Historic 2 Cats Inn

The Historic 2 Cats Inn doesn't fit the mold of a traditional inn - and that's exactly what makes it work for the right traveler. Located above a full-service restaurant on Cottage Street in downtown Bar Harbor, it's equal parts lodging and neighborhood anchor. You get a spacious one-bedroom apartment with two full bathrooms, a kitchenette, and access to a breakfast counter downstairs where the pancakes are stacked with fresh blueberries and the coffee keeps flowing from dawn onward.

The setup appeals most to couples and families who value walkability over silence. You're steps from the bars, shops, and ferry terminals of downtown. The trade-off is real: you'll hear traffic outside and breakfast service beginning early. But if your Bar Harbor trip hinges on being able to roll out of bed and into a full day of hiking, boating, or Acadia National Park exploration without a car, the location is hard to beat.

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Excellent breakfast included in your rate, served downstairs by a chef who knows the ingredient list by heart. Wild Maine blueberry pancakes, smoked salmon omelets, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and enough pastries and cheese to fuel a full day of coastal exploration. Multiple guests noted the portions are generous - ideal if you're planning a strenuous hike. The breakfast room fills up quickly around 7 a.m.; early risers are rewarded with shorter waits.

Downtown location with free parking - a rarity in Bar Harbor. Walk to Town Beach in 12 minutes, Agamont Park in less than half a mile, Dock Square shops, restaurants, and galleries in two minutes. An assigned gravel parking lot means you can ditch the car for your entire stay. Several guests emphasized this advantage: "free parking and breakfast are worth the walk," one noted.

Two full bathrooms and a genuine apartment layout, not a shoebox. One-bedroom units include a living area with a sofa, a dining space, a kitchenette (coffee machine, toaster, refrigerator, electric kettle), and hardwood floors. Families of four consistently praised the extra bathroom - no morning standoffs.

Responsive ownership and restaurant partnership. The innkeepers reply promptly to guest requests and issues. If something breaks or you need help navigating your arrival, there's usually someone available either in the restaurant downstairs or a phone call away.

A genuinely historic setting with character. The building has stood for decades and looks the part - vintage woodwork, parquet floors, and a sense of place you won't find in a chain motel. One long-time return visitor noted the rooms have been refreshed recently: "after 19 years, we found the room is now even prettier and more comfortable."

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The inn offers a single room category: one-bedroom apartments with a living area, dining space, full kitchen facilities, and two private bathrooms. The finish is traditional New England - hardwood or parquet floors, simple furnishings, and vintage charm. Rooms are described consistently as clean and well-decorated, though not luxurious.

• One-Bedroom Apartment - Sleeps up to four with a bedroom, sofa bed in living area, two full bathrooms, kitchenette, and dining space. Pets and groups are accommodated.

Fair warning: the mattresses are firm. Multiple guests flagged the bed as "hard as rock" or uncomfortable, though the owner notes they refreshed the mattress stock recently. Pillow preference varies wildly - what's perfect for one sleeper is a complaint for another. Request extra pillows when you book if you sleep on your side. The shower and bathroom are compact - functional, not spacious.

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Practical & Convenience · Free WiFi throughout · Free assigned parking (gravel lot) · Private entrance and in-room kitchenette · Flat-screen TV · Non-smoking apartments · Air conditioning and heating

Food & Beverage · Complimentary breakfast served downstairs in the restaurant · Coffee and tea makers in room · Restaurant available for lunch and dinner

Building & Grounds · Garden courtyard · Historic parquet and hardwood floors · Private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, hairdryer, and towels

Family-Friendly · Family rooms (apartments) · Sofa bed in living area · Two bathrooms (useful with children) · Kitchenette for preparing snacks or light meals

Safety & Security · Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms · Carbon monoxide detector · Secure entry via assigned door code

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Breakfast isn't a continental plate of packaged pastries; it's a full restaurant operation. You descend from your apartment to the counter where staff plate warm dishes, pancakes loaded with Maine blueberries, smoked salmon, omelets, fresh fruit, cheese, and pastries. Tea, coffee, and fresh-squeezed OJ flow throughout. One guest called it "amazing." Another split a blueberry pancake and "loaded with fresh blueberries" was all they could say.

The catch: breakfast is on restaurant time, which means it gets crowded between 7 and 8 a.m., and the kitchen doesn't start rolling until around 6:45 or 7. Arrive at 6:45 sharp, grab a table immediately, and you'll eat in peace. Arrive at 8 a.m. and you may wait 30 minutes. If you're the type who hates crowds or sleeps past 7, this won't charm you. If you're the type who hikes before breakfast, this is perfect.

Premium items like lobster omelets and lobster eggs Benedict are available but cost extra - not included in the room rate.

