Stone Park Ellsworth-Bar Harbor

Ellsworth's location - about 30 minutes south of Bar Harbor and 20 minutes from Acadia National Park - has long made it the practical base camp for visitors who want to explore the coast without the summer crowds and peak-season prices of downtown. Stone Park Ellsworth-Bar Harbor leans hard into this advantage: all suites come with full kitchens, separate living areas, and the kind of space that makes a multi-night stay feel less like a hotel room and more like a temporary home. The building itself is brand-new, and it shows - fresh finishes, up-to-date appliances, and the small touches (lobby cookies, coffee station, flowers by doorways) that suggest someone thought about what guests actually need.

The property skews heavily toward couples - they rate it 9.0 across 223 total reviews - but families with children, solo travelers, and groups all log strong satisfaction scores. The real appeal isn't one standout feature; it's the accumulation of practical comforts: a real stove and oven, a fenced pool, free parking, and a location that puts you 30 minutes from both Bar Harbor's restaurants and shops and the quiet hiking trails of the national park.

The kitchen is the real draw - it changes how you travel. A full-size stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, and sink appear in every suite. Guests routinely mention cooking their own dinners and breakfasts, which not only saves money but also lets families eat on their own schedule. One reviewer brought groceries and prepared meals for a week-long stay; another noted the kitchen was "such a bonus" for extending their Acadia visits beyond a day trip.

Rooms are genuinely spacious, with separate living and sleeping areas. Suites include a bedroom, sitting area with sofa, and a full kitchen nook - not a cramped efficiency. Reviewers use words like "massive," "huge," and "spacious" consistently. The bathroom is large, storage is plentiful (closets, hooks by the door, a long counter), and beds feel new. One solo traveler said the suite was so comfortable she "didn't want to leave"; a family of four found it easy to spread out without feeling cramped.

Staff names surface repeatedly - DeeDee, in particular, is mentioned by name for going above and beyond. The team keeps the property immaculate, offers express check-in and check-out, and stocks the lobby with free coffee, tea, pastries, and fresh fruit throughout the day. Several guests noted friendly recommendations for local restaurants and activities.

Pet-friendly policies are genuinely accommodating, not an afterthought. Dogs are welcome; one couple called it their "perfectly located dog-friendly hotel" and said they'd return anytime. The lounge is stocked with pet-friendly treats and the staff takes pets seriously.

Location puts you equidistant from nature and civilization. A 25–30 minute drive lands you at Acadia National Park's visitor center or the shops and restaurants of Bar Harbor. You're also minutes from the LL Bean outlet store, local ice cream shops, and grocery stores. Acadia visitors mention using the free shuttle from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, making the national park feel entirely accessible without driving inside the park itself.

Stone Park Ellsworth-Bar Harbor is an aparthotel - all units are suites with full kitchens and living areas, ranging from studios to one-bedroom layouts. Rooms face either the parking lot or the pool area; a few ground-floor units open onto the grounds. The building is three stories with stairs only - no elevator - so upper-floor rooms require carrying luggage up two or three flights (a significant caveat for families with small children or guests with mobility concerns).

• Suite – The standard offering: separate bedroom with queen or double beds, full bathroom with shower/tub, sitting area with sofa, kitchenette with full appliances, work desk, two flat-screen TVs, multiple pillows, and dimmer switches for lights.
• One-Bedroom Suite – A larger variant with more living space; reviews are sparse but indicate the same quality finishes and amenities.

One honest note: the lack of an elevator is the property's most persistent complaint. Reviewers with arthritis, older travelers, and families with young children and luggage all flag the stairs. If you're booking a third-floor room, request ground floor at check-in if mobility is a concern.

The lobby is a genuine gathering space - not just a check-in counter. A fireplace, comfortable seating, streaming TV, and a self-serve station stocked with free coffee, tea, pastries, muffins, and fresh fruit are available 24 hours. Several guests specifically mentioned the "cozy and welcoming" atmosphere and the care taken with small touches like fresh flowers by first-floor doors. One reviewer noted the thoughtfulness of the design: hooks by the door, a long counter for organizing belongings, and strategic outlets near beds for charging phones and laptops.

