Balance Rock Inn

We were so happy with our stay here. Everything from the front desk staff and bellman to the beautifully elegant grounds to the historically decorated hallways and rooms made this inn one that we are certain to return to! The location is right on the water & we walked along the bay to have dinner on the wharf. We were welcomed with a complimentary Prosecco on the patio. Our room had a beautiful gas fireplace that we used both in the evening and morning. I loved the convenience of a coffee station in the room as I was getting ready. The decor in the room was charming & added to the atmosphere. Complimentary breakfast was unexpected and very appreciated! Thank you for a lovely addition to our Maine vacation!

The hotel, pool, rooms and grounds are beautiful. Check in is friendly and accommodating. Breakfast is amazing. The egg souffle was perfect. Free drinks on check in are lovely. I had an impressive Lavender sparkling lemonade with red peppercorns. My only complaint, although it's kind of a big one for me, is that the heated outdoor pool overlooking the ocean, the whole reason I chose this hotel above others, is not actually heated. Bay Harbor Inn and West St Hotel both have outdoor heated pools and hot tubs that are all actually warm enough to swim in, this establishment keeps the heaters on low enough that you will NOT be using the pool even just outside peak season. I spent the night there sad and anxious on account of this, but in the morning felt much better because breakfast at least was perfect, and life is too short.

What a perfect location for locals to soak in a staycation too!!! Slow down and appreciate this classy oceanfront property. Listen to the waves, watch the wildlife and boats out in the waters from the comfort of the Inn’s various seating options. Probably one of the best complimentary breakfasts that we have ever consumed. The staff were so personable and my entire party felt reenergized leaving with a renewed love for this place we call home.

I'll start with the good, then get to the underwhelming part. ||Good - Location. You simply cannot beat this location. Walking distance to everything in Bar Harbor, a beautiful walk whichever direction you go with the downtown area steps away from the front of the hotel, and the oceanfront with beautiful rocks steps away from the back side of the hotel. Great parking, right there for guests, included with the room. The staff was very nice, and the coffee and tea in the morning in the lobby was wonderful. The pool area is very cute, as is the restaurant and lounge.||Opportunities - Since the majority of what you pay for is the room itself, I had to take 2 stars away for the room itself. It's kind of like staying at your grandma's house. It has so much potential in that it could be executed in an elegant, classic, old time new engand way, but the way it is it feels old and damp. The thick carpet feels dirty, the wood in the bathroom needs replacing, it just needs a general refresh and cleanup for the elegance and classiness of the place to make it to the hotel rooms and not just common areas. For $703 per night, including taxes, I thought the room would be a little nicer. Also calling our room an "ocean view" was kind of a stretch. The ocean was pretty far away and barely visible.

I would not recommend staying at this inn, especially when it is seasonal rates. We paid for what we thought was going to be similar to Four Seasons quality, but was more like a Holiday-inn express. We came for our mini-moon and it was a big disappointment. To start, the Inn uses polyester sheets, which although they say is a luxurious linen on their website, it is not. You would expect egyptian cotton at a place that costs this much. Not only were the quality of the rooms a disappointment, but so was the breakfast. The food was decent but they do not rotate the menu at all. They ran out of food items, like fruit, by the time we got down to breakfast at 9:45. They also serve orange juice concentrate. You might expect freshly squeezed orange juice at a place like this. Additionally, the flowers in the lobby/entry area were dying. Overall, the care and quality of this place is not what you think you are getting. It is safe to say we are not coming back here.

When you pull in the parking area you feel like you have just arrived at a mansion. Technically, you have! It is a beautiful place, and we were greeted by a lovely hostess and bellman. The bellman was kind an took us around the place and talked about the history and also the amenities available for us. Throughout our stay, all of the staff we interacted with were very attentive and nice. The grounds were gorgeous and, as described, on the ocean. The view from the main house and pool area was breathtaking. At night the place is lit up so from the shore looking back it is equally as impressive. We stayed in Room 305 (a queen ocean view room). It was not a large room but had a balcony that had an amazing view. The bed was very comfortable and the room and bathroom were both very clean. Being only a block from the main street the location could not be better. We would definitely stay here again.

Positives and negatives Sept. Stay Positives: Location is amazing and wait staff are excellent. Free breakfast was great! Bellman was friendly and kind. Negatives: Rooms are dated with poor mattress quality and pillows. No Wi-Fi in rooms. Heating unit made odd noise when running, which disrupted my sleep. Front desk evening person wasn’t friendly and didn’t tell me we would be changing rooms mid stay. The room we moved to was in the carriage house ($100 more per night) without heat in bathroom. I was told the pool was heated to 85 degrees(part of the reason I stayed) but the temp was 70 degrees. Wouldn’t stay here again for over $500-$700!per night.

