Maine’s Bar Harbor Inn is a quaint New England vacation destination that overlooks Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands, an ideal location near the picturesque Acadia National Park.
Some Facts About Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, Maine is a coastal town with a rich history, stunning natural beauty, and an array of outdoor activities. It’s situated on Mount Desert Island, the largest island off the northeastern coast of Maine, spanning 108 square miles. The name “Bar Harbor” comes from a sand bar that connects the town to Bar Island at low tide. Originally, it was inhabited by the Wabanaki Indians, the area was known as “the sloping land.” Bar Harbor serves as a gateway to Acadia National Park, known for its breathtaking landscapes and hiking trails.
Nestled in Bar Harbor on the picturesque Frenchman Bay, the Bar Harbor Inn is a lovely oceanfront resort. To give you a bit of where Bar Harbor, Maine is located, it’s about a 90-minute drive to the Bangor International Airport and more than three hours north of Portland.
Bar Harbor Inn Blends History, Charm, and Elegance
We were looking for a Maine hotel that would provide us with a classic New England experience but offer modern amenities. Well, we truly picked magnificent accommodations. Bar Harbor Inn offers timeless charm, eight beautifully landscaped acres along the coast of Frenchman Bay, and is within walking distance to the historic downtown Main Street shops, art galleries, museums, restaurants, and waterfront activities. The lobby in the hotel feels like an elegant but cozy living room, with carpeted floors, a brick fireplace, and a grandfather clock. There is lots of comfortable seating to enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee and get spoiled by the hospitality that Maine is known for.
Sections of Bar Harbor Inn date back to the 1800s when The Oasis Club first opened the Mount Desert Reading Room. In fact, it was a club promoting social culture and literacy, known to have hosted affluent guests including many dignitaries.
Charming Accommodations at Bar Harbor Inn
The Bar Harbor Inn offers 153 rooms with traditional, slightly “old fashioned” decor, including floral bedspreads among wood bedroom sets. The guest rooms are divided into three separate buildings: the Main Inn, Oceanfront Lodge, and Newport Building.
Accommodations are as follows:
:: Main Inn – This charming piece of Maine history, dating back to the 1800’s, has been renovated with 50 traditional, yet luxurious, guest rooms.
:: Oceanfront Lodge – Offers private balconies with spectacular panoramic views of Frenchman Bay.
:: Newport – Newly renovated in 2022 to feature cozy, plush rooms offers convenient access to downtown Bar Harbor at a location that overlooks the eight acres of the Bar Harbor Inn landscaped property and gardens.
When it comes to selecting a building to make your reservations, there are no wrong choices at Bar Harbor Inn. All accommodations are equally magnificent. Each building offers a unique character, so you can select from bay view suites, oceanfront rooms, or garden views.
Our King room had a four-poster bed, large bay windows, and a fireplace. There are also two-story suites available that feature a living room, private balcony, and a bedroom loft. The rooms provide a quaint, traditional style that includes pastel colored walls and floral-patterned bedding. All rooms provide free WI-FI, a flat-screen television, coffee machine, and more. If you’re not a fan of nostalgic fancy floral patterns, this décor may not suit your taste.
Bar Harbor Inn amenities include:
:: Free WIFI/Internet
:: Bay windows
:: Balcony/Terrace (some rooms)
:: Fireplace (some rooms)
:: Daily housekeeping
:: Coffee machine
:: Iron/Ironing Board
:: Refrigerator
:: In room safe
:: Cable/Satellite Television
Dining at Bar Harbor Inn and Downtown Bar Harbor
At Bar Harbor Inn, you have three restaurants to choose from including:
:: Terrace Grille
:: Reading Room Restaurant
:: Oasis Club Lounge
Terrace Grille is the perfect casual dining spot for lunch or dinner. While sitting on the patio, you can enjoy fresh seafood options, healthy salads, and delicious sandwiches.
Reading Room Restaurant offers fine dining overlooking the water for lunch and dinner. The restaurant serves fresh seafood and classic New England dishes.
The casual Oasis Club Lounge is located just beyond the Reading Room, offering live piano entertainment, cozy tables, and bar seating to enjoy a drink and appetizers.
The complimentary daily continental breakfast is an appreciated amenity, a delicious breakfast buffet offering eggs, pastries, fruit, and more.
If you’re looking to eat nearby the hotel, it’s suggested you dine at popular local restaurants including West Street Café, Tea House 278, Paddy’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Cafe This Way, and The Looking Glass Restaurant.
Bar Harbor Inn Amenities and Activities
Bar Harbor Inn provides traditional hotel amenities, with exclusive access to a fitness room, heated outdoor infinity pool and jacuzzi, and a free daily deluxe continental breakfast. After returning to the inn each evening after a day of sightseeing folks can relax to refreshing ocean views, dine on delicious food and cocktails, or make a visit to the spa.
