Woodland Apartments

If your Acadia National Park trip hinges on escaping the perpetual crowd at downtown Bar Harbor, Woodland Apartments understands the assignment. This collection of two-bedroom apartments sits deliberately off the main road in Tremont, on 40 Woodland Drive - close enough to Acadia National Park and island ferry terminals to serve as a functional base, far enough into the pines that you'll see deer more often than tour buses. The trade-off is intentional: a 15-minute drive to downtown Bar Harbor for dinner instead of a five-minute walk, but also the kind of Maine quiet that makes sleep feel involuntary.

Each unit comes fully equipped with a kitchen, living area, and separate bedrooms - no continental breakfast theatrics, no lobby, no front desk. You arrive, unlock your door, and you're alone in the woods the way visitors to the Maine coast sometimes fantasize about but rarely find. The property has earned a 9.0 Wonderful rating from 41 reviews, with couples especially appreciating the seclusion and base-camp functionality.

You get a full kitchen and a real living space, not a hotel room. These aren't cramped studio units with a kitchenette. You're renting an apartment with a dining table, sofa, separate living area, and a kitchen stocked with an oven, stovetop, microwave, and all the pans and serving pieces you'd need to cook a proper meal. Guests consistently praise the setup as ideal for families or groups who want to prep breakfast and save on dining costs.

The location trades crowds for tranquility and wildlife. Reviewers repeatedly mention seeing deer on the property each evening - not a metaphor, but a regular occurrence. The apartments back directly onto wooded areas, creating a buffer from the chaos of peak-season Acadia. One couple noted it was "far from pretty much everything," but also "a wonderful experience of QUIET in the Maine woods and STARS." The tradeoff matters only if you expect walkability; if you're driving to attractions anyway, the seclusion is the whole point.

The property is scrupulously clean and recently renovated. Multiple reviewers noted fresh paint, brand-new finishes, and spotless interiors on arrival. Towels are described as fluffy, linens fresh, and the overall feeling is more carefully maintained vacation rental than aging motel. One traveler observed "everything in the apartment looked brand new."

Nearby dining and trails give you local flavor without tourist pricing. Within 5–15 minutes you'll find Vacationland Coffee overlooking the bay, Hodgdon Seafood for authentic lobster rolls, and a "mom and pop lobster pound" referenced approvingly by a guest. Hiking trails, small beaches for sunset, and island exploration feel genuinely close in time and spirit, even if the mileage says otherwise.

Free WiFi and parking remove administrative friction. Unlike many Maine coastal rentals, these apartments include both at no extra charge. The WiFi can be spotty in this area (one guest reported a three-day outage), but it's available and functional most of the time.

Woodland Apartments are organized by size and style: Classic Apartments (one or one-plus-bedroom configurations), Two-Bedroom Family Apartments, Two-Bedroom Deluxe Apartments, and Two-Bedroom Superior Apartments. The building itself is utilitarian - described by one honest reviewer as having "a trailer park appearance" from the outside - but interiors are consistently warm, well-decorated, and properly furnished. All units feature air conditioning, private bathrooms, and fully equipped kitchens.

• Classic Apartment - One or one-plus-bedroom layout, ideal for couples or solo travelers needing a retreat base. Multiple reviewers called these "adorable" and "well-decorated."
• Two-Bedroom Family Apartment - Designed for families, with separate bedrooms and full living/dining areas. Several families reported it was "exactly what we needed."
• Two-Bedroom Deluxe Apartment - Mid-tier two-bedroom with emphasis on modern finishes and comfort.
• Two-Bedroom Superior Apartment - Upper tier with similar footprint to Deluxe but with enhanced decor or amenities.

One consistent note across reviews: mattresses lean firm. Several guests mentioned hard beds, though opinions split - one traveler's wife "loved it" while her husband found it too firm. If you're sensitive to mattress softness, this is worth asking about before booking. The tubs are also high-sided; getting in and out may require flexibility or upper-body strength.

Kitchen & Dining · Full kitchen with stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishware, pots, pans, electric kettle, toaster, dining table

Bedrooms & Bathrooms · Private bathroom in each unit with bathtub/shower, towels, hairdryer, free toiletries, linens, wardrobe/closet space

Living Areas · Sofa, sitting area, flat-screen TV, air conditioning, heating

Outdoor · Free parking on-site, wooded grounds with wildlife sightings

Practical · Free WiFi, private entrance per unit, smoke-free property, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detector, smoke alarms, CCTV

Summer (June–August) · Peak season and warmest weather, but also the height of Acadia's crowds. The apartments fill quickly, and nearby attractions - especially Jordan Pond and park carriage roads - are shoulder-to-shoulder by midday. Best for families with school constraints; bring patience for traffic.

