Acadia Inn — Hotel in Bar Harbor

I stayed at the Acadia Inn in June of 2021 for three days with my husband.

Pros- The beds were clean, and comfortable. Parking is free. You are close to the park.

Cons- The pool was cloudy and did not appear to be clean. The water was green hued and did not smell pleasant. It did not appear inviting in any way. At one point while we were staying a maintenance worker was weeding the deck by spraying chemicals on the weeds than digging them up. All I could envision was people tracking the herbicide in the water before swimming. For the three days we were there, the hot tub never functioned properly. For two days it was closed for maintenance. On the third day it was open, but in no way warm. I would have called it a lukewarm tub at best. The “grab and go” breakfast was underwhelming. Highly processed muffins, and a limited selection that never changed. It was edible, but that is the best one could say about it. The toilet in our room was LOUD, and finicky. It was fitted with a power flush, and it you did not jiggle the handle exactly right it would run for hours. Actually, everything was loud… the hallway, the toilet, the neighbors upstairs. You will not miss any goings on in the building as you will hear it all. On our last night we woke to the sound of running water. The unit above us flooded, spilling water into our bathroom. The maintenance person was apologetic, but the front desk was pretty silent over the issue. No offers of another room to shower in, or compensation for a dirty water bathroom.

WORST PART- I call this out as the worst part, as if I was traveling alone, I would avoid this hotel at all costs. Our room was located next to the front desk. This means every time we went in or out of the room, I could see the office space. At least 5 times while passing the office the door was propped open. What looked like the master keys (3-4 sets of keys on big rings) were hanging by the door. Not even a full arms reach into the office. Anyone could have walked by and snagged the keys easily. The employees were busy at the front desk each time. This clearly is not safe to have the keys accessible to anyone. I fully admit that I am not sure they were room keys, but they appeared to be so.

Overall I would give this hotel a 2/10. It was clean but I...

The Acadia Inn played a big part in our trip to Bar Harbor being one of the best vacations we've ever taken. We chose it for its location -- right next door to Acadia National Park, and very close to downtown Bar Harbor.

Our room was as advertised in the hotel's website photos. Does it have high-end mattresses and amazing, 1,000-count sheets? No. But it's clean, comfortable and quiet. A fine room for relaxing after a busy day exploring the sights and shopping. We had requested a room facing the pool and back lawn after reading a review that the rooms facing the front of the hotel were noisier because of the regular shuttle service. Good call. Our room had a view of the pool and was plenty quiet.

What we didn't expect was the level of service we'd get from the entire staff at the hotel. This inn does everything it can to make you feel welcome and right at home. Some examples:

When you check in and first enter your room, there are thoughtful gifts and a handwritten card waiting for you on the dresser.

During times when the breakfast room is not serving its delicious breakfast buffet (and the two ladies who run the buffet are superbly attentive and friendly), the staff puts out little snacks for guests to nibble on -- one day it was chips and salsa, the next it was cheese and crackers.

They held movie nights twice a week on the back lawn. You could sit out in the lovely evening with the stars overhead and watch Mrs. Doubtfire or another family-friendly show on a portable screen.

One night was s'mores night, with a bonfire in the backyard.

By the front door is a basket of loaner umbrellas, in case you forgot yours.

You can tell a lot about an establishment by the care they take in the details as well as the big, obvious things. The Acadia Inn cares deeply for its guests. The staff takes pride in everything they do. I can't say enough about what a well-run...

Only complaints are the beds weren't the most comfortable (but that is an opinion) and the room door has a 1/2 inch opening around it where light and sound come in from the hallway. The elevator was beeping at each floor every 3-30 seconds. Oh and the mini fridge didn't have a freezer compartment so ice packs we brought never froze.

Otherwise, they are very family with kids focused and even have little recliners by the pool and rocking chairs and umbrellas. The s'mores are free - I've been at other hotels where you have to buy the bucket of supplies yourself. The pool was very clean and heated to a comfortable temperature with plenty of fresh towels. Breakfast was filled with a variety of standards. When I was done eating the first day, they came out with fresh fruit that I wished was there earlier, but I still had some with the fruit cut up in the yogurt cups. Staff was friendly. Rooms were clean. There are trails from the hotel to Acadia if you have a bike or want a nice walk... But you wouldn't want to walk everywhere through the park this way since it's so big. They have snacks offered at times during the day. There is a steakhouse and another hotel restaurant within a few minute walk that we enjoyed for lunches and dinners. ...