We arrived a little early for our reservation and were told our room would be ready in about an hour and a half, or around 2:30pm. The room was in fact ready as promised at that time. ||The woman at the front desk was very pleasant, and we got a chance to meet the famous Clinton who was outstanding! He escorted us to our room and explained so much about the hotel and the surrounding area. We ran into Clinton a few more times during our stay and he was always so amazing to talk to. ||Every other employee we came across were from other countries, and by talking to some of them it seems they are employed there just during the busy summer season. A great opportunity for them definitely. ||The hotel itself is extremely charming and has a ton of character. We loved the backyard pool, patio, and large grassy area that extended all the way to the waterfront. ||My only complaint is how they handle the charges for the stay. I thought most hotels were going away from this practice but Balance Rock may have not gotten the memo yet. We paid the one night and tax in advance, then paid the remainder when we checked in. Then upon checkout, they charged one night plus tax, and any additional charges we made at the bar. So they’re holding roughly $850 of ours hostage until the bank settles everything which who knows how long that’ll take. Very frustrating. Otherwise, a great stay.

The entire estate is just absolutely gorgeous, so much love has been poured into the interior of this quaint inn! The kitchen is absolutely stunning! The bartender Diana was so kind and funny! The rest of the service staff was amazing, above and beyond my expectations. Everyone made our stay and anniversary so memorable and special. The staff even printed special menus for our anniversary dinner and it was so charming! We cannot wait to return! Thank you all so much!

Due to the favorable reviews I read on Google, Yelp and Trip Advisor, I made reservations to stay at the Balance Rock Inn. The room was expensive, but I thought I was paying for a luxury accommodation. The property is completely run down, and no one has made the improvements necessary to maintain the property. There is no cushioning in the chairs, the room had a bathroom which was an obstacle course, the rooms did not smell clean, and the waitstaff was terrible in the restaurant - they offered blueberry pancakes for breakfast and then informed us that they were out of maple syrup! We had to check out early and it was not easy to find alternate accommodations in Bar Harbor. I am writing this so that future travelers will be aware of these conditions.

Sept. Stay Horrible mattress and pillows. Very dated and not well cared for. Heater made noise all night. Mold in shower and weird set up in shower. No WiFi in rooms. Rude evening front desk person. Flies in room. $500-$700 a night....totally unacceptable. Part of the reason we stayed here was because we were told the pool was 85 degrees. Not true...the thermometer said 70 degrees. Positives were location , breakfast and wait staff. Won't stay here again. Beware of cancellation policy. 13 days out and wouldn't refund.

Our morning breakfast was "awesome". Portions were more than adequate and quality was top shelf! Our server "Eric" was courteous, prompt with suggestions of what to see and eat. We will be back !

We are blessed to have the Balance Rock Inn Restaurant to jazz up any ordinary day to the spectacular. My mom and I had the most delicious vichyssoise soup with fresh garlic flowers intermingled to add a delicate spice to the overall mouth feel. Add in a half bottle of Heidsieck Monopole Champagne.. and this was the first course. Bravo Chef & Team. Did I mention the wine list? Ok, I am biased to well curated and all things created with a background in Methodical placement & Epicurean intellect.

Traveler beware! Horrible cancelation policy. The hotel charges full stay amount regardless of cancelation circumstances. Tries to push their own "insurance" as a means for more revenue. There are better hotels on the island that are more customer service oriented.

There were parts of this stay that we loved, but also parts that were subpar. First, the parts we loved: Location is incredible. It is close to everything, but not in the middle of the tour bus/cruise ship chaos. It is a quiet location, and beautifully situation on the water. We watched the sunrise over the water, from our room each morning. Loved that our room had a fireplace. Made to order breakfast is included, and was delicious. We really enjoyed sitting on the patio for breakfast! Coffee/Tea bar was fresh, with great coffee. Staff were very friendly. Housekeeping attended our room daily. Loved the lounge. Casual before/after dinner, with fireplace and live music. Oh, speaking of dinner, the hotel restaurant was delicious. What we didn't love: Our room (Ocean View King 309) was super dated. Not B&B charming dated, but we are talking an ugly 80's bathroom and probably 4 decades old couch. The red and green carpet seemed similarly aged, and occasionally when we'd come in the room, we were welcomed to a slight smell of dog pee. (Though we didn't bring our dogs.) There are many rooms that have been updated, but in my opinion, the state of the room we were in did not warrant the price we paid. Also, they had an open pool, but really what would have been useable during our visit would have been a hot tub overlooking the water. I was so envious of the hotel next to us, and the steam coming from theirs. Speaking of price, they charge an absolute premium. I don't mind spending top dollar on hotels, and we've stayed at a wide range of hotels, including many Ritz. We paid almost Ritz pricing, yet I think (our room in particular) was worth maybe half. I might have felt differently about our experience, and the value of what we spent, if our room didn't feel straight of the 80's, 40 years old. We loved our time in Bar Harbor, but if we return we will look at some other options.

