advice on Cape Breton itinerary

Yes, although the drive is also pleasant, all those hotel changes will eat up time better spent hiking or eating or relaxing in Cape Breton. Also 2 nights only gives you 1 full day at any one place.

When I went to Cape Breton, I stayed in Baddeck and drove the entire loop in one day. And I took several short hikes, so it wasn't just driving all day. Driving time if you don't stop at all is around 5-6 hours. (I was on a longer trip that included other stops all around Nova Scotia.)

I wouldn't want to change so much on a 6-night trip. You don't say what your flight times are or where they are from/to. But assuming you want to be back in Halifax for Night 6 to catch an early flight the next day, I'd recommend dividing the other 5 nights between 2 places, probably with 3 nights in Baddeck and 2 nights somewhere along the loop.

Or, if you want to spend a day in Halifax (which is worth doing - it's a charming city), cut a night off Baddeck and spend the last 2 nights in Halifax.

What time does your flight arrive? We were in NS last summer and loved our time in Cape Breton & Cabot Trail. We used Baddeck as a base for the Cabot Trail, you could spend 2 nights there and 2 in Inverness ( preferred it to Cheticamp). during the summer there were nightly Ceilidh’s in Baddeck and music at a great pub in Inverness- both also have excellent restaurants . Currently there is a fire ban in NS which also prohibits all hiking into the woods/ trails. Mid October is still a long way away but you may want to monitor any bans closer to your arrival. Lots to experience in Hallfax, suggest 2nights and you could also head to Lunenburg, Mahone Bay and Peggy’s Cove which are easy to reach from Halifax.

Mid-October? Could be perfect timing. The Celtic Colours Festival is Oct 10-18 (https://celtic-colours.com). This is a fantastic Celtic music festival where every pub, church hall and outdoor facility turns into a caelidh. We did it a few years ago, staying in Baddeck, and couldn't help but bump into these events without even really having to look for them.

As for logistics of staying in Cape Breton, the island is not big enough to stop at a different place every night. I would just plant myself in Baddeck, in the centre, and get to the rest of the island from there.

The Province just removed the ban on going in the woods (hiking) on Friday for Cape Breton and some other counties, it’s still banned in some parts of the Province due to the drought and wildfires.

Baddeck certainly has more choice for accommodation. I like the Telegraph Inn. The hike to Uisge Ban Falls is nice and the Bell museum is worth a visit.

I will often stay a night or two in Baddeck and then a night or two in Cheticamp, otherwise it’s a lot of driving and if you are hiking, you will be tired. The Skyline Trail is a highlight. It can take from 1.5 to 3 hours to hike it or longer depending on stops.

I finish is nice to spend a night in as well. Keltic Lodge is a bit tired, but they have a nice restaurant. There are also some nice b&b’s in the area. Mary Ann Falls are beautiful. The road up to them is closed to vehicles, but you can hike to them. It’s uphill to get to them but downhill on the way back.

Neil’s harbour is nice and so is White Point (no, not the resort on the south shore). It’s rugged and looks like the Scottish Highlands. Photos do not do it justice.

I personally don’t see much point in staying in Port Hood. You can just stay in Cheticamp and see some of the scenery on the way there or the way back to and from Halifax.