Island Inn — Hotel in Monhegan Island Plantation

2 years ago was my first time on the Island and I fell in love with it. My then boyfriend had booked the private suite with balcony and private bathroom as a surprise...it was a wonderful visit. Fast forward 2 years and we decided to go back for the first couple days of our Honeymoon. Sadly, our experience was a stark contrast. When booking our room unfortunately the private suite wasn't available. I told the woman we were coming on our Honeymoon and I'd like the best room they had available. She assured me we had booked a great room, just as nice as the suite but without the balcony and a view of the village. In fact, while it was probably "the best room available the day I called" it was nowhere near as nice other than having its own bathroom. It was tiny. So tiny we tried to avoid being in it because the only option other than standing beside the bed was to be laying on it...we couldn't just relax in our room. It was a corner room and the "view of the village" was obstructed by a fire escape/balcony and the other window looked at the staff housing. We thought we might get at least a "congratulations on your wedding, or thank you for choosing us for your honeymoon or even a little note in the room or recognition at check in...but absolutely nothing. As a matter of fact we even mentioned it to 2 different wait staff in conversation at dinner and then breakfast with absolutely no response...it was so disappointing. Even when checking in and mentioning it...nothing...no response what so ever and yes, she heard us. We decided to get out for a walk and see what was open knowing covid changing a lot of the norms. What we experienced immediately was the attempt to "shame us" if we didn't have our masks on 24/7. Don't misunderstand, we know and believe in the safety of masks and whenever we saw people, even from a distance, we would pull up our masks but it was evident they wanted the masks on ALL the time. (Even the CDC says masks are not needed outside unless you can not social distance...that was never the case.) There were sandwich boards every 20 feet it seemed saying you must wear it at ALL times. If we had know that we never would have come...period. We felt like the locals were stuck between wanting us there because of the money guests bring to the island and really...not wanting us there at all. There were a few places we visited that were the exception...the brewery and the little grocery store, both of which were very friendly and seems grateful to those who still chose to come. It left such a sour taste in our mouth I'm not sure we'll return covid or no covid. Thank god the hiking views are spectacular and it was beautiful while we were there...it was our only...

The Island Inn, established in 1907, is a classic coastal hotel in the Maine tradition. Quietly elegant, cozy, and warmly welcoming, the Inn has real character. It was, for us, on our 50th anniversary, the perfect spot to slow the pace and get away from it all. The front desk, house keeping and dining staff are all friendly, helpful and consummate pros who show real pride in their work. The hotel is steps from the dock (where ferries from three different ports tie up) but staff from the Inn will fetch your bags at the dock and take them up to your room—then take them to the dock when you leave. The breakfast offerings were varied and tasty—and the dinner was excellent. Scallops on a bed of puréed sweet potato, for example, was both colorful and cooked to perfection. It’s BYOB (and our room had a small fridge), so bring your favorite wine from the mainland— but a store (and coffee shop) near the dock sells beer and wine. (Just make sure to get there before it closes at 5!) there must be at least 25 active artists on the island, most of whom have open studios for a few hours each week. Plenty of hiking paths—some of which are challenging, but most are moderate to easy. Grab a fish (haddock) taco at a place facing a small beach not far from the hotel, or get a coffee and cookie at a bakery on a knoll overlooking the harbor. Be sure to stop by the island museum—a short 1-mile (?) stroll from the dock—to see some outstanding pieces of art painted by very talented artists who live on or summer on Monhegan…and learn more about the island’s long and storied history, from the first native inhabitants to the modern era. This is a wind swept island refuge where the working fishing boats moored in the harbor reflect the island’s long seafaring history. There’s a little island “taxi” but this is basically a pedestrian paradise made for leisurely strolls. Bring a good book and have your morning coffee (or an afternoon sip as you watch the sun set) on a rocking chair on the deck. The Island Inn is a warm and inviting place and we plan to return next year with friends. If it’s sterile perfection you want, stay somewhere on the mainland. But if you want a restful place with real...

We have good memories of two nights we stayed on Monhegan Island at the Inn. There was snow on the ground when I made our reservation with Jennifer on the phone. We had never been to the Island, so we greatly appreciated her helpful insights and suggestions. We chose a walk up (stairs) room with a private bath in Pierce Cottage at her recommendation and were not disappointed. The bed was comfortable, the towels had plenty of "fluff," and the water plenty hot for a shower. Breakfast at the |Inn (included) was well prepared and presented--with even lobster scrambled eggs. |We chose to eat dinner (not included) both evenings at the Inn. The first night we chose the prawns; the portion was generous but we were disappointed and left quite a bit on our plates. However, to be honest, others were raving about this dish; it just didn't happen to be to our liking. The second night we did much better; I chose the thick cut pork chop which easily equaled the best pork I have ever had; my wife chose the vegetarian acorn squash which she throughly enjoyed.|TIP: At the Inn rooms are available at 3 PM. If your ferry arrives earlier your luggage will be delivered to your room by TJ but any carry on you brought will be "carry around" until 3 (we got in just a little earlier). This works in reverse for departure. Guests must be out of their rooms by 10:30, though your ferry may not leave until much later.The Inn does allow you to continue to use the porch,...