mrsffonky

Me and my sister and our daughters (6 and 13) will be flying into Bangor, ME towards the end of August. We have reservations at the Bay View Inn. We woul like to stop somewhere on the drive after we land for a night or 2 but not sure what town would be best. The issue is the air fare is very expensive to fly in for the first day at the Bay View but drops considerably if we fly in a day or two earlier.

I've been researching on the web but I'm not familiar with the area as this would be our first time visiting Maine.

Can someone recommend a charming town and hotel on the way to Bar Harbor? No motels please or cabins, as suites are more our style. Breakfast included would be great. Interests include sailing and shopping.

Thank you kindly.

Littleman

St. Andrews is about an hour and a half N of Bangor, ME. Drive up and spend a few nights at Kingsbrae Arms.

http://www.kingsbrae.com/

mrsffonky

Thanks Littleman for the suggestion. Sounds perfect exept I need something on the way to Bar Harbor. I don't mind driving a little out of the way but Mapquest is stating it's 3 hours north of Bangor and in Canada. I would rather stay within Maine.

getowt

There is really only one town between Bangor and Bar Harbor, and that is Ellsworth. In my experience, you could spend an afternoon there, but not a day or two. If you wanted to stay in Ellsworth one night, it is close enough to drive down to Acadia and back. If you are willing to go somewhere not directly on the route between Bangor and Bar Harbor, you could look into Blue Hill or Camden. (You'll find lots of posts on this forum about Camden.)

getowt

Other ideas:

There are a number of B and B's in Searsport.

The kids might like Fort Knox in Bucksport.

Here's a link to an inn between Bangor and Ellsworth, but the location isn't near anything. http://www.lucerneinn.com/

Also, you could find out when the Maine State Fair is in Bangor and maybe just stay in Bangor.

joesorce

If suites and shopping are your style, you might be headed to the wrong state altogether.

The Lucerne Inn is nice, and there is a nice walk behind the hotel down to the lake, but it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere.

If you don't want to drive as far as Camden and back, then just go to Bar Harbor and stay in a different hotel for the first 2 nights if the Bay View is full-up. The Samoset Resort near Camden is nice, or look at Glenmoor-by-the Sea, The Inn at Ocean's Edge, Or Sunrise Point.

dfrostnh

I second the suggestion for Camden. Glenmoor-by-the Sea offers more suite-like accomodations as well as motel and cottages. Camden offers some shopping. Check into availability of day trips on a windjammer or sailboat. But, like joesorce infers, this far north, the coastline gets rugged and there is very little shopping between Camden and Bar Harbor.

bardo1

Can someone recommend a charming town and hotel on the way to Bar Harbor?

Not on the way, no. The suggested alternatives for a different hotel for your first two nights in Bar Harbor is good.

If you want a different area close to Bar Harbor, you could look Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor on Mt. Desert Island. Both are nice places but pretty quiet with few attractions other than boat tours. Restaurants and hotels and decidedly less expensive than Bar Harbor.

Camden is also very nice and well worth visiting but almost 2 hours from Bar Harbor by car. LOTS of nice places to stop en route, especially between Bucksport and Camden. If the distance is OK with you, I would suggest looking at staying in Camden your first two nights.

mrsffonky

Thank you everyone. I appreciate the advice. I will look into another hotel in Bar Harbor or Southwest Harbor.