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"Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada

West Lake Ainslie vacation home with kitchen

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Photo gallery for "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada

Two people sitting on red Adirondack chairs facing a lake with a hill in the background.
3 bedrooms, WiFi (free), bed sheets
A cabin interior with wooden walls, a kitchen with white cabinets, a stove, and a dining area with a table and chairs.
A wooden interior with a piano, a sofa, and a dining table.
A house surrounded by lush greenery and a small stream.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4167 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Inverness Cape Breton Island, NS
  • Place, Lake Ainslie
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Cabot Links
    ‪40 min drive‬
  • Place, Cabot Cliffs Golf Course
    ‪44 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

West Lake Ainslie

On lake.At this West Lake Ainslie vacation home, you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Lake Ainslie and 6 miles (10 km) of Trout Brook Provincial Park. Also within 9 miles (15 km) are Bras d'Or Lake and Whycocomagh Provincial Park.
View more Vacation homes in West Lake AinslieOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Lake Ainslie - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Glenora Inn and Distillery - 35 min drive - 49.5 km
  • Cabot Links - 40 min drive - 44.6 km
  • Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site - 42 min drive - 62.1 km
  • Cabot Cliffs Golf Course - 44 min drive - 60.8 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Farmers Daughter - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Charlene's Bayside Restaurant - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Prosper's PitStop - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪La Bel-France Pantry - ‬12 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

"Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada

A modern rustic peaceful escape on Nova Scotia’s largest freshwater lake plus access to a private 560 acre forest. We are thrilled to introduce this amazing accommodation to VRBO guests!

Michael Nikas earned VRBO Premier Partner status for many previous years and now returns with this new friendly + cozy property on Cape Breton Island near world famous tourist attractions + golf courses.

Michael and his family are full-time residents at West Lake Ainslie, Cape Breton Island, NS Canada. Michael's lengthy travel photography and video production career has taken him to many exotic destinations and has given him a taste of quality accommodations and hosting skills. Michael is a bestseller publisher of the coffee table travel pictorial book: "Greece Rediscovered" and has two TV series currently on the Bell Fibe TV Network by the titles "Home of their Hears, Cape Breton" and "Lone". Michael created and is the host of a Music Festival in Inverness: "Banks Schoolhouse" by DMNikas. It's a popular one-day free outdoor festival. Michael Nikas and his wife Winnie are your hosts at the "Forest Lake House" and you are in for a fabulous & memorable experience. The House is part of a glorious 560 acres of private forest and guests are welcome to explore it. Guests have full access to Lake Ainslie and Michael provides complimentary canoes and kayaks ... he might even offer to bake one of his original Artisan thin crust pizzas!

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  • Washer
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Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 1,800 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

For every guest after the first two guest, there will be an additional guest fee of a 25 dollars per night.

Nightly rate is greatly reduced from Oct 15th to Apr 30th from to $99/night minimum stay of seven (7) nights - bookings from Friday to Friday only.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.

Property Registration Number RYA-2023-24-03271507233206290-4333

Frequently asked questions

Does "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

How close is "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada to the beach?

This vacation home is 18.1 mi (32-min drive) from Inverness Beach.

Does "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is "Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada to downtown West Lake Ainslie?

This vacation home is 4.4 mi away from West Lake Ainslie.

"Forest Lake House" by DMNikas spectacular lakefront Cape Breton Island, Canada Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jeff

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Absolutely everything about our stay was amazing!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

peggy m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A beautiful place, so spacious and nicely set up. The views were breathtaking, everything you need to have a wonderful stay. Wished we could of stayed longer
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a lovely stay at the immaculate well named Forest Lake House. Michael and Winnie were very gracious hosts!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rayna S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Looks just like the pictures! Host is friendly and helpful. Beautiful and quiet surroundings!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Jolyn C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice spot. Beautiful view!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Robin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a lovely stay! Michael and Winnie were lovely and attentive hosts. They made great suggestions for a nice hike on their beautiful property, and to a wonderful distillery and restaurant for a great dinner! We spent our first day exploring Beddeck, and our second with an incredible drive around the Cabot Trail.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sally F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great private location with lake views and access. Host was very responsive to all comunication and requests. Lovely rustic house with good kitchen set up and laundry facilities.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lynann M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Amazing Amazing. We cannot wait to stay here again. The hosts, the property, and that view are all exceptional. You will not be disappointed if you select this home!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Denis R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Better than pictures right on the lake. Beautiful view and very quiet. The host are wonderful people. Would definitely go back.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ioana

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful peaceful home away from home. Perfect for a family (we were there with our two kids), and we particularly loved being able to canoe with the kids right out of the backyard! Michael and Winnie were lovely hosts too.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ken N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location, didn't have a change to go in the water but the building was clean, lots of blankets and fully equipped kitchen, was nice to have a BBQ and A/C on the main floor too, upstairs was good, no A/C but a fan was nice to have to keep the air moving
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mark O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful, beautiful, and peaceful setting. The cabin is fully updated with new appliances and met all of our expectations. We especially enjoyed gazing over the lake and using the kayak. We wish we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Angela O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Would book again!

