The Normaway Inn

The mountain views and all that space to wander made this place feel like a real escape. My dog loved exploring the grounds, and seeing the horses and Highland cows made it even more welcoming. I was here for work, but coming back each day felt like a vacation, and I’ll definitely return, work trip or not. The cottages were clean and cozy, with loads of charm and a bed comfier than mine at home. The staff were wonderful and went above and beyond. They really showed the warmth of Nova Scotian hospitality.

Cape Breton is a special place, and staying at the Normaway made it feel even more so. We were there for the Celtic Colours music festival and felt surrounded by the colours of the forest. The inn is lovely, friendly, and picturesque.

The mornings on the front porch swing with a coffee were a favorite part of our family’s end of summer trip to Nova Scotia. From our cabin, we could see the mountains in fall colors, Highland cows grazing, and Eeyore, the farm donkey they call the Walmart greeter because he’d come right up to us and hang out. The cabin felt like a dream, cozy and rustic, and we made a fire on chilly nights. Pre-cut wood was provided, too. There’s dinner in the main clubhouse and live music in the red barn for a small fee. The woman at the front desk gave us a warm welcome and was sweet, professional, and accommodating. We had a lovely chat when we left, and she welcomed us back anytime. I’d recommend this place 10 out of 10 for a family vacation or a personal getaway.

3.5 stars. The place has a lovely setting, cute decor, original furniture, and you can see its history in the common areas. The staff were very friendly, and the customer service was great. It’s clearly a family operation, which was nice to see. The room was relatively clean overall, and dinner was good, though it didn’t stand out as anything beyond good home cooking. At prices closer to fine dining, I expected more from the meal. Since it’s still advertised as “fine food and lodging” rather than a quaint cottage retreat, I expected more attention to cleaning and maintenance. There was cereal on the floor, only one face cloth, sheets that didn’t fit the bed, cobwebs in corners, peeling wallpaper, and a shower that didn’t drain well. I’ve worked in hotels and know some things could be handled with an extra 5-10 minutes. More upkeep on the cheaper fixes, plus a proper vacuuming and cobweb cleanup, could easily bring this to 4 or 5 stars. I’d still recommend it for a cute cottage style stay, great service, and beautiful surroundings, as long as you’re not expecting fine dining or luxury.