The Asticou Hotel

I enjoy fancy, historic hotels and stay at them as often as I can--I really wanted to love this place. The Asticou has the potential to be amazing, but unfortunately our experience was just awkward and overly expensive for what was actually delivered. The good: the hotel has been beautifully restored, and the bed, bed linens, and bath products were all wonderful. The room itself was comfortable and the mini-fridge was nice and big. The grounds and pool were also beautiful and will probably be great in the summer. Our meal at Dahlia's was decent--overpriced with small portions, but that's pretty standard for MDI--and the scallops and the creme brûlée were good. The staff were all working hard and seemed to want to provide a good experience. The not-so-good: the room's small size and poor layout meant there was only space for one luggage rack. Although they looked nice, I think we would have rather had a second luggage rack and done without the armchair and side table. Also, the gravel parking lot is DARK. Hopefully there is a plan to add lights soon? The pretty bad: Despite charging a $50/day resort fee, no one told us anything about the hotel's currently available amenities--we had no idea the pool would even still be open as our visit was in October and nothing (either on the website or in the reservation confirmation) even mentioned that it's heated. Even after having stayed there, I still don't know if the spa (that we were legitimately interested in visiting) was open yet or not. We were given nothing at check-in beyond our room number and some helpful restaurant recs, so not sure what exactly that resort fee even covered--there was no printed info in the room, either. Although on-site staff seemed to be doing their best, they appeared to be either under-supported (our poor Dahlias server was doing a hundred things and desperately running everywhere) or else lacking in experience/leadership. Just really felt like a management issue--like no one was steering the ship, which is really unfortunate given that we paid nearly $700/night.

We have eaten several times at Dahlias for lunch and we love it. The view, of course, is gorgeous. Service is excellent, attentive yet not overbearing, and each server spends time with you answering questions about the menu and other points. My partner has had the fish and chips twice and that's why we go back. Nice size portion, crisp with a fine coating, not greasy at all. A side of a small salad and the fries are great. I've had the Caesar and it's excellent. Great dressing, nice portion scale and an added grilled chicken make for a perfect lunch. The mocktail mojito was beautiful! All in all, a great experience.

I just had the the absolute worst popovers I’ve ever eaten in my life at the Asticou Inn. |By way of history, my husband and I have been enjoying popovers for the past 50 years. In the past, we have gone to Jordan pond house which was most excellent until approximately six years ago. We learned that the chef at Jordan pond left and went to the Asticou Inn so we followed the chef to the Asticou. Again, about 6 years ago the popovers were incredible. Very eggy, light, hot, puffy and delectable. The Asticou Inn has been closed for about two years but reopened this past summer. So we decided to go to have popovers again. They were absolutely the worst popovers I’ve ever eaten in my life. Huge holes, tough, thick outside crust, deflated, and cold. each of us ordered 2 popovers. It should’ve been my first clue when our server asked us if we wanted them all at the same time. Normally, you would receive the first popover hot, eat it, enjoy it, and then receive the second popover hot. Well, we received our first popover, and it was cold, deflated, tough, and horrible. I should’ve just told the waiter not to bring the second. But, instead, I explained to the server that we wanted to have our popover hot from the oven. After awhile, our waiter brought two extra popovers for my husband and me explaining that the chef agreed that the first popovers were not hot. Unfortunately, the second serving of popovers were not hot, rather, they were more cold than the first serving. |We have laughed about this dining experience and called it our worst dining experience of the summer and unforgettable. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone. The popovers were horrible.

Please bring back the popovers on the dinner menu!! (Available for lunch only). Recently reopened the entire facility after undergoing a comprehensive renovation. Very tastefully redone by the ownership. Started at the Moss Bar for drinks and appetizers and then dined at Dahlia's. Great guest experience. The staff is very attentive. Extended wine list with some great choices. Dinner menu is diverse and there is something for everyone. GF options. Recommended dining on the front porch if the weather allows. There is a wonderful view of Northeast Harbor! Came back for lunch (twice), the popovers with the blueberry jam and lemon curd is extraordinary, so light and fluffy! You can't have just one :)

We were recommended to visit by the folks at Thuya Gardens: Goodness the gardens and pool are tremendous. Very Lake Como or Maggiori and in time the gardens should mature to be as lovely as any in Italian hotels we know. The decor was very stylish outside with the olive striped poolside loungers and pink tasseled umbrellas very much the latest in Euro style. A photographer was on hand and it made me think of the Slim Aarons photos of beautiful hotels and people brought right up to date. The staff were friendly and found us an early table at the restaurant. The oysters Rockefeller were there with the very best and the short rib was nearly perfect. The only complaint was that it was just slightly cooler than I'd want (just a smidge). The potato was extraordinary as were the vegetables. Layton was tremendously attentive and knew his stuff. Really helped us pick the entree. The desert menu was lacking the chocolate torte sadly. We will return to stay. The snug bar looked very inviting. All staff affable, smiling and friendly. We noted a lot of respect to locals who had been regulars. Very classy. Please organise sailing charters or even a slipway so we can bring our racing dinghies in summer and leave them on the lawn. One heck of a regatta venue!

I'm so glad that my husband chose this Inn for our stay. We wanted to experience hiking Acadia, checking out the carriage roads, and relaxing. This was the perfect location. We could easily get to Bar Harbor, experience Northeast Harbor, and also spent a day in Southwest Harbor. We were able to get on trails right from the Inn, and access the carriage roads with bikes just a short tide away. The view from this place is stunning. The whole Inn is nothing but cozy and comfortable. The decor was perfect in every way. It made me feel like I was staying in a home rather than a hotel all week. If you are looking for a beautiful stay, close to all there is to experience in Mt Desert Island, this place is a must. Don't pass it up.

