"Welcome to paradise!"
quote from our guestbook
The loveliest stay I have experienced
The moment I stepped out of the car I knew I was in an extraordinary place. This beautiful home is nestled into lush gardens and creates a feeling of peace and comfort. The air is a complex aroma of flowers, forest and ocean. And everywhere you look is a new view pleasing to the eye. The home itself is an art lovers dream come true. Perfectly displayed paintings, in a cozy home make it the perfect place to enjoy and explore the works of a talented artist. Every detail has been attended to to ensure a comfortable unique experience. Each level of the home allows stunning views of the gardens and ocean. As an enthusiast of retreat centres and botanical gardens from Vancover Island to Findhorn, this hidden gem was by far the loveliest stay I have experienced.
Leslee Larsen and Peter, Cleveland, NS
A hidden gem and magical treasure
If you are looking for an adventure to awaken your soul, look no further! Marcus and Stephanie have lovingly restored the enchantment of John Beardman’s former art studio and opened the house to allow people a glimpse of his inspiration – the ocean, the landscape, the beauty and the people invite you to experience a holiday of a lifetime! We loved everything! Arriving late at night Stephanie had generously and kindly managed to find us provisions for breakfast, including a gluten free loaf of bread! Marcus’s smile is as broad as the ocean and their hospitality and warmth will warm your heart even in the start of Fall! The house is spectacularly situated on the cliff tops so that you can fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean breaking on the shores. Outside you meet with enchanting gardens and glimpse eternity in the serenity of the skylines. Inside the house Beardman’s art is beautifully positioned, the colors of his work tastefully complimented by the simplicity and taste in furnishings, and the house is comfortable and private for your own use. Cape Breton Island was wonderful to be in during the Celtic Colors, and Marcus had an added gesture of welcome for us - his espresso machine! Next time Marcus we will take you up on the offer of those cups of coffee! We had a wonderful time and most certainly recommend this wonderful oasis as a place to stay – get in there quickly, this was their first season and I am sure the carefully kept secret will very soon get out that this is THE place to stay on Cape Breton. Make this top of your vacation list for 2019 and beyond!
Thank you for all you do! And see you again soon!
Cath and Liz, Vancouver, BC
We loved being here
Thank you! for such a wonderful week at Beardmans! The house is amazing and the gardens are beautiful. We loved being here and don't want to leave. Walks on the beach and thoses amazing sunsets are some of the most cherished memories we will have of Cape Breton area. We are 2,788 km from home in Southern Indiana, but you and Beardmans Art House made us feel right at home! Thank you!
Deavron & Jeanene
The highlight of our honeymoon
The BEARDMANS house was the highlight of our honeymoon! We were greeted with sunshine and warm smiles from Marcus and Stefanie, the friendly and helpful hosts of the house. They have created a peaceful retreat surrounded by beauty indoors and outdoors. It is a very special place, respectfully renovated to honour the artist, his work and gardens. Views abound from every window and there are plenty of spaces outside to enjoy as well. The house is well equipped and beautifully decorated. We especially enjoyed the private beach and sunsets from the bedroom’s balcony. We would love to return to this magical space and share Big Spruce brews with the owners….
Thanks again Marcus and Stephanie for sharing Beardmans with us!
A very content couple,
Karen & James, Guelph, Ontario
One of a kind vacation home in Nova Scotia
Dear Marcus, dear Stefanie,
thank you so much for allowing us to stay in your beautiful rental home!
The house was renovated and arranged with lots of love to every detail.
We also love the fact, that the former owner John Beardman is present in the whole
house with his paintings and pottery. Our arrival shortly before midnight wasn't an
issue. We were even presented with a breakfast for the next morning.
The owners are always available and very hospitable. We received many useful tips and
implemented them. The access to the beach is perfect and the beach is just beautiful.
Our kids enjoyed their time at and in the water and had a blast. The vacation home is surely
one of a kind and absolutely recommendable.
Kind regards from
Simone und Reimar with Katharina, Sophie, Jakob und Lisa
(translated from German)
A memorable time
Dear Stef, dear Marcus,
the time we spent in your extraordinary beautiful house, was a memorable time for sure and went by way too fast. That is how you imagine your vacation home. If it wouldn't be on the other side of the Atlantic ocean (for us), we would be regular guests for sure! The kids were also very impressed with their stay at the Beardmans. We wish you the best of luck and success with this amazing place.
Peter, Julia, Anton, Carla, Florian
(translated from German)
We hate to leave
Thank you for the gift of this house & this place. We hate to leave and look forward to returning.
Bill & Debbie
Brooklyn, NY
A wonderful week
Marcus & Stefanie,
thanks so much for a wonderful week! We had a great time exploring Cape Breton by foot, bike, sea kayak and paddle board. It is our second visit to the Island and it is so beautiful here.
Tony, Pam, John, Katherine & Chris
Baltimore, MD, USA
A beautiful place that offers it all!
Thank you for the stay - a beautiful place that offers it all! The privacy and ocean views are incredible. Amazing sunsets, gardens - the kids loved going down to the water each day. Thanks again - much appreciation!