The rooms were clean and nicely decorated. The staff were friendly and helpful. The best view you could ask for with a plato and fire pit for enjoyable outdoor experience. You can walk to downtown Bar Harbor from the Inn. The breakfast was absolutely delicious every day. We would love to come back and would highly recommend staying here.

We spent a week here and absolutely loved it!! If you are looking for that high end boutique type of stay, with high touch service, and the old world charm of a historical house then this is the place! I can't speak highly enough about the staff - super friendly, highly attentive, and very accommodating (special thanks to Richard, Misty, and Linda). The accommodations were really nice and are comparable to that of a high end bed and breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, it is complimentary and included with your stay - the menu provides something for everyone. We stayed in the carriage house with the private patio which was really nice and private. I read some of the other reviews and will agree that there are a few minor maintenance type of things that should be addressed here and there based on the price and expectations of the experience; however, we thoroughly enjoyed our time here and plan to visit again!!

I spent two very very delightful nights here and would have stayed for a year if I didn't have to get back to work. The room, the service, the food were all exquisite. The vibe was soothing and uplifting without being intrusive. Breakfast in the enclosed outdoors made morning fine. The room overlooked the ocean which was a special treat. This inn is highly recommended!!!

Dinner for two $330. Nice bottle of overpriced wine, Appetizer shared scallops very nice, I had the flank steak which was as good as a flank steak can be, Judy had the leg of lamb , which was to tough to eat! Service was slow got there at 6;30 served at 8:00. Waiter apologized for the lamb, but didn't comp it or maybe offer a dessert, Kinda felt like you are a tourist so you won't be back anyway! He right, not a class act! Very disappointed.

Had a good dinner here tonight. Service was good but not polished if you are expecting fine service etiquette but finding fine dining servers in town is pretty hard. Lots of elbows in face, handles in wrong directions and proteins facing in odd directions. Service was attentive however and friendly. Savory dishes were good. I am not a fan of olives and they were on the amuse but it was very well balanced. Foie and smoked char were well executed. All the dishes were very classic pairings of ingredients and while not incredibly inventive the cookery was spot on. Lamb shank and polenta had great flavor but was slightly under-roasted and therefore required a knife. Duck and cherry dish was perfectly cooked. Wine list was good overall with a balance of interesting lesser known brands as well as some big name splurge brands. Happy to see cal pinot by the glass that wasn't sonoma and a paso rhone. Tons of spelling errors on the list however and it would be nice if the German riesling listed its pradikat level so sweetness level was more obvious. The banana creme brulee torte was overset and had an omelet texture but the ice cream was good. Overall im being very picky in my critique as this is definitely one of the nicer restaurants on island and worth multiple visits. I will return for sure. I should note however the cocktail lounge singer was probably the worst i have ever heard. I could hear the other tables near me also commenting on how bad she was. It definitely took away from the otherwise wonderful ambiance and decor of the restaurant. I can only assume she is the owner's wife or something because I don't see any other reason to have her there. If she had just played the piano it would have been lovely but the singing honestly has to go. Beautiful location and dining room Friendly and attentive staff Interesting wines Well cooked food

Thank you Claire and Richard, we stayed with you two months ago and still have fond memories of our stay at Balance Rock. A special place. Kudos to Jeremy for his attention to detail when we checked out early with a packed breakfast.

We have stayed at Balance Rock three times. This is a very elegant and old establishment. We were slightly disappointed in our room our last stay; therefore, opted to chose another room this year. Luckily the room we chose had been completely renovated, was spacious, tastefully decorated and had an updated spacious bathroom, which our former room had not. It appears they are gradually updating the rooms. We chose to stay here due to the location right on the ocean. They have a large ocean view patio equipped with fire pits where one can enjoy their breakfast or a drink in the evening. Also, the staff is friendly and professional.

The posted pictures do not do justice to truly what a dump this is . Definitely a fabulous photographer and photo shopped It is in dire need of complete renovations and mold removal. The mildew and damp smell was overwhelming, overpowering, and sickening. The settings is gorgeous and their yard is pretty but the ocean view rooms smell like mold and garlic the kitchen and the view is not of the ocean . They did let us out of room reservations after much coughing , allergy, and asthma . This is by far not a elegant or comfortable place .