If you are looking for rustic elegance, you must visit the Asticou Hotel! We waited a year for the remodel and visiting it again was well worth the wait! |The decor is elegantly warm and inviting, the pool area gorgeous overlooking northeast harbour, and the staff is very attentive. The restaurant has an eclectic vibe and offers delicious meals. The hotel is an ideal place to have a family reunion, wedding or business getaway.

We have never travelled as far north in Maine to Northeast Harbor but after watching The Asticou renovation on social media and having friends who spent childhood summers there they and we decided to make the trip! We were not disappointed! The resort is gorgeous and the details to the design and decor are beautiful. The landscaping is perfection and the resort exudes warmth. It is obvious the care extensive thought that went into the renovation. Notes:|1- pool area is absolutely gorgeous- but bar/food at pool not operational yet and no restrooms at pool yet. |2. Dahlia’s restaurant- food is excellent and outdoor dining is beautiful- but small bistro tables inside for parties of 2 are way too small and do not invite one to want to eat as there’s no room on the table! |3. Rooms are gorgeous - well appointed- linens are top notch- but they need to have dark colored towels for make up and not the cheap packaged towelettes. The bath products are supreme though|4. The staff is not local folk at all and this is a real disadvantage- there is no local expertise, area suggestions, Acadia knowledge and many of the staff we encountered were not overly friendly- in many ways many were still learning how to clean a guest room, make a cocktail and really need to learn to interact with guests- the bartender at Dahlias barely spoke to bar guests the night we ate at the bar- the bartender should be the life of the bar- engaging guests with conversation about the location, etc.. much of the staff lives across the street in 2 old and very neglected homes that you see right from the entrance to the beautiful hotel- I think this is a negative and the staffing and their living quarters needs to be addressed- the staff needs to be engaged with guests and be familiar with the locale where they work- they are not.||Overall- a great trip to The Asticou but will hope the staff becomes more Mainers or New Englanders and Maine savvy for my next trip!

We really enjoyed lunch on the patio of the Asticou Inn! We were lucky to get a reservation during lunch. Friendly hostess staff, and service, both took excellent care of us. Popovers were delicious, especially the blueberry jam. I had fish tacos (made from haddock) and it filled me up. Very generous portion! Million dollar view and perfect weather made for an unforgettable lunch.

Former Employee review... What can I say, this place is the worst! The regard this establishment has for its employees is shameful. Here the employees are treated with such disdain that within 60 days, 6 employees have quit and found employment elsewhere. The living conditions are horrible and for 2 and a half months we had to pay $300 every two weeks for our meals and the food was horrible. And we weren't even given breakfast. Just here recently the Asticou brought it down to $250. However, there has been to change in the living conditions in fact its gotten worse. As of July 23, 2023 where I was housed we had no hot water and today is the 28th and now we have no water in our sink nor our toilet. This makes 5 days without water. This is inhumane and should be looked into. I was a cook and there was no regard for my hygiene as a person let alone as a cook.

Do not recommend. Please see the attached pictures from my last visit. Last September, we were expecting a traditional room in the main inn, but we were assigned a staff room. Yes, we still paid full price. When I complained, I was basically told to go away by the front desk clerk. After I had been treated like *I* was being a jerk (hanging my head in disgust realizing I had prepaid for two nights), I noticed the carpet on stairs from the lobby to second floor looked like it hadn't been vacuumed in over a week. In our room, we were issued a power strip... in a 100-year-old wooden hotel that has already burned down once, what could go wrong? We had a very rustic bathroom with a plastic shower curtain and dirty tub. Very cheap soap and shampoo. Continental breakfast had dishes piling up in dining room and the food service area was not being tidied. Clay tennis court had weeds growing around it and the net was removed. The pool area had cushions strewn all over the walking area. Overall, a real disappointment for us.