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Summer (June–August) - Peak season. Bar Harbor's waterfront swells with visitors, Acadia hums, ferries run full schedules, and every restaurant is open. Expect crowds, higher prices, and breakfast at 7 a.m. to be genuinely packed. The upside: perfect beach and hiking weather. Book well ahead.

Shoulder Season (May & September–October) - Ideal for many travelers. Weather is still reliable (though September can bring rain), leaf-peeping peaks in early October, and crowds thin notably. Breakfast is still served but slightly less frantic. Several guests stayed in late September and early October and called it "great."

Fall (Late September–October) - Foliage season draws visitors nationwide. Downtown Bar Harbor is busy but not summer-level crowded. Days cool to the 50s and 60s; bring layers. Acadia trails are stunning. Locals call this the best time to visit the coast.

Winter (November–March) - Off-season. Many restaurants close or reduce hours, Acadia's park roads may see snow, and the inn's visibility in booking engines dips. If you're the type who loves a quiet coast, December or January is peaceful. Check ahead on hours and special services.

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"The location was perfect! The option to cook was a plus! Having 2 bathrooms was a pleasant surprise! Would definitely stay again!"

• Kimberly, United States · Couple · 10/10

"The breakfast each morning was very good. I would stay here again without hesitation."

• Leeanne, United States · Couple · 10/10

"Clean, able to walk into the action of bar harbor, Amazing breakfast, spacious. My family of 4 had a great time. Hosts very responsive."

• Ghosh, United States · Family · 10/10

"Returning to 2 Cats Inn after 19 years, we found the room is now even prettier and more comfortable."

• John, United States · Solo traveler · 10/10

"Free breakfast and free parking! The accommodation isn't in the heart of town, but free parking and breakfast are worth the walk."

• Amie, United States · Couple · 10/10

"Convenient to main st. Location was great."

• Edwin, United States · Couple · 8/10

The property does face persistent complaints worth knowing upfront. Guests on the street-facing side report hearing delivery trucks at 2 a.m., traffic noise, and early-morning kitchen activity from the restaurant below. These aren't bugs; they're features of downtown living. One guest noted she "slept with the windows open so the noise was especially audible" - in other words, operator error, not hotel failure. Still, if absolute quiet is non-negotiable, request a room on the quieter side of the building when you book, or choose a property outside downtown. A handful of guests also flagged maintenance concerns (peeling paint, uneven floors, slow WiFi) and felt the price was steep for the condition - valid for a building this old. Recent management replies suggest active improvements are underway.

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• Town Beach - 12-minute walk; the closest saltwater swimming in Bar Harbor, small and manageable.
• Agamont Park - Less than half a mile; harborside green space with benches, views, and a gathering point for locals.
• Dock Square and downtown Bar Harbor - 2-minute walk; shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, ice cream, and the ferry terminal.
• The Abbe Museum - 0.3 miles; Native American art and history, one of Bar Harbor's must-visits.
• Bar Harbor waterfront and Frenchman Bay - Walking distance; rent kayaks, book whale-watching tours, or simply stroll the docks.
• Acadia National Park - 5 miles; the anchor attraction. Jordan Pond Path, Thunderhole, Cadillac Mountain, and dozens of hiking trails are a short drive or shuttle ride away.
• Mount Desert Island car-free loop - Drive the Park Loop Road or take the Island Explorer shuttle bus to scenic pullouts, hiking trailheads, and picnic areas.

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Is breakfast really included in the room rate? Yes. A full American breakfast with hot dishes, pastries, fruit, and beverages is included every morning. Premium items like lobster omelets cost extra. You're not obligated to eat there every morning, though most guests do.

What time is breakfast served? Breakfast begins around 6:45 or 7 a.m. and runs through the mid-morning hours. Arrive by 7 a.m. to avoid a wait. The restaurant gets crowded between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.

Is parking free? Yes. You get a free assigned spot in the property's gravel lot. It's not fancy, but it's genuinely free - a major saving in Bar Harbor, where downtown parking is otherwise scarce and paid.

Can I cook in the apartment? You have access to a kitchenette with a coffee machine, toaster, refrigerator, and electric kettle. However, the space is not a full kitchen. One guest's induction cooktop experience went sideways when they brought non-induction cookware; communicate cooking needs when you arrive, and staff will help troubleshoot.

Is the WiFi reliable? WiFi is free and available throughout. One guest reported it was "so slow that TV signal kept dropping out," suggesting it can be inconsistent, especially during peak hours. Don't rely on it for video calls or large downloads.

Is the inn family-friendly? Yes. The one-bedroom apartments accommodate families of four with a sofa bed and two full bathrooms. Several families gave it top marks. The early breakfast and restaurant downstairs make it convenient for families with young children.

What's the noise situation? Expect street noise from downtown traffic. On warm nights, open windows amplify truck deliveries and passing cars. The restaurant begins prep work early, and guests above the kitchen hear it. If quiet is essential, clarify your noise concerns when booking and request a room away from the street or kitchen.

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