Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham

The Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham Ellsworth sits in central Ellsworth, a working town 18 miles south of Acadia National Park's entrance - close enough to reach the park in under 30 minutes, far enough to avoid the Bar Harbor premium. What makes this three-star property stand out is not décor or views, but what it actually delivers: in-room kitchenettes with dishwashers, free breakfast, and a front-desk staff that guests consistently name as the best part of their stay. Families booking multi-night trips to Acadia, couples looking for value, and solo travelers planning to cook some of their own meals find real utility here. The rooms have been recently renovated with new finishes and good lighting. The tradeoff is honest: you're in a shopping-center setting on a busy road, not a coastal retreat, and some of the building's quirks (thin walls, aging plumbing, an oft-closed pool) remind you this is an extended-stay property, not a resort.

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The staff sets this place apart. Front-desk associates are repeatedly named in guest reviews - Andrea, Sam, and others - for going beyond the script. One guest reported a mobility issue unprompted by their reservation; the staff moved them to a first-floor room without complaint. Another family of six plus two dogs was paired with perfect room assignments. When a guest reported a defective room, they were upgraded immediately. This is the kind of hospitality that gets you a 9-star review on a 10-star scale.

Kitchenettes with real appliances mean real savings. Unlike hotel room-service markups, you can stock your fridge with groceries from the supermarket next door, brew your own coffee, and use a full dishwasher. Families doing week-long stays to Acadia or couples splitting time between the park and town find this setup worth the room rate alone. The refrigerators are full-size, not minibar tokens.

Breakfast is included and often praised. Continental spreads get mixed reviews - some guests wish for hot eggs and bacon; others rave about fresh fruit, yogurt, and hot oatmeal. The real standout is Terry, the breakfast-service staff member, who multiple guests named specifically for keeping everything tidy and hot. Fresh-baked cookies in the lobby are complimentary, as is 24-hour coffee. That generosity adds up over a long stay.

The location is genuinely central. One mile from downtown Ellsworth, steps from a grocery, and a short drive to multiple restaurants. Mount Desert Oceanarium is 16 miles away. L.L.Bean outlet is half a mile. You're not in the woods; you're where you can actually do things without another car ride. Couples in particular rate the location highly (8.9/10 on the Booking site).

Free parking and free WiFi simplify logistics. With so many Maine coastal hotels nickel-and-diming you, the baseline amenities here - parking, WiFi, breakfast - feel like actual wins.

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Rooms are newly remodeled with fresh drywall, updated lighting, and solid-color finishes. The layout is straightforward: bed, sitting area, desk, kitchenette with dishwasher along one wall. Most rooms feature two queen beds or one king, paired with that kitchenette. Windows are large but north-facing in many cases (a few reviewers noted milky or fogged glass). Bathrooms are compact but private, with a shower or shower-over-tub combo. One guest noted some aged plumbing - low water pressure - so expectations should be realistic: fresh and clean, not luxe.

• King Room with Kitchenette - The most common room type; fits two adults comfortably with a single king bed, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, and coffee maker.
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Kitchenette - Best for families or friends traveling together; full kitchenette included.
• Superior Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Sofa Bed - Adds a sofa bed for a third or fourth sleeping surface; kitchenette standard.
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Roll-In Shower - Designed for accessibility, ground floor, spacious bathroom with roll-in shower.

A practical note: The hotel has no elevator. Second-floor rooms require carrying luggage up stairs. If mobility is a concern, request ground floor when booking. The sofa beds, though convenient for extra guests, are flagged by several reviewers as uncomfortable and noisy - fine for a one-night overflow, not ideal for a week.

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Fitness & wellness · Fitness center available 24/7 · Vending machines for drinks

Guest services · 24-hour front desk · Free WiFi throughout · Fax and photocopying · Business center

Outdoors & grounds · Picnic area with tables and outdoor furniture · Sun deck · BBQ facilities · Parking lot with accessible spaces

Family-friendly · Outdoor play equipment for kids · Playground · Board games and puzzles in lobby · Family rooms available · Pet-friendly rooms (pets allowed for an additional fee)

Practical · Coin-operated laundry on-site · Non-smoking property · Air conditioning and heating in all rooms · Free local calls · Iron and ironing board in rooms

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Breakfast is included daily in a small dining room off the lobby. The spread is light but honest: cereals, toast, muffins, yogurt, fresh fruit, juice, coffee, tea. Hot items rotate - oatmeal, microwave breakfast sandwiches, and occasionally waffles (though one guest noted the single waffle machine gets crowded during peak hours). Some travelers find it basic for the room rate; others call it generous for a mid-tier hotel. Expect continental plus, not hot buffet. The fresh-baked cookies available 24/7 in the lobby are a legitimate perk.

