Island Sunset Resort, Cabot Trail #MurphysDoNS

Taking in the scenic drive of the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia will bring you to the Western side by way of Cheticamp and Inverness and this is when you should check into the Island Sunset Resort. Nestled in the Belle Cote village this is the perfect beachfront spot for families, large or small, to enjoy some time off the road. Each of the 18 luxury cottages have everything you would need for a relaxing stay with young kids along. It truly is the best place to stay on the Cabot Trail if you’re looking for a modern cottage experience with the best sunset.

We woke up to the sounds of the rolling waves and while I didn’t catch a sunrise here, we caught beautiful sunsets. Nothing like enjoying a drink on the patio with the sunset who insisted on showing off each evening! There was plenty of space for Baby Boy and Little Monkey to roam around and I loved that I had a full kitchenette and a whirlpool tub to unwind in. Our suite had one bedroom with two queen beds and a pull out couch. As you will see in the video we even caught some of the Soccer World Cup during our stay! I must admit that everything looked new here (which isn’t something I’ve noticed during our other cottaging adventures), from furnishing to the appliances and linen. I loved that there was an A.C (only in the dining/living area) and that even someone like me who sweats buckets, was able to get a great night’s sleep without an A.C in our bedroom.

The full kitchenette was appreciated because I was able to store my pumped breastmilk and beer in the fridge and warm up some breakfast items in the microwave. We ordered the breakfast from the resort the first night we stayed and they delivered a plate of breads, yoghurt and fruit to us before the on-site restaurant closed. This way we had breakfast at leisure on our patio as we got ready to explore the area. No rushing around to make it on time to breakfast! We dined at the resort both nights and this is because the Dining Room was absolutely fantastic (and we couldn’t find any good alternatives in the nearby area). The first evening we popped by to catch the sunset and both the hubs and I enjoyed a lobster dinner and chowder while Little Monkey and Baby Boy gobbled up their fish and chips. There was live entertainment which was a nice way to really immerse ourselves in the East Coast charm. Our servers were extremely friendly and not only did they have high chairs and booster seats but they also brought out some colouring books and crayons for the Little Monkey. Definitely one of the highlights of our Cabot Trail dining experiences. The next night we got in a bit late and so the hubs went in and got some ‘take out’. Our meals were plated had we dined in and it was lovely being able to enjoy the relaxed meal at our cottage. There is a lobster pound on site where you can get a tour and then lunch at, but unfortunately we didn’t have a chance to check it out. If you head over let me know how it is!

The Island Sunset Resort is not only ideal from a lodging and dining perspective, but it’s also very conveniently located nearby to some popular sites. During a stay here you can easily explore the Acadian Village of Cheticamp, head out to the Glenora Distillery, whale watch in Pleasant Bay or hike the Skyline Trail. We even got an insider’s tip on Chimney Beach which is a fantastic sandy beach for the kids to play at (despite the water being frigid!). The water right by the cottage was very rocky so this sand was a welcome sight.

The only thing to be aware of when staying at the Sunset Island Resort, is that there’s no laundry facilities on site and the closest laundromat is about a twenty minute drive away. So come prepared with plenty of clothes to last your stay here.

If you’re looking for a spot on the Western side of the Cabot Trail, we say the Sunset Island Resort is THE place to rest the weary bones and to recharge at. Both, kids and adults, will love the green green pastures, the ocean views and the charm of this beachfront resort.