Loved this property. Our only regret was that we didn't book it for a longer stay! Very comfy beds. Loved the comfy throws. Kitchen had everything we needed. Great hosts. Would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nico K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved staying in the Forest Lake House! Michael and Winnie were gracious hosts and very welcoming. The house was well equipped and very comfortable. We enjoyed kayaking, the canoe and roasting marshmallows over the fire in front of the house overlooking Lake Ainslie. A true gem!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

mark b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

CB 2024

Nice accommodation and location.
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

nathaniel

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Central location odor Cape Breton and the central/coastal areas. Stunning place right on the lake. Sunrises and moonshine on the lake. Hosts are wonderful. Planning our next trip.
Stayed 12 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Charlie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Forest Lake House

Michael and Winnie greeted us upon arrival and showed us around. Beautiful people and the best hosts. Very friendly and accommodating. Our accommodation was above and beyond, equipped with everything you could possibly need for your stay. Our cottage was so comfortable and peaceful. We would definitely stay there again and have recommended it to family.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Peter T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent and friendly

Beautiful property on the lakeside, but it’s about more than just the quality of the accommodation. The hosts have considered every possible comfort and thoughtfully provided it, a fire pit, chairs, canoe and kayak, great WiFi etc. We had a wonderful 3 day stay, and would love to come back sometime soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Tania

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Overall, we very much enjoyed our stay. The hosts were warm, helpful, and friendly, and communication was great. A couple of small things: one of the canoes had a broken seat which made our paddle awkward, and the furniture in the main bedroom did not really match the overall feel of the place: the desk and chair looked like office discards. On the whole, though, we felt it was a great litle haven and would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lakeview, Nature and Silence

Do you want to relax? This is the opportunity. We had wonderful days at Lake Ainslie and enjoyed the silence and nature. A big thank you to the owner Michael and Winnie and their fantastic family! Hopefully, we will see each other again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amy N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amy Newberry

This was the best place ever. Our house was great and so were the hosts. I highly recommend staying at least a week to be able to do everything around. The 4 of us felt very comfortable and relaxed. Thank you both for the best place ever. So clean, and spacious. Until we see each other again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cora P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Lake House

We really enjoyed our stay. The home was rustic and modern. Well appointed kitchen with more than everything you need. Quality wine glasses and coffee mugs. Comfortable beds, great living area and the owner brought us some hot homemade pizza. My grandson and I enjoyed fishing and kayaking on the lake. I could watch him fish from the great chairs on the front deck. Great experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Margot M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I spent 8 days there with my husband. The house is wonderful, very spacious, clean and equipped with everything you would need to live there all summer long (which we wished we could have). We were there in September, so it was nice to have a fire in a large wood stove in the evenings. The place is decorated with original artwork. The surroundings are beautiful, and the lake is great for canoeing and swimming. It is so very peaceful there. At the same time, it is located close to the Cabot Trail and some great live music on the Ceilidh Trail (west coast). Last but not least, Michael, our host, was awesome, so friendly and generous. He even lent my husband one of his favorite hats for the duration of our stay. Thank you so much for being such a great host.We highly recommend this place to couples and families.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Line A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beauty & Tranquility

If you want beauty and tranquility on or off the water then this is the place. Waterfront coffee mornings looking at the Eagles hunt for their breakfast, fish jumping and more. Activities for all ages, swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing or just hanging out at the lake. The cottage is gorgeous, staying summer or winter. The owners Micheal and Winnie have done a great job and continue to do so. Thank you Micheal and Winnie it was a pleasure. Our paths may cross once again. All the best. Line/Ron
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tajana M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wir hatten eine wunderschöne Woche. Das Lakehouse ist gut eingerichtet. Die Lage ist Traumhaft. Die Gastgeber Michael und Winni waren sehr lieb und aufmerksam. Das wlan hat in der oberen Etage nicht immer funktioniert, so habe wir die Bücher nicht umsonst mitgenommen
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025