TL;DR This dining experience is my new standard for poor quality and disappointment.   Our server asked if we would like to start with a round of pop overs. Most restaurants offer bread as a courtesy so we said sure. Well they were 12 dollars for two pop overs. Really? you sneak in a $12 order of bread and present it as if it were free?   I had the bourbon lemon smash and she had the Hemmingway. Mine was nothing more than a smashed lemon and some bourbon. it tasted like a child made it after watching his father make one from a distance the night before. It was a joke. Hers wasn't too bad, but was too sweet.   We read the menu and saw that the prices were a bit high. We were in a tourist area and in a nice hotel, so fine we get it. High prices are not an aversion to us, in fact we like when we see high prices, do you know why? Because it signals that we are in for a treat, prepared by people who not only know what they are doing but really care about the experience. This was clearly not the case.   Lobster stew. A bowl of it cost 32 dollars. It was not only much smaller than the word "bowl" would lead you to believe, but also devoid of any lobster meat at all. There were a few shreds but nothing on the order of what the price would indicate. Really? In Maine the best you can do is some creamy broth and lobster dust? The broth itself wasn't even good, it could have been out done by Campbell's. For 32 DOLLARS?   The Flatbread was billed as a brie and arugula flat bread with apples. this was a $26 appetizer. For that kind of money we were expecting something good. There was no brie whatsoever on this thing save for the shine of what might have been melted down brie applied sparingly with an airbrush. The apples were cut into chunks far too wide to be easily eaten and were overcooked. The arugula was about 7 tiny, shriveled pieces that looked like they were from the bottom of a bag that had been in the fridge too long. The bread itself bore the tell-tale marks of neat perforations that only occur if the bread is made in a factory. Indeed, it looked, felt and tasted like Naan from a bag.   The baby spinach salad was 21 dollars. I ordered it with the side of shrimp. This was a 20 dollar add on. $41 for a salad.   41 dollars for a salad.   6 obviously raised in China, frozen shrimp that were added to a pile of spinach which looked and tasted like it came out of a factory bag with a sprinkling of cheese and an uninspired dressing. I knew upon sight that these were frozen shrimp, not fresh, not farm to table. Frozen. From China or Thailand. Chewy, rubbery, cheap. The menu says that they are inspired by fresh ingredients from the coast of Maine to provide a true taste of Maine. I don't buy it. This crap? Are you kidding? You could find a better shrimp salad at an Applebee's. In Kansas. Costco brand frozen shrimp is a far better item than whatever this was.   They call themselves "farm to table" but honestly, it's more like freezer to table. This was quite simply the greatest rip-off I have ever experienced not just in a restaurant, but anywhere.  I am struggling to think of the last time I had paid so much and was so disappointed.   Moreover, we asked for wine to be served with our food, and that did not hit the table until we were done eating. The server dropped the spoon for her "stew" and he did not return with a new one. He also failed to bring us two share plates as he said he would.   My girlfriend works in the industry and we are not ones to complain. When the bill hit the table, it said 183 dollars. Does the above sound like a 183 dollar meal? So we asked for an itemized bill and that's when I realized the shrimp were 20 dollars. We asked to see the manager because we wanted to address these issues.   We were told that the manager was busy managing both the hotel and the restaurant and she could not see us.   Wow.   I mean... Wow.   While at the bar the manager came to us and apologized for the experience and offered us a dessert on the house. We declined and my girlfriend explained what was wrong, and that if they want to charge these kinds of prices they need to up their game. We both came away with the feeling that she did not care in the least. She said she would talk to the chef about it, but I don't think this was a one-off bad night. The food that came out was not in our opinion any kind of anomaly, but standard business.   Given the nature of our complaint does a free dessert sound like a good idea? What we would have preferred was some sincerity about just how bad and embarrassing that meal was. We did not get that. We did not get what we paid for. What we got instead was a permanent answer to the question "what's the worst thing you have ever ate?"

Won't return. It is at the west side of the Mount Desert Island, which is far less popular than their east side Bar Harbor. Their Main Street is short, sweet and one way only. The restaurant is at the namesake inn, which opens May to October only. Unfortunately it's a little windy and cold, they closed the deck. Our table is by the window. The view of NE Harbor is nice. Good service. Good food - crab cake is good. Overall, food is on the expensive side. A cup soup costs $11 - the same price at Bar Harbor Inn buys you a bowl. The Aveleda white is pretty good tho. A persistent fly just won't leave us alone. Bathroom is a floor below, it has no soap. Fake purple flower... Cross the street is their garden which is really worth your time.

I'll give this shit hole one star for still standing as it appears the owners have absolutely let this place fall apart over the past 100 years.... so clearly it was well built. For what they charge, I hope they are paying the staff well. The beds are rock hard and the pillows are even harder. These are probably originals though and somehow have also survived a century. If you tend to run hot, good luck. You're literally going to melt. To give a litmus test, it was 62 degrees when we stayed and our room was a furnace. There is no AC and you're going to have to bet your comfort on a 1980's box fan. Maybe you'll be lucky and hit the lottery and get a heavy wind on your side of the building. Finally, if you're a cripple, you're really getting the shaft. There are no rooms on the first floor and no elevator to boot. Asticou was built in the 1800's prior to the Americans with Disabilities Act and like the rest of the property, they never advanced with society. Find something else.

Terrible food! Soggy lobster rolls. And the flat breads were dismal. Don't go there for food...but the views are nice.

Came here for a destination wedding and had a five star experience! The staff at this place was incredible! The grounds are beautiful as you can see from the pictures! We stayed at the cranberry lodge which after some research has been here since the 1900s. There isn't any air conditioning but they do provide fans that you can stick onto the windows. :) The Restaurant is wonderful. We had breakfast there several times during our stay. It's a all you can eat breakfast. Complimentary coffee which was delicious. I definitely got a cup to go as we embarked on our adventures for the day. The dinner was delicious and you have to have the popovers and berry crumble. Can't beat Maine blueberries!!! The dinner at the wedding was also phenomenal. Can you say Maine Lobster?! Even the steak I got was amazing. There is on site laundry service that is $15 a bag. It was ready the next day. We really needed this because we had been traveling for two weeks with small children. Now the staff- the service was incredible! Everyone was so friendly and helpful. They gave us a great route to take when we did the National Park. When I needed towels, blankets, soap, etc, they came very promptly! During the reception the same staff brought us drinks and appetizers! Excellent service!

Don't get me wrong - this is an absolute Grande Dame treasure of an inn. Elegant and charming Victorian architecture, tranquil and peaceful gardens. We ended up arriving later in the evening, around 8:45 pm. Unfortunately, the inn's restaurant closed a 9:00 pm, so we could not be seated. This is very much a one horse town, and we were directed to Copita, a small, delicious/gourmet restaurant near by that is open until 10:00 pm. Our room was on the third floor (walk up, no elevator, so pack light!). The accommodations were lovely, a sitting room with fold out couch leading into a king size bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Clean with gorgeous wood floors. Audubon style paintings on the wall. And, now we get to why this is a three star review: 1. Sound proofing is lacking. You will hear your neighbors (hope that s/he were finally able to clear his/her throat and find the f*cking slippers). 2. Restaurant closed way too early, and no bar offering small plates. Weird hours for the restaurant. Saw a woman turned away at 11:00 am because lunch didn't start until 11:30 am. This was on a Sunday when they should have been offering brunch from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. 3. No television in the room. 4. No refrigerator in the room. 5. No air conditioning in the room. Box fans in the window. 6. No coffee maker in the room. 7. Bed pillows were folded up in an odd way. If an Inn wishes to operate as a historic gem, fine and dandy. Be sure that guests are aware that they should not expect modern amenities and include some sort of history of the establishment; justify why people are paying beyond market rate for glorified glamping. A pretty place but lacking.