If you're staying more than two nights, the kitchenette budget pays for itself. Cook eggs, toast bagels, make pasta. The supermarket is a minute's walk.

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Summer (June–August): Peak season for Acadia National Park and coastal Maine. The pool (when operational) is open. Rooms book fast and prices reflect demand. Breakfast is busier. Expect full parking lots and crowded attractions. Best for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Book 2–3 months ahead.

Autumn (September–October): Shoulder season with mild weather and lighter crowds. Foliage peaks late September through early October. Room rates begin dropping. Breakfast remains good, and the pool may still be available early in the season (though maintenance often begins in September). Excellent for couples and those avoiding summer throngs.

Winter (November–February): Quiet season. Many Acadia visitor services scale back or close. Room rates are lowest. Breakfast and front-desk hours remain full. The pool is generally not heated. Good for budget travelers and those seeking solitude. Some hiking trails in Acadia may be icy.

Spring (March–May): Unpredictable weather. Acadia begins reopening trails and facilities by late April. Rates are moderate. Breakfast continues. The pool remains closed during renovation periods (which have occurred multiple times based on reviews).

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"The staff was amazing. Very personable and accommodating. Good location for the value to explore Acadia."

• Jeff, United States · Couple · 8/10

"Sam at the front desk was amazing! She found us perfect rooms. Being next door to the shopping center meant that once we parked, we didn't have to drive again."

• Margaret, United States · Family · 10/10

"Room was spacious, updated, and had a microwave, refrigerator, plates, and utensils. Friendly staff and free cookies in the lobby."

• Lanna, United States · Group · 8/10

"Clean and newly remodeled rooms with comfortable beds. Convenient location to everything you may need."

• Diane, United States · Family · 10/10

"Convenient location to visit MDI and Schoodic Peninsula. The staff were very responsive and upgraded me to another room quickly when I reported an issue."

• Ramakrishna, India · Couple · 9/10

"Breakfast was great with gluten-free options. Terry does a wonderful job setting everything up, cooking, and keeping everything tidy."

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

The honest caveats: Multiple guests report disappointment over the pool being closed or poorly maintained (green algae, lack of heating, extended closures). A handful note thin walls and audible noise from adjacent rooms - not ideal for light sleepers. Breakfast, while included, is minimal compared to full hot buffets at competitors, though reviewers seem to accept this as fair for the price. A very small number of guests reported musty odors, plumbing issues, or cleanliness lapses - these appear to be exceptions rather than the pattern, but worth knowing that maintenance can be inconsistent.

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• 1 mile: Downtown Ellsworth, with antique shops, galleries, and the Union River waterfront · Walkable from the hotel
• 0.5 miles: L.L.Bean outlet store and adjacent strip-mall restaurants
• 3 miles: Multiple casual restaurants (pizza, burgers, seafood shacks) · Grocery stores and a pharmacy
• 16 miles: Mount Desert Oceanarium in Bar Harbor, featuring touch tanks and sea life exhibits
• 18 miles: Acadia National Park main entrance; 25–30 minutes by car depending on traffic
• 20 minutes: Schoodic Peninsula, the quieter eastern arm of Acadia with carriage roads and coastal trails
• 25 minutes: Bar Harbor village center, where the crowds and lobster rolls and souvenir shops cluster
• 32 miles: Bangor International Airport (BGR)

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Is the hotel on the water? No. It sits in a shopping-center parking lot on Route 1 in Ellsworth, a busy commercial road. You're 18 miles from Acadia and the coast, in a working town. Trade-off: much cheaper and closer to grocery/retail than waterfront properties.

Is breakfast included in the room rate? Yes. Daily continental breakfast in a small dining room. Fresh-baked cookies and 24-hour coffee in the lobby are also complimentary. Hot items (oatmeal, waffles) rotate. Expect light fare, not a full hot buffet.

Is there an elevator? No. Second-floor rooms require carrying luggage up stairs. Guests with mobility issues should request first-floor rooms or the accessible ground-floor room with roll-in shower when booking.

Is the pool open year-round? No. The pool is seasonal and has been subject to extended maintenance closures. Multiple recent guests report it being closed or only partially operational. Check the hotel directly before booking if the pool is a must for your stay.

Can I bring pets? Yes. Pet-friendly rooms are available; expect an additional pet fee. Guests with dogs report the large parking lot and grassy areas are convenient for walks.

Is WiFi free? Yes, free WiFi throughout. Signal strength is generally good, though one guest noted occasional disconnects during video streaming.

Is parking free? Yes. Free parking for all guests. Accessible parking spaces are available, though one guest noted they could be more numerous.

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