Words do not even begin to do justice to this absolutely incredible bed-and-breakfast. I stayed here for two nights on a recent solo trip to visit Acadia National Park and I wish I could've stayed here for a month! Everything about Harbour Cottage Inn from start to finish was perfect. The check-in was seamless and I was greeted warmly while being shown around the property. My room was clean and spacious with a large comfortable bed and soft linens. The bathroom had all the necessary toiletries and the shower had ample water pressure. I appreciated all of the little touches from the afternoon sweet treats in the common area to the thoughtful breakfast dishes. I appreciated the endless supply of coffee and the fresh lemon water. It was wonderful to sit and enjoy breakfast on the patio as well as an evening meal when the dining area turned into the Bowspirit. All of the meals were absolutely phenomenal and some of the best I had while visiting Maine. I would not hesitate to come back and stay here again. Preferably sooner rather than later! The accommodation was top-notch, and the hospitality was superb. read more

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We had the most relaxing, sublime 6 days here exploring , hiking, kayaking and the Harbour Cottage Inn (Southwester suite) is a place I hope to return to in the fall. Dora and Daniel welcomed our small group so warmly ,had helpful touring tips and are the BEST hosts. The breakfasts are phenomenal, and the bar bites were so yummy (do not miss the oysters and great cocktails). We warmed up on rainy days by the cozy fire with afternoon homemade treats with coffee. What a gem of a place !! Wish I could move in. read more

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Absolutely adored our time at the Harbour Cottage Inn. Dora and Daniel have taken over the inn just this year, so everything was incredibly up to date and comfortable. The breakfasts were to die for, and I'm so glad we chose to stay on the quiet side instead of downtown Bar Harbor. Highly recommend having a drink at their wonderful bar in the evenings, the bartender is amazing and the drinks are fabulous (whether you want a classic old fashioned or a cocktail that's out of your comfort zone). Daniel makes fun afternoon snacks that change every day, and we 100% will be back again. read more

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I was very disappointed in my stay here earlier this month. Of note, the innkeepers (Dora and Daniel) did a wonderful job hosting us - the accommodations were nice, the food was very good, and their attention to detail was impeccable. This review is based on the behavior of the owner's husband and his treatment of a paying guest. My wife, in-laws and I spent 3 nights at the HCI in early September. This B&B was a bit of a "splurge" for us and was anticipated as the highlight of our 2-week visit to New England. The night we arrived, the 4 of us got some drinks at the B&B's bar and sat around a firepit on the porch for the evening. There were two other groups on the porch at the same time, and we exchanged chit-chat all around. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. The conversation among groups evolved into a comparison on the meanings of "a couple," "a few," and "several." We were joking back and forth and laughing all together. Suddenly, one of the men at another table got up, walked up behind me and yelled at me - saying that my last joke was "the most stupid thing [he] ever heard!" Really, the guy was actually hostile. Before I could respond he then said in a conversational tone, "My brother would really like you." Then he yelled in my ear, "And he's an idiot!" He finally grabbed my shoulder, and said that he wasn't calling me an idiot...."of course." I barely mustered a response, and at this point everyone got up from their seats and headed back to their rooms. It was bizarre. I'd barely noticed the man prior to his invective, and have no idea if he was intoxicated, high, or just arrogant. For what it's worth, I didn't notice any overt odor of alcohol or marijuana on his breath - so I'm guessing it was arrogance. I retired that evening with the mistaken belief that this rude fellow was just another guest of the B&B and that I'd never see him again. Or, if I did - that he might actually apologize for his behavior. Maybe I'm naive. A couple of days later, my wife pointed out to me that the rude man's photos were framed in the bathroom located off the lobby of the B&B. No joke - there were several pictures of him and his family on a yacht. After a little online and social media searching, I figured out that the man who verbally blasted a paying guest of the B&B (i.e. me) is actually the husband of the HCI's owner. Yeah, she was on the porch that night too - and witnessed the whole thing. It's odd that she did not intervene or apologize for his behavior either. It sickens me to think that some one who directly benefitted from my stay at HCI - paying for lodging and buying food and drinks - would treat a guest so poorly. He was a real jerk, and had he behaved that way towards somebody else the confrontation could have easily gone sideways. I wish Dora, Daniel and their staff all the best in their efforts to manage HCI. However, given the behavior of the ownership there is no way that I can ever recommend the Inn to anyone and certainly will never return there myself. read more

Absolutely must stay here when in the Bar Harbor area. The Inn is so warm and inviting. Dora and Daniel are excellent hosts and the entire staff is so friendly. The food is really incredible - breakfast , appetizers plates , the cozy bar with delicious food wines and spirits not to mention the surprise afternoon desserts and all day coffee / tea bar - it's all delicious! read more

One of the finest vacation experiences ever, and our family has travelled a LOT! You couldn't ask for kinder hosts, and the setting is beyond beautiful. Tranquil, wonderful stay, and we can't wait to return. read more

