Bar Harbor Maine Bed and Breakfasts

Bar Harbor is a historic tourist town tucked in between Acadia National Park and Frenchman Bay on Mount Desert Island in Maine. It is a popular vacation spot for boating, whale watching Acadia National Park tours, hiking and horseback riding. Other thing to do include visits to lobster hatcheries and wines tasting events. Details can be found at the Hull Cove Visitor Center or the main tourist information office at the ferry terminal.

In Bar Harbor, there are several Bed and Breakfast places where old world charm and modern amenities blend. Some are 19th century Victorian and Tudor mansions with romantic names, built on large landscaped plots and listed as genuine landmarks on the National History Register. Each has its own character and ambiance.

Facilities often offer air-conditioned rooms, gourmet breakfasts, early morning tea trays and afternoon tea and cookies. Types of accommodations includes single rooms, double rooms and suites. Most have private baths.

Those who want solitude can opt for a studio cottage for two, atop a cliff with a great view.

Prices usually start at $75(for single) upwards with seasonal variations. A 7% Maine sales tax may be added on. Certain places stipulate a minimum stay. A deposit may be required on reservation (refundable after deducting charges if cancelled well in advance), and full payment is due on arrival. Some are open during certain months only. Check in/ check out times vary from place to place. Complimentary passes and special occasion discounts are available at certain establishments. There are packages available featuring a two night stay during off-season rate and some offer 50% off for a third night. Verify rules regarding children, credit cards accepted, smoking and pets.

Bar Harbor is dog friendly except on the beaches. Dogs are allowed at Acadia National Park. Be sure to have a six-feet leash for your pet. If your lodge does not allow pets, there are local pet care facilities.

Visiting New Hampshire? Consider a Bed and Breakfast.

Whether you're hiking one of the many trails in our state parks, boating in the Lakes Region, sunbathing at Hampton Beach, or skiing in the North Country, at the end of the day you're going to want a comfortable, relaxing place to stay. New Hampshire offers a wealth of choices, from traditional country inns, luxurious hotels complete with room service, and convenient motels. If you want to rough it, we've also got campgrounds, some suitable for pitching a tent and others catering to RVs.

But perhaps the lodging which provides the most pleasant stay is the bed and breakfast. With a limited capacity by design, these comfortable retreats are most often located in a vintage home and provide a convivial atmosphere, excellent breakfasts to start your day, and personal attention from the hosts. Over 300 B&B's are listed on New Hampshire's official tourist website, from Coos County in the north to the Monadnock Region and the seacoast area in the south. Most B&B's serve only one meal a day, breakfast - hence the name, but those are generally spectacular.

For instance, the Stone Bridge Farm in Hillsborough lists a sample menu on the state's official Visit New Hampshire website; the small B&B offers a hearty gourmet breakfast with deliciously prepared eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast with warm peach compote and maple syrup, waffles, toast, homemade muffins, fresh fruit, granola, yogurt, gourmet coffees and teas, and more. The small B&B has two very private rental rooms, each with its own bath, living area and small kitchen, located in an ell attached to the main building, a handsome 1826 brick federal style building.

In the White Mountains to the north, the Darby Field Inn in Albany offers a unique experience. Their rooms and deluxe suites - the suites feature a Jacuzzi, steam bath, and a fireplace - offer a warm and restful sleep; beyond that, the Inn has both a tavern and dining room, and serves both hearty breakfast and sumptuous gourmet dinners, with fine wines and their famous Darby Cream Pie; they also offer sleigh rides, cross-country skiing on their own private trail, and even a massage by their very own masseuse.

If you're heading for the seacoast, you might want to consider the Inn at Strawbery Banke, in one of seven rooms in a beautifully preserved early colonial home in Portsmouth; have breakfast as you look out on the garden and watch the birds, and then explore Strawbery Banke itself, the historically restored old section of this seacoast town.

Each of the over 300 Bed & Breakfasts in New Hampshire has its own unique character, offering a one-of-a-kind experience. You may want to choose regions which you want to visit and explore the listings of B&B's in that area, or you might want to pick a B&B that especially appeals to you, and plan your vacation around that locale. Either way, by opting for a B&B you'll get to see New Hampshire from a very pleasing and unusual viewpoint.

