Historical Victorian Inn with Whimsical Charm

In a way, the exterior of the house at 15 King Street—a Georgian-turned-Victorian with candy-cane-striped moldings ornamenting its gray façade—is something like its history: intriguing, mostly consistent, with bits of color peeking out here and there. A private residence for 123 years—117 of them in the same family—the building has also housed a restaurant, a French bakery, administrative offices, and a senior-living facility, among other endeavors. Today the building is the architectural centerpiece of The Mariner King Inn and Hotel, and together with the inn’s bright-green and fruity-pink annexes, it serves as an elegant cradle from which to explore the culture and character of Nova Scotia.

Inside the inn, stimulating architecture and upscale décor imbue the guest bedrooms and suites with a degree of singularity. In sunny room 104, located in the historical main building, the dark wood of the stout queen bed frame stands out against the white of the plush comforter and the understated tones of the nearby armchair. Like many of the Standard rooms in the annexes, nautically themed room 301 sports a fireplace and hoards a small mountain of pillows atop its queen bed. Each of the annexes’ one-bedroom suites complements the fireplace in its bedroom area with another in its living room, ensuring suite stayers always have a convenient and romantic place to destroy sensitive documents and embarrassing grade-school photos.

Travelers’ tummies are made equally comfortable at King’s Plate, the inn’s on-site restaurant, where guests feast on sophisticated fare infused with European twists. Recent entrees have ranged from braised Nova Scotia lamb with potato purée to pistachio-crusted sea scallops with creamy saffron sauce. In the morning, guests can relish a complimentary breakfast before setting out for explorations of Lunenburg and beyond.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia: Seaside Enclave of History and Culture

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town of Lunenburg traces its lineage back to the mobile peoples of Germany, Switzerland, and the Montbéliard region of France. Early settlers found the area’s picturesque waters teeming with silver-skinned quarry; they quickly began to cast their lines, and they haven’t stopped since. Today, the town maintains its legacy as a North American fishing mecca and entices tourists with the small-town charm of historical Cape architecture. In addition to the brightly hued houses clad in shades of orange, lemon, and fire-truck red, the local vibe is colored by romantic horse-drawn carriage rides, fresh seafood restaurants, and nearly 200 specialty shops and art galleries.   Lunenburg Harbour Port plays host to a revolving showcase of majestic tall ships, many of which were erected and christened by the town’s legendary shipbuilders. Although the ships in the port vary by date and season, visitors often have the opportunity to photograph and board some of the tall ships in dock.

Recommendations for Your Getaway

• The Knot Pub<p> This casual local watering hole teeming with traditional pub fare features horseshoe-shaped seats, oak furnishings, and a copper-colored ceiling.</p>
• Pleasant Paddling<p> This outfitter rent kayaks and offers guided tours, giving travelers a breathtaking perspective of the Nova Scotia shoreline as well as the Oven’s Sea Caves, Lunenburg Harbour, and other sites.</p>
• Lunenburg Town Walking Tours<p> One-hour historical tours focus on architecture styles and important buildings, and 90-minute working-waterfront walks weave through fisheries, shipyards, and distilleries.</p>
• The Knaut-Rhuland House Museum<p> This 2.5-story wooden house with a history of influential residents features beautiful Georgian artifacts, including 18th-century furniture. Costumed guides offer tours of the home and gardens.</p>