Bass Cottage Inn
Table Of Contents
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Central, yet Serene
Your luxury retreat in Bar Harbor and your home base for Acadia and beyond. Nowhere in Bar Harbor will you find an inn so central yet serene. Park your car and walk to shops, restaurants, galleries and waterfront activities. Or just relax in our quiet enclave. Of course, you’re just minutes from the ocean, mountains and forests of Acadia.
Downeast Elegance
More than just a waterfront bed and breakfast, we are Bar Harbor’s premier small luxury inn. From stylish guest rooms with every convenience to the perfectly conceived cuisine of our creative New England table, The Bass Cottage Inn stands apart. Mixing classic style with artful details you will be delighted throughout your stay.
Relax and Unwind
We specialize in romantic retreats, special getaways, and unforgettable honeymoons. You’ll look forward each morning to our outstanding gourmet breakfasts and each evening to the quiet repose of your beautiful guest room. Treat yourself to our impeccable hospitality.
Celebrate the special occasion of relaxing together.
Yankee Magazine’s Best of New England Editors’ Choice Winner - 2010
The Bass Cottage Inn is both central and serene, a private retreat located in the heart of Bar Harbor, in a field overlooking Frenchman Bay. Guests are treated to a rare blend of luxury and ease.
The Inn was built in 1885 during Bar Harbor's Golden Age by the the Bass family as a summer "cottage." Like many visitors during that era, they came to escape the summer heat of the city, to enjoy the calm forests and salt air of Acadia. Today, The Bass Cottage Inn welcomes guests who come to Bar Harbor for exactly the same reasons the Bass family did almost 120 years ago.
The style at The Bass Cottage Inn is fresh and clean with a nod to history but without being overwhelmed by Victorian clichés. With tasteful décor and every attention to detail, the atmosphere is elegant yet casual. Come savor the intriguing contrasts of a gracious inn that is both old and new. Season Dates- Spacious, spotless, soothing guestrooms
- Luxurious king and queen pillow top beds
- Antiques, collectibles and exquisite linens
- Modern private bathrooms
- Relaxing whirlpool tubs and cozy fireplaces
- Flat panel TV/DVD, telephone, wireless Internet
- Alarm clock radios with iPod/iPhone/mp3 dock
- L'Occitane ® bath items, hair dryers, irons
- Central air conditioning
Bass Cottage Inn - 2013 Season
May 17 - June 13 Off Season
June 14 - October 13 High Season
October 14 - October 26 Off Season
The Inn is closed November through mid-May each year.
Amenities
A Full Three-Course Breakfast (Included in Room Rate)
Start each day with a gourmet breakfast cooked just for you and served in our Atrium dining room. With freshly baked treats, fruit or yogurt and two main courses from which to choose you start your day right.
Wireless High-speed Internet
Complimentary and available throughout the Inn.
Early Morning Coffee
Early risers can help themselves to early morning coffee and tea in the guest pantry beginning at 7am. Savor a cup of java and ease into your day on the front porch.
Guest Pantry Privileges
Our guests have 24-hour access to the guest pantry, offering complimentary beverages and snacks.
DVD Library
Each guest suite has a TV with DVD player. Visit our DVD library to borrow a title to watch in the comfort of your own room.
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Travelers are always looking for memorable and relaxing experiences. Let’s discover more through the words of our innkeepers. Many thanks to Jeffrey Anderholm for sharing his own secrets with BBOnline.com! Why do most travelers stay at your inn? Travelers stay with us to enjoy the natural beauty of Acadia National Park and the Maine coast by day while enjoying stylish luxury at the Bass Cottage Inn.
What are you best known for? What makes your inn unique? What do you love most about your inn? We are known for our attention to detail, our fabulous breakfasts and our quiet location that's an oasis of calm just off Bar Harbor's Main Street. We love that our inn's decor avoids the victorian excess found at other local inns.
If someone has never been to your city, what is the #1 reason to come visit? The #1 reason to visit this area is for Acadia National Park.
What’s the best compliment you have ever received about the inn? Many have told us it's the best B&B they ever visited, but, we like it when folks say they don't want to leave.
What’s the best kept secret about the area? Our best kept secret is the fabulous dining beyond the casual lobster.
If a traveler is staying at your inn for 4 nights, what should he/she do in the area? Those staying for more than just a weekend should spend a day hiking in Acadia, whale watch, go on a horse-drawn carriage ride in the park, go out on a lobster boat, and do some shopping in the village of Bar Harbor.
Is there anything within walking distance of your inn? Almost "everything" is a five minute walk: whale watch dock, schooner cruises, museum, restaurants, shopping, galleries, free island explorer shuttle, and the nearest entrance to Acadia is only a five minute drive from the inn.
What is your favorite restaurant/food in the area? There are many good restaurants, but we have a tie between The Burning Tree and Havana Restaurant as our favorites.
Any good area guides/websites that travelers could reference? Visit the concierge section of our website www.basscottage.com where we recommend the best of the best for land activities, water activities, shopping and dining.
How many rooms does your inn have? We have 10 luxury guest rooms, all with private bath.
Do you accept pets? Sadly, we do not accept pets. We recommend Acadia Woods Kennel where you can check your dog out in the AM, enjoy a hike, then check Fido in at night.
