Well, our last minute planning makes it look like we'll be going to Cape Breton for a day (we're thinking a day to drive up, two overnights and a day to drive back.

Can anyone recommend a cracking place to stay? Nice rooms - we'll need three doubles/twins- good views, preferably good food and if not within striking distance of a good place to eat.

Good music would be a major plus.

(I haven't searched on here yet, but I will)

My choice would be the Normaway Inn in Margaree Valley. It has an excellent dining room and there is music every night with a special ceilidh once a week in their barn. When we stayed there a few years ago, we were lucky enough to hear Buddy MacMaster, the dean of Cape Breton fiddlers and Rodney Macdonald, a fiddler who later became Premier of Nova Scotia.

http://thenormawayinn.com/

You might also want to consider the Glenora Inn and Distillery, North America's only single malt distillery located between Mabou and Inverness. I can't vouch personally for the accommodation or dining room, but have visited the distillery several times. It is in quite a beautiful setting.

http://www.glenoradistillery.com/

Baddeck is centrally located with a variety of accommodation and is on the shores of the Bras d'Or Lakes. I've visited but never stayed there, so can't recommend a place.

Finally, you might want to look at the Keltic Lodge in Ingonish on the Cabot Trail. It has a spectacular location overlooking the sea in the Cape Breton Highlands national Park. I've dined there but not stayed.

All in all, however, I'd still opt for the Normaway.

What a fabulous answer, lavenderdye. I'd sussed the Normaway and the Keltic Lodge, but will now check out the distillery. Thank you so much

Baddeck and Ingonish and visit Louisburg when you return.Paul

"Driving Up" from where? How long is the drive?

After "driving up", you cld stay in Baddeck which is often referred to as "The beginning & end of the Cabot Trail". We used to like The Inverary Inn on the Bras d'Or Lakes. However,we have not stayed there recently & I have heard that many of the rooms are "dated". So you shd probably get some recent reviews b/f staying there b/f staying there. The next morning head out for the Cabot Trail. We prefer the counter-clockwise direction but opinion is divided on this. That night stay in Ingonish @ Keltic Lodge (the Main Lodge, not The Inn). I am not sure of your plans ( that's why I asked how far you have to drive to "drive up" and back). If you can stay a 3rd night, then I would do as Laverendrye has suggested & stay @ The Normaway for the 3rd night. Then drive back the next day. But that gives you 3 nights on Cape Breton Island. You sadi you only wanted 2 nights. In any event, you shd try to stay 3 nights b/c it is always a good idea to have an extra day for a "fog day". If it is rainy/foggy, you won't be able to see anything on The Cabot Trail. However, if you cannot do that extra night, then stay @ Keltic Lodge on night 2, continue around the remainder of the Cabot Trail the next day and "drive back" that day to wherever you are returning.

When are you going to Cape Breton?

We are spending a fortnight in Nova Scotia, arriving 31st July; I had pretty much discounted going all the way from Lunenburg- our main bases given the length of the drive, but our little group has expressed the desire.

I will share your views with them. Thanks very much.

Given that it takes about 5 hours to drive from Lunenburg to Baddeck, you may want to factor in at least one other day.