Indulge in Bar Harbor

You don’t have to go to a metropolis to discover luxury around every corner. Bar Harbor has an abundance of high-end lodging, restaurants, and shops to indulge in while still being within an arm’s length of nature. Our hotels and restaurants bring luxury to you with breathtaking coastal views and locally-sourced menus. Jewelry shops display pieces handcrafted from stones found in Maine that will make your experience even more meaningful.
 
Bar Harbor has a wide range of accommodations for your trip:

1. The Harborside Hotel & Marina was nominated for the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Readers’ Choice Award. You can reserve one of their Frenchman Bay boathouse suites, which features two bedrooms, a full kitchen, a fireplace, a hot tub, and a rooftop patio (see photo above). The Harborside is close to Acadia National Park and offers spa services for additional relaxation after a hike.
2. The Saltair Inn will have you living the life with a full gourmet breakfast, a fireplace in your suite, and lavish décor and bedding. The Master Suite offers guests first-floor access to a spacious room that includes two fireplaces, an air-jet tub, and a two-head shower, not to mention a gorgeous overlook of Bar Island and Frenchman Bay.
3. At Balance Rock Inn, you have the option of three divine locations: the Main House, the Carriage House, or Ocean View Suites. Each offers luxurious accommodations for groups big and small. Ocean View Suite 408 is the penthouse suite with twenty-foot vaulted ceilings, a marble-tiled shower, and a balcony providing ocean views.
4. Ivy Manor is known for its comfort and privacy. The Weymouth King Suite is the most private and luxurious of the rooms offered. With a living room, private deck, and Jacuzzi tub located on the third floor, the Weymouth King Suite lets you enjoy all the amenities in the most spacious of Ivy Manor rooms. 

You can’t plan an indulgent vacation without fine dining. Whether you are strolling through town and need a bite to eat or find yourself famished while lounging at your hotel, there are many options for an exquisite meal. If you are staying at the Balance Rock, mentioned above, you can enjoy the fine foods at the Veranda Bar. Here are a few other restaurants worth the visit:

1. Galyn’s Restaurant offers a fine dining experience with walls covered in magnificent Maine art. With paintings from Maine artists or of Maine landscapes, the experience at Galyn’s is enhanced even further with unique seafood dishes such as Frenchman Bay Stew, sautéed scallops, and lobster linguini.
2. The Looking Glass Restaurant provides guests with classic dishes, as well as traditional Maine meals from filet mignon to Maine lobster. The Looking Glass allows visitors to observe the ocean and coastal Maine landscape with a panoramic view right from their seats.
3. La Bella Vita is a must for fresh food and a good time. The restaurant offers an experience similar to that of a meal in Italy, with authentic Italian dishes and garden-grown ingredients. La Bella Vita has two Bar Harbor locations, one at the Harborside Hotel and another at the Bar Harbor Regency.
4. One of Bar Harbor’s newest hot spots, Salt & Steel, features daily-sourced produce, meat and seafood. Chef Bobby Will, formerly of Saltaire Oyster Bar in Port Chester, NY and the Jean Georges group, will focus on hyper-local cuisine, inspired by the farmers, fisherman and foragers of our area.  

Don’t forget to stop in one of our unique Maine jewelry shops downtown, too, and bring home that perfect souvenir.

1. Jack’s Jewelry is known for jewelry handcrafted with Maine tourmaline, known for its watermelon coloring of vibrant greens and pinks. Owners Jack and Sherri hand select the stones that will be used to make their elegant jewelry. Jack’s Jewelry has been in operation since 1976, offering the highest quality pieces through their years of experience.
2. Willis’ Rock Shop creates natural gemstone jewelry through dedicated design and craftsmanship. Stones are prepared and the jewelry is crafted right in the store, letting guests design their own pieces. Over its 80 years of operation, Willis’ has expanded their selection that includes a variety of metals, designs and stones to choose from.
3. Originally from New York City, Anne Woodman also has a store in Bar Harbor to share her handmade works. With joyful designs such as stars, flowers and bees, each creative product is elegant, as well as mood brightening.   

After staying in lavish lodging, eating at Bar Harbor’s finest restaurants, and browsing high-quality jewelry collections, you will have truly indulged in your vacation.

Photos courtesy of the Harborside Hotel & Marina and Galyn's.