A  gorgeous spot! One of our favourites on our travels. Had a beautiful day on the Cabot Trail. Highlight was the baby moose on Skyline Trail! – C&C –  NZ

Thanks for a warm welcome and a lovely fireside chats. What a great cup of coffee , an  awesome view of the Bras D’Or Lake this morning! Wish I had more time to spend here- I’ll definitely be back! – H. Winnipeg

Two Kiwis have really appreciated the warm welcome & boundless  hospitality here.  A  great spot to relax and enjoy.  A must stay place for all travelers! J&A – NZ

In 15 years of traveling, easily one of the best views I’ve woken up to! C-Netherlands

Very nice & comfortable, homey! Lots of nice people! Made the Baddeck experience very memorable! G- USA

Only spent one night but had the best sleep of our trip in the comfy queen bed. Thanks! J & A – Ontario

Great people! Loved my first hostel adventure! – B

This is the most fab place ever! I loved every minute here and I wish I never had to leave…I’ll be back! A- Denmark

This place was a breath of fresh air! We had a fantastic  time! Agus Go Raibm mile maith agat! Best of Luck! – D ,R & A – Ireland

Thank you for a great sleep and start off to our Cabot Trail trip! – H & J – Ontario

One of the best hostels I’ve stayed at in the entire world! We BBQ’d on the deck and had some great evening conversations with fellow travelers! We’ll be back in a few days we liked it that much!  – J & J Oregon, USA

Thanks! The people I met here made Nova Scotia my favourite part of the trip. – D -BC

Thanks for the great place to stay & start off our Cabot Trail trip! – K – Halifax

Bear on the Lake was a great spot to come across. I really felt relaxed and at home while visiting! Thanks for the great time! – J – BC

It’s a kind of magic! Thanks! – J – Netherlands

So beautiful & well kept! Would love to come back! – P – Alberta

Love the look & atmosphere of this place! Best hostel in my 21 day journey so far! – N_ Alberta

Thanks is not enough but I can’t think of a stronger word! My stay here has not been a stay at all, it’s been a home! I’ve travelled far & wide and not found any place as laid back & as relaxing as Bear on the Lake! The company, hospitality & friendships have truly been valued! I’ll be back. A- Australia

We had an amazing time & loved the bonfire! We will definitely be back in the fall! Thanks for everything & we’ll be in touch! – N & D – Toronto

Thanks for a pleasant stay – we loved our time on Cape Breton Island. K & R – Ohio

Beautiful location – definitely worthwhile trip! Will never forget the 2 bald eagles flying above me during my early morning run along the lake! – A – USA

What a lovely place. Felt like home & had some beautiful swims in the lake! So lovely to meet you!  – I – Australia

Thanks for looking after this ‘home away from home’. Keep up the good work and I will definitely recommend this place to others & keep fond memories., Cheers, E-Montreal

I’m still dumbstruck and can’t believe what a great week I had here. The accommodations were awesome. I couldn’t ask for more . S- Toronto

Thank you so much for the BBQ, campfire & wine! Everything was so great here; the best moment of my trip to Nova Scotia. Long life to Bear on the Lake! – Sarah – Montreal

Throughout our travels we had yet to stay at a hostel that was so nice , friendly & inviting. Great campfire! We will defiantly recommend this place to all of our traveling friends!  M & K 0 – Ontario

Wow! Cape Breton Island takes the cake! So magnificent. Thank you for the beautiful scenery & lovely hospitality! – MF

Helluva place you have here guys! What a great way to start and finish the Cabot Trail. D – Halifax

My motorcycle Canadian vacation with 3 nights at Bear on the Lake was great! Cool, courteous travelers – good vibes! Thank you so much for the hospitality! – B – Mass/ USA

Thanks for the excellent stay! Your attention to details is amazing, from the clear concise directions to getting here, to the amenities you provide for guests! Thank you so much for your hospitality! B- BC

Lovely hostel! I just finished crossing Canada by motorcycle. For me, here is the most eastern point. I could enjoy the Cabot trail, bonfires & banana bread! Thank you very much! – K – Japan

