Find Your Perfect Motel Near Acadia National Park

Finding An Affordable Motel Near Acadia National Park

So, you are headed to Acadia National Park and want to find a motel near by! Mount Desert Island has many options for comfortable accommodations with modern amenities. But before we get into all the options let us first look at what a Motel is and why it is a good option for lodging. 

A motel is defined as “an establishment which provides lodging and parking and in which the rooms are usually accessible from an outdoor parking area.” Not to be confused with a hotel. Hotel rooms are usually accessed from inside the building and not from the exterior. A motel is generally has more affordable rates for its’ accommodations and found along the major route of travel. Because they are normally located along the major route it tends to be a convenient location and easy to find.

What You Get At A Motel Near Acadia National Park

Motels now come with a wide range of amenities. You can find ones with just cable tv and free wifi to ones with coffee makers in the room and even a heated outdoor pool. They almost always have free parking and air conditioning. Some might even have laundry facilities for you to use. With such a wide variety of options you are sure to find the perfect place for your next trip to Acadia National Park. One of my favorite things about the motels near Acadia National Park is that they tend to be family run small businesses. They also tend to have incredibly friendly staff that have probably worked at the place for years. 

Something that is a newer offering at some Motels is free breakfast. It is always a good day when you get a complimentary continental breakfast included with your lodging. 

How To Pick Your Perfect Motel Near Acadia National Park

When you are looking for any type of lodging I always find it helpful to have a list of my “must haves” for my accommodations. This can help you decide what motel would be the best fit for you. 

Perhaps you want to be in the center of town or within walking distance to town. Maybe you want to find a quiet location and don’t mind driving into downtown. Your “must haves” might change depending on where you are going, I know mine do. For instance when visiting Acadia National Park I prefer not to be in the heart of downtown Bar Harbor. I don’t mind driving to get to where I want to be while on vacation there. Now, when I vacation in Savannah, Georgia, I prefer to stay in the heart of the historic district. That I can walk to everything and not have to drive.  

This is just one example of things to think about when picking your perfect motel for your trip. 

Getting Around

If you do not want to drive while visiting Acadia National Park you can use the Island Explorer bus on your day of exploring. Island Explorer has many stops in and around Acadia National Park as well as the surrounding towns.

Motels In Downtown Bar Harbor

If the best place for your stay is in the hustle and bustle of downtown Bar Harbor Maine then these might be just what you are looking for.

Bar Harbor Villager Motel– A 52 room 2 story motel. This motel is not pet friendly. There amenities include Serta mattresses, 32″ flat screen tv, high speed internet, small refrigerator, coffee maker, outdoor sitting area, heated outdoor pool, free off street parking and continental breakfast. While they do not have an onsite fitness center, you do get free access at the Bar Harbor YMCA. If you are going to be using the Island Explorer to get around you can take a minute walk around the corner to the village green and hop on. Pricing ranges from $119.00 to $265.00 per night. Pricing depends on the type of room you pick and time of year. All in all this is a great location if you want to be in the heart of Bar Harbor.

Seasider Motel– A beautifully renovated two story motel on the outskirts of downtown Bar Harbor. This is a pet friendly motel! The Bar Harbor motel includes free parking, Wifi, 24 hour front desk staff, fridge and coffee maker in your room and a complimentary breakfast from 7-10 am. Room range from a standard two queen beds to a king bed with balcony. All rooms have direct access to the parking lot. The pricing ranges from $109.00 to $409.00 per night, depending on room type and time of year. The location is great on the outskirts of downtown and a short walk will get you to shuttle stop along the island explorer shuttle route.  

Motels Just Outside Downtown Bar Harbor

Edenbrook Motel– Located on the main road just 1.3 miles from downtown is this 47 room motel. This motel does not allow pets. Included in your room are cable tv, microwave, coffee maker, fridge and free parking. You can pick from a combo of room options ranging from a two queen economy, to a two room suite with three bed to a single king bed. Some rooms provide water views of Frenchman’s Bay. If you more space for a larger group they do have a four bedroom house you can book. Pricing ranges from $199.00 to $359.00 per night depending on room type and time of year. The price does not include the pricing of the rental house. 

Bar Harbor Motel– Another motel located along the main road about 1.5 miles outside of the downtown area. This motel screams classic Maine family vacation! This motel has been renovated in what is described as retro charm. Take a trip down memory lane and relive some things from the past, like a rotary telephone. Not to worry though, it has modern comforts like a flat screen tv and wifi. The room amenities include free parking, USB charging ports, wifi, small fridge and coffee maker. Grab the continental breakfast from 6:30 to 10:30 am. They have an onsite laundry facility, gift shop, playground, yard games, indoor bicycle storage, heated outdoor swimming pool and is an island explorer shuttle stop!

The Bar Harbor Motel has trail from the back of the property to the Acadia National Park carriage roads. Pricing ranges from $179.00 to $329.00 per night depending on time of year and accommodation type. This is my top pick for motel near Acadia National Park because of the great family activities, direct trail access and heated pool.

Motels Away From Downtown Bar Harbor

Seawall Motel– This motel is located on the quiet side of the island in the small community of Southwest Harbor. The Seawall Motel is located just across from an unobstructed view of the ocean and surrounding islands. If you are looking for some peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle then Seawall Motel is a great choice. Across the street is a rock beach where you can enjoy the sunset.

Located just down the road are Wonderland Trail, Ships Harbor Trail and the iconic Bass Harbor Lighthouse. If you don’t want to drive into Acadia National Park, not to worry, the motel is also an Island Explorer Shuttle Stop. Your amenities include breakfast from 7-10am, free parking, wifi, laundry, vending machines, and a community fridge and microwave. The pricing starts at $165.00 per night and goes up to $350.00 per night depending on time of year. This is the perfect place to enjoy the cool atlantic breeze. 

Harbor View Motel & Cottages– I am going to focus on the motel aspect of the Harbor View, for obvious reasons. This motel is located in just a couple minute walk away from downtown Southwest Harbor. Despite being in the downtown region you would never know it. Southwest Harbor is located on the quiet side of MDI is somewhere you can enjoy the slower pace of life. They offer motels rooms that are both pet friendly and non pet as well as one double bed to two queens with oceanfront decks. Your amenities include wifi, flat screen tv, large yard on the ocean, free parking, ocean access and private pebble beach at low tide. Room prices range from $110.00 to $180.00 per night for the motel style rooms. 

Why A Motel 

Maybe this is your first time visiting Acadia National Park, or perhaps you have been visiting for years, a motel is going to offer you the most affordable lodging option. Motels tend to be much more budget-friendly compared to hotels. As a result, this allows you to stretch your vacation budget even further and possibly add on extra activities or meals.

As I said earlier, they are generally a family owned and run establishment so the customer service is generally higher.  Many motel owners live on the premises. This ensures you have someone available at all times in case of an emergency or if you need anything during your stay. 

Another benefit of staying at a motel is the location. Many motels are situated closer to popular tourist destinations or attractions, making it easier for you to access these places without having to travel far. Plus, with lower rates, you may be able to afford a longer stay and have more time to explore all that your destination has to offer.