Hearthside Inn — Hotel in Bar Harbor

My wife and I stayed here a number of years ago on our honeymoon, and have started planning a return visit back. We loved out stay!

Location: It is located a few blocks from the sand bar bridge and the rest of the harbor (the owners will caution you about driving your car on the sandbar, and will tell you some shocking, albeit hilarious stories of people who have). It is within walking distance of everything in town, but still hidden from the main strip a bit, offering some privacy and quiet when needed. Within Easy driving distance of Acadia park. Talking with the owners, they gave us some recommendations for some scenic overlooks, and a ways into and around the park that the locals use, meaning we were able to avoid most of the other tourists in our travels.

Rooms: The rooms here are great. My wife and I stayed in the Queen Victoria room, up on the third floor. This room was smaller than many of the others, but was still great! A private bath, we could never hear our neighbors (and hopefully none of the other neighbors could hear us), and was always clean. The cleaning staff worked around our schedule, so our room was always cleaned and bed remade despite the time of day we got up and out of bed.

We got a chance to look in several of the other rooms, and everything was beautiful and well decorated.

Downstairs in the living room, it is comfortable, and a great place for sitting down to read a book, or have a conversation with the owners or other guests. The owners also had several menu's to local restaurants in the living room, which gives you an opportunity to scope out the fare of some places before deciding to eat there. They also have some great recommendations for where to try, and what dish to have.

Service: I cannot say enough, just how good the service here was. I have severe allergies to anything dairy, and have come to accept that 99% of what is offered at bed and breakfasts/hotels I simply cannot eat. Our first breakfast, it was noticed I turned breakfast down. When I explained my allergies, and that it would simply be easier for me to go to the store and pick up some fruit, the owners would not hear of it, and asked what I could eat; and proceeded to list off a series of items they had in the house at the time that I could do. I finally picked something (after being paranoid and grilling them for 5 minutes about what was in it, and how it was cooked, and instructing for the 3rd time not to use any butter or cheese). They went and cooked up something special for me, that not only was I able to eat, but was incredible. Later in the day, they owners stopped us on our way back into the house, and wanted to know what else I could eat, and what they could make for me. We sat down for 30-40 minutes and they helped create a breakfast menu I was able to eat. The mornings after were fantastic. One thing that was incredible was a blueberry bread (which I proceeded to eat half of the first day it was out). Seeing how much my wife and I enjoyed the bread, they made a few more during our visit, and even made one special for us to take with us the morning we left.

The owners also had great recommendations. Not just for places to eat, but also activities, area attractions, etc. Their hospitality goes above and beyond what we ever expected.

This is a great place and we can't...

Recently, my wife and I had the pleasure of staying at the Heartside Inn in Bar Harbor, Maine, and I must say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. From the seamless online reservation process to the outstanding service and attention received throughout my stay, every aspect of this bed and breakfast exceeded my expectations. Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by the friendly and attentive staff, including Julianna, Roxanne, Britney, and Clarissa, who made us feel right at home. Their attention to detail and genuine care for their guests truly set this establishment apart. They were always available to assist with any requests or provide recommendations about the local area.

The charm of the Heartside Inn is undeniable. The quaint and tastefully decorated rooms created a cozy and inviting atmosphere. I found the rooms to be quiet and immaculately clean, allowing for a peaceful and comfortable night's rest after a day of exploring.

One of the highlights of my stay was the exceptional breakfast served at the inn. The culinary delights prepared each morning were a feast for the senses. The variety of options catered to different dietary preferences and the quality of the ingredients was outstanding. It was evident that the innkeepers took great pride in providing guests with a memorable dining experience.

Another delightful aspect of the Heartside Inn was the daily tea time at 2 pm. This charming tradition allowed guests to unwind and indulge in delicious teas and homemade treats. It was a lovely touch that added an extra layer of relaxation to the overall experience.

The location of the Heartside Inn was also incredibly convenient. It was just a short distance from Bar Harbor town, where one could explore the charming shops, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, the inn's proximity to Acadia National Park provided easy access to the stunning scenery and outdoor activities that the area is renowned for.

Looking for a great place to stay at Bar Harbor? This is...

DO NOT book Hearthside Inn. Terrible experience. My wife and I booked our first anniversary trip to Bar Harbor, Maine staying at this hotel. A week before our stay, the National Weather Service forecasted Hurricane Lee’s path directly to Bar Harbor making landfall anywhere between a category 1 and 3 hurricane. Due to the eye of a hurricane tracking towards the island the same two nights we were staying, we cancelled our trip. Hearthside’s cancellation policy is that regardless of circumstances, you will be charged one night cancellation fee, which was $450, if you do not cancel a full week in advance. At the time of cancellation, I asked to waive this fee due to the National Weather Service projecting a hurricane during our stay. I was told that the hotel disagreed with the projections because there has not been a hurricane in over 100 years hit Bar Harbor (which is not true). I was not aware that Hearthside Inn kept meteorologists on staff. Regardless, we moved forward with the cancellation because no one in their right mind would fly across the country to a location the NWS said a hurricane was tracking for. Fortunately, the hurricane did move east and slowed down to a tropical storm, so Bar Harbor just received heavy rainfall and winds. I called the following Monday to revisit the cancellation policy given $450 is a lot of money. I was told that we would not receive a refund because the storm was downgraded the night before landfall to a tropical storm. Regardless, we cancelled 5 days in advance and at the time the experts thought the eye of the storm was going directly at Bar Harbor at hurricane force winds. All this to say, I would not recommend staying at Hearthside Inn. Terrible customer service and just trying to make a money grab. Extremely rude front desk and...