Something magical and special about this place! I seem to keep coming back. Once more I ran into the right people at just the right time! You really make it a home! – A-Austria

There is something about this place that attracts the right kind of people. In five nights here I was surrounded by great company in a great hostel! Warmth permeates through the place and I didn’t want to leave. I’ll miss you Bear on the Lake! – C – Melbourne, Australia

Our whirlwind trip of Cape Breton (all 2.5 lighthouses) couldn’t have been more enjoyable! Thank you very much for the hospitality – keep the bonfire burning for us- we’ll be back! – M,J,&T – Halifax, Hfx

Comfortable hostel, well equipped. Thanks! Thoroughly enjoyed Cape Breton & we’ll be back (I hope!) – B – Vancouver place! Thank you very much. A – Switzerland

I felt at home the minute I walked in & would have loved to stay for weeks! – A – Australia

Thank you for everything! A wonderful job is done making this place feel like home! Thanks for the Cape Breton Island (and Cabot Trail) advice! I’ll definitely stop by for another visit! D& V – Sask.

What a terrific place you’ve got here! Nice, homey. beautiful scenery makes it a fantastic stay!  Thank you so much! It’s like coming home!  C – Netherlands

It was a really nice experience to stay at your place. A – Switzerland

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay this August! Having a BBQ for guests to use it a huge bonus! Hostelling is a great way to travel and gives people a ‘family away from home’. We loved Louisbourg & could have stayed an extra day! Now off to Cheticamp! – J & B – Alberta

Thanks for everything! Our group of small & big people loved the place! In addition to “Bear” we saw moose, whales and an eagle! Great! Will spread the word about this little gem! – The Danish Crew

Thanks for possibly the greatest nights ever – BBQ, bonfire & smor’es. I’m incredibly jealous of your breakfast view! My compliments don’t do the place justice!  – J – England

Thanks for an amazing stay – it is not often that I get to the end of a stay and wish I could stay on , but I could easily stay here again & again!  – T – Australia

Merci pour votre accueil et votre enthusiasm. Je me souviendrai longstemps de mon sejour a Bear on the Lake et lorsque je reviendrai au Cap Breton, je sauvai exactement ou alle, ICI!!! – C Québec

Wow! 2 nights turned into 7! Your hostel is amazing and I’m so glad I discovered it! Thanks for getting me to square dancing! What a perfect Cape Breton Island experience! Thanks a million & see you when I come back! – H – Manitoba

You’re running one of those hostels people stay in for the hostel rather than the location! It’s  dangerous! – M Australia

Une petit coin de paradis très agréable pour les yeux et le confort de chacun. Merci pour votre acceuil! – France

This was my first ever stay at a hostel – at age 37! and it was amazing! Thank you so much for our cozy room, the bonfires and the smiles! What  a fabulous experience! – S – Pittsburg

Well what a find! So fun to meet lots of people & sit around a bonfire till late. Great that we could stay as a family and thanks for the warm welcome & advice about the Cabot Trail! I will recommend! – England

Loved Cape Breton Island and loved Bear on the Lake! – J – Ireland

Lovely house, nice tour, it was just fun!! Thank you for this great time at Cape Breton! – S

I stayed in lots of HI Hostels (and others) across Canada and USA and let me tell you – HI Cape Breton Island is one of the best! Super staff, splendid view, really good time & services! Too bad we only planned one night cause I would stay for a week! I’ll be sure to come back next time that I’m visiting Cape Breton! Wish you the best! – The Katimavik Girls

Thank you so much for having us here! This  hostel definitely stood out from the rest of the accommodations we’ve stayed at in the last month because of the warm & comforting atmosphere created. Would LOVE to come back again if we return to Nova Scotia. – M & T – Vancouver

“Enter as strangers; leave as friends” is really true in this place. One of the best I’ve ever been too! – Marcel

Thanks for hosting us during our Cape Breton leg of the trip! The hostel is beautiful – I’m sure to be back with friends over the next couple of years! – L- Australia