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

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Welcome to Maggie's Place on the Cabot Trail
Private kitchen
Room
Private kitchen
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
$155
avg per night

Explore the area

Map
Skir Dhu, NS
  • Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal
  • Cape Smokey Provincial Park
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Ski Cape Smokey
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Sydney, NS (YQY)
    ‪99 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

unit_3187884

  • 1400 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 3 Double Beds and 1 Queen Bed
Price is $155 avg per night,

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About the neighborhood

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 hunting and hiking/biking trails.

What's nearby

  • Cape Smokey Provincial Park - 16 min drive - 17.3 km
  • Ski Cape Smokey - 24 min drive - 27.3 km
  • Cape Breton Highlands National Park - 30 min drive - 33.1 km
  • Acadian Trail - 31 min drive - 33.4 km
  • Highlands Links - 35 min drive - 36.0 km

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
Premier Host

Languages

English, German

Amenities

Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Parking available
Laundry

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
Property Registration Number STR2425A5112

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

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?

Check-out 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. Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Acadian Trail are also within 20 mi (32 km).

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

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
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

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

tony p.

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

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Jessica M., Nova Scotia

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.

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

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne U.

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

Brian A.

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

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

Jim H.

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

Ashlee J.

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

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine F.

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa M.

Peaceful woods, great base for exploring Cabot Trail

Thank you Uli & Cathy for a wonderful week at Maggie's cottage! We loved the antique feel of the place, but with all the amenities in the kitchen, comfortable beds, and a nice living room and den space to gather in. We loved sitting out on the deck in the morning with tea and coffee and hearing the wind in the aspen and birch leaves and seeing the little brown bunny hop out onto the lawn, picking wild raspberries down the lane, and looking at the stars at night. It was a good base for exploring the Cabot Trail, Baddeck & Ingonish beach during the days. We felt royally welcomed with Cathy's rhubarb pie and all of Uli's advice and stories.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L., Where do you live?

Maggie's farm is a wonderful, warm old place with lots of charm and character.

Maggie's was a perfect place from which to explore the Cape Breton Trail and Fortress Louisburg. We loved coming home to Maggie's, which was the best of both worlds -- old and modern. We wanted for nothing in terms of modern conveniences, yet felt we were living in a house that spoke of yesteryear. We very much wanted lobster at home but weren't sure where to acquire it. Our host very kindly offered to be our broker, getting them straight from a lobster fisher at a very good price. They were in the fridge for us when we got home. We only had three days at Maggie's and wished we could have stayed a week -- or more.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Paige W., Cincinnati

Great location, charming in every way!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and our hosts were generous and accommodating. They went out of their way to make our stay at Maggie’s a fabulous experience! We would love to stay there again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Thomas H.

A balm for body and soul.

Nestled deep in the quiet woods on Cape Breton's majestic Cabot Trail, Maggie's is a beautiful, well-equipped, and well-maintained home away from home, where weary travelers will find rest and healing for body and soul. The owners, Uli and Cathy, who live just around a bend in the road, are the most gracious hosts you will ever meet, carefully thinking through every detail to ensure that you feel at home and make the most of your stay in this beautiful part of the world. For hikers, there are miles of pristine trails with ocean views accessible from just behind the house. There are two lovely restaurants nearby and several shops featuring local crafts. Maggie's is ideally located for those who want to explore the Cabot Trail, visit Baddeck, a lovely harbor town on the Bras D'or Lake and home of the Mabel and Alexander Graham Bell Museum, or make the trip to Sydney, a former steel and mining town steeped in history. Maggie's is a very special place that will leave you wanting to return again and again.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

patricia s.

The best value on Cape Breton, the character of an older home with all the modern conveniences.

Uli met us and was very generous with his description of the property and the area. He and Cathy treated us like old friends when we stopped by to drop something off. We were then invited to accompany Uli and his dog for a hike in his enchanted forest complete with rock totems and a waterfall. We so enjoyed the slower way of life and quietness while there. The entire experience was a wonderful find. Looking forward to returning some day.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sue C.

Country Inn Charm

Our family enjoyed our quick stay. House has so much to offer. Well equipped even with lots of Cape Breton information from hikes to restaurants, history and more. Uli was able to guide us to their rocky point across the street and a beautiful beach down the road which we enjoyed walking and seeing the sunrise from both places. Wish we had time to enjoy their beautiful home and sit on the deck or swing in the hammock. Such a relaxing home away from home and more. We were welcomed with a cozy fire when we arrived which Uli was so kind to start on that cold evening. So much available space to use in the house. This is a very special place. We went to Cape Breton to get in a lot of hiking and sight seeing. We found this spot central to all we wanted to do in the park, on the other side in Cheticamp and more. It was a perfect location. We were spoiled staying here!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Justine V.

