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Glenora Inn & Distillery

Glenora Inn & Distillery

Nova Scotia, Canada

This unusual property appeals on a number of levels, providing lovely countryside views, simple but perfectly acceptable accommodation, and the added bonus of a whisky distillery.

After a day of driving or exploring, you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay right here at the property.

Glenora radiates Gaelic culture, being North America’s first single malt whisky distillery. Constructed of stone walls and timber beams, the buildings themselves form a reminder of Cape Breton’s early Scottish immigrants.

OUR OPINION:

While service can be slow and patchy, Glenora offers a comfortable stay and a good range of facilities for those driving along the superb John Cabot Trail.

OUR RATING: Simple

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Rooms

The accommodation at Glenora consists of three guest houses and six chalets. The Inn building contains nine rooms which overlook the gardens. The Brookside building does, of course, face the brook and contains eight simple guest rooms. The Glenora Lodge is tucked further away and houses five traditionally-styled rooms with a veranda and views over the glen. The most scenic option, the log chalets, are self-contained and nestled on the hillside with spectacular views overlooking the distillery and main buildings. While they are a bit of a drive away from the main building, guests can use the complimentary shuttles on demand. All rooms and chalets are simple and decorated in neutral tones. Each features its own TV, air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Location

Glenora enjoys a beautifully natural setting among the rolling Sylvan hillsides of northwestern Cape Breton Island. The little village of Mabou, with a handful of facilities, is a short drive away, as are the views from Nova Scotia's scenic driving route, the Cèilidh Trail.

Food and drink

Dining is available at both the Washback Pub & Restaurant and the Whisky Warehouse. Both serve delicious food that showcases the fresh local ingredients of traditional Nova Scotian fare. The pub offers simpler meals in a relaxed setting, whereas the Whisky Warehouse has a more formal approach.

Facilities and activities

As the name suggests, distillery tours and whisky tastings are available. The tours incur a small locally payable charge and depart from the pub every hour, on the hour. They last approximately half an hour and include a ten-year single malt whisky tasting at the end. The whisky tasting experiences must be booked in advance and include a private tour that explains the history and production of the distillery's whisky and includes a tasting directly from the barrel. At the end of the tour a tutored whisky tasting of each variation is hosted in the pub.

Tour ideas in Nova Scotia

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Glenora Inn & Distillery as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Nova Scotia and nearby places