Colonial Inn Ellsworth

Ellsworth sits 30 minutes south of Bar Harbor, which makes it the practical choice for travelers who want to explore Acadia National Park without paying premium-season rates. Colonial Inn - a two-star property on High Street - is exactly what it claims to be: clean rooms, an indoor pool, free breakfast, and reliable staff. The place shows its age, and guests mention that plainly. But for families, couples, and groups who need a comfortable base camp rather than a destination in itself, it delivers.

The hotel's real strength is location-and-value symmetry. You're steps from Walmart, restaurants, and shopping. You're 30 minutes from the carriage roads and summits of Acadia. Breakfast is included. Parking is free. Rooms are spacious - two queen beds, full kitchenettes in some units, fridges everywhere. The indoor pool runs year-round. Staff tend to be genuinely helpful. That's enough for a 7.5 / 10 rating from 438 guests, and 8.0 / 10 from couples specifically.

Where the reviews diverge is on condition. Some guests say "clean and comfortable" and mean it. Others note thin walls, dated fixtures, dingy towels, slow hot water, and a property that is "run down" or "tired looking." Both camps are right. Colonial Inn is maintained, but not renewed. It's honest value, not a bargain in disguise.

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Direct access to Acadia and Down East Maine. Thirty minutes to Bar Harbor; you can be hiking the Beehive Trail or driving the Park Loop before lunch. Many families book the annex building specifically for its quiet seclusion, ideal for uninterrupted sleep before an early Acadia sunrise.

Spacious rooms designed for groups. Two-queen rooms fit four adults without cramming. Family Suites have three queen beds and full kitchenettes - a rarity in this market. Reviewers with children and multigenerational parties consistently praise the room size and the ability to prep light meals in-room.

Breakfast included, every morning. Continental style: hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, toast, coffee, juice, pastries, sausage sticks. Not a full cooked spread, but substantive enough that families skip the drive into town. A few guests wanted oatmeal and fresh fruit; most were satisfied.

Staff who genuinely help. The front desk and housekeeping teams are named in reviews as "extremely friendly," "very helpful," and "accommodating." One reviewer from Australia noted the hotel is "family-owned and operated," which shows in the personal attention.

Indoor pool open year-round. Not heated to spa standards - some guests reported it chilly - but available for a quick swim or family splash in off-season. One note: the hotel enforces a two-person pool limit during certain hours, which caught families off guard.

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Colonial Inn's building stock is mixed. The main building offers standard Queen Rooms and two-queen doubles. The annex - mentioned by name in multiple reviews as "fantastic" and "very quiet" - houses suites and some accessibility rooms. Rooms include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and microwaves. Some have full kitchenettes.

• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds - Most common; seats four. Kitchenette in some units.
• Family Suite - Three queen beds, full kitchen, two bathrooms. Rare gem in this price tier.
• Standard Queen Room - Single queen, basic layout.
• Deluxe Queen Room with Two Queen Beds - Newer finishes than standard doubles.
• Queen Room (Disability Access) - Accessible bathroom, grab rails, roll-in shower access.
• Junior Suite - Intermediate size and amenities.

One honest caveat: bathrooms are small, some extremely so. Thin walls - and even ceiling gaps - transmit sound from neighboring rooms. One guest heard a neighbor's conversation clearly; another reported hearing the heating system as loud as "a train going through the unit." Light fixtures are dated. Towels have worn thin in some rooms. These aren't dealbreakers for a one- or two-night stay, but matter if you're settling in for a week.

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Pool & Grounds - Indoor swimming pool open year-round; outdoor fireplace with seating and picnic area. The pool has attracted occasional cleanliness concerns from guests; one report of a child's rash is noted in reviews.

Food & Drink - Thai restaurant on-site. Complimentary breakfast with coffee, juice, pastries, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, toast, sausage sticks. Reception staff can direct you to nearby chains and local spots. Vending machines for snacks and drinks.

For Families - Family rooms with kitchenettes; full laundry facilities for guest use (specifically praised in reviews); pool; spacious two-queen doubles.

Practical - Free WiFi throughout; free parking (room-adjacent in many cases); front-desk ATM; work desks in all rooms; accessible rooms with grab rails and roll-in showers; pet-friendly (extra fee); wake-up service available.