I'm shocked to see the negative reviews on here. My husband and I went here (to the bar) for an evening cocktail on the recommendation of our inn owner and we were not disappointed. This place is located down a quiet street we would have otherwise walked right by. It felt very exclusive and private. The inn itself is gorgeous; the inside is warm and grand while still feeling homey. Staff was very friendly and welcoming. It was really busy while we were there so the bartender was kind of frazzled, but she still made us really good cocktails. We caught the last 20 minutes of an amazzzzzzzing piano player/singer in a side lounge room which really made our night. Then we went outside to the pool area to sit and watch the moon. It was really lovely.

My husband and I spent six nights at the Balance Rock Inn in what they refer to as a junior suite with an ocean view. We could see Frenchmans bay, the porcupine islands, and the pool and patio from our room. The view was really beautiful. The front of the property is a parking lot that leads to a small road that takes you to downtown Bar Harbor. The back of the home is lovely, the front is unremarkable. I would only stay in an ocean facing room if you stay here. I would also mention that staying in what I believe is the carriage house where the "gym" is located is on a dreadful piece of the property surrounded by parking lot and is absolutely not worth staying in. The gym consist of three machines. We scheduled a five night stay for late May four months in advance but about a month prior to our arrival date we had to reschedule because our daughter was having complications with her pregnancy and her baby was going to be born sooner than expected. We contacted the Balance Rock and explained the situation. We rescheduled for late September as that was also out of their prime summer season and we wanted to keep the price the same. We were told that $1000 was nonrefundable if we canceled the trip. We did not want to cancel anyway, we just wanted to reschedule. The five night stay was originally approximately $1700. When we rescheduled it the lowest price for the same room was just over $2,900. I was upset but was told by the man I spoke with that the hotel was worth it. Since we had no choice except a penalty cancellation, we went ahead with it but it left me feeling taken advantage of. Our suite consisted of one good sized room and a bathroom. The bathroom was dated. It had a tiny "pocket shower" with a rusty drain and a fixed shower head with really really weak pressure. There was also a jetted tub from the same era. The tub had wonderful pressure but no shower head. It was not very clean and had cigarette burns along the side. I had to wash in the shower and then get in the bathtub to rinse fully. This is not acceptable in a $600 a night room especially when it comes to something as basic as being able to get clean. The bathroom was in need of wallpaper removal, a new tub and shower and a general renovation. The main room had been updated with modern grey walls and white leather furniture in contrast to the peach and brown traditional bathroom. The main room was in better shape than the bathroom but still was not very clean. There was dust and cobwebs on the lampshades and silk flowers and the large rug covering half of the room needed shampooed. It appeared to have been furnished and decorated by about the quality of a bed bath and beyond. The faux wood mirror had a chunk out of the foam frame and the wall below it was scratched. The pictures above the couch had large ripples through them that were highlighted by well placed lights above each one. The sleep number bed was covered in your standard hotel white duvet white sheet combo and was reasonably comfortable. Still it had charm. The push button gas fireplace was on a timer and allowed you to fall asleep to firelight without waking up too hot. We loved the fireplace. Night time was magical. The moon rose directly over the bay and was visible from our room and the back of the property with it's connected ocean path. The patio was lit by torches and fire pits and felt cozy and accommodating. The proximity to Arcadia was great as we spent most of our time hiking. We ended up extending our stay by one night and the rate was $265 for that night. This was not discounted, it was the regular room rate which I verified online. This really bothered me as we had asked for the lowest room rate in September to try to keep our original price. I feel the price was increased because they knew we could not cancel without a large fee and nearly doubled our cost. There were things I enjoyed about the Balance Rock and some I did not but I can say without reservation that it was not worth $600 a night. I would also caution anyone against giving this hotel a credit card number. They will not honor your room rate, they will charge you for things you do not owe and did not agree to, and they will do it all in a condescending tone.

We had a great experience. The hotel was very nice and we were very pleased with our room. The service was excellent! It made for a perfect anniversary vacation! We even had a sauna in our room - the entire experience is one that we will remember

There could be a better Inn to stay in Bar Harbor, but why take that chance? The Balance Rock Inn is PERFECT. Just spent 4th of July Weekend there and had not a single regret about the decision. The rooms are big, the bathrooms are spacious and clean. Pool is heated and open 24 hours so you can enjoy a late night swim or some early morning laps. And you're always treated with a great view of the ocean. You get a bar credit each day so there's no need to think twice about ordering a cocktail, and the bartender has an excellent heavy pour. Breakfast each morning is complimentary and they don't skimp on this at all. Full breakfast with some of the best coffee I've ever tasted, The staff couldn't have been more helpful and are not shy about letting you know there are there to help you with anything and everything you need. Again, there might be better places out there, but sometimes life is too short to take that risk. Do yourself a favor and stay at the Balance Rock Inn if there's availability - apparently most people book the following years vacation on their way out so nab a weekend while you can. [I uploaded some photos i took with my phone too so give those a look]

