Since 1973, the women of the Driftwood Lodge have extended their hospitality to many travellers at their family owned and operated business. They have always taken pride in providing clean, comfortable and affordable accommodation. The simple joys of life have always been at the forefront of the Driftwood’s philosophy - a place to relax, find solitude, enjoy friends, family and good conversation and delight in mother nature. Just minutes from several restaurants and shops, hiking, golfing and sightseeing in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and local whale watching, kayaking and zodiac adventures.

A Story of Generations

Susan Kulig and her daughter, Wanda Tacreiter, while traveling around the Cabot Trail in 1972, happened upon a bed and breakfast in an old red farmhouse by the ocean in Ingonish. Susan expressed that this would be the perfect place for the little restaurant she had always dreamt of having.

As fate would have it, the place was for sale, the price was right and the word “sold!” was uttered. Construction on the lodge began in 1973 with Wanda’s 3 year old daughter, Kersti, insisting on helping by mixing cement and carrying the occasional 2” x 4” and the European Food Restaurant opened that July, with the rooms opening the following year.  Susan, having emigrated from Poland in 1962, following daughter, Wanda, who had left Poland in 1957, was 65 when she opened her business and was “the boss” and chef until 1995, keeping things under careful watch and giving orders until the ripe age of 87. 

Susan and her restaurant and Wanda are no longer with us, but Kersti and her family carry on the business, renting rooms and enjoying their visitors’ company.  Kersti hopes to eventually re-establish her grandmother’s tradition of offering good food to her visitors, perhaps with the help of the fourth generation that has joined the Driftwood crew, breaking a long tradition of the "Driftwood Women".