Accessibility - Multiple disability-access rooms; wheelchair-accessible common areas; ADA-compliant bathrooms with grab rails; accessible parking.

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Summer (June–August) - Peak Acadia season. Hotel fills with families; pool sees heaviest use. Rooms at highest rates. Book early. Weather ideal for hiking and coastal drives. Park facilities fully open.

Shoulder Season (May, September–October) - Sweet spot for many travelers. Fewer crowds at Acadia; foliage peaks in October. Hotel rates drop; availability improves. Temperatures pleasant; some park facilities may reduce hours late October.

Winter (November–February) - Off-season pricing. Acadia still accessible - carriage roads become snowshoe/cross-country ski routes; minimal crowds. Park Loop Road can have closures after heavy snow. Pool stays open; outdoor fireplace becomes appealing. Heating system is old (one guest described it as unreliable).

Spring (March–April) - Mud season in the mountains; wildflowers lower down. Acadia crowding picks up mid-April. Hotel rates transition from winter to peak. Weather unpredictable.

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"One of the only hotels I could find with 3 queen beds for a large family. Nice full kitchen with bathrooms. Clean, nice staff, indoor pool and fairly close to Acadia."

• Jennifer, United States · Family · 9/10

"We were in the annex, and it was very quiet."

• Lynn, Canada · Couple · 9/10

"The staff was really accommodating. The breakfast was really nice and had good variety. The rooms are clean and the bed is comfy."

• Tabarana, Romania · Couple · 9/10

"Clean room. Helpful staff. Good room access via hallway and glass doors to parking lot. Good breakfast options!"

• Paul, United States · Couple · 9/10

"Very nice staff. Breakfast in am is included. Location, indoor pool, comfortable beds."

• Jon, United States · Couple · 7/10

"It was adequate for a one night stay and being located in a high tourist area I guess it was competitively priced. All the personnel on duty were very friendly and helpful."

• David, United States · Couple · 8/10

Guests across the board praise the staff, location, and breakfast. The consistent criticism: the property is aging. Thin walls, dated fixtures, slow or inconsistent hot water, and small bathrooms are mentioned in roughly 20% of reviews. Some guests frame this as "run down"; others simply note the age without complaint. One reviewer aptly described it: "adequate but more than adequate has seen better days." It's a trade-off acknowledged in the price.

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• 30 minutes to Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park - The magnet draw. Carriage roads, Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain sunrise hikes, coastal trails.
• 5 miles to Hulls Cove Visitor Center - Park orientation, ranger programs, trail info.
• Ellsworth itself - On-site Thai restaurant, adjacent Walmart SuperCenter, Home Depot, gas, coffee shops. Practical more than scenic.
• 10 minutes to Agamont Park - Waterfront green space in Bar Harbor with ocean views and walking paths.
• **15 minutes south to Down East Maine - Gouldsboro, Winter Harbor, Schoodic Peninsula loop (less crowded Acadia alternative).
• 20 minutes to Union River whitewater - Kayaking and fishing access.
• **45 minutes to Bangor - Shopping, dining, cultural venues.

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Is breakfast included? Yes, daily complimentary breakfast with juice, pastries, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, toast, coffee, and sausage sticks. Served in a small room (one guest noted this; another building for annex guests). No hot entrées or cooked items.

Is there a shuttle to Acadia or Bar Harbor? No dedicated shuttle. You need a car. Acadia is 30 minutes by car from the hotel; the closest trail access is Hull's Cove Visitor Center, 5 miles away.

Can I bring a pet? Yes, the hotel is pet-friendly. An extra fee applies; specific rates vary. Check at booking.

What's the parking situation? Free parking throughout the property. Many rooms have direct access to the lot via sliding glass doors, reducing luggage hauling - a feature several families mentioned appreciating.

Is the pool heated? The indoor pool is open year-round but not heated to spa temperature. Reviews describe it as "chilly" in colder months. No age restrictions; all ages welcome.

Are there kitchenettes in rooms? Most two-queen and Family Suite rooms include a refrigerator and microwave. Some Deluxe and all Family Suites have full kitchenettes with stove/oven. Check your specific room category at booking.

Is the hotel walkable to restaurants and shops? High Street location suggests walkability, but guests report no sidewalks and unsafe walking conditions. Most drive the half-mile to nearby dining. Not pedestrian-friendly despite the address.

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