Seasider Motel

Bar Harbor during the summer months is expensive. It's expensive for two reasons: It's a popular tourist destination. And innkeepers and tourism-dependent businesses have a only four months to make money for the rest of the year. The hotel is about a 10-to-15-minute pleasant walk into town down Mt. Desert Street. When you get to the end of Mt. Desert, you'll find plenty of locally operated businesses and no shortage of restaurants at all price ranges and menus. On price ranges, Bar Harbor is expensive and anything with lobster will be even more expensive, whether it's for lunch, dinner or just a lobster roll. Keep in mind that this is a very old two-level motel that has been renovated. The renovation gives guests a somewhat modern room with good lighting, air-conditioning, a microwave and a refrigerator. There is no carpeting on the floor. It was not an issue for me in July, but it might be cold in non-summer months! No closet, but there is shelving for your possessions. The bed was ridiculously comfortable. Pricing for swanky inns in town will be in the $400 and up (like way up!) range. I booked this hotel in the $250 range, before taxes. Given the time of year, I felt it was a fair rate, but far from a deal or bargain. Again, it's Bar Harbor in the summer and even if you stay miles away, you'll be paying at least that! Nice, efficient people at check-in. The lobby also serves a very basic complimentary breakfast in the morning. Again, lower your expectations and you won't be disappointed. The seating area for breakfast in July was served outdoors, in what used to be the rain-covered driveway/dropoff/reception area! Branding for the hotel is a little odd. While the big sign outside indicates it's the Port Inn, I booked it through the Choice Hotels website. The hotel is part of the "Ascend Collection" at Choice, but there's no branding that would let you know you're in an Ascend or Choice property! Reminds me of the Holiday Inn Resort on Eden Street which wants to be known as the Bar Harbor Regency, downplaying its association with Holiday Inn, based on its signage both outside and on property. All in all, I recommend this hotel based on location and cost. But again, you're about a 10-minute walk outside of downtown Bar Harbor. And the cost, while high, is not inconsistent with other hotels in peak season in Bar Harbor. Older reviews indicate a pool. It has been removed and gone for a while. The website doesn't promise a pool, but if you've driven through Bar Harbor in the past, you might have remembered the pool up on stilts right at the corner. It's been pulled down, so don't have expectations of cooling off in a pool!

Wish I had looked at the Trip Advisor guest pictures before we booked and stayed in this hotel. The hotel from the front looks nice and the location to downtown is good as well. The rear entry walkways to the second floor rooms are dirty and not maintained with paint peeling and while the bathrooms have indeed been refreshed the rest of the room was depressing and as others have mentioned the air conditioning is very loud. The grass area that was near the stairway to the second floor was overgrown with a broken down golf cart and beat up old grill. I expected more from a Choice Hotel particularly one which we paid over $340 per night. I plan to address this with Choice's Customer Service team.

This property has a motel style layout. The positive is that rooms have been updated in 2022. Bathrooms and furniture are new. Tile floors. The AC does not work properly and the rooms are musty. Small balcony with view of construction site. Rooms are loud, AC is loud, you can hear people along hallway, cars and the construction site. Breakfast is very basic. No common space, a tiny lobby and some chairs placed outside in parking lot. Ice maker that does not work. Outside walkways are dirty, peeling paint, dripping water. I did not like staff knocking on door and calling me to check out at 11am, when I had asked at check in and been given a noon checkout time. This hotel markets itself as an Ascend Collection premium chain, and charges accordingly, but honestly has a very long way to go to reach that. Hotel benefits of being in Bar Harbor in an affluent destination and limited competition. Location is less than a mile from waterfront, that is not an issue, unless you are not used to walking. Overall, personally, I would not return. I have significant regret in having stayed here.

The room is clean. Location is good. The built-in heating unit was extremely loud and leaked in our room. When I told the woman at the front desk, she had maintenance check into it. She was professional and courteous. When it leaked a little more the next day, the man at the front desk was not at all professional and I felt condescending. He was telling me if I wanted to heat the room to 64, I had to use the air-conditioning not heat. More of the issue with his poor attitude. The Wi-Fi is terrible. They should not advertise that they have Wi-Fi. When I mentioned it to the front desk, they said they have the same terribles Wi-Fi situation on a positive note, they are renovating this winter and are supposed to improve the Wi-Fi. Breakfast was basic, but there were only a couple of tables to sit at, and one small counter. The outside also needs a facelift and hopefully Choice Hotel, who I understand, acquired them in the last couple of years, will take care of all the issues this winter . Pluses were plenty of parking and the location. It’s a 10 minute walk to downtown Bar Harbor. The insides were clean.

It was clean enough . The breakfast area was too small and poorly laid out. The outside of the building was in bad shape. Concrete was cracked. Barrells out for cigarette butts not flowers. For the price I expected a much nicer hotel.

Internet was sporadic and the inn was more like a Motel 6 without the low price. Bare floors and poor television reception. Staff was helpful with directions and things to see in the area. Would not stay there again.

Not what I expected for the price. Smallest bathroom ever for 2 adults with handicaps. Location was good but hotel was average. Breakfast was the usual hotel fare. Nothing that would fit with the cost of the room. Choice hotels should be better than this.

My least favorite hotel on the 2000 mile trip. The front desk person could no log into the computer to check us in☹️. It took a while! The floors in the room were dirty. We spilled some water and went to wipe it up….the towel was dirty! There was a very loud dehumidifier and several of those rid bags to absorb water! Not sure why. Bed was not very comfortable! It was in a great location!

Disappointing front desk service upon check-in. Representative told me nothing about amenities, wifi, breakfast, checkout, etc. Room was up a few stairs on the backside of the hotel. Bathroom had a moldy shower. Breakfast was just okay. Don’t bother staying here. Nicer places closer to town for less money are nearby.