Balance Rock Inn

About The Hotel

From $299/night, you are paying for an oceanfront Gilded-Age location—a dramatic inn with heated pool, restaurant, and genuine waterfront atmosphere on the Shore Path. The 4.4-rated property exudes grand historic charm and draws couples and anniversary guests seeking a special setting. Rooms and carpets feel somewhat dated relative to the price (value score 3.96), and some carriage-house units have drawn complaints about noise or variable water temperature, but the oceanfront setting, free parking, and one-block walk to town offset these quirks for many travelers.

What Guests Are Saying

“We had a wonderful time at the Balance Rock Inn. We booked late (plan ahead!), so we stayed in two different rooms. Both were comfortable and well-appointed. The location is perfect - right on the shore with the Balance Rock in view. We did not swim, but, the pool is heated and looked great, with lot’s of comfortable seating. The staff was welcoming, very friendly, accommodating, and professional. The breakfast was complementary and very good, and we had an outstanding meal at The Veranda, their restaurant. Make your reservation in advance! The free parking is a great perk. We parked and could easily walk to anyplace in Bar Harbor. We look forward to returning some day.” — jimbassman, 5 stars

“We went to Balance Rock Inn on our Honeymoon and it could not have been a nicer experience. The hotel was beautifully restored/decorated and evoked the Gilded Age splendor that made Bar Harbor so famous. The staff was welcoming, friendly, and attentive. The pool and grounds were beautiful and well-cared for. The location was perfect - close to town but slightly secluded was perfect for us. Very peaceful… I can’t wait to return.” — Brad, 5 stars

“When you pull in the parking area you feel like you have just arrived at a mansion. Technically, you have! It is a beautiful place, and we were greeted by a lovely hostess and bellman. The bellman was kind an took us around the place and talked about the history and also the amenities available for us. Throughout our stay, all of the staff we interacted with were very attentive and nice. The grounds were gorgeous and, as described, on the ocean. The view from the main house and pool area was breathtaking. At night the place is lit up so from the shore looking back it is equally as impressive. We stayed in Room 305 (a queen ocean view room). It was not a large room but had a balcony that had an amazing view. The bed was very comfortable and the room and bathroom were both very clean. Being only a block from the main street the location could not be better. We would definitely stay here again.” — Jonesey J., 5 stars

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Genuine oceanfront setting on the Shore Path with Frenchman Bay views
• Heated outdoor pool and beautifully manicured grounds
• Included breakfast and on-site restaurant (The Veranda) for dinner
• Free parking and one-block walk to Main Street shops
• Historic, romantic atmosphere and pet-friendly rooms available

Cons:

• Rooms and carpets feel dated to many guests relative to the price
• Carriage-house units drew complaints about noise and lukewarm water
• Buffet breakfast repetition noted on longer stays
• Service quality reported uneven at season’s end

The Location

Balance Rock Inn occupies Albert Meadow directly on the shore beside the Shore Path, with Balance Rock visible from the property. Main Street shops are one block away, and the Acadia National Park entrance is roughly 10 minutes by car. You can find more details or book your stay on TripAdvisor.