Seasonal Pool & Recreation

The outdoor heated pool opens seasonally (typically May through September) and is fenced, family-safe, and consistently described as clean. A separate pool house includes games (ping-pong, though one guest reported broken paddles) and loungers with provided blankets. One family flagged that the pool water temperature was cool even in summer; another noted early-morning music playing from the pool area was disruptive.

Summer (June–August): Peak season for Acadia and the broader Maine coast. Expect full occupancy, higher rates, and busy hiking trails. The pool is open and heated. This is leaf-peeping prep time; weather is warm and stable.

Early Fall (September–early October): The sweet spot for most guests. School is back in session, summer crowds thin out by Labor Day, and foliage begins to peak in late September. Pool is still open. Temperatures drop to the 50s–60s at night; layers are essential. Many reviewers stayed in late September and early October and raved about the balance of comfortable weather and manageable crowds.

Late Fall (mid-October–November): Foliage peaks mid-to-late October across Mount Desert Island and the surrounding Acadia region. Weather becomes unpredictable - rain, fog, and occasional early frost. Pool closes. Fewer visitors means lower rates and shorter lines at trails, but several attractions have reduced hours or close entirely by November.

Winter (December–March): Cold and quiet. Many restaurants and shops in Bar Harbor operate on limited schedules. Acadia remains open but is snow-covered and less trafficked. The pool is closed. Best for solo travelers or couples seeking solitude; families with young children may find limited activities.

"Incredible and kind staff; amenities and cleanliness. Environs feels like a home away from home." - Maxim, United States · Solo traveler · 10/10

"Beautiful room, huge bathroom, kitchen suite, spacious, easy check in, great price." - Beth, United States · Couple · 9/10

"The suite was amazing. Huge, spotlessly clean, brand new bathroom, stunning cabinetry, brand new kitchen, two tvs, comfortable seating area." - Constance, United States · Solo traveler · 10/10

"Hands down one of the best properties I've stayed at. It was obviously well planned and thought out." - Zz, United States · Couple · 10/10

"Massive room, clean, convenient location near Mount Desert Island, and it was quiet!" - Natalie, United States · Couple · 9/10

"Great location. It was very convenient to have a full kitchen and the room was very comfortable!!" - Jessica, United States · Family · 10/10

What to know before you book: A handful of guests reported thin walls and some noise from neighboring rooms or upper floors late at night; soundproofing is adequate but not exceptional. WiFi setup has occasionally been slow on arrival - staff can help if your password doesn't work on the first try. Daily housekeeping is not included, though towel service and lobby restocking happen regularly. A few reviewers felt the breakfast offerings (pastries and fruit, not hot items) were leaner than expected, so setting expectations around that helps. One guest noted a slight pet odor in pet-friendly rooms - not unpleasant, just noticeable.

Is there an elevator? No. The building has three stories accessible by stairs only. Request a ground-floor room at check-in if stairs are difficult for you. Multiple reviewers noted this without regret once assigned appropriate rooms; families with luggage and older guests should plan accordingly.

What's included in the room rate? Free WiFi, free parking, free access to the lobby coffee, tea, pastries, and fruit station 24 hours a day, and use of the pool (seasonal, May–September). Daily housekeeping is not included, but towels are refreshed and lobby amenities restocked regularly. Express check-in and check-out are available.

Is breakfast included? A light continental breakfast (pastries, muffins, fresh fruit, coffee, tea) is available in the lobby 24 hours. Hot breakfast items are not offered. Several guests have reported confusion about this; clarify expectations before booking if a full hot breakfast is important to you.

How far is it to Acadia National Park? Approximately 20–25 minutes by car to the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, the main entrance. The park's free shuttle system departs from the visitor center, so you can drive once and then use the shuttle for the rest of the day.

Is the hotel pet-friendly? Yes. Dogs are welcome; no mention of cats in reviews. Some pet-friendly rooms may carry a slight pet odor. Confirm any fees or restrictions at booking.

How close are restaurants and shops? Very close. An ice cream shop, grocery stores (including Walmart), several restaurants, and the LL Bean outlet are within a few minutes' drive. Downtown Bar Harbor is 25–30 minutes away; downtown Ellsworth (for additional dining and shopping) is 5–10 minutes.

Is there a shuttle to the airport or attractions? No hotel shuttle, but the free Acadia national park shuttle departs from Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport is about 5 miles away (10–15 minutes by car).