Have you ever checked into your accommodations on holiday and realized you should have paid more for the other side of the building because it has a much better view? Around The Sea has the solution. This fascinating display of architectural ingenuity by the beach in North Rustico offers different views by the hour.

This rather striking, circular building has the capability to rotate on its axis; it’s something they do on a regular basis. We stayed one night this summer and were offered two different scenarios. For the first day and evening, and the next morning, we were blessed with a gorgeous view of the ocean. We cooked our own meals in their modern, well-equipped kitchen, then enjoyed drinks on the lawn. It was lovely. We didn’t have time to use it, but they also have an 8-person barrel sauna.

After breakfast the next morning, as coffee was being consumed on the deck, they rotated the entire structure 180 degrees, so that we were facing the parking lot. While that may not seem as romantic, this perspective gave us the opportunity to witness a spectacular sunset the next evening.

It was my first trip to North Rustico, and I found it charming. It was a fairly short, pleasant walk from our rotating room to the beach, which is beautiful and expansive. The water was relatively cool, as it was late summer and this is the north shore of P.E.I., looking at the open ocean. Still, we were able to splash and play water games, and sleep on the sand.

After an easy stroll to the end of the line at North Rustico Harbour, where the lighthouse is located, we enjoyed a fantastic lunch at Blue Mussel Café. This oceanside café is only open May to October, but you should make it a focal point of your next P.E.I. holiday.  They have local beer, a small but good selection of wines by the glass, fun cocktails and an excellent menu—and not just seafood. Although there are plenty of ocean delicacies, there are also salads, chicken, pork, pasta and vegetarian dishes.

I had the fish tacos, which used halibut, very unusual for the Maritimes. They were delicious. Everyone in our party found the food excellent and the prices reasonable. It’s ideal to have a place to sleep that is walking distance to good restaurants.

Next time you’re in P.E.I., why not go for a spin?

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