Bar Harbor B&Bs aren’t just a place to sleep — they’re part of the experience. These four stand out for their hospitality, breakfasts, and that irreplaceable sense of a Maine summer morning.
There’s a reason travelers return to Bar Harbor’s bed and breakfasts year after year. The best ones do something a chain hotel simply cannot: they make you feel like a welcome guest in a beautiful home, hand you a cup of coffee before you’ve even found a table, and send you out the door with a homemade treat for the trail.
These four properties have earned their reputations through exceptional hospitality, memorable breakfasts, and a genuine love of the place they call home. They are just another reason Bar Harbor is one of the top Maine destinations.
01
Bass Cottage & Ullikana Inn
Luxury Downtown Retreat · The Field, Bar Harbor
This pairing of two historic properties — Bass Cottage and the adjacent Ullikana Inn — represents some of the finest B&B accommodation in coastal Maine. Ullikana is a secluded English Tudor-style house dating to 1885, surrounded by lush gardens just steps from Bar Harbor’s Main Street and Town Pier. Together, the properties rank consistently among the top lodging options in town, drawing guests back summer after summer with their combination of genuine warmth, beautiful rooms, and exceptional food.
Rooms in both buildings are spacious and beautifully appointed, some with fireplaces, private terraces, and harbor views over Frenchman Bay. The gourmet breakfast changes daily, and guests rave about afternoon snacks — fresh cookies and house-made chocolate moose among the favorites. The staff, led by manager Walker and the broader team, are consistently praised for going above and beyond to make stays memorable.
- Chef-prepared breakfasts, different every day
- Rooms with fireplaces & private terraces
- Steps from Town Pier & Main Street
- Tripadvisor top 10 in Bar Harbor
- Harbor views of Frenchman Bay
- Free private parking on site
Book Smart
Request a room with a private terrace and harbor view — those fill first. Book as early as February for peak July and August dates.
02
The Primrose
Gilded Age Cottage Inn · Downtown Bar Harbor
Built in 1878 as a summer retreat for a wealthy Southern banker, The Primrose is one of Bar Harbor’s original cottage-style inns and one of its best. Recently refurbished, the property blends its Gilded Age bones with modern comforts — some rooms feature electric fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs — while preserving the warmth of a proper New England inn. The surrounding garden and sit-out porch make it one of the most pleasant spots in town to start or end a day.
The Primrose earns its reputation above all through food and hospitality. Breakfast is cooked to order, with a choice between a sweet and savory option that changes daily — guests name it among the best in Bar Harbor. Afternoon tea with house-baked desserts is a daily ritual. The innkeepers are attentive and knowledgeable, regularly tailoring hiking and dining recommendations to each guest. It’s a five-minute walk to downtown and a short drive to Acadia.
- Cooked-to-order breakfast, sweet & savory options
- Daily afternoon tea with house-baked treats
- 5-minute walk to downtown Bar Harbor
- Rooms with fireplaces & jacuzzi tubs
- Excellent for couples, families, & baby moons
- On-site parking (one spot per room)
Insider Tip
Don’t skip afternoon tea — the house-baked sweets are frequently cited by guests as a highlight of the entire stay. The cinnamon cake alone is worth arriving early for.
03
Cleftstone Inn
Gilded-Era Mansion · Eden Street, Near Acadia
Built in 1878 as a summer retreat for a wealthy Southern banker, The Primrose is one of Bar Harbor’s original cottage-style inns and one of its best. Recently refurbished, the property blends its Gilded Age bones with modern comforts — some rooms feature electric fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs — while preserving the warmth of a proper New England inn. The surrounding garden and sit-out porch make it one of the most pleasant spots in town to start or end a day.
The Primrose earns its reputation above all through food and hospitality. Breakfast is cooked to order, with a choice between a sweet and savory option that changes daily — guests name it among the best in Bar Harbor. Afternoon tea with house-baked desserts is a daily ritual. The innkeepers are attentive and knowledgeable, regularly tailoring hiking and dining recommendations to each guest. It’s a five-minute walk to downtown and a short drive to Acadia.
- Gourmet breakfast with legendary French toast
- Historic Pulitzer-era mansion, fully restored
- Right at Acadia National Park’s entrance
- Steam room, hot tub & spa facilities
- Library & fireside common areas
- Egyptian cotton sheets on pillowtop beds
Insider Tip
Ask for a room in the main house rather than the rear — front and side rooms have the best light and views of the grounds. Coffee and afternoon snacks are self-serve all day, so make the most of them.
04
Saltair Inn Waterfront B&B
Victorian Waterfront Inn · West Street Historic District
Built in 1887, the Saltair Inn sits on more than an acre of waterfront property in Bar Harbor’s West Street Historic District — just three blocks from the town center, but tucked quietly away from the main strip. Hosts Matt and Kristi have carefully renovated the Victorian property while preserving its original architecture and period character, and they bring the same care to every guest interaction. On Booking.com the inn holds a rare 9.8 out of 10 rating, with guests consistently praising the owners, the views, and the breakfast.
The eight suites are individually furnished with king beds, private baths, fireplaces, and sitting rooms overlooking Frenchman Bay. Breakfast is served on the deck with panoramic water views, and afternoon freshly baked snacks appear daily. The Saltair feels less like a hotel stay and more like a visit with friends who happen to own a beautiful Victorian house on the Maine coast — which is precisely its appeal.
- Waterfront views of Frenchman Bay
- Breakfast served on the bay-view deck
- 9.8/10 on Booking.com — one of Maine’s best
- Suites with fireplaces & sitting rooms
- 10-minute walk to downtown Bar Harbor
- Free private on-site parking
Book Smart
Request a waterfront suite with a bay-view sitting room — the mornings watching the light change over Frenchman Bay are worth every penny of the upgrade.