10 Best Staycations In Nova Scotia, Canada - Updated 2024

Deanna
Deanna 
Updated
| 6 min read

Nova Scotia is a remarkable place between the North Pole and the equator. Residents of this Maritime province, nicknamed Canada’s Ocean Playground, experience the beauty and grandeur of its expansive coastline daily. Do you live near a lush vineyard or along the scenic coast? Vacations, however short, put you in a sunny, joyful frame of mind, so mark a long weekend for a restful break from routine. Now is the perfect time to spend an overdue vacation in your home territory. Take your allocated days off enjoying lobster rolls in the restaurant of a top resort or go on whale-watching trips offered by premium hotels. Make your next family holiday or couple’s getaway one to remember. Read on for the best staycations in Nova Scotia, Canada.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 13, 2024.

1. The Barrington Hotel, Halifax (from USD 108)

The Barrington Hotel is a landmark establishment on the historic waterfront of Halifax. The reconstructed facade consists of original 19th-century stone blocks. In this 4-star hotel, a bellman in a kilt ushers guests for a premium staycation experience. The establishment’s 200 guest rooms, food and drink venue, and indoor pool offer contemporary comforts.

Esteemed guests can enjoy comfort food in an award-winning restaurant, go for a dip in the pool first thing in the morning, and sleep in a room with WiFi and a 55-inch smart TV.

You can inquire about staycation packages when booking a stay for a minimum of three days.

Stayed at this property?

The Barrington Hotel

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 1875 Barrington Street
424 meters (0.3 ft) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Sauna Fitness centre

2. Inn on the Lake, Ascend Hotel Collection, Fall River (from USD 111)

Inn on the Lake, Ascend Hotel Collection, is a 3-star hotel built in the French style. Give in to its charms and book one of the 39 guest rooms for a relaxing break in an establishment known for great food and atmosphere. Some of the rental units are studios, while others are two-story suites. You can also book an upscale room with a balcony, a whirlpool tub, and a fireplace.

This boutique hotel is situated on the shores of Lake Thomas. Its gastropub and restaurant are popular in the locality. The property is part of a 4-ac (1.6-ha) parkland with an outdoor swimming pool and a private beach.

Stayed at this property?

Inn on the Lake, Ascend Hotel Collection

Wifi Available

Address: 3009 Highway 2,
17.89 km (11.2 mi) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Non-smoking rooms Airport shuttle

3. Old Orchard Inn Resort and Spa, Wolfville (from USD 128)

Since 1972, Old Orchard Inn Resort and Spa has been synonymous with friendly service. Book one of the 100 rooms and suites, and ask for one with a balcony for unimpeded views of Minas Basin and Annapolis Valley. You can also choose one of the 30 seasonal cottages for privacy. Kindly inform the staff if the family dog is coming along for this staycation.

Make the most of the in-room amenities, but spend time in the cocktail lounge and patio sundeck for a breather. Meanwhile, the in-house spa offers hot stone and other massage treatments. Cap the day off with a four-course dinner with the family and savor local wine pairings.

Stayed at this property?

Old Orchard Inn

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 153 Greenwich Road South
80.32 km (50.0 mi) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Tennis court Sauna

4. Courtyard by Marriott Halifax Downtown (from USD 138)

Consider Courtyard by Marriott Halifax Downtown and let this 3-star hotel dazzle you with first-class recreational amenities. Savor harbor views from the top-floor balcony of a deluxe room that also features snug beddings, an ergonomic workstation, and a modern living area.

Make a list of things to do in the hotel while partaking in a delicious breakfast. You can spend hours in the spa to unknot your muscles and receive beauty treatments. Feel free to take photographs from the rooftop terrace. There is no need to leave the premises as you can dine at The Bistro, the 24-hour food market, or the on-site Starbucks.

If you want to venture out, Courtyard Halifax Downtown is situated right on the waterfront, where boat tours are readily accessible.

Stayed at this property?

Courtyard by Marriott Halifax Downtown

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille

Address: 5120 Salter Street
753 meters (0.5 ft) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Garden Terrace

5. Best Western Plus Liverpool Hotel & Conference Centre (from USD 127)

Best Western Plus Liverpool Hotel & Conference Centre is a top spot for a premier staycation. Guests here are entitled to a good selection of breakfast treats. You can spend hours in the indoor heated pool, with a colorful poolside area with sun loungers and seating areas to catch up and enjoy a chat.

The air-conditioned rooms of this full-service hotel will make you feel at home. You can catch up on shows on the 42-inch plasma TV and connect to social media without a hitch.

You can spend a well-earned break here with two of your fur babies. Some of the hotel’s 65 guest rooms are pet-friendly and accept dogs, cats, and birds for a fee.

Stayed at this property?