The Spa at the Bar Harbor Inn offers a full menu of therapeutic services including massages, mud wraps, aromatherapy, sauna, and facials. It’s a great way to take some time from sightseeing in Bar Harbor to relax, rejuvenate, and soothe your aching muscles and your mind. Prior to your appointment, take some time in the lounge to enjoy a cup of tea or infused water.
The hotel has a small fitness center with treadmills, elliptical machine, free weights, Plus, yoga classes are available at the inn for a fee. Free parking is available and Wi-Fi is free throughout. There’s a small wooden playground for children outside on the lawn. Bar Harbor Inn also offers many seasonal activities. Refer to the “Events Calendar” to see what is offered during your visit.
Onsite activities include:
:: History Hall Tour – In the main lobby, take a guided tour down History Hall to view specially-curated collections of artifacts and artwork related to the inn’s history.
:: Lawn Games – On the entrance lawn, spend the mornings and afternoons playing games like cornhole, disc golf, or giant backyard Jenga.
:: S’mores & Firepit – Enjoy making and eating s’mores at the firepit during evenings outside the Main Inn on the Gazebo Lawn.
Acadia National Park
We visited Bar Harbor, Maine specifically to see Acadia National Park, known for its amazing scenery. We had seen so many breathtaking photos of the picturesque nature that we had to plan to see it all in person. Acadia National Park offers more than 49,000 acres, spanning 120 miles of scenery and outdoor adventures. The park, located just a short, 10-minute drive from Bar Harbor Inn, encompasses nearly half of Mount Desert Island in addition to many smaller islands.
Think of Acadia National Park as a natural playground where you can hike, bike, swim, horseback ride, paddle board, take boating tours, ski, snowshoe, or take a relaxing carriage ride and enjoy the scenery. There is truly something for everyone at Acadia National Park. We caught an early morning sunrise at the Cadillac Mountain entrance, along Acadia’s beautiful rocky shoreline on Ocean Drive. Words cannot describe how spectacular the experience was.
If you want, you can simply drive the park’s 27-mile loop road around Acadia National Park along thrilling oceanside cliffs. Follow along the loop through lush mountain forests and take a few breaks, stopping at scenic lookout points along the way.
Other Highlights in Bar Harbor, Maine
In addition to the main attraction of Acadia National Park, the Bar Harbor Inn sits just one block from historic Main Street, within walking distance to unique stores, restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, and art galleries. The waterfront is right there as well, so there are many water activities and adventures to consider.
Here are just some of the activities in the Bar Harbor area to consider: beach, bicycling, boating, boat tours, fishing, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, land tours, museums, art galleries, shopping, tennis, theater, and music. Bar Harbor is also popular for seasonal festivals, so check online events calendars prior to your visit.
Noteworthy outdoor activities:
:: Acadian Nature Cruises – Take sightseeing and nature cruises.
:: Lulu Lobster Boat Ride – Lobster boat tours on a traditional lobster boat.
:: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. – Enjoy a whale watch tour or take a tour of historic Maine lighthouses.
:: Abbe Museum – Learn about the Wabanaki Nations through exhibits, activities, and programs for all ages.
:: Bar Harbor Historical Society – Learn the history of Bar Harbor inside the La Rochelle mansion and museum.
:: Criterion Theatre – A renovated and restored 1932 theatre offers first-run Hollywood films, live shows, music, dance, and children’s programming.
:: Acadia Repertory Theatre – Live professional theatre on Mount Desert Island staging the works of a variety of famous playwrights from Shakespeare to Neil Simon.
:: Acadia Outfitters – Rent a scooter, kayak and bicycle and join a tour of the area.
:: Acadia National Park Tours – Take a fully narrated sightseeing bus tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.
:: Oli’s Trolly – Fully narrated trolley tours of Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, and Mount Desert Island.
Bar Harbor Inn: A Wonderful, Peaceful Stay
Bar Harbor’s unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, makes it a must-visit destination. The Bar Harbor Inn provides a perfect backdrop to explore the Maine coast and the breathtaking Acadia National Park. There’s a wonderful blend of rich Bar Harbor history at the hotel, the perfect atmosphere to relax amidst refreshing ocean views, enjoy elegant dining, and treat yourself to a refreshing spa service. Whether you’re traveling as a couple, a family, or a solo getaway, after a day of sightseeing or hiking, Bar Harbor Inn provided a beautiful, comfortable place to relax.
Everything during our stay was perfect. The Bar Harbor Inn is within walking distance to everything. Our room was lovely, breakfast delicious, and the staff was helpful. You can opt to stay in the Main Inn, the Oceanfront Lodge, or the Newport Building, and expect to experience a memorable New England vacation. The luxurious, elegantly designed “floral and frilly” guest rooms, onsite restaurants and history-filled lounge, made staying at the Bar Harbor Inn a pleasure.