Oceanstone Seaside Resort

The pools, sauna, and steam room were lovely and clean, but the spa was too crowded for a smaller place. We had to wait to use everything, so the day didn’t feel relaxing. And Oceanstone, those robes were shameful, more like rags and literally falling apart. Some guests didn’t even have belts. Please do better.

We stayed one night in the Captains house, and I’m thankful it wasn’t longer. I’ve stayed in many places, and this was probably my least favourite. There wasn’t a dining table, and the house felt sparsely furnished for its size and the number of guests it sleeps. Two small, low-quality love seats weren’t enough. We felt crammed together, with no spare chair to bring into the room. The bed shown in the photo was terribly lumpy and uncomfortable. From the ground floor, you could see the floor joists above, covered in so much dust and dirt that it was hard not to stare at them from the living room. At the spa, one pool was out of order, leaving only one of the two warm pools available. The other was a cold plunge. The dry sauna was great, but the wet sauna smelled like cat pee. There wasn’t much else to do, honestly. If I hadn’t been with friends, I would have left, and I met another woman who did leave early because she wasn’t enjoying it. The saunas and one warm pool were always packed. Halfway through our three-hour slot, our robes were soaked through, cold, and heavy, with no spare robes or extra towels. We went for the included breakfast an hour before closing, but there was barely any food left. The choices were pretty rough: some toast, small boxed cereals, two slices of pineapple, eggs, bacon, and yogurt. Waffles and eggs were available to order, but some of us never got what we asked for. The servers were very forgetful. I don’t think I’ll return.

The Captains house worked well for five of us during our three-night stay, and the huge deck was a great place to eat and relax while taking in spectacular views. We were there at the end of September for our daughter’s wedding and hosted a couple of small gatherings at the house. The wedding meal was delicious, and everyone we heard from among our friends and family enjoyed the trip too. Every staff member was friendly, helpful, and quick to respond. I’m not naming anyone because I’d inevitably leave someone out. Those who went to the spa after the wedding had a great time as well. We loved the whole wedding visit and would highly recommend Oceanstone for an important event.

We had two snowy nights by the ocean, enjoying the wood fireplace, and it was a really relaxing getaway. The staff are wonderful, and Halifax is very close. Oceanstone is one of our favourite places to stay. A cottage is a great price, especially with the hydrothermal circuit and breakfast included.