First thought. Have someone to great you as you pull into the circle driveway. Second, have someone ready to carry your bags to your room given there is no elevator. Third, people come for the $5 Million dollar view with quaint patio setting...problem is if you'd like a glass of wine to enjoy it, you'll have to wait till 5:30 pm ...cocktail hour should be no later than 4 o'clock Bring your playing cards, because there are no TVs in the room!!! No air conditioning in the rooms!!!

This inn gets two stars for the price. Don't go in expecting luxury and you won't be disappointed. It's very old and well-worn, but the views and the price are in-line with each other. The staff are welcoming, but bucolic; the rooms are well-worn, but have a great view; and the restaurant is terrible (see my review on that), but convenient. The hotel was made for a different time and should be completely remodeled for modern times. I am 5'2 and could sit on the toilet and brush my teeth in the sink at the same time. I'm not sure how my 6'2" husband made it work.

Best lobster stew we've ever had, and we're from Maine! And the lobster popover was unreal! Also the dessert is a must.

This inn is expensive ($250+) but it's worth the money. It has the rustic charm, a good view of the ocean and has a very good breakfast that's included with the room. I had sausage, biscuit, gravy for both of them, bacon, eggs and potatoes. Very good. They have water dispenser in the main inn and other lodges. In main inn, they often serve hot tea, coffee and sometimes cookies. You can tell that the tea bag is of good quality cause you can see the actual real tea leaves. The room itself is actually pretty small, but they have a good sized bed and a rocking chair (?). The bathroom is pretty big. The inn is able to accommodate us by bringing microwave which is really appreciated. I used UV lights in the dark and I can see that the bed sheet is clean. I don't see any anomaly. The downside is that there is no AC. The window blind is white, has gap in between and does not block all lights. I can hear noises either from the front door or room next door, so you may need to bring ear plug and eye mask when you want to sleep.

Asticou Inn is a historic haven on Mt. Desert Island. There's the original main inn, so antique that the ancient elevator can only be used with employee assistance; there are 3 separate cabins, and finally, there are the octagonal, eccentric topside cabins. Nearby, there is a beautiful Japanese strolling garden with native Maine plants. The topside cabins are hit&miss with amenities- the sofa bed is great, there's a lovely view of Northeast Harbor, but the TV remotes are meh, and the cabins themselves could use some cleaning. The kitchenette is tiny. They're comfortable. After a day of hiking, they provide a great place to relax&sleep. The surprising highlight is the continental breakfast. It goes beyond the usual pastries, fresh fruit&cereals. They have freshly made blueberry pancakes, as well as a choice between sweet&savory bread puddings (the latter had artichokes&tomatoes) Great place to fuel up before a day on the trails. They brew up local coffee. A relaxing oasis in Acadia.

The view is 5 star. We had drinks every night overlooking the harbor and it was Maine beauty at its very best. Our waitress last night, Lauren, was kind and sweet and she delivered 5 star service. She had a beautiful disposition that gave off a warm, welcoming vibe. Lauren made spot-on recommendations and accommodated all of our picture taking needs. Popovers and blueberry mojitos are a dreamy combination. Brian, her partner behind the bar, who served us the night before was barely civil. Someone should reassign him to a non-customer facing role. Ben, the Resturant Manager was a little full of himself. Good thing he surrounds himself with nice people who can off-set his uppity attitude. The team behind the front desk was amazing. Victor was beyond accommodating. He was our chocolate chip cookie elf. Smiling and energetic he was the perfect ambassador of the desk. Great conversationalists, finding common ground with everyone. Kurt was also a big help. He made useful recommendations and seemed to be extremely knowledgeable about the area. Everyone was polite and friendly. 5 star amenities like all day coffee and tea in the front room and freshly baked cookies to keep your blood sugar levels high. The accommodations are just 3 star. I think the decorating term I would use is "recycled" The rooms are tired and need a total rehab. It's definitely step above sleeping in a camp bunk. The bed was comfortable and the bedding was clean. It needs a fresh paint job and something other than garage sale furniture. The price was totally fair given the amazing setting and the friendly staff. Actually, the staff in general made this place a Maine treasure which I would return to. If Martha Stuart, one of the Inns neighbors had her hand in fixing up the place, it could easily rival some of the top Inns in this country. Talk in town is that the moneyed locals like the Asticou just as it is and investing in a rehab is not in the future plans. So enjoy the shabby chic.

It is a beautiful place with a lot of history. It is well located. The houses have their charm but also some cons if you are not used to it (e.g., we could hear our neighbors walking loudly the night, and there are 2 separate faucets for hot / cold water).

The popovers were so good that we had two rounds! We both had salmon with horseradish crusted topping, spinach and quinoa - it was a great combination. We were sitting outside looking at the beautiful harbor and even saw a bald eagle flying by. Highly recommended but make sure to make reservations ahead of time.

