Updated 2025-12-02 | Whale House Guest House, Mobile, Newfoundland
Every week someone asks the same question:
“Should we stay in St. John’s for the city energy… or out on the Irish Loop for whales and quiet?”
My answer never changes:
Mobile. You get both — and you get them better.
30-minute drive from downtown St. John’s. Private ocean-view hot tubs. Private forest sauna + cold plunge. Zero light pollution. Zero noise.
This is what actually happens when you stay at Whale House
You step into your private hot tub, water bubbling, Atlantic right there. You hear whales surface while you soak. You walk into the trees to the forest bathing sauna and cold plunge zone. Heat. Cold plunge. Heat again. You feel every knot in your body disappear. You crawl back into the hot tub under stars or auroras or fog — whatever the sky gives you that night. You remember what it feels like to be stupidly in love (or fall in love all over again).
That’s not hype. That’s what every couple writes us the day they check out.
Want to pop into St. John’s for dinner or a screech-in? 30 minutes. Want whales even closer? Every boat tour is 5–15 minutes away. Want world-class food without leaving the neighbourhood? Fork Restaurant is a 5-minute walk.
Real couples, real messages (this year)
“Came for the hot tub and sauna. Left completely in love again. Already rebooked.”
— Jenna & Alex
“We were one fight away from separate bedrooms. Two nights at Whale House fixed us.”
— Sarah & Mike
“The private sauna + cold plunge + hot tub combo wrecked us in the best way. Best weekend in years.”
— Megan & Ryan
We have dates open right now
Some of them are the last ones until spring.
Planning a trip to Newfoundland is a bit like staring at a menu where everything looks delicious. You want the vibrant culture, the colourful row houses, and the incredible food scene of St. John’s. But you also crave the rugged coastline, the salt sea air, and the chance to spot a humpback whale right from your morning coffee spot.
Usually, travelers think they have to choose: the City Mouse vacation or the Country Mouse vacation.
But here is a local secret: You don’t have to choose.
Located in the picturesque community of Mobile, The Whale House Guest House sits in the "Goldilocks Zone" of the Avalon Peninsula. We are perched right on the breathtaking Irish Loop, yet just a short, scenic 30-minute drive from downtown St. John’s.
What is the Irish Loop you say? I'm so glad you asked.
The Irish loop is a scenic drive on the South East section of the Avalon Peninsula. It's known for history and particular brand of culture, that spans 400 years.
Here is why making Mobile your home base gives you the absolute best of both worlds.
1. World-Class Dining, Right on Your Doorstep
One of the biggest myths about staying outside the city is that you have to compromise on food. In Mobile, that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, we are home to some of the province's most exciting culinary experiences.
You can indulge in an intimate, farm-to-table tasting menu at Fork Restaurant, just a quick 3 minute walk from the Whale House Guest House, a spot so good that city dwellers drive out here just to eat! For a true taste of home, The Captain's Table offers legendary fish and chips and fresh seafood platters that are as authentic as it gets.
You have the best of local cuisine right here. But if you do crave a night on the town to explore George Street or try a city spot, you are only a 30-minute drive away. You get the culinary variety of the entire region, without being trapped in the noise of the city.
2. Wake Up to Whales, Dine in the City
Imagine waking up to the sound of the ocean. You pour a fresh cup of coffee, step out onto the deck, and watch the sun rise over the Atlantic. If it’s summer, you might just see the mist of a whale spout on the horizon. It is peaceful, quiet, and utterly relaxing.
You spend your day hiking the East Coast Trail (which runs right past our doorstep!) or taking a boat tour from the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve to see the puffins.
Then, when evening rolls around, you hop in the car. In less time than it takes to watch an episode of your favorite show, you are standing on George Street or sitting down to a world-class meal at one of St. John’s top restaurants like Raymond's or The Merchant Tavern.
You get the world-class dining, but you come home to the starry, silent nights of the bay.
3. You’re Right Next Door to Nature’s Superstars
When you stay in the city, seeing the "real" Newfoundland nature usually requires a drive. When you stay in Mobile, you are living in it.
Puffins & Whales: The boat tour operators are just minutes away. You can beat the crowds and catch the first boat out.
The East Coast Trail: No need to drive to a trailhead. Iconic hikes like the path to the La Manche Suspension Bridge are practically in our backyard.
4. Escape the "Hotel Box" for Boutique Luxury
City hotels are great, but they can feel… like hotels. Elevators, lobbies, and the noise of traffic outside your window.
At The Whale House, we offer a different kind of luxury. It’s the luxury of space, of silence, and of feeling like a guest in a friend’s beautiful home rather than a room number. Our suites are designed for relaxation, with high-end linens, stunning views, and that personalized Newfoundland hospitality you just can't manufacture.
5. The Drive is Part of the Experience
Newfoundland isn't about rushing from Point A to Point B. The drive from St. John’s to Mobile along Route 10 is beautiful in its own right. You leave the highway and wind along the coast, passing colourful fishing stages, farmsteads and rocky coves. By the time you pull into our driveway, you can feel your shoulders drop and the stress melt away.
The Verdict?
If you want to party on George Street until 3 AM every single night, staying downtown is your best bet.
But if you want to hike world-class trails, see the world’s largest gathering of humpbacks, enjoy a quiet glass of wine by the ocean, and have incredible dining options right in your neighborhood?
Mobile is your place. And The Whale House is your home.