UPDATED: after complaining and posting our first review, we were transferred to a better room. The 2nd room didn't feel like it was in the same hotel, completely different treatment/style. I would say the best thing about this Inn was breakfast. I was particularly fond of the blueberry bread pudding and the kitchen is clean, open, and updated, unlike some rooms at the inn. If you book here, I'd call in advance and confirm your room is updated. They also have a good waterfront location in walking distance to downtown bar harbor, but a tiny bit off the beaten path.

My family and I had stayed at The Balance Rock Inn during 4th of july weekend. On our last night of our stay, our AC above our heads was puttering and making horrendous noises all night until about 2:30 am when I heard a loud bang come out of the AC, to which it started sputtering hail all over us. My young daughter woke up screaming because of this. Ice was spitting out all over us, all over the bed and the floor, absolutely everywhere. We could not sleep at all that night due to the noise of the ac, the ice shooting out of the ac, and then from the humid and hot room once we had to shut off the ac at 2:30 am. The ac itself is something from the 80s and maybe should not be above our heads. It is normal for this Inn since its run down unlike its marketing photos. Now, when we went to give General Manager Norman Albee a heads up for this situation so it doesnt happen to anyone else, he insinuated that I and my daughter were lying. I was absolutely beside myself at his lack of customer service. He is not apologetic in the slightest and quite condescending to be honest. Norman never apologized, never offered to check out the situation and just blatantly disregarded me and my daughters experience in his Inn. We did not want anything in return from Norman Albee minus a chance for the AC to be fixed for the next guest to have a better experience. If you'd like a night of no sleep, hail, rundown Inns where the general manager will belittle you, this would be your place. If you want the Slightest of a better experience, choose literally any other hotel, inn and motel in that area. We will never be returning again due to the sheer fact of how Norman Albee treated us.

Driving to Bar Harbor from Boston is definitely a trek but arriving and checking in at Balance Rock Inn definitely will hit that refresh button. The secluded room in the back with its own patio is definitely a favorite for us. This inn itself is old world and definitely New England quaint. The property is situated right by the sound and the trail by the sea at the back of this property will lead you into the area of Bar Harbor that is most frequently photographed. We felt a bit out of place being young and not caucasian and having the service staff being African American dressed in service maid outfit but otherwise everything else is great. The breakfast scone with Maine wild blueberry jam will have to dream of blueberries for days. Bar Harbor holds a special place in our heart and Balance Rock Inn is definitely one of those special places too.

This was a very expensive stay so expectations were high but the room was very much in need of updating and refreshing. Justin was excellent. Full of ideas and options for food and activities. Location was amazing, but stained, peeling wallpaper along with white synthetic ruffled curtains that were blocking an exquisite view really downgraded our experience.

What a luxurious Bed and Breakfast! The rooms were gorgeous, beautiful gardens, afternoon tea, and it looks out onto the ocean! What a view! Walk right through the back yard and it connects you to the Short Path to walk in to town. You cannot imagine how delicious the breakfasts were each morning. They were a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy! Highly recommend it!

This is a classic new England style inn. There are a lot of quaint and quirky aspects. For example, it is quite a journey to get to the fourth floor. The rooms are generally nice but it is hit or miss on whether you have an ocean view or an "ocean view." The morning breakfast is absolutely fabulous with the best croissants I have had in the United States.

Wow. If you are looking for the perfect getaway or planning to visit Bar Harbor, Maine I highly recommend staying at The Balance Rock Inn. A stay at this cozy, classy Inn is a stay to remember. When we first arrived we ordered a bottle of Champagne and their charcuterie board, it was amazing. The view of the Harbor is breathtaking. I certainly enjoyed waking up every morning and having my coffee and breakfast on the poolside dinning deck.The ambiance was just perfect. Justin who is one of the front desk managers assisted us with our stay and his customer service was superb!! He definitely made sure our stay was as peaceful as possible and accommodated us before we arrived and until the moment we left. Justin went above and beyond, I can't say enough kind words about him! From morning dips in the pool to the evening pianist entertainment, we definitely enjoyed our stay at the Balance Rock Inn to the fullest and left very relaxed. We will hopefully be back sooner than later! #balancerockinn #barharbormaine #visitbarharbor

Disastrous. You make a reservation in September, and get a call in November that they (witheringly, and with classist contempt) "can't possibly honor that rate" for your room. This is after we called to confirm the pet-free room, and that the rate was accurate. Awful. What's the resolution? The waiting game. They'll wait for some sad tourist to lay out over a thousand dollars more per night, instead of what their website sent as confirmation. Do not stay here. They do not care about guests, potential guests, or customer service. It's all about the bottom line at the Balance Rock Inn.