Our extended family went there for lunch and from the sandwiches to the fish & chips to the mussels special we all were pleased. To top it off we're the popovers from Chef Emily's kitchen. I only had two but would have loved a couple more! It is at the high end of restaurants in the area but not excessive. Ate in the patio which had a screened and open section. Highly recommended.

We celebrated my daighters graduation with a party of 12 on the Patio. It was absolutely amazing. Best food we had on the island all week. Natasha our waitress was exceptionally attentive and even offered to take this picture.

Incredible place on the outside but severely lacking on the inside is the only way I can sum up this place. The grounds of the Asticou by far make this place incredible. From the pool to the tennis courts to the meadow down to the harbor cliff to watch the lobster boats and personal sail boats from northeast harbor make the day picture perfect. Interior looks as if it's straight out of the Victorian era. Complete with hand made window glass and frames. They also had a claw foot tub/shower combo in our room with complete inabliblity to control the water temperature. I found myself adjusting the water more than washing myself. It was a challenge where failure meant stinkyness from the days' hike. One of the major problems with this hotel is that the walls are paper thin. Everything is heard. I could hear people walking up stairs, talking in the room next door and mingling downstairs. Once you find yourself in bed and asleep, you can be woken up early in the morning by people once again stomping around, talking loudly and even playing the piano at 7am! Geez, folks, do you not realize there are other people staying here? This place is a great base of operations for hiking Arcadia. It has its own restaurant and bar so when you come in after those long hikes and want something refreshing, but please bring your own noise cancelling headphones.

I can understand the value of spending time in a historical hotel. There is certainly some charm of that nature here. The restaurant is also great, as well as the staff. However, the room I stayed in was pretty disappointing. There was no refrigerator, microwave, TV, or air conditioning. They give you a window fan in the closet that you can set up if you like, but it's extremely loud on anything above the lowest setting. I could hear everybody outside in the parking lot or in the lobby, which made me feel as though I had no privacy. The shower was very inadequate as well, with the shower head and water pressure being very low. The water temperature also fluctuates from scalding to freezing. The staff really saves this place. They're awesome!!

We drove from Boston and it is our first time in ME. The staff is very friendly and welcoming! The room we had reserved was not what we thought (our fault for looking at the wrong picture), but the hotel manager and front desk staff were very friendly and solved our problem right away! We are highly satisfied and looking forward to coming back to Asticou Inn! They definitely made our first trip to Maine a great experience! I highly recommend this hotel. Very child friendly too!

This is only a review of the Japanese garden, not the Inn. For a suggested donation of $5 this is definitely worth a visit. A traditional Japanese garden, this space is ideal as a place for contemplation, meditation, or just a peaceful walk. You don't find many spaces like this in the U.S. - definitely worth a stop on your visit to MDI.

A rustic but charming inn, but their care for their guests is limited. It's an old building with thin walls and no A/C. Fortunately, the hotel provides window fans which are generally pretty effective. But if the hotel is hosting a party on the patio right below the hotel rooms (as they are tonight, a Thursday), and the music host is amplified, it's impossible to sleep. It's 10:15pm on a Thursday and they are still baring "Too Darn Hot" so loud that it sounds like it's playing from speakers in my room--and of course this is with the windows down (causing it to be stuffy and gross in here). Really? You let loud outdoor parties play amplified music after 10pm? This is some "high society" party--clearly the hotel cares more about hosting a party than it does letting its own guests sleep. AVOID THIS HOTEL IF YOU VALUE SLEEP! Also you have to get a staff member to accompany you if you want to use the elevator, and you have to request ice from the front desk. Unfortunately this is all the same staff member so they don't have time to help everyone. It's a beautiful old building but there are better hotels in the area . And quieter ones!

There is great history at this Inn which is fun. But, there is no AC in the rooms and it got warm. The bed was great, with a firm mattress and I slept wonderfully.

Ordered the popovers to go. Cold, dry, unimpressive. Not pleased. They are low key pretentious. Didn't dig the vibe

We stayed for four nights. We were pleased and would stay again. We stayed at one of the topsider rooms. We had a nice view. The room was clean and comfortable. The carpet is a little in need of replacement. But the beds and other furnishings were quite nice. The best thing was the breakfasts. Unlike many places the food on the buffet was different every day and each day it was outstanding for a buffet. Fresh fruit and fruit pastries in addition to the standard bread, cereal and oatmeal fair, plus eggs, potatoes and sausage or bacon. One day there was also biscuits and gravy, another day breakfast croissants with egg and tomato, one pancakes, fried eggs another day andanother day french toast which was very good. We ate at the restaurant only one night and were a bit disappointed. There were lots of empty tables and we were told there would be a wait of 10 minutes, and it turned out to be 20+ minutes for no apparent reason. The food was good, but waiting around 20 minutes for a table when more than half of the tables were empty was a turn off. The staff were very friendly and attentive.

Was visiting Acadia with my two teenage children, and had spent the morning at Wildwood Stables on a Bridges tour (which you shouldn't miss!). The guides highly recommended Asticou, and said that we would enjoy it more than Jordan House so we gave it a try. First, the quaint hotel it was located in was just what you would imagine in a national park. Historic, genteel, welcoming, and not teeming with tourists. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were immediately seated on the deck with the most amazing view of the park. We are high up on a ridge, so the park extends down and away from the hotel, and you can see woods and water and shoreline and you simply could not take your eyes off of it. We ordered popovers (my kids have never had them before) and I could not possibly describe how amazing they were - hot, moist, and utterly delicious. Of course, we had to order a second round of them they were so good! And I had a Blueberry iced tea with a splash of lemonade (as recommended by the waitress) and I have literally been dreaming about it ever since. I have never had something so delicious and refreshing ever - and no matter how hard I have tried since I've come home, I've not been able to duplicate it! :( Our food was delicious, well made and presented, and the service was attentive and friendly. Without a doubt our best meal in Acadia. Would go back in a heartbeat!