Lori, Jason, Julia & Hudson
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
What a lovely retreat!
Thank you, Marcus and Stefanie, for your hospitality and kindness and great help as we explored Cape Breton and enjoyed this lovely house and respite. We were so inspired by our surroundings and John Beardmans art and energy, our girls even took to painting in the woods right where John used to and even sketched on the beach! We hope to be back again!
Andy, Cynthia, Abigail, Anielia, MA
A gem of a house
Dear Marcus and Stephanie,
we have had a wonderful week in this superb house. Thank you for everything that you have done to make it so warm and welcoming. The location is wonderful and from watching the stars from our bed to eating dinner in the dining room, the whole experience has been a joy - the sunsets are spectacular! We loved the warm welcome from you both and our "chats" with Marcus - you are natural hosts. Thanks you for our week in this gem of a house.
Kind regards,
Peter and Anita, Lancashire, U.K.
Thank you for making us feel right at home
Dear Stefanie & Marcus
Thank you for your hospitality and for a beautiful home, with everything one could need. We loved exploring the garden & beach and the art is wonderful! The boys and I had a wonderful relaxing time and they both kept saying what a kind couple you are. We had a wonderful week seeing sights, pining in & out and experiencing Cape Breton. Thank you for making us feel right at home.
Best, Lenta, Cobin & Logan Wright
Halifax, NS
Listening to the waves
Thank you for all of your care into this home & during our visit. We loved being here and hope to return in the fall. Everything here felt like home and one of our favorites of the trip: listening to the waves last thing at night, first thing in the morning. I will miss that most of all. We loved picking Raspberries, Saskatoon Berries and Chanterelles - which we sauteed in butter for dinner. Yum! We will keep in touch for sure.
Rachel, Ade, Zora, Sade
Halifax, NS
Truly a special spot
Dear Stefanie & Marcus,
thank you for sharing this wonderful arthouse with us. It is truly a special spot, serene and thoughtful. We loved listening to the waves, lying in the hammock and admiring all of the incredible artwork. We will not forget our days here at the arthouse on beautiful Cape Breton Island.
The MacDonald Family
Komoka, Ontario
We loved our stay
Dear Stefanie & Marcus,
thank you for making your beautiful home and property available to us! We loved our stay.
Manfred, Alison, Joanne and Mark
Halifax
Lovely blackberry-filled week
We spent a lovely blackberry-filled week here - thank you for a second year of relaxing by the shore.
Peter, Olivia, Frances
PEI
We absolutely loved this beautiful home
We absolutely loved this beautiful home & surrounding gardens. The views were perfect, such a beautiful place to relax! No television necessary, we never tunred it on! Thanks for everything, good luck!
Maura
Plymouth, MI
It was worth the wait!
Thank you Marcus and Steph. As you well know, we waited about two years to arrive after booking and Covid. It was worth the wait! The home is so beautiful with such attention to detail. I am certain you will treasure this home in years to come.
Susan & Tap
Guelph, ON
One week is definitely not enough!
Marcus and Stephanie,
a wonderful house on a wonderful island! Thanks for letting us share in the artistic magic of this place. One week is definitely not enough!
Best, Kurt & Marcelle
What an absolute gem you've created!
Merci / thank you Marcus and Stefanie for the warm greeting and conversation. What an absolute gem you've created!
Beautiful
Enchanting
Airy
Relaxing
Dramatic
Magical
Artful
Natural
Serene
Karen & James,
Guelph, Ontario
Thank you for what you have achieved with this wonderful place
Dear Stefanie and Marcus,
thank you for a wonderful week! We have had the good fortune to stay in many charming and comfortable homes and to visit many fascinating and inspiring galleries. But this was our first opportunity to do both at the same time! Thank you for what you have achieved with this wonderful place.
We especially appreciated the tranquility of the house and of the garden and of the views. Whatever the weather, the water is worth watching and listening to. And even in just a week, we could follow the rhododendron, the lupine and other plants moving towards full flowering. Such was the calming effect of these unique surroundings that James even chatted amiably with the Jehovah's Witnesses who showed up at lunchtime! The week has flown by and now we head back to Ottawa, refreshed and with fond memories of the Beardman Art House.
All the best, Mary Margaret and James
Ottawa, ON
It is a magical place, you are right
Dear Marcus & Stephanie,
we had an awesome time! The best way to celebrate our wedding anniversary and our 60th birthdays.
Cape Breton Island is beautiful and so is the house. We spent as much time "at home" as we did travelling around, hiking, biking, meeting the wonderful people and listening to incredible music.
It is a magical place, you are right, the house has amazing feng shui. So comfortable, like an old shoe, a well-loved and well cared for old shoe. We hope you can preserve it forever.
Nera & Jackson
Brooklyn, N.Y.
We had the most peaceful time
Marcus and Stephanie, we had the most peaceful time in this wonderful Beardmans house. The view was at all time stunning and left us speechless day and night. We loved to watch the sunset scenes every evening. We leave this place with our eyes filled with colours and our hearts full from the time we spent together. Thank you both for your charming hospitality. We wish you the best.
The Thomas' family!