Queen Anne's Revenge

Bar Harbor's downtown is a tangle of chain hotels and cookie-cutter tourist lodges. Queen Anne's Revenge stands apart - a three-story character property that feels less like a hotel and more like staying in an eccentric friend's guest cottage. Rooms have names like "King Room with Spa Bath" and "Deluxe King Room," and several feature fireplaces with free duraflame logs. It's not precious or overdone. It's just odd enough to be memorable, and positioned just far enough from Main Street to feel quiet without being inconvenient.

The location is the real draw: a 10-minute walk to downtown restaurants, shops, and the harbor; a 15-minute drive to Acadia National Park. Parking is on-site - a genuine relief in a town where street parking is a blood sport. Couples especially love it here. The property scores 9.5 out of 10 among two-person travelers, and across 383 reviews, the overall score sits at 8.4 - "Very Good."

Location puts you within walking distance of everything that matters. Guests consistently describe it as a "perfect base" for Bar Harbor - close enough to downtown restaurants, galleries, and the waterfront to reach on foot, yet positioned on a quiet side street away from the Main Street hustle. One reviewer noted it was "close to Main Street but away from the hustle and bustle." The property is roughly a quarter-mile from downtown proper and an easy walk to grocery stores, making it ideal for travelers who want to explore but also retreat to somewhere calm.

Certain rooms have fireplaces and soaking tubs that elevate a typical inn stay. The King Room with Spa Bath category appears frequently in reviews, and guests praise the fireplace (with complimentary logs) and deep soaking tub. One honeymoon guest wrote that the property was "cosy, modern and beautiful" - and the staff surprised them with a bottle of Prosecco and a handwritten note. Even standard King Rooms come across as spacious and well-appointed, with nice decor touches and good natural light.

The property has genuine character without trying too hard. Reviewers call it "quirky," "eclectic," "cute," and "charming." It reads as a converted historic house - which it is - rather than a designed boutique hotel. The architectural quirks (steep stairs, skylights, detached buildings) are part of the appeal for most, even when they're inconvenient. One guest summed it up: "Not cookie cutter design."

Continental breakfast is included, with a coffee-and-tea station open all hours. The breakfast itself is grab-and-go (bagels, muffins, toast, instant oatmeal, cereal), but the all-hours coffee and tea bar is a genuine convenience. Several guests specifically called out this feature as welcome after travel days or early mornings before exploring Acadia.

Staff are genuinely helpful when asked, and the property maintains high cleanliness standards. While a few reviews note that front-desk staff can sometimes be absorbed in other tasks, the consensus is that they're friendly and accommodating. The property is described as "very clean" across most reviews, with special praise for bathroom cleanliness and fresh linens.

Queen Anne's Revenge occupies a converted historic building, so rooms vary in layout, size, and amenities. Some are in the main house; others occupy detached cottages or wings. Most are King Rooms, ranging from standard to "Deluxe" with added space and features. Several include fireplaces and/or soaking tubs - these are explicitly called out in reviews as worth the premium.

• King Room: Standard rooms with good size, TV, air conditioning, private bathroom. Several reviews praise these as roomy and well-appointed.
• King Room with Spa Bath: Larger, with a fireplace, soaking tub, and sometimes skylights. Popular for romantic getaways and anniversaries.
• Deluxe King Room: Similar to standard King but with additional square footage and sitting areas in some cases.

Note: Mattresses and bedding are a recurring point of feedback. Some guests praise beds as "very comfortable" and the place as offering a "great night's sleep." Others describe mattresses as too soft (the "taco bed" comment), overly deep (fitted sheets slip off), or worn and sagging. If mattress firmness matters to you, ask the staff when booking - they can likely steer you toward recently refreshed stock. Similarly, bathrooms vary: some have shower enclosures that feel flimsy, others have genuinely nice soaking tubs. A few rooms have skylights directly over the bed, which provides daylight but can make sleeping past sunrise difficult.

Grounds & Outdoor Space: Sun deck · Terrace · Garden · Picnic area with outdoor furniture · Free duraflame logs for in-room fireplaces.

Food & Drink: Bar (wine and spirits) · All-hours coffee and tea station · Continental breakfast included.

Practical & Services: 24-hour front desk · Concierge · Daily housekeeping · Baggage storage · Full-day security · Free WiFi throughout · Paid on-site private parking.

Room Features: Air conditioning · Flat-screen TV (note: some units are older) · Private bathroom · Free toiletries · Hairdryer · Non-smoking rooms.

Breakfast is included but light - a continental spread of pastries, cereals, and toast. The real win is the all-hours coffee and tea station, which several guests called out as a genuine thoughtful touch. The on-site bar stocks wine and spirits, though a couple of reviews note it was closed during their stay, which is unusual. For anything more substantial, downtown is a 10-minute walk: lobster rolls at Blaze, wood-fired pizza at Purpuri, or fine dining at Havana and XO.