The hotel is way over priced, not close to anything except Acadia, and in desperate need of renovation and cleaning. It was probably nice at one point in time but long ago fell to the wayside. The website makes it seem far more grand than it is. Many of the employees were unfriendly and odd. The breakfast buffet was not good. We ate it because it was included with the room rate and the hotel isn't close to much else. If I go back to Acadia, I'll stay in Bar Harbor which is pretty close and has a lot more options as far as hotels and restaurants.

Great 4-Star experience. Stayed at the Asticou Inn for several nights while in the Acadia National Park/Bar Harbor Area. We had two rooms in one of their separate "homes" and stayed as 3 adults and 3 kids. We all greatly enjoyed our time at the Asticou and would love to come back! It is a truly wonderful, quiet inn with stunning views. Exceedingly nice, friendly and helpful staff. They have a great pool with an amazing view of the harbor. The rooms are clean, spacious and have awesome views. Very good restaurant, great bar, and both more formal and informal dining options. A great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor, yet no more than 15 minute drive to either Bar Harbor or Acadia National Park.

Had a great stay at this charming and comfortable inn on the quieter side of the island. The views of Harbor from the hotel deck are spectacular, and the staff was very accommodating for our room preferences.The buffet breakfast (included) was very good and dinner was excellent. As an added bonus, check out the gardens across the street. Overall, a relaxing and pleasant stay.

The Inn is located on a beautiful spot but the dinner location on their deck covered with plastic windows was somewhat drab. Food was overall decent but nothing stood out - the fish was fresh, the shrimp dish good ( although we were told it's local shrimp which is incorrect as Maine has not had a shrimp season for several years). Overall an ok dining experience for the price.

My girlfriend and I stayed at the Asticou Inn this weekend. We stayed in the Bird Bank which is not inside the main inn but is a cottage associated with the inn just down the road. The cottage has 3-4 other guest rooms in it. Our room was nice but it wasn't the nicest in the cottage. The other rooms had views of the ocean and a porch while ours faced the road and did not have a porch. Please keep in mind this is a different style of hotel. If you are looking for a modern style hotel with a big bathroom and fancy furniture then you will not like this room. I would say the price was a little high for the room but that is just my opinion. Our room had a tv which was a good plus as I am reading other reviews that say there are no tv's in the rooms inside the inn. Overall I was pleased. The two cons of the trip was the parking situation. There are two cottages that share 3-4 parking spaces and so parking was an issue. I ended up parking on the other side off the inn and walking a short walk to our cottage. The other con was there was no thermostat in the room!!! Our room got to be very cold at night as the weather dropped below 50, and we froze!

The rumors are right the popovers are VERY good and I come from a family that makes them every year for holidays. The food was also good but not outstanding and the venue lovely to look out upon the harbor. The serving staff was very good although my second visit to the bar was less than welcoming and a bit uncomfortable service wise. The drinks were good though.

A restaurant is only as good as it's personal. Expect to be disappointed! I made a reservation on July 18th Saturday evening for dinner. I specially stared OUTSIDE ONLY. Since nothing was said at the time I assumed my request would be honored. On Saturday afternoon August 15th the afternoon of the reservation I called to confirm the reservation ,time ,party of three and OUTSIDE ONLY. It was then that I was told it was first come first serve. Had I been told in July, I would have had the opportunity to make other arrangements with a more accommodating restaurant. I feel as though I was going to be tricked once we got there! This is no way to run a business . I was taught to give credit where credit is due unfortunately there is none to give. I will not be returning to this restaurant

Great historic Maine hotel with a nice dining room, deck overlooking the harbor and friendly staff. We loved sitting in the bar and chatting with other guests or the friendly staff. Rooms are old school but very well maintained and the grounds are fantastic-pool, tennis court, gardens with views of the harbors sailboats and lobstermen! Highly recommend.

Very rough for $300+ a night. We stayed in the cottage and were very dissatisfied with the accomodations. I must make this very clear that this is a review has given every consideration to the impacts of COVID-19. I have been in the hotel industry for many years and completely understand the difficulty associated with not only an older property but also the seasonal staff and clientele associated with this type of tourist-driven business. With that being said, let me just first say, that I was impressed with the friendly and welcoming staff at check-in. I admit that I had reservations about writing this review, due to my high opinion of the staff previous. However, when I voiced my most pressing concern about our stay and got zero acknowledgement for it, I decided to post this review. Our main concern was the bed. It was very very uneven. So lumpy in fact, that I slept the night in our van outside. This to me, is HIGHLY unacceptable. I specifically voiced this to the drink desk agents this morning. They seemed mildly sympathetic, so I left. I am not looking for a freebee, let me be clear on that. Some of our other concerns were as follows: No tissues or hair dryer, or night stand. Anyone who has stayed in an expensive hotel, knows that these things are standard. We are not asking for custom robes or slippers, just simple amenities. The restaurant closed very early without notifying guests. Even during COVID, there should be set hours in your restaurant to ensure that your guests get to expirience the amenities you do offer, especially when you are charging in-season prices. Our deck overlooking the harbor was a nice addition to our stay, but we didn't use it. There is a giant tree blocking half the view. This tree has a purpose, which I assume is to block our view of the groundskeeper shed. Although his presence was consistent as of early morning. Walking the grounds in front of our window, running a chain saw, etc. We do appreciate americana. But this unit had so many cosmetic flaws that need attention. Ripped carpet, paint flaking off the doors, holes in the wall. These are things that could easily be fixed to give credit to the old school style. Our unit felt more like a throw back to Mt. Airy Lodge in the Poconos, which if you've stayed there, you know exactly what I'm talking about! Even that place had substandard, outdated accomodations with a view, but for half the price! I want to apologize to the staff for having to post this. It is not your fault that the owners of this property have decided to let things go and turn this hotel into just another overpriced tourist trap. I admit that I didn't not do my proper research when looking at inns in the area. I should have seen that this place ranks very low and avoided it.