We have stayed here every year since 2008, and it just keeps getting better! Had our wedding on the back lawn in 2009, and they accommodated everything, as well as 25 guests, perfectly. The bar and the back deck are some of the most relaxing spots on the island, we often stop at the bar before and/or after dinner to unwind with a cocktail. It offers amazing privacy, yet is within walking distance of everything you need in town. The breakfast every morning is great, and being able to eat outside with that amazing view of Frenchman's Bay is the icing on the cake! We always meet friendly fellow travelers to share our drinks with too. The rooms are amazing, we have stayed in the Inn and the carriage house and have never been disappointed, although some of the Inn rooms can be quite small. Plus, they are dog friendly to dogs of all sizes! I was sorry to read about the reviewer from Hawaii's experiences. I hope you do find your way back to Bar Harbor again, it is a wonderful place, and this Inn is typically among the best!

I luv luv luv this Inn. It is truly one of the most spectacular locations anywhere in the world. Once I discovered Bar Harbor and the Balance Rock Inn, I want to go as often as I can. The Inn reminds me of some of the wonderful inns along the coast of California. The Inn is located on the Shore Path overlooking Frenchman's Bay. The view is simply breathtaking. Breakfast is included and is an incredible way to start each day. There is a covered patio bar area but also outside seating for those glorious evenings in ME, even when a bit cool.The ambience is upscale, but not stuffy, consistent with the vibe of the area (ie, jeans and sweaters). The Inn has a restaurant, The Veranda, which serves dinner. The food is exquisite. The menu changes with availability of the freshest ingredients. Don't pass up the risotto if they have it. The night we were there it was a mushroom risotto and it was divine. It's a AAA 4 Diamond Hotel and is now rated by Wine Spectator, all with good reason.

There is no nice way to say this so excuse me for being blunt: this place is a dump. D-U-M-P! Overpriced, outdated, musty, gross, disgusting. A total rip off. Our room was dingy, dirty, dank, dark and depressing. The hotel is one big mold spore resting on its laurels because 103 years ago it WAS a beautiful mansion with an amazing view. But one full century later it reminded me of a haunted house. If you are going to be paying upwards of $750 per night during summer season, you would best be advised to find at least a clean place with a view. Sadly, too, the staff is about as responsive as a "walker" in a Walking Dead episode. No visible and engaged management is even remotely on site or in sight, as the GM is probably kicking back in his or her hotel room down the street at the infinitely cleaner and nicer West Street Hotel by the pier. The only reason that I've given it one star is because zero stars is not a Yelp option.

My boyfriend decided to surprise me for a weekend getaway for my birthday at this B&B in Bar Harbor. He usually does outstanding in the reservation department but this time was unfortunately a flop. We drove up from Boston Friday night and did not arrive until 10:30pm. The girl that greeted us at the front was sweet but she was cleaning up for the night and said she was unable to show us to our room. Typically this would not have been an issue but we were staying in room 111 in the Carriage house which is located clear across the parking lot. When you approach the building all you see is a sign on the front door that reads, "gym" and no indication on where to go from there. We didn't want to disturb anyone else while attempting to find our room so we had to call back up front for clarification. We finally found our room and from the moment we opened the door we were blown away by a terrible urine smell...it was almost unbearable. We both wanted to shower after our nearly five hour drive and found that there was no running water to our shower. The jet tub in the room had running water but we had read not to use the jacuzzi tub after 9:30 PM. At this point we were both annoyed and just went to bed. The next morning when we went to breakfast we let the front desk know about the water issue and the smell. They sent maintenance out and they were quickly able to fix the water issue. When I spoke to them later they said they had removed a rug and that should help with the odor issue (it helped a little but not much). Saturday night was the worst experience we have ever had at a hotel/B&B. Starting at 3 AM the jets in the jacuzzi tub turned on numerous times resulting in my boyfriend having to get up to turn them off. This sounded like it was an issue for the nearby rooms as well. Our room was always freezing cold but if you turned the heater onto even 'setting 1' the room became a sauna and uncomfortably hot in a matter of a few minutes. There was absolutely no consistency so this also resulted in one of us getting of bed numerous times throughout the night. We were also unaware of the B&B's generous pet policy until 4 AM when the upstairs suite arrived with their 100+pound pit bull mix. We could careless that this is a pet friendly B&B but these large breeds should be restricted to main floor rooms only because we spent the last 4+hours of sleep listening to it scratch at the hardwood floors and growl. Mind you, neither one of us are 'light' sleepers, we live in downtown boston and have no problem sleeping through the noise. We got MAYBE four hours of sleep that night. When we went to check out our check-in documents had not been completed properly by the young girl that helped us Friday night so we had to fill out a couple of forms. The gentleman helping us at the front was nice but appeared to be new and receiving help from a manager that was behind another wall. He asked us how everything went and we began to share our experience. He kept looking up at the female manager for guidance and she stayed completely silent and hid behind the wall. I thought it was pretty lousy considering we paid almost $700 to stay there from Friday to Monday. This B&B is terribly overpriced for what you get for your money. The rooms are not in good condition and need updating badly. This was supposed to be a relaxing weekend getaway. By the time we got home we felt like we needed another getaway just to recover from the lack of sleep. We also had to wash EVERY piece of clothing we brought because they started to smell like the room. We found many Trip Advisor reviews that have very similar complaints as well. Overall, Bar Harbor is a beautiful little town with lots to offer. The hiking and views are amazing I would recommend visiting the area but STRONGLY advise staying somewhere else.

