From the Village of St. Peter’s, Nova Scotia, Bras d’Or Lakes Inn’s General Manager, Wendy Abbott shares about the current transformation of this iconic cedar log Inn and an onsite restaurant that offers fantastic cuisine, that is prepared with fresh, locally sourced seafood and top quality products from the land with a spectacular view of the world-famous in-land sea and historic swing bridge and man-made canal that connects it with the Atlantic Ocean that will have you planning your next visit before you are finished your first!
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Blair Martell and Albert Sampson want to ensure that St. Peter’s isn’t just a small town you pass through on the way to bigger attractions. Born and raised in the town, they took over ownership of the Bras D’Or Lakes Inn in 2018 with a focus on making this iconic Inn and the Village of St. Peter’s a destination worth stopping for and staying awhile to explore.
Wendy Abbott, like Blair and Albert, grew up locally. She moved away for a while but returned after five years, after an immense loss. Wendy spent twenty years working as a server, which honed her customer service skills and eventually led to her role as a general manager. You’d have to take her kicking and screaming to get her to leave St. Peter’s again. Being the manager of the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn doesn’t leave Wendy with much spare time, but outside of work she is a singer/songwriter and enjoys spending time in nature with her partner Tim and with her son and his family. As a very proud grandmother, Wendy speaks fondly of her two amazing grandchildren.
The Bras d’Or Lakes Inn was built in 1982 and maintains a rustic look with some modern touches. Visitors are delighted to find that the original logs are still visible in the interior. They also love that there’s an onsite restaurant that offers fantastic cuisine, a well-appointed gym, and laundry facilities for guests. The former basement lounge has since been converted into a professional center to serve both visitors and residents. There is a hairdresser, massage therapist, and physiotherapist in the building. All services are bookable by Inn guests. If you are looking for space in the area, Wendy wanted to make sure we knew that they also have a professional massage therapy office that is currently available to rent.
The Inn has 19 newly renovated rooms, as well as a cabin called the Lockmaster’s Quarters. The rooms are available with either a single king or two double beds. Rooms include amenities such as a fridge and microwave, coffee maker with coffee and tea, wireless internet, a wall-mounted TV with cable, electric fireplace and air conditioning, daily fresh towels, and more. For those who prefer a cabin to a hotel room, there is the Lockmaster’s Quarters. This cozy cabin consists of one bedroom, one bathroom, and a living room with a pullout couch, styled with earthy tones. It includes a deck that looks over the Bras d’Or Lakes, allowing guests to watch passing boats, local wildlife, and incredible sunsets. The highlight, however, is the cabin’s private hot tub. Though if the cabin isn’t rented and an Inn guest wants to take a dip, Wendy is certainly amenable. “Know that I’m in the office, jealous,” she laughs.
While the Lockmaster’s Quarters is not currently winterized and only available in the warmer months, the rest of the Inn (including the hot tub) is available year-round. No matter the time of year, Wendy explains, there’s something fun and exciting to do in St. Peter’s. The Inn hosts events such as trivia nights and paint nights, chef-hosted dining experiences, and live local music every weekend throughout the year. In the summer, live music can happen as much as five times a week. They host several events during the annual Cape Breton Kitchen Fest, an island-wide summer music festival that celebrates the island’s Gaelic culture.
The summer also allows guests to participate in the area’s aquatic fun. The Bras d’Or Lakes Inn has a dock on the back of the property, and they offer rentals for water sports equipment such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The dock is also the perfect place for sailors to perch for a while. They can even take advantage of the Inn’s Dock-and-Dine service. Visitors can call to make an order and have their food delivered right to their boat. That said, Wendy also encourages visitors to make a reservation and visit the Inn itself. You might find yourself smitten enough to spend a night or two on land!
There are beaches nearby, including surf-worthy Point Michaud, and much fun to be had along the historic St. Peter’s Canal, which is the oldest tidal-lock canal in North America. This unique canal offers fishing, boating, and education about the canal’s history and structure. For example, the unique double gates that help manage tidal differences between the Atlantic Ocean and Bras d’Or Lake. During a stroll through the town of St. Peters, Wendy recommends dropping in on the popular locally owned cafe. There are lots of shops to visit, including a Christmas shop that is open year-round and two engaging museums.
Just next door to the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn visitors will find Battery Park, a part of the provincial parks system. The park offers lots of hiking, including a six-kilometer trail that travels alongside the Atlantic Ocean. Wendy notes that there’s even a hidden hoard of sea glass along the way. In the winter people can rent snowshoes (the cost is a donation to the local food bank) to explore the park. Occasionally, they’ll also host a guided hike that finishes at the Inn with a warm bowl of soup, live entertainment, and (if the guest chooses,) some extra warmth from a tasty drink or two.
St Peter’s festival season continues throughout the fall. In September, the town celebrates Pirate Days. Wendy warns that if you’re not dressed like a pirate during this time, “you stand out like a sore thumb.” During this multi-day event, there are events for kids and adults alike. Live music, food and drink functions, artisan markets, and even a cardboard boat race are just some of the fun activities visitors can look forward to. In October, the Celtic Colours International Festival takes over Cape Breton, bringing incredible talent to the shores of St. Peter’s. Celebrating Cape Breton’s traditional culture, this festival brings together both the Island’s and the world’s best musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers to a variety of venues, including Bras d’Or Lakes Inn. There is at least one event every month from June to February in St. Peter’s, including the Winter Festival, Lobsterfest, Swim the Canal, and the Festival of Trees.
One thing that makes the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn stand out among other places is the incredible food. Providing both fine dining and pub fare, Chef Jason Sampson and his culinary team aim to create experiences rather than basic menu items. Diners can choose from high-end meat, pasta, and seafood dishes, as well as classic pub meals like artisan pizza, nachos, fish and chips, or a burger and fries. Wendy quipped that she didn’t realize food could taste so good. Her recommendations? “Anything seafood—lobster, chowder.” Other dishes that are popular with customers include the braised short rib and stuffed sole. Wendy is not the only one thrilled with the quality of the dishes served. The restaurant has won several Community Votes awards and recently won the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia award for Best Restaurant in Cape Breton. Walk-in service is available at the restaurant, but reservations are highly recommended because it fills up quickly, and once you taste the food you know why.
The owners of Bras d’Or Lakes Inn aren’t slowing down on making it a community jewel. The Inn is also available to host a variety of events. Previously the team has hosted birthday parties, holiday parties, executive meetings, and celebrations of life, many weddings and they boast a capacity of 140 people. Wendy also mentions that they’re currently in phase one of adding an indoor pool, executive suites, and an upgraded gym. The aim is to add convenience and amenities for not only the guests but the local residents as well.
Visitors can book their Bras d’Or Lakes Inn vacation on all the usual hotel sites, but Wendy recommends calling directly. The staff are close-knit, and visitors find that caring energy contagious. The team likes offering that firsthand touch and the ultimate goal is to build relationships. “We have a little motto here,” she says. “You come as a guest, you stay as a friend, but you return as family.”
If you’re passing through Cape Breton, no matter what time of year, the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn is a must-visit. With great food, incredible people, and a growing list of amenities, it’s the perfect home base for seeing all that the town of St. Peter’s has to offer that will have you planning your next visit before you finish your first!
by Amanda Stellisano