The Asticou has one of THE best vistas of the Maine coast and Northeast Harbor in particular. The views are worth a visit. The management at one time also had Jordan Pond House and their famous popovers. They remain delicious and a tasty treat for a morning or afternoon snack or even with dinner. This is the best I can say about the inn. As a long time visitor to Mt. Desert and NEH the Asticou used to be the go to place through the 80's when it hosted many dinner parties, rehearsal dinners, or a place to meet friends for drinks. Now the inn looks tired and in need of serious upgrading. My most recent experience was arranging a family birthday party for a family member turning 80. As noted above, for her generation the Asticou holds many special memories. Several calls to the inn we made reserving a room, flowers,etc. Dutifully confirmed with a F&B manager. Night of event, no room. No flowers. Room set up for a larger party. Naturally, F&b manager not working that night and hostess unaware of reservation, let alone the room. Not good. The staff did a great job scrambling and arranged a room elsewhere in the Inn. Our waitress was very apologetic and attentive throughout the evening, recognizing this screw up was not her fault to begin with. The wine list did not carry any champagne so we had to settle for prosecco. Note to F&B manager: if billing yourself as 4-5 star dining experience you should carry champagne! Popovers we're served as an appetizer. Big hit as noted above. Appetizers consisted of lobster stew, crab cakes, oysters & salads. All average but not spectacular. For dinner, salmon was over cooked; lobster risotto was good, mushroom ravioli in cream sauce was soupy and not much taste. I would have given the inn 3 stars but for the room screw up. Views- 5 star: wait staff - 4 star Ambiance- 2 star, Food - 3 star. For those visiting MDI for the first time Asticou is worth a visit. For those of us who remember its heyday, there are better options on the island.

Incredibly disappointing. Didn't inform us that the restaurant and bar would be closed all of Saturday for private event until we checked in. Loud music throughout the evening. Made minimal effort to accommodate. Would not come back and would not recommend inn to any others. Too bad, as we had stayed here before for family wedding and other special occasions. Need to figure out customer service.

The first thing I saw when I walked into my suite was that the room, both windows had been broken into before and not repaired. I could leave no valuables in the room at any time. It smelled like mold. The bathroom was a mess, flooded terribly each quick shower. Water even went through the closet... just a mess but I figured it was a location issue. There wasn't much available in high summer tourist season. WIFI did not work for us at all, no service detected in the house across from the main building. Eating there was ok but a little weird. We never got a good seat. I don't know why. We tip well. But we don't rank, I guess, because even though the good views were wide open when ever we came to the dining room, we got a seat with no view and somebody who came a half an hour later got the nice tables. I thought the Eastern European staff was excellent, for the most part, except when it came time to pay our bill. We'd put much of it up front when we made our reservation, and they were charging us twice for a number of things. The woman was untrained how to fix the problem. I felt used and abused. The price was way over the top and the room and the basics were less than adequate in the room. I felt sorry for the poor house. I definitely do not recommend it, but if you really have to go to Maine in the summer, it's not going to kill you. Just watch your back the whole way through.

I'm giving this place two stars instead of one because it does have a beautiful location with views of the harbor and, for the most part, helpful and friendly staff. When making our reservations, I specifically asked if the Inn had an elevator - and was told it did. I also requested a ground floor room. On checking in, I discovered we had a room on the third floor (there are no ground floor rooms) and the elevator, which must date to 1920, was broken. This presented major problems for my wife, who has mobility issues. Although they got the elevator to work a couple of times (it has to be operated by a staff member and only holds one other person), most of the time it was inoperable. I seriously doubt the Inn is ADA-compliant. Our room was tired and the bathroom small and old. The Inn needs serious updating - no air conditioning or TV in the rooms. There is a beautiful lounge on the ground floor - they should use this decor throughout the building.

We booked a stay in celebrating our 49th wedding anniversary and dinner reservations at Asticou Inn restaurant. We stayed in the king suite with water view and balcony. The room was quaint. Our dinner was reservation was at 7 pm, we were done and out of there by 8 pm. So much for fine dinning, I felt as though we were rushed. We ordered drinks and the popovers (popovers were just okay) and they came out right away. The entrees then arrived in less than 5 minutes later. My husband ordered oysters for an app. which never came but she was going to bring them during the main course (no longer wanted them). My husband ordered the steak medium came out very rare and had to send back to be recooked. I had a salad topped with chicken. The chicken was ice cold, precooked, and tasteless. We would have liked to have ordered another glass of wine but our server never appeared again until it looked like we were finished. The view is the only thing going for this restaurant. I originally booked dinner at the Reading Room Restaurant and cancelled based on the fabulous reviews I read about your restaurant. We dinned the next day to the Reading Room, what a big difference. I wished we had celebrated there instead, the food was delicious, a wonderful view, and the overall appearance was exceptional.

