LUXURY HOTEL INSIDER

I have a particular soft spot for hotel lodges. Maybe it's my Appalachian heritage or my simple love for all things naturey, but there's a certain charm to a hotel that has but 8 rooms and whose greatest attractions are the wonders that surround it. Traveling there, you feel a natural heartbeat that's stronger and more primal than a city's. For a brief while, you're a part of an ecosystem rather than a society, and that's a wonderful feeling.

The Trout Point Lodge, by virtue of being located in the incredibly diverse region of Nova Scotia, manages to straddle two of these ecosystems, giving you the opportunity to explore both the natural woodland and the nearby sea. Whale watching, sea kayaking, and trails aplenty will greet you upon arrival. In East Kemptville, which is preferable to its far less tidy neighbor, West Scruffytown, you can enjoy the maritime cuisine that the region is famous for. The fresh seafood at Trout Point rivals that found anywhere in the world. Stay in one of their Fireplace Junior Suites to make use of a handcrafted granite fireplace and outdoor porch overlooking the nearby river. The Trout Point Lodge is the wilderness escape we're all dreaming of while stuck at our desks on a lovely spring afternoon.