5 of the best bed & breakfasts in Bar Harbor, Maine

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Bar Harbor at Dusk [Photo: Lee Coursey via Flickr / CC BY 2.0]

The town of Bar Harbor shares Mount Desert Island, the place it calls home, with 45 miles of well-preserved nature. Otherwise known as Acadia National Park, this lush environment (with plenty of outdoor activities) is the main reason that Bar Harbor attracts thousands of tourists annually. Another is the lively downtown area with shops, tours and restaurants.

If you’re planning to visit Bar Harbor, you’ll probably want lodging as comfortable and tranquil as the surrounding nature. Thankfully, Bar Harbor is plentiful with charming bed & breakfasts. Here are five picks for lodging to help ensure a cozy, enjoyable stay in your time on Mount Desert Island.

Mira Monte Inn

The inn pictured in 2019 [Photo: Wikimedia]

The second-oldest B&B in Bar Harbor, Mira Monte Inn sports unique, antique furnishings and decor appropriate of the property’s mid-Victorian origins. It’s considered a “grand dame” among Bar Harbor’s B&Bs, a distinction reflected in its rooms, which are invitingly furnished with fireplaces or balconies. These rooms are spread across three buildings, with both cottage and suite offerings available. True to the inn’s self-description as “romantic,” a lot of the rooms come with whirlpool tubs, too. And what could be more romantic that the property’s massive gardens? (69 Mt. Desert St)

Ann’s White Columns Inn
A place with plenty of character and charm, this inn offers rooms with balcony or garden views. Garden spectators will get a glimpse of the inn’s prodigious grounds: a vista of gardens so lively that they come with their own pamphlet. Each unique guest room displays a lively take on its theme, like the Meadowridge, a spacious room with antique furniture, lightly peach-colored walls and several paintings and sculptures. Located in Bar Harbor’s historical district, Ann’s White Columns Inn is close to downtown and all its offerings. (57 Mt. Desert St)

Aysgarth Station

[Photo: Aysgarth Station via Google]

Originally a Victorian-style home built in 1895, this B&B likes to accentuate its casual, welcoming vibe. Located in downtown Bar Harbor, the six rooms in this inn all boast queen-sized beds, air conditioning and private bathrooms. Every morning you can indulge a three-course breakfast featuring locally sourced ingredients (and local coffee, too). Afternoon snacks can be found after a day spent gallivanting. And aspiring Acadia explorers, take note: there are plenty of nature field guides and maps available to use. (20 Roberts Ave)

Black Friar Inn

[Photo: Black Friar Inn & Pub via Google]

This six-room inn can be found on a side-street in central Bar Harbor. It’s not far from the water and provides a nice mix of privacy and access. Apropos of its central location, the Black Friar features a pub serving not only guests but anyone thirsty for a pint. The Black Friar Inn boasts its food as one of its major selling points, with their menu typically stocked with fresh seafood and an assortment of other locally-sourced goodies. Guests, meanwhile, can dine in every morning and order whatever they like from the menu. (10 Summer St)

Inn at Bay Ledge
The innkeepers here are big fans of outdoor recreation, and The Inn at Bay Ledge is a great place for those interested in getting outdoors. Located next to Frenchman Bay, this inn is within walking distance of kayaks, schooners and paddle boards. A pool and nearby beach yield even more options, and each room comes with a view of the water (excepting one, which comes with a garden view). So too does the inn’s sunroom, which offers breakfast alongside a majestic view of Frenchman Bay every morning. (150 Sand Point Road)

By Alex Castro