Summer (June–August): Peak season. Downtown is busy; the waterfront and restaurants fill quickly at dinner. Acadia's Loop Road and carriage roads are all open. Expect to pay premium rates and book early. The bar may be inconsistently staffed due to vacation schedules.

Fall (September–October): The sweet spot. Leaf peeping peaks in early-mid October; the property fills with couples and small groups. Weather is cool but manageable. Many guests praise the "lovely" fall foliage views. Rates are high but slightly lower than summer. Acadia is uncrowded by summer standards.

Spring (April–May): Shoulder season. Acadia's trails are passable; wildflowers bloom in May. Downtown is quieter. Rates are moderate. Some facilities may have irregular hours.

Winter (November–March): Quiet season. The property remains open year-round, but some Bar Harbor attractions close or reduce hours. Acadia's higher elevations can have snow and icy conditions. Rates drop noticeably. The on-site fireplace rooms become especially appealing for weekend getaways.

"Very nice property, bigger than we expected. Room was really nice, good size bedroom with a nice sitting room and cool decor. Liked that they had an insight rum bar." - Clement, United States · Couple · 9/10

"Location was decent, a fairly short walk to downtown and the harbor area. Easy drive to Acadia National Park. Breakfast offerings were very nice." - Gary, United States · Couple · 8/10

"Perfect location for enjoying Bar Harbor, room #8 had a fireplace and soaking tub, and nice use of space. It was at the end of the hall so very quiet yet with plenty of light and fresh air." - Susan, United States · Couple · 9/10

"The location is absolutely perfect. Walkable to everything. The house is beautiful. Parking was easy. We especially loved the coffee and tea station being open all hours." - Brittney, United States · Couple · 7/10

"Fabulous room, loved the location as an easy walk to restaurants / bars / shops and a short drive to Acadia and the surrounding areas. The stay was fairly expensive but worth it to us." - Jacqueline, United Kingdom · Couple · 9/10

"We had the most incredible stay! The Cabana cottage was so cosy, modern and beautiful. We had the best night's sleep as the bed is so comfy. A big shout out to the team who made our stay special by leaving a bottle of Prosecco with a lovely note in our room." - Naomi, Ireland · Couple · 9/10

Honest caveats: A meaningful number of guests flag thin walls and/or noise from neighboring rooms and early-morning sounds (breakfast prep, ice machines, roosters in nearby buildings). If light sleep is an issue, ask for a room away from the main building or accept that you may hear a bit of activity. Parking, while on-site and convenient compared to downtown, is tight - reviewers describe the lot as "small," "crowded at times," and "hard to navigate." If you're arriving late or staying during peak season, plan extra time. Finally, several guests note that mattresses, particularly in Deluxe rooms, vary in quality and age; some feel worn or overly soft. This is worth flagging when you arrive - staff can often move you if there's a genuine comfort issue.

• Downtown Bar Harbor: 10-minute walk - Main Street shops, galleries, restaurants, harborfront park.
• Town Beach & Agamont Park: 13-minute walk - public beach and scenic park overlooking the water.
• Acadia National Park: 15-minute drive - carriage roads, hiking trails, Jordan Pond, Thunder Hole. Park Loop Road is open year-round; peak foliage in early October.
• The Abbe Museum: 11-minute walk - Native American art and history, located at the north end of downtown.
• Bar Harbor waterfront piers & docks: 12-minute walk - lobster boat tours, sunset cruises, ferry service to the Cranberry Isles.
• Neighborhood grocery store: 5-minute walk - convenient for picking up provisions.
• Carriage roads trail system: 10-minute drive - 30+ miles of gravel roads perfect for biking and casual walking, throughout Acadia.

Is breakfast really included? Yes. Continental spread (bagels, muffins, cereal, toast, instant oatmeal). Not a full hot breakfast, but free coffee and tea are available 24/7. Many guests eat breakfast elsewhere or grab something quick and walk to downtown restaurants.

Is there parking on-site? Yes, private paid parking is available. It's on-site, which is a huge advantage in Bar Harbor, but the lot is small and can be tight during peak season. Plan to arrive before evening rush if possible.

How far is it to downtown restaurants and shops? About a 10-minute walk, roughly a quarter-mile. Close enough to be convenient, far enough to feel removed from the Main Street chaos.

Do rooms have TVs and WiFi? Yes to both. WiFi is free throughout. TVs are included but some units are older; streaming services and cable are limited on older sets.

Is the bar open every night? The on-site bar is listed in amenities, but several recent reviews note it was closed during their stay. Ask the staff at check-in about bar hours, or plan to visit one of the many nearby downtown options.

Are there rooms accessible without stairs? The property has multiple buildings and levels with stairs. The main house has steep stairs. If mobility is a concern, ask when booking whether ground-floor or accessible options are available. One recent review noted the lack of elevators should be disclosed at booking.

What's the noise situation? The property is on a quiet side street, but some rooms (especially those near the main building) can hear early-morning breakfast prep, ice machines, and neighboring rooms. Skylights and street-facing windows mean early sunrises. Sound machines are provided in some rooms. Light sleepers should request a quieter location or rooms away from the main building.