I just had a bad experience at the Balance Rock Inn. My room in the "Carriage House" was badly in need of updating and had a strong chemical smell that probably was used to cover urine smells of pets that stayed there previously. At $300 plus per night, I expected more. It was on par with a really cheap motel!

Is it possible to post negative stars? This was the worst hotel I've ever stayed in. I booked this place for my wedding. The first night for me to stay so all the gals could get ready for the wedding the next morning and then the next two nights we're for me and my husband. The room we got was supposedly the "best" room in the house. Average cost per night was around $700. The first night the tv didn't work. The fireplace never worked and my sister pulled a razor blade out of the couch. The second night was fine. However the third night was horrible. I woke up around 1 thinking that it was raining really hard out and I got up to close the window. I then realized that it was pouring inside. The sewage pipe in the ceiling of our room busted and every time a toilet flushed (you could hear when everyone flushed) water/ SEWAGE came pouring into our room. I went downstairs to demand another room but no one was around. The next morning I brought all of these complaints to the manager and he said the BEST he could do was give me $100 off per night. Seriously? Sewage pouring into my room on my honeymoon and the best they can do was $100 a night?!?!? I would never recommend this place. It's pretty on the outside but that IT!!!!!

I wish I could give this place negative stars. I actually cancelled my booking because of the frightening behaviors of some staff members - They have a process for ensuring retaliation against a customer. I called 3 weeks ago and then only called back today and the woman said my last name before I even told her, and disclosed that her manager posted a note about me. It left me concerned for what other threatening or retaliatory behaviors I would encounter on site. The note about me is because I offended them when I was trying to ask for help booking a dog friendly room. Only some of their rooms are dog friendly, and many of the reviews state that those rooms have stains, mold, rusty fixtures - I wasn't rude, but I was honest, and said I wanted help rebooking a dog-friendly "updated" room. Seems pretty reasonable to me when the place has such a hefty price tag! Not to mention their website doesn't specify which rooms are dog friendly - You can't falsely advertise being dog friendly when there are unknown restrictions!

My husband and I enjoyed our visit to the bar at Balanced Rock. We had been there two other times before for drinks so we decided to invite our friends to join us. We sat outside facing the water. The view was beautiful and relaxing! What made it extra special was our waitress, Sharon. She was genuine and made us feel at home. It was obvious she cared about people and loved working at the Balanced Rock Inn. She truly made a difference!

We met our friends and did a little Maine travel and Balance Rock Inn was our first stay and that was a bad idea, because it was so wonderful it set the bar really high! Our room was huge with a couch, and plenty of windows overlooking beautiful grounds. We got so busy, sadly, we never used the in-room sauna... Our first night there, we had dinner on the back patio which was delicious and the service was impeccable (thanks Debbie!). Breakfasts were good with some nice options such as the french toast croissant offered each morning. We had several opportunities to sit and relax and enjoy drinks on the patio and we loved the amazing view of the ocean and the service every time. Finally, Balance Rock is right on the walking path out back so you can get out and enjoy the Bar Harbor area and a block off the main shopping downtown so you are right there but not overwhelmed by the hub-bub. This is a definite do-over for us!

Elegant waterside inn with lovely patio and pool, and lush lawn leading to waters edge. Friendly and accommodating staff.

