Cornerstone Motel

Cape Breton Island


Last stop before the national-park gates, this endearingly retro motel is about 7km from town. It offers pretty much what you'd expect in terms of accommodations; the rural location, communal fire pit and gray-clapboard exterior are nice touches.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Cape Breton Island attractions

1. Les Trois Pignons

2.17 MILES

This excellent museum explains how rug hooking went from home-based activity to international business. Artifacts illustrate early life and artisanship in…

2. Église St Pierre

3.17 MILES

The unique and photogenic 1893 Église St Pierre dominates the town with its silver spire and colorful frescoes.

3. Le Centre de la Mi-Carême

8.09 MILES

Mi-Carême, celebrated in the middle of Lent, is Chéticamp's answer to Mardi Gras. Locals wear masks and disguises, and visit houses in a bid to get people…

4. Whale Interpretive Centre

14.53 MILES

Get some background on cetaceans at this modest visitor center, which has illustrations of 16 whale species, and a life-size model of a pilot whale…

5. Gampo Abbey

18.72 MILES

This abbey, 8km north of Pleasant Bay past the village of Red River, is a monastery for followers of Tibetan Buddhism. Ane Pema Chödrön is the founding…

6. Margaree Fish Hatchery

19.11 MILES

This fish-rearing facility keeps the Margaree Valley stocked with salmon and trout; you can learn about the process and feed the fish.

7. Cape Breton Highlands National Park

19.35 MILES

One of Atlantic Canada's most famous and spectacular national parks, Cape Breton Highlands occupies 20% of the Cape Breton Island landmass. It's…

8. Margaree Salmon Museum

22.26 MILES

This small village museum explores the history of fishing in the Margaree Valley, with a collection of rods, reels, flies and vintage photos.