi tubs, kitchen units, and fireplaces. (Other suites are in a building out back, and aren't as nice.) Options include motel rooms and efficiencies, along with cottages and some elaborate suites. Prices are C$95 to C$129 for the motel rooms, C$115 to C$189 for the cottages, and C$195 to C$399 for one- and two-bedroom suites.

Baddeck

There are lots of choices in and around Baddeck, but none really jumps out head-and-shoulders above the rest. If the places below are booked, you could just as easily try Auberge Gisele's Inn, 387 Shore Rd. (tel. 800/304-0466 or 902/295-2849), a nicely modern 75-room hotel that's open May to late October and popular with bus tours; regular rooms cost C$115 to C$150, upgraded rooms and suites run from C$140 up as high as C$300 (with fireplace and Jacuzzi). There's also the cost-effective Cabot Trail Motel (tel. 902/295-2580) on Route 105 about a mile west of Baddeck, with 38 motel units and four chalets overlooking the lake, a nice little heated outdoor pool, and private saltwater beach. Its rates run from C$95 to C$125 per night.