So not a bad bed and breakfast by any means. Neat cozy rooms, close to the water. However I question if I truly got value for my money comparing to other options. Good: * Bed was comfy and soft * Decor was nice in both room and main building * Breakfast was good * Staff is friendly Bad: * Breakfast is practically identical both days. Only change was tossing some pesto on the eggs. * The bathroom is pretty tiny. Corner toilet, tiny sink, tiny shower. No room to put bathroom stuff much less clothes. Also no cup to rinse after brushing teeth * Ceiling pitches down from the roof by the stairs, hit my head several times. Stairs are steep and narrow as well. * Air conditioner is really noisy, though I do like some white noise while I sleep * I find it odd when a bed and breakfast has limited breakfast seating, and if you're not early you're waiting for someone else to finish. Felt more like a restaurant than a bed and breakfast. read more

I didn't know much about Maine when I booked a room at this B&B, but it came highly recommended so I took a chance. I'm glad I did! First of all, when I called for information, one of the owners answered the phone and took time to tell me all about the Inn, Mount Desert Island and its main attraction Acadia National Park, and the other towns on the island. He was so nice I knew it would be good. The Inn itself is spectacular. A three story victorian with a big porch they use as part of the dining room. If you go, nab a seat out there because it has fantastic views of the working harbor just across the street. I can't believe there's still working fishing villages where you can watch the lobstermen come and go, and the only thing that gets in the way of your view is the stacks of lobster traps on the docks, but I swear that's what it was like. Actually the whole town of Southwest Harbor was great. Much smaller and quieter than the craziness of Bar Harbor, but still has some great markets and restaurants for casual but delicious dining. I'd say the whole place is pretty casual. Back to the inn.....I was struck by how luxurious and homey it was. Every room was freshly painted and immaculate. The furniture didn't look worn at all. It was perfect and you could tell the owners really pay attention to detail. I don't know if its an old hotel or an old victorian home converted into an inn, but there are quite a few guest rooms and lots of spaces for guests to mingle or enjoy quiet time. Everyone was really friendly when I was there and even though I was traveling on my own, every morning when I went to breakfast, other guests struck up conversations and I made new friends everyday. It was great. Speaking of breakfast.....it was scrumptous, with a great assortment of eggs, pancakes, muffins, fresh fruit, you name it. Really filling, which was important because I spent most days out in the park. You'll need a car or a boat to get to this inn from Bar Harbor or Bangor, but it is worth the drive and really you'll need a car or a bike to make the most of the island anyway. ...The Maine coast is a magical place. Its impossible not to be moved by its beauty and feel good here. I thought the Harbour Cottage Inn was the perfect place to have as my home base while I was there. read more

I kind of hate to give only 3 stars because this place has some really great things going for it, but a 3 it has to be. Positives: The staff was amazingly nice. It seemed to be run by a man who I surmised was the owner plus three Romanians (I think) who all seemed to be between 18-20. They were all super friendly. The common areas were very nice, cozy, and well-kept. The main living room had the usual assortment of books, games, and brochures about activities around town. The dining room was small, but I loved the fact that there were 2-person tables and we weren't forced to chitchat with strangers over breakfast. The location was right off the main street of SW Harbor and within walking distance to Beal's. Our bed was amazingly comfortable. Negatives: I choose the Downeaster Room which had a private entrance and was loft-style with the bedroom upstairs and the bathroom downstairs. The room was cute, though small, but my main problem was with the bathroom. The sink faucet had absolutely no pressure and it was a major task to brush my teeth or wash my face. It also took several minutes for the hot water to turn on (sink only, not shower). Our room was straightened every day, but we never received fresh towels (not a huge issue), but they were also never straightened on the towel rack. That sounds kind of petty, but I had to use hand towels to dry my hair since we only got 2 towels total and when I can back to the room at the end of the day they were still wadded up in the bedroom where I left them. And last, but not least...breakfast. Because they have several rooms, they have designated eating times. Half the rooms are at 8:00 and the other half at 8:30. It would have been nice to have a little more flexibility and not have to set my alarm clock on vacation in order to not miss breakfast. I was also expecting more of a choice or at least more selection in the "continental breakfast" offering. That consisted of cornflakes, granola, and fruit. I'm sure some people enjoyed the main breakfast, but I'm more of a simple gal and was really looking forward to blueberry pancakes or waffles or the like. Instead our breakfast for the three mornings we were there included baked eggs with a sauce, apple crepes, and 2-cheese omelets. I realize it's impossible to please everyone, but a choice of two different options would have been nice. Overall, I would still recommend this place. I think maybe our room wasn't as good as some of the others and maybe we were just there on bad breakfast days. It was still pretty nice. read more

We loved our stay at Harbour Cottage Inn! First impressions: quiet, beautiful, inviting, plenty of local recommendations in the common area.. delicious coffee! Kids were quickly right at home playing chess in the common area. We especially appreciated the antique touches throughout. Delicious breakfast!! Plenty of space in the Southwester Cottage- we are a family of 2 adults and 2 kids ages 10 and 12- each had their own room and appreciated that. Beds were comfortable, space was clean and airy with plenty of light. Easy check in and parking. We especially appreciated the suggestions of the innkeeper Don, whose advice was just perfect for our quick stay. 20 minutes to downtown Bar Harbor. Easy access to the water. Quick drive to local town. Highly recommend!! read more

