Bar Harbor Motel

The Bar Harbor Motel is surrounded by lovely well-maintained grounds. Composed of several individual buildings scattered around the grassy and partly wooded property, the motel is quiet and secluded enough, though it is located near a main road. The back portions of the property border Acadia National Park, so guests in these units have lovely wooded views.

The small and simple lobby is bright and cozy, with wooden floors, wicker furniture, and oceanic paintings adorning a light blue wall opposite the front desk. Several large windows infuse the space with lots of natural light. Maine sweatshirts and T-shirts are displayed by the front desk and available for purchase, and there are lots of maps and brochures provided. The lobby is filled with framed drawings and paintings of past employees of the month, which the manager creates himself. The atmosphere is friendly and sociable, and several chalkboards  in the lobby list weekly activities such as pub trivia and poker nights. A chalkboard right outside the lobby attests to the family-friendly ambience of the place with questions that guests are encouraged to answer, such as: “What animals did you see today?” Though interiors are basic and without frills, they are clean and well-maintained, and the atmosphere is above average for a property of this type. 

The Bar Harbor Motel is located in a quiet, wooded area on a main road, Eden Street, a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk from downtown Bar Harbor. The surrounding area is home to several other hotels, and the nearest restaurant -- Jack Russell’s Steak House and Brewery --  is a five-minute walk away. A trail  behind the motel leads directly to Acadia National Park and there's a free seasonal shuttle bus that goes to downtown Bar Harbor.

Rooms are housed in individual, cottage-like buildings throughout the property, each containing four or five units. There are three types of units: Double Queens, Kings, and Two-Bedroom Family Rooms which accommodate up to six people. Rooms are simple and straightforward, with generic decor that's dated and shows some sign of wear and tear, including old carpets and motel-quality green bedspreads. That said, rooms are clean and equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, air-conditioning, phones, and alarm clocks. Small but clean bathrooms have walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Units located toward the back of the property by the trail into Acadia have the best surroundings and are a bit quieter and more secluded. 

The Bar Harbor Motel has a lovely outdoor pool circled by lounge chairs and bordered by green shrubs. A playground and several tree swings attest to the family-friendly atmosphere of the place, and there are several picnic tables and lawn chairs scattered throughout the property. A free continental breakfast is served in a snug and pleasant breakfast room that's well illuminated by several large windows. A floral patterned sofa and armchairs in the corner face a big exposed brick fireplace that creates a sense of coziness. There's also a laundry room with several washers and dryers and the hotel provides bike and kayak storage. A computer and printer are free to use in the lobby. Parking is conveniently available right outside room doors. Wi-Fi is free, though past guests have remarked that the service is a bit spotty.