Fall (September–October) · The sweet spot. Leaf-peeping brings visitors but fewer screaming crowds than summer. Weather is crisp, clear, and ideal for hiking. Most reviewers stayed in September and October and called it perfect. Park facilities and restaurants remain fully open.

Late Spring (May–June) · Quieter and pleasantly green, though weather is unpredictable. Some smaller attractions may have limited hours. Good for budget-conscious travelers.

Winter (November–April) · The apartments remain open year-round, but Acadia's car-based roads are often snow-packed and some pull-offs close seasonally. Better for local Maine explorers or those seeking genuine solitude; not ideal if you're counting on Park Loop Road driving.

"Very clean, well stocked, plenty of fluffy towels, nice simple decor, close to everything. Great cafe nearby overlooking the bay - Vacationland Coffee - and awesome seafood at Hodgdon Seafood nearby. Everything looked brand new."

• Sheila, United States · Couple · 10/10

"The apartment was absolutely adorable and well decorated! We had every comfort we could need and everything was clean and well stocked."

• Melinda, United States · Family · 10/10

"Was nice and quiet away from the Acadia crowds. We got to see deer each night driving back to it."

• Dieter, United States · Couple · 10/10

"Far from pretty much everything, which was both a challenge and a wonderful experience of QUIET in the Maine woods and STARS!"

• Darcie, United States · Couple · 9/10

"Very quiet here, but only 15 minutes to Downtown Bar Harbor. Perfect for us to explore the island towns just off of Bar Harbor."

• Timothy, United States · Group · 10/10

"Even before we arrived, the property managers were extremely helpful and willing to work with our schedule change. They recommended local restaurants and attractions."

• Heather, United States · Family · 10/10

Minor caveats: A handful of guests flagged the dirt-road driveway (potholes) and the lack of outdoor seating areas for dining or relaxing on nice days. One traveler noted the exterior looks institutional from the parking lot, though interiors contradict that impression entirely. WiFi can be unreliable - one guest lost service for three days and two others mentioned poor connectivity. A few families wished for washers/dryers or complimentary coffee. One solo traveler had difficulty finding their unit on a dark arrival and felt the property needed better signage and lighting. These are real notes worth knowing, but they affect a minority of stays.

Woodland Apartments sits in Tremont, a quieter corner of Mount Desert Island, roughly equidistant from Bar Harbor's core attractions and less-crowded island communities.

• Bar Harbor downtown - 15 minutes by car; restaurants, shops, galleries, and the main Acadia visitor infrastructure
• Acadia National Park Visitor Center at Hulls Cove - 17 miles; official park orientation and ranger programs
• Ferry Pier, Bar Harbor - 8 minutes; gateway to Cranberry Isles and Swan's Island day trips
• Jordan Pond, Acadia - 20 minutes; the park's most photographed lake, with shoreside hiking and peak views
• Carriage Roads, Acadia - 15–25 minutes depending on entry point; 45+ miles of gravel auto-free trails
• Vacationland Coffee - nearby with bay views; recommended in reviews as a genuine local spot
• Hodgdon Seafood - local fish market and prepared-food counter, praised for authentic lobster rolls
• Tremont hiking trails - several within 5–10 minutes; less crowded than main park trails
• Sunset beaches - small, quiet beach access points within Southwest Harbor and Tremont proper, 5–10 minutes

The key: this location is a 20-minute island anyway, so driving distance feels longer on a map than in practice. The real advantage is waking up in the woods and making a conscious choice to head into Bar Harbor rather than being trapped in its shoulder-to-shoulder core.

Is there a kitchen in every unit? Yes. Every apartment has a full kitchen with stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, pots, pans, dishes, and utensils. There's no on-site restaurant, so you're either cooking or driving out to eat.

Is breakfast included? No. The property doesn't serve breakfast. Stock your own groceries or grab coffee nearby at Vacationland Coffee or a Bar Harbor café.

Is there free parking? Yes. Each apartment includes free on-site private parking. The driveway is unpaved with potholes - factor that into your expectation.

How far is it really to Bar Harbor? Fifteen minutes by car to downtown. Ferry Pier is 8 minutes away. If you're counting on walkability to attractions, this isn't the spot; you'll need a car.

Is WiFi reliable? Mostly. WiFi is included and works most of the time, but the area has spotty coverage and one guest reported a complete outage lasting several days. Don't count on it for remote work without a phone backup.

Are there washing machines in the apartments? No. Bring enough clothes for your stay or plan laundry at a nearby town. This caught at least one family by surprise.

Is there an ice maker or outdoor space? No ice trays or maker. No outdoor seating (patio furniture, picnic table) is provided, though the wooded grounds invite exploration. Bring a cooler if ice is important to you.