Note: This hotel was closed at inspection in spring 2008.
Directly on Frenchman Bay, one mile from the shopping district and Acadia National Park, this hotel is one of only a handful of seasonal Holiday Inns and it is a strong contender in the race for best midrange hotel here. This hotel is also known as the Bar Harbor Regency Hotel. The elaborate meeting space and waterfront location lure both meetings and families in search of value and the recently renovated accommodations bolster its position here. This is a step down from the Bar Harbor Inn, but it stands on its own merits.
This designated Sunspree Resort is a boxy contemporary hotel with a flower-bordered motor entrance. The four-story crescent building commands neatly landscaped grounds and the hotel brings the outdoors in with floor-to-ceiling windows and a panoramic elevator overlooking the bay. The lobby is more traditional than the exterior, with Oriental rugs on green marble floors, tasteful molding and detail, and antiques scattered about the public areas. The main restaurant has fresh flowers, a fireplace, ceiling fans, a terrace and water views. A bar fills one corner. The pool cafe and waterside lobster pond are popular options. The hotel has two sister restaurants in the touristed downtown, but signing privileges are not offered.
Leisure amenities include an attractive pool, hot tub, sauna, a pair of lighted tennis courts, a putting green and a glass-enclosed gazebo. The marina can handle vessels of up to 150 feet, and an exercise trail hugs the 1,000 feet of shoreline. The ballroom is broken into two rooms for 250, which appropriately meet the needs of the groups and events booking here. Parking is free, and a complimentary shuttle travels within a 10 mile radius of the hotel. Pets are not permitted.
Wide halls lead to cheerful, traditionally styled guest rooms with dark wood appointments, fresh new coordinated drapes, spreads and upholstery, brass floor lamps, TVs, refrigerators, coffeemakers, open closets and furnished balconies. The tiled and papered baths feature massaging showerheads. Extras include phones with voice mail and data ports, refrigerators, digital clocks, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, and pillows and bedding. Even-numbered waterview rooms are the best, especially those in the Proctor wing, and are worth the slight extra cost. The only shortcomings here are the small baths. Late arrivals receive rooms with parking lot views, so check in early. Room service is offered at mealtimes, all rooms are wheelchair accessible, and the youthful staff works hard. The inn is closed from mid-October to mid-May and has the most lenient cancellation policy on the island.
