We are planning August 4 - 13 coast/Acadia vacation. 2 adults. No, don't have lodging yet.
In Portland w/ friends 8/4.
Want to see Wyeth, etc. in Rockland area - stay in Camden?
Then 4-5 days for Acadia, Mt. Desert, etc.
Don't want to stay in Bar Harbor - one of us hates crowds, shopping, tourists.
Only places we've found w/ accommodations so far are Bass Harbor Cottages & Country Inn -anyone stayed there? no air conditioning and limited time at Pilgrims Inn on Mt. Desert (pricier).
We want quiet, beauty, privacy.
Help!

If you have not already, buy a copy (there's a brand new edition out) of Maine:The Explorer's Guide. We have always used it(several editions) over the years for trips to Maine. I think any place you can find outside of Bar Harbor will give you what you are ooking for.

You might try the Asticou Inn, about 20 min from Bar Harbor...not sure if the main Inn has air conditioning but they also have 2 cottages.

www.asticou.com

We spent six nights in Maine 2yrs ago and loved it. First two nights we stayed at The Bradley Inn in New Harbor.Nice place with restaurant.You can walk down the small road to the Pemaquid Point lighthouse.Its a short drive over to New Harbor and Shaws Fish and Lobster Wharf. We ate there twice.This is where the movie Message in a bottle was filmed. The best part was taking the ferry over to Monhegan Island. Its a great way to spend the day.Very artistic community.The island only has about thirty full time residents,no cars. There is one Inn with a restaurant on the island.A museum and gorgous views from the hiking trails. Dont miss it! We also spent two nights inland at Moosehead Lake.We went on a moose safari and saw several moose and a black bear. We stayed at the most beautiful Bed and Breakfast that I have ever been in,The Blair Hill Inn. they have a website.There is a state park down the road which we hiked through and swam at. All the scenery looks like something out of National Geo.And the AIR is so clean.Highly reccomend Moosehead Lake area for the chance to see wildlife and natural settings.Worth the drive from the coast area. Have a great trip!

We stayed one wonderful night in Eastport, ME- wish it was more.

Not too many tourists-not too many rooms avail..

Even went to a mustard factory and the best clam chowder around.

Check it out.

One of the best lodging websites for Maine lodging is that of the Maine Innkeepers Association at maineinns.com. Tons of options and links to all properties.

If you want to stay away from the tourists and be a little ways away, just stay in Ellsworth, right off route 1, before you go into Bar Harbor. Or, if you want to be right there, you might want to check out Southwest Harbor or one of the smaller surrounding towns on Mount Desert Island. I think there are some other motels in Trenton as well.