Lynwood Inn — Hotel in Baddeck

Wonderful location in the heart of Baddeck. We did not stay here but stopped in for early dinner around 4oc. Huge mistake! After waiting to be seated for quite some time another couple leaving mentioned we should go out to the front desk to arrange a table. We did so and were taken and placed at a table for 4 in a drafty location near the entrance. The waitress arrived and we ordered two drinks, plus two cups of chowder as an appetizer with one order of "seafood supreme". Before the chowder came we moved to a better spot as there was only one other couple there. The chowder came and we dug in only to find it had a very gluey (not creamy) consistency with an unpleasant flavor in which nothing stood out. My wife took two spoonful's and told me she could not eat it. I was starved and took about 5 spoons before giving up. At this point we were now wondering what the supreme would be like. The waitress came by, we told her we were finished and that we were not happy with the chowder. She took it away and came back with the seafood supreme. It was a deep dish platter with a large amount of melted cheese across the top. Did not look very well presented or appetizing. My wife spooned the cheese back and took one bite. It's the chowder she exclaimed, that's it for me. I took a bite looked at her and said it tastes just like the chowder with gobs of mozzarella on top. I poked around in it and pulled up shrimp the size of my baby finger nail and tough leathery chunks of fish. Seriously I have never seen shrimp that size before. My wife said they were salad shrimp, which I didn't know came that small. I tasted one it was tasteless. I called the waitress over and told her we were finished and would like our bill. She got it promptly and asked us to pay at the front desk. I looked down the bill was $85. A lot for two drinks. We left the restaurant area went to the front desk where we waited for the women to finish a phone call before finally getting to speak. She hung up gave me an indignant look before saying that will be $85 we didn't charge you for one chowder. I said really one chowder when we basically didn't eat a thing how nice. My wife then told her she needed a new chef to which she told us they get nothing but compliments about their chef. I see from some other comments here that this is not the case. But arguing with those who don't agree is the case. She picked up the bill and left the area, arrived back 10 minutes later by which time the only other couple there were also now waiting to pay. That will be $35. again with an indignant look and nowhere a sorry you didn't enjoy your meal. Thank you I said, we left to another restaurant where the experience was definitely better. Off hand I would say the chef is a family member, as it is advertised as a family run business like...

There is no view here. The biggest rooms face the busy street. The first thing I noticed when entering the room was the musty odour. Definitely the carpet should have been removed a long time ago especially in these times (Sep 2024). The coffee left in the room is horrible including the whitener, I think the term dish water applies here. The whole Inn is depressing especially the dinner music. You can keep the heritage in a more appealing way. The grounds & had me are special . . . that's it! I get it they are maritime artists but it was way over done. I had the fish & chips. The batter was brown & bordering on burnt making the haddock dry. Both the fish & fries were overly saturated with oil making it seem heavy and unappetizing. My friend had the neptune supreme which was ok and for the ridiculous prices of the food the taste was only average at best. The server had to run around like a chicken with her head cut off and I didn't appreciate having other hotel staff helping out. They were not prepared for 4 busy tables. I did not get the sense of maritime hospitality I am used to. There are stairs to consider when staying here. You can park at the back lot and bring your suitcases in to the first floor ramp otherwise you are your own bellhop. Overall I felt this company is operating on fumes with the cheap pictures repeated over and over throughout the inn. I will say whomever does the exterior painting at least knows how to keep their work clean & tidy....

I wish we did not stop here for lunch. Great location and a perfect patio set up, both with shade and sun to sit in. The Lynwood has everything you would want in a visit to Baddeck yet it has nothing but potential. The Keith's bottled beer was right on the mark. The scallops wrapped in bacon were just barely palatable(we were starving so we ate them. I prayed we would not get sick later in the day). I was asked three times how the meal was and not one person offered any kind of acknowledgement when I said the food was not good.The old-school pay inside indicates the operator can decide what tips the servers get if any and I find that type of establishment creepy. Then this young chap working there walks up to our table with a clipboard and continues to talk the weirdest creepiest banter I ever heard in my life. I thought he wanted to do a survey with the clipboard in his hand but no, he just went on in an awkward manner of conversation about nothing. Serial killer vibes were being served. The Lynwood has everything Baddeck can use but the operator(s) are clearly not aware that they have no clue how to operate a service business. Avoid...