Don, thank you for the wonderful stay. My girlfriend and I visited here in the last week of the season and very much appreciated the value Harbour Cottage added to our trip. The house itself is situated in Southwest Harbor overlooking old captain houses and the harbor. I especially like the style and design of the house. You can tell that a great level of care has been given to keep it as original as possible, only modifying when absolutely necessary. We stayed in the Schooner and I thought it was perfectly sized; I also loved the aesthetic of the room. We didn't spend all that much time hanging out in the living room or the rest of the house as we were here for the outdoor experiences. However, it felt very cozy and could mos def serve as refuge from a day of poor weather or a retreat from all the hiking available on Desert Island. Finally, we took advantage of the breakfast served nearly every morning of our stay, except for the morning we attempted to catch Thunder Hole in action. We like the breakfast for the most part and don't really have strong opinions one way or the other. All in all, a great stay and highly, highly recommend over any of the other options in the area! read more

Great place to stay at. We stayed at a family suite and it was fantastic. I travelled with 2 little ones, 4.5 and 1 year old plus 3 grandparents. Without this place, the trip would've been a nightmare. The owner is here every morning serving breakfast and giving guidance to your visit. Clean room, quite location, excellent service, delicious breakfast, I'll come back for sure. read more

I don't normally post negative reviews , but you should know what you're getting into. The two major concerns. The full sun will wake you at 4:30 am. The room needs block out shades. The other negative -the worst breakfast I've eaten so far. Soggy potato pancakes are the worst ! Yuck so sorry. But the owner needs to up the ante for a bed and breakfast. read more

I had a very positive experience staying here - the place was well laid out and the staff friendly. It's a short walk to the small town center, everything else is a drive. The breakfast time assignment concept is not so great, if you snooze you lose so to speak. A vacationer should not have rigid time constraints. I liked it and would recommend it for people who want a well run, quiet B&B that's away from the Bar Harbor bermuda shorts and camera crowd. read more

Actually 3.5 stars. Positives: Great location within easy walking distance to restaurants in Southwest Harbor and Beals Lobster Pier, and far away from the over crowded tourist trap of Bar Harbor. Really an excellent place to stay for a visit to MDI. The room was tastefully decorated, the bed exceedingly comfortable and the open airy layout made this a very relaxing place to stay. The main house and wide porch where breakfast is served was also relaxing and inviting and a great place to sit and read and soak in the superb Maine summer weather. And lastly, the service - both the inn keeper ad their staff were excellent. They were welcoming and friendly offering help to any tourist trying to plan their day. And breakfast was served promptly ad with a smile. Negatives: Breakfast wasn't the best. Offered only from 8-9, it forced us to an early start each day. And while it was filling, it wasn't so great - Some was tasty, some not so much. As far as the room, the towels always seemed damp. May have been the humid air, but we could never seem to find a dry towel. read more

Two parts to this review and two grades, as well: 1) We loved our room. Comfortable in every way, an enjoyable place to sit and read, great sleeping with the ceiling fan and lovely sea breezes. Good coffee and tea always available. Late afternoon cookies, too. Lovely porch and lawn for afternoon relaxing. Couldn't have enjoyed this aspect more. This part would rate 5 stars if it weren't for... 2) The whole breakfast thing. I'll be generous and give it a 3. To begin, the assigned breakfast time would have been more acceptable if it had been discussed when we made our reservation. We were assigned 8am, completely ridiculous for people with crazy schedules/demanding work who have chosen this place to relax. Not loving the 8am chimes to summon us, either. We did go to breakfast one day out of the 4 we were were there. Did not love the meal either and did not go to breakfast again. Microwave brown and serve sausages? Really? Very commercial crepes with some kind of apple goo and a squiggle of whipped cream? B- orange juice. We have had far, far more enjoyable continental breakfasts with a much more generous feel in other places. I'd stay again, but wouldn't bother with breakfast at all...which seems a shame at their price, but I do love a great room. read more

My daughter and her boyfriend purchased for us a gift certificate for the Harbour Cottage Inn. We made reservations for two rooms and took them with us last weekend. After a 8 hour drive, we were advised upon arrival to find something in town to do because they do not allow you to check in until 3:30pm. While OK we know that, however is that the way to meet guesses. And, that was buy the owner, not an employee. Will once 3:30pm came we returned, to meet a lovely girl, who took us to our rooms, and advised us that breakfast was from 8:00am to 9:00am. Waking up in the morning went down to a lovely porch, got served fresh fruit, and was told that they only offer one hot breakfast. The breakfast for that day was a swiss cheese omelet, with a side of your choice, salmon, two sausage links and a third I do not remember. I do believe that the owners of the Harbour Cottage Inn have their titles to their items incorrect. What they called an omelet was at the best a crape. The next morning we where told the hot breakfast was wheat pancakes. I think that we were told as child they were silver dollars. Another guess stated that he could get better at McDonalds. Soooooo!!!!! before you book this Bed and Breakfast, take a minute to think about if you enjoy a good breakfast or that doesn't really break the deal! read more