News release

Province Sells Liscombe Lodge

Business (April 2015 - Feb. 2021)

Government has sold Liscombe Lodge Resort and Conference Centre on the Eastern Shore in Guysborough County to Hearthstone Hospitality Limited. The new owner will invest $1 million in upgrades and offer employment to all current employees.

“Nova Scotia is officially out of the resort business. We have always said that role is best left to the private sector,” said Geoff MacLellan, Minister of Business. “I am pleased that Liscombe Lodge and Digby Pines are both now in the hands of experienced private sector operators to ensure ongoing employment and economic activity in these areas. I also want to thank Tourism Nova Scotia and New Castle for successfully managing operations at both resorts while we looked for appropriate buyers”

Hearthstone Hospitality paid $450,000 for the resort. The sale closed Aug. 1. Hearthstone operates three hotels in Nova Scotia in Port Hastings, Sydney and Dartmouth.

Quotes:

“Liscombe Lodge is both a true anchor for the area and a showpiece for the local economy. We are looking forward to welcoming existing staff to the Hearthstone family. Their collective experience and knowledge will be key in enhancing the resort’s classic charm and character and ensuring our visitors experience the warmth of a Maritime welcome.”

– Mike Melanchuk, owner, Hearthstone Hospitality

"Liscombe Lodge is a wonderful place to experience the spectacular Eastern Shore. This iconic wilderness resort will benefit from new investment and a revitalized visitor experience and the community will continue to benefit from the economic activity it supports. We are so pleased to have helped find its new owner, Hearthstone Hospitality.”

– Jennifer Angel, CEO, Develop Nova Scotia.

“We want to thank New Castle Resorts for being a great partner in managing these resorts since 2002. Their hard work has allowed Nova Scotians and visitors from around the world to have wonderful experiences in Digby and Guysborough Country. We look forward to seeing what the future holds with new ownership and investment at both Digby Pines and Liscombe Lodge.

  • Michele Saran, CEO, Tourism Nova Scotia

Quick Facts:

  • the resort will continue its current use and operations until at least October 2022
  • in 2016, the province asked Develop Nova Scotia to find a buyer for two of its Signature Resorts – Digby Pines and Liscombe Lodge
  • the sale of Digby Pines in December included similar negotiated conditions
  • New Castle Resorts managed both Digby Pines and Liscombe Lodge on behalf of the province since 2002

Additional Resources:

Hearthstone Hospitality: https://www.hearthstonehospitality.ca/

Liscombe Lodge: https://www.liscombelodge.ca/

Follow Us