Stunning. My cousin got married here over the weekend. It has a large, sweeping lawn and deck that overlook Northeast Harbor full of boats; vistas that probably couldn't be more perfect if you're looking to get hitched in Maine. I'm not sure if she had it catered in or if the Inn did the catering, but safe to say they can either do it or know who can. The food was incredible: passed appetizers (bacon wrapped scallops?!), an amazing blueberry and brie wheel, and a substantial buffet that I couldn't eat much of because I was so full of bacon and cheese. A good base for a solid night of drinking. The rooms were gorgeous - ours had the same view as the patio and they have a bunch of smaller cabins outside the main Inn. The bartenders (and all the staff, for that matter) are fabulous and what better way to have a wedding then where you can all get tore up and stumble upstairs to bed.

My husband and I could not have picked a more perfect venue for our Maine destination wedding than the Asticou Inn! From our first meeting with Sue, the Asticou's Events Coordinator, we knew that the Asticou and its staff had the charm, the desire, and the experience to bring our vision to life and ensure that our friends and family a fantastic time. It also seemed like a good sign that, with the exception of two weekends, the venue was fully booked for the following season! Firstly, the setting is SPECTACULARLY beautiful. Our 175-person wedding took place on the large field behind the Asticou, where our guests enjoyed views of expansive green grass, lush gardens, and the tranquil waters of Northeast Harbor, which was dotted by sailboats and partially lined by trees. The cocktail hour took place on the Asticou's large back deck, which comfortably accommodated our group, and the reception was back down on the field under a sailcloth tent by the water. More than half of our guests (~90 people) stayed on site, so the need to use outside transportation was minimal, and we had the venue to ourselves for the entire weekend. Four weeks later, our guests are still RAVING about the exceptional beauty of the location, the amazing food, the terrific service of the Asticou's staff, and how they can't wait to return. Secondly, we cannot say enough about the staff! Sue, the Events Coordinator, was incredibly responsive and helpful, sharing all kinds of local knowledge and the wisdom that comes with as much experience as she has. Had she not told us, we never would have known that Sue suffered a serious injury in the Winter, because she worked so hard to recover and didn't miss a beat! Then there was Will, the Assistant General Manager. Will maintained his can-do and happy-go-lucky demeanor, helping us navigate a variety of logistical situations (e.g. reserving and booking rooms for friends and family, shipping/receiving packages, delivering welcome bags, etc.). He made everything seem easy and was ready and willing to assist with anything that came up during our seven months of planning and the week of the event. Then there were Susie and John! In addition to their many other roles, Susie was in charge of the bar for the cocktail hour/reception, and John was an ever-helpful server/tour guide, who shared his local knowledge with us and our guests, advising us on the best hikes and things to do in the area. We had SO much fun with them and were so appreciative of how hard everyone worked the entire week of our wedding! Finally, the after party! My husband and I - as well as our best man and maid of honor - stayed at the Cranberry Lodge, which was the PERFECT home base for the week. We had enough space to assemble welcome bags, have bridesmaids get ready, and host many of our guests for a super fun after party with a "house party" feel. We were somewhat doubtful about its ability to accommodate the after party, but it was perfect! It was also incredibly convenient - and comforting safety-wise - that the Cranberry Lodge is so close to the main inn, because our guests could easily walk over after the reception. In summary, our wedding at the Asticou Inn was the best weekend of our lives, and we couldn't be more pleased with our choice and appreciative of the staff who make the Asticou what it is! We (and some of our guests) are already planning our return to the Asticou and mulling over the thought of celebrating our first honeymoon (and honeymoons to come) at the magical place where it all began!

Very overpriced 3-star hotel. I paid $275 for what I thought was a quaint, historic, and New England style hotel, though my experience at the hotel reflected one from the Red Roof Inn. The hotel is in need of renovations, both of property development and its "list of services." The hotel, however employs an exceptional staff, and has a beautiful view and gardens. The rooms, in short, are reminiscent of a nostalgic American lodging with rustic rooms untouched of modern amenities, such as TV, electrical plugs, and a reliable wifi.

It's hard for me to give Asticou Inn three stars because I really like the place, but it's really three star service and amenities. I stayed at the Asticou for a week long vacation. It's a nice, chill hotel where they leave you alone and let you relax. It's very close to two Acadia National Park entrances which is really nice. The rooms are quaint, and there is a nice view off the back of the hotel. On the other hand, the food is not really where it should be. We ate at the restaurant for dinner and breakfast once and that was good enough. From then on, all our meals were in surrounding restaurants. I get that it's rural Maine, but I imagine there are some great Chefs who might dig that vibe. The housekeeping service left a lot to be desired. We were there for a week and I had to ask the front desk to re-stock our shampoo etc....twice before it was restocked. The accommodations are not really commensurate with the pricing of the room, either. As far as I can tell, the concierge is also the front desk attendant. That was a source of consternation a few times - thank goodness that Yelp is the best concierge. If you want ice, you need to sort out where that is refilled. That took me an hour one day. Again, I hate to give a bad review because the trip was great and this is really one of the best parts of the USA, but, unfortunately, the Asticou has room to improve.

Was just up on September 18 and found it to be very lackluster. I was surprised at how run down the place felt. The staff was wonderful (truly) but we had lobster rolls that really missed the mark. Very little lobster meat, over cooked and a giant bun that wasn't toasted. It was so much bread! The popovers were good. This was a favorite spot to have afternoon drinks on the deck but I think we'll skip moving forward.

This review is about popovers and cocktails. Truly a perfect setting. Outside on the terrace, with sunshine and excellent options. We had the popovers with maple pecan butter and one with strawberry jam. These paired perfectly with our blueberry Mojito and Mezcal cocktails.

Great wedding weekend. It's Maine so the room is not perfect. Great staff, food, and service.