B & B Tips

For those who haven't visited B&B's or Bar Harbor before, we would like to share some ideas for your visit with us. These suggestions are generally true wherever you stay in a B&B, with some refinements specific to our inn and Bar Harbor. Please remember B&B's are, generally, older homes that have been remodeled to accommodate guests - that's part of their charm. Also, health codes forbid us from letting you use our kitchen; so, don't plan on making meals while staying with us. So:

Suggestion 1: If you can't carry it yourself, don't pack it,
Suggestion 2: If possible, pack two small suitcases, not one big one.

Here's why:
Lots of steps, and no elevators: our home was built in 1900, when 6 or more steps just to get into a house were typical, and low, narrow stairways were the rule. We have two flights of stairs up to the second and third floor, each with a turn in the middle of it.
Limited closets: In 1900 working families had few changes of clothes, just their work clothes and a Sunday-go-to-meeting set of clothes (our home was built as a family's home, not a mansion). Also, what closet space might have been has been converted to the seven bathrooms needed so you can each have an ensuite bathroom. Each of our rooms do have small closet spaces.
Limited staff: We will do our best to help you with your luggage, but you should plan on having to carry your suitcases yourself - we simply don't have a staff to help you. Most B&B's don't have bellhops etc, such staff is just too expensive.
Amenities: We provide you with an hair dryer, and Bar Harbor is such a casual town, the iron and ironing board we can loan you is rarely used. We also have some slickers and umbrellas you can borrow while here, as well as bug spray and even sun block should you forget your own,

What to bring:

We are an island surrounded by a ~40° ocean year round (our average July and August temperature is 75° days with 40's and 50's at night, and usually a breeze‹so plan clothes accordingly.
You won't need hiking boots, even for the most strenuous hike here. You DO want tight fitting shoes -- I've hiked every trail here in my running shoes.
You won't need dress clothes - shorts & t-shirts are acceptable in all the restaurants in town‹blue jeans are Bar Harbor formal.
You will want a light-weight wind/rain blocking jacket for those damp hikes, and cool evenings.
If you're going on the ocean - whale watching, nature cruising, sailing, etc, it's ~45° out there all summer long, so a warm set of clothes will be useful. The jacket mentioned above will block the wind, but it's still cool.
If you'll be sea kayaking, then a polypropylene shirt is very helpful, but not necessary (they pack small). You'll mostly stay dry, and the outfitters we recommend all have wet suit booties, so your personal shoes don't get wet.



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