Balance Rock is a splendid guest house in the heart of Bar Harbor. The inn is immaculate and well maintained with very nice staff. We had a room in the carriage house which is located on the property, but it's separate from the main building. The carriage house has 4 very spacious rooms. There are no water views from the ground level, but we did have a private outdoor space, full bath, and ample room. We thoroughly enjoyed the location, pool, convenience to restaurants (highly recommend Havana), parking and ambiance. Truly old world inn with first class arrangements. Great full breakfast included, but it ends at 10am. I can't wait to return.

I will start out by stating that this place is very nice and our room was also very nice. So why the one star...His name is Norman the manager. This was a room that costs 600.00 + a night. The 1st night we had no heat so woke up to a pretty cold room. But the big drawback was we had a big screen tv on the fireplace right in front of the bed and it never worked because of the cable box and it took Norman 2 days to tell us we would not be able to enjoy the tv. So when checking out we were told earlier by Justin another "manager" that we would be getting a credit for not being able to enjoy the tv. Upon check out we were offered a 50.00 credit so we asked to talk to Norman who REFUSED to see us. Again this "manager" would not even leave his office to come talk to us. We were not problem customers & did not make a big deal out of it during our stay. So not only did they lose a returning customer but we left with a really bad taste in our mouths for this place and would not recommend it and with our experience deserves nothing more than a one star! Always question a place like this when they put profits before customer satisfaction. Shame on Norman!

On our first family trip to Maine this summer, my husband thought he'd do something really nice for me and book us a very luxurious place to stay. He booked Balance Rock Inn online. (We tend to be very economical, not ones to splurge on ourselves easily.) We have two children (a 5-year-old & a 7-year-old) who usually sleep in bed with us, or on a couch, etc. in the room when we stay at hotels. Never have we ever had an issue with this. So, after traveling ALL THE WAY FROM HAWAII, we were, to say the least, exhausted. We arrived in Bar Harbor, and were so excited to stay in such fine accommodations. That is, until we tried to check in. We were bluntly told that we could not stay in the room that we'd booked because it could only sleep 2 people. (Mind you, the room had a couch, a huge king bed, and more than enough room, even on the floor!) We were told that we could pay $200 (on top of the $1000+ we'd already paid for 2 nights) more to sleep in the penthouse room for the one evening, but that the next evening, we had to find somewhere else to stay. The clerk said she already talked to the manager, and that this was the only solution. So basically, after paying more than $1000 to stay there for 2 nights, we were going to have to pay $200 more, AND could only stay there for one night. Needless to say, this was not flying right by me. I felt so stressed out that I wanted to cry. They threw out some kind of fire code issue as the reason for this. Fine. I can accept this. However, what is totally unacceptable is their lack of compassion or helpfulness in the situation. They were basically saying, "We will keep your money, but get out." At least that's the way we were made to feel. To be kind, to be generous, to be compassionate, they could've maybe reimbursed us for the night we would not be able to stay, so that we could have the money to pay for another hotel room elsewhere in Bar Harbor? They could've at least helped us find other accommodations? But they didn't. And we were made to feel totally unwelcome. And all the while, my two daughters were asking, "Why can't we stay here? Why can't we stay here?" Obviously, this establishment does not welcome families since apparently, most of their rooms only accommodate 2 people. Sad. We are passing this information on to all of our family and friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, I will always remember Bar Harbor for this sour experience since it pretty much tainted our stay.

My wife and I recently spent a few days here for our anniversary. The inn is located inside an old mansion which has been updated and expanded. Our room had great ocean views, a fireplace, and a 2 person jacuzzi. The staff was very helpful, especially Travis, the bellman. Breakfast was included every morning and it was great. Every evening from 5-7PM they put out cheese and crackers near the bar. A $15/day bar credit was also included which we used. A very quiet and relaxing spot. We were able to walk to shops and restaurants. We will be back!

We Went up to Bar Harbor on the spur of the moment and stayed at the Balance Rock Inn. It's a beautiful old Inn with a nice pool and sprawling lawn down to the ocean with great views of the islands around Bar Harbor. Great bar and fabulous staff.

Honeymooned here three years ago and have come back for our first two anniversaries. We absolutely LOVE everything about it. Central location, great staff, beautiful grounds and nice little bar.

Balance Rock has a wonderful location and the views from the rooms are extremely hard to top. The rooms are adequately sized, but are a bit dated and need some upkeep (peeling wallpaper, faded furniture, etc). We were there on a particularly hot weekend, and the air conditioning couldn't keep up. They have a breakfast buffet, like you would expect at a nice hotel. Don't expect a meal made and plated for you. Unfortunately, the food wasn't great. They were often out of one thing or another. The veggie and cheese omelet had no veggies and what appeared to be american cheese. We actually just went out to breakfast after the first day because we were disappointed with the food. We were happy to have a nice place with great views to come back to in the evenings, but we preferred the smaller B&B's in the area.