The Sterling Inn — Hotel in Caratunk

My partner and I have hiked NOBO on the trail for 5 months and 3 weeks, and this was the first hostel/bed & breakfast we’ve stayed at. We walked to the Sterling Inn from the trailhead with the intention of using their complimentary shower/laundry services, as advertised on the website and we figured we would buy our last resupply between here and Katahdin to patronize their business, since we were very grateful for them providing such a kind service to both guests and non-guests. We were at the inn for longer than expected and to avoid feeling like we were loitering (we were there from noon to 6:30pm), we decided to book a room to give them business and there was only one other person staying. We had hoped to do our last resupply there, since they advertised that they were the best hiker restock in Maine, but there was not enough real food to get us to Katahdin. Since they offered a free shuttle service, we asked if it wouldn’t be a problem to go to the general store. The first day we were there, everything was fine and the father/son that operate the business took a group to Berry’s General Store (which has a better resupply than the inn). The following day, we figured if any other hikers arriving were planning on going to Berry’s, we’d take a ride with them to get a few more things we realized we needed and some food for the day (they make daily runs to Berry’s, the pub, and another local business or two at specific times, which we were 100% flexible on adhering to). They said this was no problem. Around noon, when it came time for them to shuttle a group of hikers to the local brewpub and some back to the trail, he asked where we wanted to go. When we said we wanted to run to Berry’s once more if “it wasn’t a problem”, he blew up and yelled, “actually, it is a problem! You guy’s want to go back to Berry’s after I already took you there yesterday, and you’re not even staying here tonight!? It’s $10 if you want a ride there.” And he threw his arms up in the air and stormed off. He snapped at us and was very rude and highly unprofessional. We would have been happy to contribute a shuttle fee, had he not been so nasty toward us and had it not been advertised as a free shuttle service on their website. We were polite, undemanding, and it was completely uncalled for and we felt unwelcome and uncomfortable, after having spent over $150 on our stay and resupply. We were basically told to leave, even though the sign on our room’s door said that guests are welcome to hang out at the inn’s communal areas after checking out of the room (and we checked out on time). He was then a coward and instead of apologizing for his outburst, he sent his son out to explain that it was a misunderstanding and he didn’t realize that we had spent a ton of money (money that was just about the last of our trip’s budget) and thought we were someone else. It didn’t make any sense and regardless of who he thought we were, no one should ever speak to someone the way he spoke to us. We highly regretted patronizing this business, especially since the son even admitted that they dread having hikers at their hotel. So I guess they are hiker friendly until they decide to blow up. We would not recommend staying here and it seems they would appreciate...

We loved it here! There is a great breakfast in the morning with quiche, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, toast, bagels, etc. We enjoyed a fire and loved their porch area where they put out water infused with fruit… adorable spot. They have a fully stocked area in the office with snacks, drinks, necessities. Bathrooms were very clean and there were plenty, we never had to wait for an open bathroom to shower or get ready. We didn’t have a minute to fill out a suggestion card but our only suggestions would be to inform guests that any food labeled in the common area is not up for grabs. Someone took all of the snacks for our party- a whole package of Slim Jim’s and a large variety pack of Pringles that were labeled. The other would be to put tape over the holes in the windows to the room and secure around the AC a little better. We got back to our room and there were 15+ moths in our room. If you have kids, just know some guests will drink in the common room until late. Otherwise we enjoyed our stay and loved the location! Would...

I’m a SOBO thru-hiker that stayed at The Sterling Inn for a couple of days. Awesome place to resupply and recover from the AT for a day or two. The bunk room is really good, but the rooms are superb. If you’ve been doing some big miles I would definitely recommend getting one of the rooms if you can. The beds are insanely comfortable and they have air conditioning. I’m still nursing an injury out of the 100 mile wilderness, so this was a great place to recoup a little more. If you have aches and pains, you can get Epsom salts down in the resupply store, and they have a huge clawfoot bathtub you can take a bath in. 😁Resupply is extensive and reasonably priced. Eric and Zach are awesome folks and extremely knowledgeable. Showers, laundry and shuttles are included with your stay. I’ll be coming back here next Summer with my girlfriend to use the Inn as a base of operations to explore the...