Trout Point Lodge, Nova Scotia – NeverStopTraveling

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Last Updated on December 13, 2023

Trout Point Lodge Nova Scotia at night — Trout Point Lodge in Nova Scotia (all photos by the authors unless noted otherwise)

Trout Point Lodge, Nova Scotia’s memorable luxury vacation experience…

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Updated for 2022 / 2023

Among those who dislike crowds, there’s skepticism about boarding a packed plane, taking a crowded cruise, or staying at a raucous resort.

But if the idea of staying in a remote, luxurious wilderness lodge has appeal, Nova Scotia may have the answer. The province is just a day’s drive from most of New England.

Trout Point Lodge was built in 2000 from giant white spruce logs, chiseled granite, and local sandstone. It’s located along the Tusket River system in the most remote part of southern Nova Scotia. It’s approximately three hours from Halifax. There’s no cell phone service, and there are no room TVs for the lodge’s 24 guests. But it does have good wi-fi and a fine library.

a great room made of logs with chairs and sofas by a fireplace in the Trout Point Lodge — The Great Room at Trout Point Lodge

An Authentic (and Luxurious) Canadian Wilderness Experience

A member of the very exclusive “Small Luxury Hotels of the World,” Trout Point gives visitors an authentic Canadian wilderness experience. That unique experience comes with luxury touches riverside saunas and hot tubs, Tiffany lamps, oriental rugs, handmade furniture (no two pieces alike), and large comfortable rooms with fireplaces. Best of all, it also includes creative cuisine by a great chef and an outstanding wine list.

a woman in a white robe standing by a round outside sauna at the Trout Point Lodge — A riverside sauna

Upon arriving, we were greeted with friendly smiles, a glass of red or white wine, and then given a tour.

We passed the Great Room with its cathedral ceiling, giant fireplace, comfortable but unique furniture, a well-stocked bar. (Being in New Scotland, the Scotch choices were excellent). And the entertainment area where Acadian and other local musicians perform on many evenings.

The large sun porch just off the Great Room (most suites also have a private porch) faces the pristine river, the large fire pit, and the boardwalk stretching along the riverbank.

A large bedroom with walls of logs at the Trout Point Lodge — Guest room at Trout Point

Large and Comfortable Rooms

Our room was large and very comfortable with custom made furniture, a safe, bedside reading lights, bathrobe and slippers. There was also a well-equipped, bright bathroom with shower, tub, and L’Occitane toiletries.

a view of the woods and river from a balcony at the Trout Point Lodge — The view from the authors’ balcony

The fireplace had already been laid for potential cool evenings, and a double door led to our riverside porch with chairs and a lounger. The lodge even provided us with a picnic lunch we could enjoy on our porch. The tap water comes from a spring and is very safe for drinking.

Receiving a top rating from “Best Green Hotels” and “Best Eco Hotels of the World,” Trout Point Lodge offers a wide variety of activities, both relaxing and more active. The lodge has canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards ready for launching into a tranquil part of the river.

people viewing the stars with a guide — The resident astronomer with guests

Trout Point Lodge: Certified by UNESCO

Located in an area far from city lights, Trout Point Lodge is the world’s first “Starlight Hotel,” certified by UNESCO. It is also home to North America’s darkest skies. A resident astronomer guides guests on clear nights to a raised platform where there is a telescope for observation of the wonders of the Milky Way, moon, constellations, and planets.

In the daytime, hikers are right at home, and we took one of the well-marked trails that meander along the edges of the Tobiatic Game Reserve, the largest remaining wild area in the three Maritime Provinces. Nothing but the sounds of nature.

people walking across a small bridge over a stream in the forest — Guests on a nature walk

Forest Bathing

The most popular and relaxing activity is Forest Bathing, an ancient, therapeutic Japanese tradition. It is prefect for our wilderness location.

Accompanied by a guide, we were invited to go barefoot, walk slowly and quietly over a small bridge, along a river and lakeside trail, listen for bird sounds, look around for unusual flora and fauna, and, finally, to stop by the river for tea brewed on a camp stove using fir tips and wintergreen leaves picked along the way. Without a doubt, it was delicious and totally in harmony with our surroundings.

an appetizer with a purple flower on it — A trout appetizer with saffron and chive oil

Superb Dining and Wining at Trout Point Lodge

Delicious also describes the Trout Point dining experience, with some of the most creative, fresh, and tasty cuisine we’ve ever enjoyed in Eastern Canada. The lodge has its own herb garden and gets supplies from local farmers (beef, pork, lamb, and vegetables) and Yarmouth area fishers.

In addition to unique cocktails and the superb wine list (a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the past 11 years), diners can take the time to enjoy delicacies like ocean perch, pork belly and monkfish appetizers, foam soup of fall herbs, and entrees like wild halibut, seared duck breast and tender chateaubriand for two.

blue paddle boards and kayaks along a forest path by a river — The boat launch area at Trout Point

“Worth a Visit No Matter What the Season”

In 2018, the original owners sold the lodge to Pamela and Patrick Wallace. They had stayed at the property and loved its quality, charm, and remote location. In previous years the area had been scattered with a few small fishing camps. But the Wallaces realized that many North American and European city dwellers would love to stay “in the middle of nowhere” if luxury, pampering, and great dining could be a key part of their pleasure.

Until coronavirus hit, the lodge had been a great investment with solid bookings in 2018 and 2019. The Covid crisis, with restricted travel to Atlantic Canada, closed many hotels in the spring of 2020, but Nova Scotia residents discovered the unique property in the summer, so with proper sanitation, masks, and guest spacing in place, the lodge has been full all fall. It was closed that winter but emerged in the spring of 2021 with several improvements in facilities and services.

Pamela and Patrick Wallace have plans to make the lodge a year-round luxury experience, trusting that the vaccine will be finally bring tourism levels back to normal. They take guidance from a New York Times review of the property shortly after it opened: “Worth a visit no matter what the season.”

– John and Sandra Nowlan are travel and food writers based in Halifax

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