Truly Charming!!

Maggies was even better than we had hoped. As we pulled into the driveway my girls were so excited that it looked better than the pictures. They loved the idea of staying in a charming farmhouse and it was charming! Uli was waiting for us at the door to welcome us and give us a friendly tour of the home. The home was charming and comfortable. It had everything we needed. Our children range in age from 4 to 17 and they all loved the stay equally. The house is the perfect quiet location right on the Cabot Trail just minutes to a spacious and gorgeous beach that Uli directed us to. Uli and Cathy were excellent in their communication and service. They were caring and generous hosts. We found the house to be a great home base for exploring the Cabot Trail and also heading to other attractions such as the Fortress of Louisbourg. Uli was a wealth of information for things to do and places to see. We are still pining for Cape Breton Island and would definitely return for another stay at Maggies.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pamela S., Nashville

Maggie's is perfect!

Staying at Maggie's was delightful. The property is inviting and cozy, appliances are new & first-rate, and hospitality warm, helpful and friendly. Uli stayed up late to greet us with a cheery fire after our long day of flying and driving! He made sure we had everything we needed, even introducing us to the lobster fisherman who got us fresh lobsters right off the boat. We hope to return soon! Pam & Roland
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Barbara M.

A Step Back in Time

We spent a week in Cape Breton to enjoy Celtic Colours and the changing colours everywhere. Maggie's was the perfect place. We fell in love with its charm and warmth. Uli and Cathy were wonderful hosts and welcomed us with a bowl full of freshly picked apples, a warm and delicious baked apple pie and a crackling fire. All week long, we felt like we had stepped back in time when life was simple. Maggie's felt like home. She protected us when Hurricane Matthew hit the island with winds over 100 km. We couldn't have picked a better place to stay. The only negative thing I could say is the sad feeling we had when it was time to leave her and head back home. We hope we can come "home" to Maggie's again someday.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

kassia p.

Charming and lovely with great hospitality!

We stayed at Maggie's to celebrate our elopement with a few friends. It has been an truly amazing few days. Uli and Cathy were super accommodating, friendly, and generous. The house was so cute, we brought our photographer back to the house to take photos after we eloped in the Highlands National Park. The location is perfect. The beach was a short walk and very beautiful. We wish we had more time to explore the trails behind the house. Guess we'll just have to come back! Thanks Uli and Cathy!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Patricia K.

A magical house at Cape Breton

We spent a magical week at „Maggies“. The house has a little bit of a museum with an old grammophon and lots of historic furniture and photos on the wall, so we felt a bit like „Anne of green gables“ here. Beside of that flair „Maggies“ is also really spacious and well equipped but nevertheless really cosy and comfortable with a wonderful wild garden around it, so our whole family (two parents and four kids) felt kind of at home here. From Skir Dhu it is easy to explore the whole lovely Cape Breton island if you have a car. Shopping is a bit restricted, but one supermarket is not too far away and the are few nice restaurants. It is also very pretty in the direct surrounding of the house, where you can make hikes in the adjacent forests and explore the lovely coastline. Communication with Ulrich and Cathy was always very pleasant and we were treated like friends. So we can really highly recommend this house and would love to come again as soon as possible.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Patricia L.

Well maintained, quiet, and cozy with lots of room

Uli and "Tomo" welcomed us to this cozy cottage after a long day of driving. Cathy had made us a pie (which was delicious). They were the perfect hosts - available when we needed them and anxious for us to make this beautiful home our own. There were many cozy nooks for reading on rainy days, and lots of space to sit outside on sunny days. A retreat at the end of busy days spent hiking, swimming, and whale watching. I only wish we could have stayed longer.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kelly K.

A cunning cottage we could share…

We spent a few days at Maggie’s this summer and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house is set away from the road, so the place is very peaceful. At the same time, it is right on the Cabot Trail and thus easy to find you way around. Cathy and Uli are thoughtful and genuine, and we hope to see them again soon!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Norma S.

A home away from home.

Maggies is much cosier than shown in the photos. The furnishings are very comfortable and the added 'decorations' so tastefully placed. Uli and Cathy are the perfect hosts. We enjoyed concerts at the Celtic Colours and of course the food. We would highly recommend Maggies to anyone and everyone. Unfortunately the piano didn't functIon properly - my husband is an organist/pianist. Recommended for more than 2 people. Thanks to Uli and Cathy for everything. Norma