Bear on the Lake Guesthouse — Hotel in Aberdeen

Bear on the lake is a charming guest house/hostel on Big Bras D’or Lake with all the basics (yes, wifi!). Nancy showed us around the kitchen and common areas when we arrived. There is an outdoor patio with chairs, tables, and a grill, as well as a smaller deck on the upstairs level. Within a half hour of sitting outside in June, I saw goldfinches, a blue jay, and a hummingbird. ||There is a huge communal kitchen, full sized fridge, stove/oven, and bins you can label with your name to keep food in. Previous travelers had left perfectly good food so between that and our own groceries, we made quite a few meals here. We stayed in a private room (accessibility note: private rooms are up a flight of stairs). Our room had a double bed, a standing fan, a closet area with hangers, and a window. The upstairs common area and bathroom were shared with another couple staying in the other private room. Clean towels, hand soap, and a hairdryer were provided. The common area has couches, board games, and a big dining room table. One minor, minor quibble: our bed had 2 total pillows and we are both double pillow people. I probably could have asked but I was tired from our travels and didn’t bother.||Yes, you do have to wash your own dishes but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly place that’s also clean, this is it. I paid $207 CAD for two nights which is about $75 USD per night. An absolute steal for a great...

The hostel was in a good location with nice views of the lake. We were welcomed by Nancy the hostel owner and she was very nice. It was a typical hostel stay with a mixture of families, couples and individuals. ||The kitchen was well equipped and everywhere very clean. Nice towels and flannels were provided.||However the main negative thing would be that the beds were of the wooden slatted base type and the cross pieces were too far apart and the mattresses very thin. This meant you could feel the slats through the mattress and we didn’t get a very good nights sleep. Also there are 3 rooms on each level, 5 beds in each room. This means 15 to each bathroom. The bathrooms have a shower or bath and toilet combined and so there was often a wait for the bathroom and too bad if you need the toilet urgently.||Although the website says canoes and bike available to hire, they are not and have never been. I think that was the intention but insurance has proved too much and so the idea has been shelved. ||There is a micro brewery 5 minutes up the road (The Big Spruce) which regularly has live music but unfortunately we missed it as there was no mention of it...

I stayed with Carman at Bear on the Lake Guesthouse for two weeks in late May 2013 and I had a fantastic time. Set back in the forest and with an amazing view overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake, this was a perfect place for me to chill out.

I enjoyed the hiking trail up Salt Mountain (and the views!), swimming in the lake, visiting the local blacksmith and of course a ceilidh or two at the Red Shoe Pub. I also found time to laze on the deck in the sun, play some badminton and toast marshmallows on the campfire with new friends.

The guesthouse itself is very clean and well organised, with everything you'll need - a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, sporting equipment, wifi, hot showers and local info. And of course the view. Don't forget the view.

Carman is a welcoming host. He knows the area well and sets the tone for a great vibe - relaxed, smiling, helpful and with a wicked sense of humour.

Bear on the Lake quickly became one of my favourite places to stay in Canada. I'm sure you'll...