Best Western Plus Liverpool Hotel & Conference Centre

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 63 Queens Place Drive
112.67 km (70.1 mi) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Pets allowed Meeting/banquet facilities 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Non-smoking rooms Business centre Laundry

6. Dundee Resort & Golf Club, West Bay, Cape Breton Island (from USD 90)

Expand your staycation options to Dundee Resort & Golf Club, which boasts an 18-hole championship course and 2 swimming pools. This 3-star resort offers a great selection of local and Nova Scotian dishes in The Clubhouse, MacRae’s Dining Room, and Chanters Pub. Meanwhile, it is all about relaxation and fun for the kids at the on-site adventure center.

Spend your break in a self-contained cottage with a spa tub and fireplace, the perfect accommodation for the family. You can bring your beloved family pets for 25 CAD (approximately 19 USD) per pet for the entire stay.

If you’re in for some alone time, there are lovely rooms in the main lodge with quality bedding, complimentary toiletries, a satellite TV, and a coffee maker. Select units have a balcony or patio offering views of Bra d'Or Lake.

Stayed at this property?

Dundee Resort & Golf Club

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 2750 WEST BAY HWY DUNDEE, NS
228.18 km (141.8 mi) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Golf course (within 3 km)

7. Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel (from USD 167)

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel is a 4-star establishment where you can watch the scenic waterfront of the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. While the rest of the city goes about the usual hustle and bustle, you can spend the day floating around in the indoor swimming pool, pampering in the hotel spa, and sipping your favorite drink at the on-site coffee shops.

Spend your staycation in a suite with a separate living space and give your family a chance to unwind in luxury. Guest rooms and suites are equipped with a mini-fridge, marble bathrooms, and the latest entertainment platforms. The family pet is welcome in this Marriott hotel. The non-refundable fee per pet for each stay is 40 CAD (approximately 31 USD).

Stayed at this property?

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 1919 Upper Water Street
567 meters (0.4 ft) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Tennis court

8. Tru By Hilton Yarmouth, Ns (from USD 92)

The whole family will feel at home and enjoy the colorful surroundings at Tru By Hilton Yarmouth. The children can shuffle between the indoor pool and its spiral water slide and kids’ club activities. Meanwhile, the adults can cool off in the laid-back rooms with a large flat-screen TV and a well-provisioned bathroom. Breakfast is always served hot, so you can start the day energized and content.

A couple or small family will have plenty of space in the hotel’s king room, which is furnished with a mini-fridge. Connecting rooms are in high demand, so reserve ahead for your staycation. Guests may avail of hot tea, hot chocolate, and gourmet coffee in the lobby at any time.

Stayed at this property?

Tru By Hilton Yarmouth, Ns

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille Visual Aid: Tactile

Address: 10588 Starrs Road
219.13 km (136.2 mi) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Pets allowed Room service Meeting/banquet facilities 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Terrace Non-smoking rooms

9. Super 8 by Wyndham Amherst NS (from USD 111)

Super 8 by Wyndham Amherst NS has a three-key Green Key eco-rating, a proud advocate of eco-friendly practices. This 2-star hotel offers affordable suites and rooms with a kitchenette and welcomes the family pet with open arms. When reserving a room, you can ask that a crib be prepared for the little one. The building’s elevators are also wheelchair-accessible.

At breakfast, complimentary meals are accompanied by coffee, juice, and tea. The indoor pool features a water slide where the children can glide down a distance of 80 ft (24.4 m). The hot tub is available to guests for one hour only, so reserve your slot when checking in.

Stayed at this property?

Super 8 by Wyndham Amherst NS

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: 40 Lord Amherst Drive
137.78 km (85.7 mi) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Pets allowed Meeting/banquet facilities 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Golf course (within 3 km) Non-smoking rooms Business centre Laundry

10. Super 8 by Wyndham Truro NS (from USD 94)

Super 8 by Wyndham Truro NS is an eco-friendly establishment with an indoor heated pool. Pack extra swimwear for the kids because a colorful water slide awaits. The hotel’s hot tub is right beside the pool. Pets weighing 50 lb (23 kg) are allowed to stay with their responsible owners for 20 CAD (approximately 15 USD) per stay.

The affordable accommodations come with a light breakfast with your choice of beverage. Guest rooms are furnished with seating areas, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, a microwave, and a bathtub. You may also use the barbecue facilities and laundry equipment during your stay.

Stayed at this property?

Super 8 by Wyndham Truro NS

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille

Address: 85 Treaty Trail
78.91 km (49.1 mi) from Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

Parking Pets allowed Meeting/banquet facilities 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Golf course (within 3 km) Non-smoking rooms Business centre Laundry

Tick off your staycation to-do list in Nova Scotia

Lobster feasts and scenic beaches define a holiday in Nova Scotia. For a local, these are familiar experiences and sights. When it is time for a break, you can indulge in a staycation in your hometown in one of Nova Scotia’s finest hotels.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Deanna Kathrina, a pediatric physical therapist specializing in neurodevelopmental disability, serves as a teacher and advocate. As a lifelong learner, she enjoys the company of music and aspires...Read more

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