SW Harbor vs Bar Harbor Lodging?

Hello everyone,

I%26#39;ll be bringing my bride to Maine for our honeymoon in September. We plan to spend 3 nights on Desert Island. She loves the water and nature, but also enjoys shops. So, would you recommend staying in the more rural SW Harbor (I%26#39;ve heard the views are awesome) or Bar Harbor? And why?

Also, where would you recommend staying? I%26#39;ve read the Claremont in SW Harbor has great water views but has somewhat basic rooms. I also currently have a room on hold at the Ullikana, but not certain I want to spend $255/night - is it worth this amount? Any suggestions on Inns/B%26amp;Bs in the $150ish range?

I%26#39;ll end my rambling questions here. I%26#39;m just being overly neurotic in planning our honeymoon. Thanks for any thought you might have!

SW Harbor vs Bar Harbor Lodging?

The Claremont has a spectacular location and view. It%26#39;s a classic coastal inn. On the historic registry and such. The property is quiet and relaxing and genteel.

If you want to do the touristy stuff, you can still make trips into Bar Harbor for shopping. It%26#39;s not that far away.

But, it%26#39;s not like SWH has nothing going on. You can still hike, eat well, stroll downtown, visit a lobster pound, take in sunset at a lighthouse and shop to a lesser extent on the ';Quiet Side of Mount Desert Island.'; Which might be nice for a honeymoon.

Did you consider the Lindenwood? http://www.lindenwoodinn.com

SW Harbor vs Bar Harbor Lodging?

Thanks Michele,

I just checked out the Linenwood site. It looks nice. If you are familiar with both of them, which way would you go. The think I like about the Claremont is it is right on the water. But the Linendwood looks very nice, and its website is definitley nicer than the Claremont%26#39;s. Which do you prefer. And I%26#39;m assuming based on your reply that, unless we want to be in the thick of touristy stuff you prefer SW Harbor?

Thanks again!

Hey DonnyShawn, If it were me and I was on my looking for a romantic getaway, the ';quietside'; of the island would be my choice. Although, SWHarbor can seem super crowded given how small it is. There are Lot%26#39;s of B%26amp;B%26#39;s in both Bar and SW Harbor, also, Somesville, Bass Harbor and NEHarbor. Even if you stay on the other side of the island it%26#39;s a 5-10 minute drive (eagle lake rd) to Bar Harbor. Although, the free shuttle is great and then you don%26#39;t have to worry about finding parking.

I haven%26#39;t stayed in many of the Hotels/ B%26amp;B%26#39;s but to be honest.. and save alittle money, call them, don%26#39;t book online. Many of the places are overpriced (asticou) and just because it cost more, doesnt mean your getting more.

You%26#39;ll be happy no matter where you stay (within reason). There is too much to do outside! Keep looking in the Maine forum, people have posted some great ideas with places to stay and things to do.

Thanks Baxter,

I am beginning to lean towards the quiet side. I%26#39;m checking into the Lindenwood, Claremont, Island House and Moorings Inn. So if anyone has any info on these, whether it be positive or negative, I%26#39;d appreciate it! Or if there are any others that should definitely be considered, please share. Thanks again.

We stayed at the Claremont on our honeymoon. As someone who lived on the island for a summer and college and has been vacationing there for off and on for the last 15 years, I definitely say stick to the quieter sides of the Island. Everything is a quick drive away.

We had a nice room at the Claremont, but it was basic. However, it was charming and Romantic and also quiet (we stayed there during the days after labor day 2 years ago) If you want a jacuzzi tub, monster bed and a lot of space, the Claremont is not your place to stay. If you%26#39;d like old new england charm with spectacular water views... you%26#39;ve got your place.

Other honeymoon tips... Get up early to watch the sunrise on top of cadillac mountain then go to Jordan%26#39;s in Bar Harbor for the best blueberry pancakes in your life.

George%26#39;s in Bar Harbor is very Romantic. Have the lobster streudel.

My favorite lobster pound is Thurston%26#39;s in the Bernard area of the island.

Me and my wife have been going to Maine almost every summer since the early 90s. Most of that time we stayed in the Island Watch B%26amp;B in Southwest Harbor, but the last couple of times we rented places in Bass Harbor and Bernard.

There are a lot of rental cottages but they are mostly available by the week.

The Island Watch ( http://www.islandwatch.info/index.html ) is up on a hill so it is quieter and has great views, although it is a quick trip down into Southwest Harbor.

We spent part of our honeymoon in Maine (but not on Mt. Desert Island). One comment on small B%26amp;B: Check the breakfast schedule -- some places make you get up at a certain hour which can be limiting.

There are some great hiking trails on the west side of the island, although it is also not far to the more famous trails closer to Bar Harbor.

Staying in Bar Harbor would have the advantage of having a lot of things within walking distance, but you will pay quite a bit more for the same sort of accomodations. I think it depends a lot on whether you mind driving back and forth.

But don%26#39;t worry too much about this -- my bet is that you will end up coming back to the island many, many times in the future!

Dear donnyshawn,

If there is any way you could afford the Turret Suite at the Kingsleigh in Southwest Harbor, I cannot recommend it highly enough! For a honeymoon, I can%26#39;t think of a more romantic setting. The memories you%26#39;ll both have will be worth every penny.

corkyhart

Please note that the recent response was to a question posted over six months ago. Those reading this thread might want to know that there is no longer a George%26#39;s restaurant in Bar Harbor with lobster strudel.

Hi There, My husband and I prefer Southwest Harbor. Bar Harbor is nice but is a little cheesy with all the t-shirt shops, ect. Southwest harbor shops seem to be much more orginal %26amp; quaint. The downtown shops are much more creative. Closer to Northeast which is also great. We stayed at this literally diamond in the rough place called Dockside Inn - it was literally on the municipal pier of Southwest Harbor. The rooms had a SPECTACULAR view - I honestly do not think the high priced large hotels would even come close to offering this type of view. It is small with about 8 rooms and ALL the rooms face the ocean which is 100 ft. away. THe mountains, ocean, hinckleys, look amazing - the working harbor is just beautiful. There is a restarant below that is so good too. You can leave your kayaks outside and kayak in front of your room! It is so simple the decor and only around $100 a night (even in August!) that it was a coup! The rooms are SUPER clean which is very important to me - its simple to the max but the huge picture window so close to the working harbor makes it all worthwhile. We just loved it and plan on coming back next year. There are other restarants in walking distance and we just loved it!

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