The secret is out… My latest and greatest travel voyage was to the beautiful coastal city of Bar Harbor, Maine. I just fell head over heels for this cute city. I’ll be featuring Mainely Maine themed posts (pun!) in the coming week. There was just so much to see and experience in such a concentrated area.
The state of Maine is a lovely place. The locals were friendly, the streets were clean and the weather was perfection. I think the only thing that convinced me to hop on that returning flight was the fact that my kids were down in Florida. (otherwise, I might have stayed. They need RNs in Maine, right?) So I have so much to tell you about my stay in Bar Harbor. I’ll start off with telling you every detail about where I stayed and why I would stay there again!
BAR HARBOR: Where to Stay
There are plenty of Bed & Breakfasts and Hotels in Bar Harbor and the surrounding areas. They all look clean and beautiful. But we chose something a bit outside of downtown and I am so glad we did. We stayed at The Bluenose Inn.
The Bluenose Inn
This is a 52 room hotel, established/built in 1884. It rests on the giant granite rock of “Mount Desert Island”. It has sweeping views of the gorgeous Maine coastline, the harbor in Frenchman Bay & Acadia National Park. It is a short 8-10min walk from the Lobby to downtown Bar Harbor. (You can drive, but parking can be scarce in downtown!) It’s so close to the action without the noise or feel of the city hustle & bustle. It was so peaceful and secluded.
Review of My Stay at Bluenose Inn
The views of the bay were spectacular from our private balcony. We stayed in room 329, a pink”Mizzentop Room”. The decor feels very ”New England” a bit nautical with lots of turn of the century florals and chandeliers. It featured a fireplace, small seating area, a king sized bed and a HUGE bathroom.
The cleanliness level was immaculate. The balcony was private and charming. The air-conditioning was supreme. The staff was friendly.
Unique & Best Parts of The Bluenose Inn
I found 3 unique treats/perks that I took advantage of at the Bluenose.
- There is a 24hr Coffee & Tea bar in the lobby. Caffeine? Always!
- The Great Room Piano Lounge featured the talented Bill Trowell. Seriously you should youtube this guy, he is an incredible pianist. When he sat down and started playing his grand piano, lit by the gleaming brass candelabra above, I honestly almost spilled my hot green tea.
- The fresh-baked cookies carefully delivered to the Lobby at 3pm every afternoon. yuuuuuum. Whether you are slipping in to the hotel after a busy morning or sliding out for an afternoon full of adventure: grab a warm homemade cookie!
The Bluenose Inn also has one of the most beautiful Indoor pools I’ve ever seen. There is also an outdoor pool with a beautiful view of the surrounding forests. They have an upscale full service Spa – with reasonable prices. The Bluenose Inn also has a wonderful restaurant called The Looking Glass. (An ode to Lewis Carroll maybe? No Jabberwockys here, but it still delivers whimsy.) It is a moderately priced restaurant with a literal award-winning view!
(More to come on these fire grilled Blueberry Muffins and other incredible edible treats around Bar Harbor! Stay tuned to future posts.)
The pictures don’t do it justice. Sit outside on the deck beside the fire pit or chose to stay inside under the oversized wooden chandelier – it’s spectacular.
I don’t have enough nice things to stay about The Bluenose Inn. The value, the location, the perks, & the views will keep me wanting to come back. If you are planning an overnight to the Bar Harbor area, stop in at The Bluenose Inn.
xo
Hi – I am thoroughly enjoying your commentaries on Acadia National Park/Mt. Desert Island.
This is my favorite vacation spot in the country, having vacationed there 5 times of which 3 were week-long stays. I recommend the Bar Harbor Inn & Spa in downtown Bar Harbor, which is located on the scenic, promontory bluff jutting out into the ocean. It is my favorite hotel in the country and has an old-world/sophisticated European feel and charm with all of the modern conveniences. The main restaurant is world-class. The shore walk goes around the hotel. Going off-season is much more affordable.
A recommended motel for the more budget-conscious anytime is The Villager, also downtown., but very quiet even over the Labor Day weekend. (Last, crazy weekend of the summer!) Rooms are clean and large. For security, I was even able to haul my 14-foot kayak and mountain-bike inside each night. This was a solo trip, so I decided to not go the luxury route, and this motel was a very pleasant surprise and far surpassed my expectations for comfort, quiet and convenience. It served as a perfect base for my outdoor adventures.
For restaurants in town, I still say the blueberry pancakes at Two Cats were worth the 800-mile round-trip drive from a previous home in the southern Adirondacks. I would breakfast there 3 times over a week’s stay.
Thanks for the most enjoyable writing!