Bar Harbor hotels

One of the things that make the Yellow House Inn one of the best hotels in Bar Harbor is its prime location. The inn is set just steps from the Shore Path and within view of Balance Rock. Just down the road you’ll find the pier and the harbour ferry.

But what made me fall in love with this quaint inn is its beautiful exterior, which is yellow (as you might imagine) and features a wide, covered deck with rocking chairs. Once you see it, it’s not surprising to learn that the Yellow House is Bar Harbor’s second-oldest home.

Its historic elements – think hardwood floors and high ceilings – are balanced by more contemporary elements, like mid-century modern furniture and light fixtures. The inn boasts seven rooms and ample community spaces, including a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs.

Bar Harbor is the land of sleepy, cosy inns, and the Sand Bar Cottage Inn is one of my favourites. It’s located near the harbour, between the pier and the land bridge to Bar Island. I love that you can wake up and be on the trail to Bar Island in a matter of minutes.

The main building has nine private guest rooms and a wraparound covered porch. Walking into the 1887 building feels like stepping back in time – just with all the modern upgrades you’d expect from one of the best hotels in Bar Harbor.

The team at the Sand Bar serves a beautiful hot breakfast every morning – and if the weather is warm, you can enjoy your meal al fresco. Just keep in mind that this inn is seasonal and closes in early November before reopening in early May.

This imposing, 3-star property easily ranks among the best hotels in Bar Harbor. It’s set in a building that was constructed as a replica of the historic 1895 Rodick House (one of Bar Harbor’s Gilded Age hotels) and quickly became one of the community’s city centre landmarks.

The property is right in the heart of all the action, on Bar Harbor’s Main Street, just steps from the resort town’s best shopping and dining. The Grand’s interiors showcase elegant furnishings topped off by modern amenities.

I adore this property because it feels like the entire town of Bar Harbor revolves around it. If you want to feel part of the action, there’s no better place to stay. Just keep in mind that, like many Bar Harbor hotels, the Grand closes for the winter season.

The Acadia Hotel has a great story behind it. The structure was originally built as a ship captain’s house in 1880, but today the main house and attached boat house have been thoughtfully renovated to create rooms and suites that guests from all over the world can enjoy.

Every room has a private bathroom, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, but if you can manage to book The Cadillac Mountain Suite, I highly recommend it. The suite has a private deck overlooking Cadillac Mountain and boasts 1,200 square feet of space.

I found it perfect for a family of three (the living room has a daybed). However, what makes Acadia Hotel one of the best hotels in Bar Harbor for me is the fleet of bikes for guests to borrow during their stay, perfect for exploring the local area.

The unassuming Little Fig Hotel is set just off the Bar Harbor waterfront on Cottage Street. Inside the white-clad building are a handful of rooms and suites that were extensively renovated in 2022. The resulting lodging showcases clean, modern interiors decked out in shades of navy, gray, and white.

The rooms may be housed in a 19th-century building, but they have all the comforts you’d expect from one of the best hotels in Bar Harbor, including large flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning.

I love that the Little Fig Hotel is located in the heart of Bar Harbor, but it’s also close to some of the more serene areas on Mount Desert Island, like the Bar Island Trail. I highly recommend swinging by the neighbouring A&B Naturals, a health food store featuring locally grown produce and handmade products, for gifts and provisions.

The Lindenwood Inn is technically in Southwest Harbor, which is 15 miles southwest of Bar Harbor, but I included it in this round-up of the best hotels in Bar Harbor because everyone who stays there adores it.

I fell in love with the exterior of this cosy inn, which has a covered porch and a sunny, second-floor deck. On colder days, you can snuggle up around the fireplace with a good book, but keep in mind that the Lindenwood Inn closes annually at the end of October.

This inn is a favourite because it's set far enough from Bar Harbor to offer an escape from the bustle, while still providing easy access to Acadia National Park. Amenities like a full breakfast, a heated outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and a hot tub make this property one of the best luxury hotels in Bar Harbor.

As its name implies, the Ivy Manor Inn is an English Tudor-style home that’s covered in ivy (a little element I go gaga for). It’s set in the heart of Bar Harbor’s historic Main Street, right across from the Village Green.

The inn’s 18 rooms, which they call 'vintage modern', include nods to past eras along with modern conveniences like speedy Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, and air-conditioning. I love their standalone King Cottages, which have a slightly more contemporary feel, vaulted ceilings, and fireplaces.

Added perks like off-street parking (in downtown Bar Harbor, no less) and easy access to just about everything go a long way towards securing the Ivy Manor’s position as one of my favourite hotels in Bar Harbor.

The folks at Queen Anne’s Revenge claim that their inn is among the most unique hotels in Bar Harbor, and I couldn’t agree more. Its name is a tribute to the Queen Anne’s Revenge ship that sailed in the 17th and 18th centuries and was rumoured to anchor off the coast of Bar Harbor.

Even today, the inn memorialises the famed ship through stunning pieces of art and narrow, winding hallways. Lodging includes cottages with private entrances and rooms with added extras like fireplaces and hot tubs.

But my favourite thing about the Queen Anne’s Revenge inn is their on-site Black Spot Tavern, where you can grab a drink and play shuffleboard or kick back with friends under the sunshades. They also offer a complimentary continental breakfast with pastries, bagels, and juices.

What was once the stable and carriage house of a massive estate is now a sophisticated inn with luxurious features like cherry wood floors, high ceilings, and spacious guest rooms.

There’s no denying that the Chiltern Inn ranks among the best hotels in Bar Harbor, and is a top pick for travellers who enjoy being treated to a little something extra. That 'something extra' may be the chance to sleep in a completely rebuilt 1906 building, the elegant daily breakfast spread, or morning walks in the quiet, flower-filled garden.

For me, the Chiltern Inn is a standout because of its cosy Library Loft that just begs you to sit back and relax, and the fact you can hike from the inn to the Compass Harbor within Acadia National Park.

There’s something wonderfully reassuring about knowing exactly what you can expect from your hotel, which is why properties like the Hampton Inn are so appealing. In addition to all the amenities and features you’d expect – including free Wi-Fi, parking, and a daily hot breakfast – Hampton Inn boasts stellar views of the mountains and the harbour.

I love that the Hampton Inn is set just out of town, making getting to the Cadillac Mountain Entrance of Acadia National Park a straight shot. The park entrance is less than a mile, or three minutes by car, from the hotel.

The property also has a pool surrounded by lounge chairs and a fitness centre. Just keep in mind that this seasonal hotel is only open between May and October.