Welcome to the Balance Rock Inn of Bar Harbor Maine

Welcome to Bar Harbor Maine

Welcome to Balance Rock Inn, Bar Harbor's premier oceanfront bed and breakfast inn. No other property can offer you luxurious oceanfront accommodations, overlooking Frenchman's Bay, with the convenience of being in downtown Bar Harbor. Located on a quiet cul de sac just a block from the heart of Bar Harbor's downtown, Balance Rock Inn enjoys a breathtaking waterfront location. Bar Harbor's Historic Shore Path passes the Inn's sweeping lawn as it winds its way around the ocean's edge, past many of the area's splendid mansions. Just steps away, savor lobster hauled fresh from the sea, delight in the magnificent coastal scenery, and shop for native treasures. Your innkeepers at Balance Rock Inn will assist you in getting the most out of your Bar Harbor stay. Acadia National Park is just minutes away and occupies about half of Mt. Desert Island and includes a host of unique sites and wonders including the famous Otter Cliffs, Cadillac Mountain - the highest coastal point in the Eastern United States, the scenic Park Loop Road and the famous carriage trails and stone bridges. Nowhere else is the scenic beauty of coastal Maine more accessible than in Acadia National Park.

Bar Harbor achieved international fame during the later half of the last century as the summer getaway of the country's wealthiest families. These families erected grand summer "cottages" in which the households and their entourages could escape the summer heat in the metropolitan areas of the Northeast. Today, some of those grand summer homes remain. Balance Rock is one such summer "cottage," built in 1903 for Scottish railroad tycoon Alexander Maitland and his family. The lovely shingle-style mansion was designed by the prestigious Boston architects Andrews, Jacques, and Rantouil, a firm used by many wealthy summer residents of Bar Harbor at turn of the century. The original home is lovingly preserved as the elegant Balance Rock Inn, with every deluxe amenity. The historic Shore Path - a mile long walking path along the shore of Frenchman Bay with striking views of the Atlantic and gorgeous buildings - crosses the Inn property at the water's edge. That is where the "balance rock", a gravity defying boulder made famous in a children's book, is located. Learn more about the area's HISTORY.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our front desk staff and bellman who will show you the Inn and your accommodations as well as assist you in getting the most from your Bar Harbor vacation. As you enter the Inn and pass the grand stair, you will find yourself in the large and comfortable living room overlooking the veranda, the heated outdoor pool and the ocean... a fitting welcome for the getaway you'll remember forever.