White Point Beach Resort presents an opportunity to wake by Nova Scotia’s Atlantic shoreline. Strolling on the beach before breakfast and seeing the sun low over the horizon is an invigorating way of starting a day.
This oceanfront resort is on Nova Scotia’s South Shore and remains open throughout the year. It’s well-placed to stay in while exploring the province’s Lighthouse Route. That scenic driving trail skirts coastline between Nova Scotia’s provincial capital, Halifax, and Yarmouth on the province’s western tip. Handily, White Point Beach Resort is approximately 90 minutes from both ends of the trail.
Family-friendly and welcoming, White Point Beach Resort was established back in 1928. A fire destroyed the original lodge on 12th November 2011. It was replaced with the present main lodge, a spacious building whose upper floor is the venue of the resort’s main restaurant and bar.
With tables overlooking the ocean, Elliot’s Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chowder and lobster poutine number among the dishes served at Elliot’s. Regional ingredients such as Digby scallops, lobsters and Nova Scotian maple syrup count among the ingredients used in the kitchen.
Ranged around the hearth, a sofa and armchairs count among the seating in the Founder’s Lounge. Warm snacks are served, as are Nova Scotian craft beers, wines and artisanal spirits.
Carved moose antlers, presented to the resort by an elder of the Acadia First Nation, are displayed among the indigenous artworks by the main lodge’s stone fireplace.
The resort does much to promote the province and its culture. An artist in residence programme fosters creatives from the region. November’s Artists of White Point Show is timed to allow people to pick up original artworks ahead of Christmas.
During the summer season, a beekeeper tends hives at the resort and offers talks providing insights into beekeeping.
In winter months the Great Canadian Lobster Fishing Feast Adventure offers visitors opportunities to board a fishing boat in the nearby port of West Berlin. Out at sea the crew sets and draws up lobster traps, providing insights into the lobster fishing industry that provides many Nova Scotians with their livelihoods.
In recent years White Point Beach Resort has hosted events held as part of the South Shore Lobster Crawl. The annual food festival celebrates the culture of lobster fishing in the region, featuring concerts and a competition to find the best lobster roll.
The lower level of the main lodge hosts an indoor swimming pool, sauna and hot tub. Treatments can be booked in the spa.
The resort has its own nine-hole golf course. The neatly tended par-35 course was established in the early 1930s. Seven of the holes present views overlooking the sea.
Surfing counts among the water-based activities that guests can engage in at the resort. Anyone wanting to remain on land has the option of following the trail looping around the tidal estuary.
White Point’s Ocean Lodge contains eight bedrooms in a cabin next to the main lodge building. With a veranda and stone fireplace, it has a rustic, relaxing feel. Roasting marshmallows over the fire while chatting is a Canadian experience which guests can replicate around the firepits that are dotted around this sprawling resort.
Cottages with from one to three bedrooms are likely to appeal to families and smaller groups staying at the resort. Suites and guestrooms are available in both the main and lakeside lodges. The latter overlooks Doggett’s Pond, a freshwater lake with a boathouse.
Self-catering holiday homes on the south side of the estuary are an option for travellers planning on staying seven days or more.
Opening bedroom windows at night means being able to fall asleep to the rhythm of waves lapping on the beach and scent of sea air.
White Point Beach Resorts makes a good base for exploring the surrounding region. It’s also ideal for breaking up a road trip and relaxing by the sea.
Find out more about the things to do and see in Nova Scotia via the www.novascotia.com website. The Destination Canada website also has information about Nova Scotia and entry requirements for visiting the county.
For ideas about things to do in Nova Scotia visit Go Eat Do. You can find several posts about the province. They include 11 must-try experiences in Nova Scotia and exploring Nova Scotia beyond Halifax.
The Details
White Point Beach Resort, 75 White Point Beach Resort Rd, White Point, Queens County, Nova Scotia, B0T 1G0, Canada.
Tel: +1 902 354 2711 / +1 800 565 5068 (Toll Free in North America)
Website: www.whitepoint.com
Email: greatday@whitepoint.com
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is the chief point of entry for travellers arriving by air to Nova Scotia. White Point Beach Resort is approximately 95 miles (152 kilometres) southwest of Halifax. From Halifax drive along Route 103 and take Exit 20A. At the junction with Route 3 turn right and follow Route 3 in a westerly direction to the resort, which is well signposted.
Type of Hotel: Oceanfront Resort with a Spa and nine-hole Golf Course
Number of Rooms: 105 rooms, including complimentary Wi-Fi.
Price Band: Medium
Insider Tips: White Point Beach Resort is well-placed for visiting nearby Liverpool, the location of the Hank Snow Home Town Museum. The influential singer-songwriter was inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1979.
The resort is also ideally situated for a day trip to Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. The park’s seaside adjunct is a five-minute drive south of the resort. Kejimkujik is a Dark Sky Preserve. Thanks to low levels of light pollution around White Point Beach Resort it’s worth stepping outside on clear nights to enjoy the night sky.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Stuart Forster is an award-winning freelance writer and photographer specialising in food and travel related features.
Photographs by Stuart Forster
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