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Food is important to us at The Bass Cottage Inn and guests agree it is one of the highlights of their stay at the Inn. Our food philosophy is simple: showcase the local ingredients specific to Maine and New England, then add inspiration from local and regional cuisines to create a daily menu with a focus on freshness and refined simplicity. Simply delicious food to match the soothing gentility of the dining room and the elegance of The Bass Cottage Inn.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the highlight of each day at The Bass Cottage Inn. Wander down between 8am and 9:30am and meet the warm scent of freshly baked scones. There are no seating times or communal tables—just a peaceful seat in our sunny atrium with Segovia playing lightly in the background.
Savor a cup of tea or rich, freshly brewed coffee as you ponder your breakfast selection. Will it be Banana Ricotta Pancakes or a Lobster Quiche? How about some decadent Crème Brulee French Toast or a Smoked Trout Boursin Omelet? Maybe just a lighter offering of our homemade granola? Decisions, decisions…
Each dish is made to order and delivered to you by a friendly server—a great start to a great day.
10 Tables Private Dining
Private fine dining occasions, custom catered affairs in an elegant soothing atmosphere.
Consult with our Executive Chef to design a special event here at The Bass Cottage Inn. Your menu will be inspired by fresh locally sourced ingredients and informed by regional classic cuisines from France, Italy and New England’s own unique culinary tradition. A small handpicked selection of fine wine and beer is available at additional cost to complement your special occasion.
Let us design a custom menu for your group of ten or more from our list of signature menu offerings.
10 Tables Private Dining is available by advance reservation only from late May through the end of October each year.
Please call 207-288-1234 to reserve 10 Tables for your private party, brunch, luncheon or dinner, or any special occasion, by advance reservation for parties of 10 or more. Our Executive Chef is happy to work with you to meet your specific requirements for a memorable dining event.
Special Diets
The Bass Cottage Inn offers three delicious main course options each morning – one sweet, one savory and a "healthy choice option" – from our regular menu which offers something to please everyone.
Should you have special dietary needs, please let us know at the time of your reservation. We are at our best with special requests if given advance notice.
We can easily accommodate ovo-lacto vegetarian, diabetic, lactose-intolerant and gluten-free diets. If given advance notice prior to arrival, we can prepare meals that accommodate most other dietetic issues. -
"Thank you for providing us such comfort and accommodation. You made our stay in Bar Harbor most pleasurable and memorable." — Suzanne and Ron, St. Petersburg, FL
"Once again, a very special thank-you for your warm welcome, impeccable service, outstanding hospitality and friendly conversation. A weekend at The Bass Cottage Inn preserves our sanity."
— Joyce, Quebec City, PQ
"The Bass Cottage Inn is a heavenly retreat—perfect in every way. Your attention to detail is unsurpassed." — Dick and Mary, Olathe, KS
"I don’t even know which part was best – the breakfasts (exquisite!), the special touches throughout (guest pantry, evening wine and hors d’oeuvres), the many common areas available to guests, or the staff (who always went above and beyond to make our stay more comfortable). All that AND it provided an excellent base for exploring Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park." — Denise and Richard, Seattle, WA
"Thank you for all the personal touches. They are so nice, especially for a single visitor… so nice to be remembered by name." — Michelle, White Plains, NY
"We really enjoyed the beautiful rooms, the lovely comfortable beds (with gorgeous bedding!), the tub and overall casual but elegant atmosphere. The gourmet breakfasts were amazing!" — Robert and Susan, Larchmont, NY
"The hospitality was so very gracious and we truly felt at home. We are still raving to all our friends about stay in the beautiful Bass Cottage Inn." — Helen and Bill, Ocean City, NJ
Can’t wait to come back to be sure it wasn’t a dream! — Evelyn and Anthony, Valhalla, NY
"The best we have stayed at in Maine, or anywhere else for that matter." — Luke and Ginny, Bloomington, IN -
Bar Harbor is the largest town on Mount Desert Island, which is connected to the mainland via a short bridge. The largest attraction on MDI is Acadia National Park. While the park, with its natural splendor, is unquestionably Mount Desert Island's biggest attraction, there are myriad other activities that you can weave into your holiday at The Bass Cottage Inn, Bar Harbor. During your stay we can help you plan activities in more detail. From active to relaxing, there is plenty to fill your day.- Go on a whale watch
- Delight in fine dining
- Paddle a kayak
- Take a carriage ride in the park
- Mountain climb and hike
- Stroll along the beaches and ocean cliffs
- Shop just steps from the Inn
- Visit local microbreweries
- Rent a bike and tour the carriage roads
- Peruse local art galleries
- Visit area craft and culture museums
Enjoy farmers markets, parades, art fairs, marathons and more
There are plenty of unique diversions for you to enjoy while at The Bass Cottage Inn. Click on any of the helpful links below and start planning your holiday. Or give us a call before you arrive. We’re always happy to help!
ON LAND
Acadia National Park
Bicycle Rentals
Wildwood Stables
Mount Desert Oceanarium
Abbe Museum
Kebo Valley Golf Club
Maine Birding Information
Running Routes
Yoga
ON THE WATER
Whale Watching and Nature Cruises
Harbor Windjammer Cruises
Private Friendship Sloop Charters
Kayak Trips
Lobster Boat Excursion
Cranberry Islands Ferries
Swan’s Island Ferry
IN THE AIR
FOR EVEN MORE IDEAS...
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
While we are always available to answer your questions, we maintain concierge hours from 4pm to 7pm every day. Yes, we will gladly hand out a map and make your dinner reservation, but we are the ultimate insiders and love to share. Maine art, great cocktail spots, award-winning jewelry, the perfect sunset cruise, the best bagels in Maine—try us, we will make a great stay even better.