Inns And Bed And Breakfasts - What You Need To Know

Inns and bed and breakfasts can be a wonderful type of accommodation for a vacation or getaway weekend. Understanding how they work and the pluses and minuses of choosing them over a traditional hotel room is key to making sure your stay is both delightful and stress-free.

In New England, inns and bed and breakfasts are a popular choice and often located in historic homes full of antiques and unique furnishings. In other parts of the country and world the term is more loosely used in describing a place to rest your head for the night and then move on.

In my book, inns are a delightful alternative to hotels and resorts. But they are not for everybody, and here?s the answers to some basic questions to determine if it?s the type of accommodation that?ll work for you...

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INNS AND BED AND BREAKFASTS?

Let's start by clearing up any confusion on the differences between inns and bed and breakfasts. And it's not so much in the name as how they advertise themselves.

Firstly, there's rarely any difference in accommodation. The personality of a bed and breakfast can be every bit as good as the charm of an inn. The difference is in the prepared meals. A bed and breakfast is just that... expect a bed... and a breakfast, but you're on your own for dinner. But at inns, they're set-up to provide dinner as well, although it's usually an option, and not included in the quoted price. The listing will be very clear if dinner is offered. But assume its just bed and breakfast if nothing is mentioned.

In many areas of the world inns and bed and breakfasts are also called guesthouses. If at all possible ask to see a picture of the place, or visit their web site, where one should be posted. A lot can be surmised from a picture of your potential accommodation.

ARE THEY RIGHT FOR MY KIDS?

Many inns and bed and breakfasts don?t accommodate young children. Sometimes the age and furnishings of the place are not appropriate for the fingers and playfulness of kids. But when an inn says kids are welcome, then you'd better believe they really mean they're kid friendly. Now there's nothing wrong with that (I have three myself), but don't expect too much peace and quiet and solitude.

Between those inns that ban children, and those that embrace them, you?ll find a number of listings that put age restriction on children. For example they'll say something like: 12 or older, or above 6-years old. These places are also catering to a single or couple looking for a chance to unwind and free of noise and high activity. If you've got high-action kids then bed and breakfasts may not be ideal for your family.

WHAT SERVICE CAN I EXPECT?

Staying in inns is different than staying at a hotel. You shouldn't expect a country inn to be like a Hilton, with hordes of staff at your beck and call, and soundproof walls. Also, having a party and playing loud music after 11:00pm won't win you any brownie points with your host or the other guests.

Remember... the innkeeper or host is there to provide you, and other guests, with a unique experience in unique surroundings, but to do that they'll need your understanding.

WHAT?S THE USUAL CHECK-IN CHECK-OUT TIME?

Your host will go out of their way to greet you when you check-in. Usually when you reserve you?ll be told when their normal check-in and check-out times are. But most can accommodate your arrival and departure outside those hours.

But you need to let them know if you?ll be late arriving so they can arrange for you to get into the house (yes, the doors are locked after a certain hour), and to your room. It?s one thing to show up at midnight at your hotel - they?re staffed round the clock - but it?s entirely another matter to roll-in after 11:00pm at a bed and breakfast, and expect your host to get out of bed and greet you smiling. After all, they?re probably making an early breakfast for everybody in the morning.

CAN YOU NEGOTIATE PRICE?

Just like hotels the room rate for inns is negotiable. The main difference is unlike a hotel, the person on the other end of a phone is usually the owner of the bed and breakfast, and they can make the decision on the spot. All you have to do is ask in a nice way.

Just remember the innkeeper may only have a few rooms to begin with anyway, and if you?re haggling over the last room then don't be offended if they don?t give you a price reduction. But on the other hand one room of a four-room inn without a paying guest reduces a host's profit by 25%. So it's always worth asking for a reduction!

HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALLY SAVE?

Most inns can book their weekends or popular seasonal period?s weeks in advance. For instance, in New England the fall foliage season makes rooms a premium, and most are booked many months in advance.

But outside these constraints filling the rooms at an inn during the week, particularly off-season, is much more difficult. You'll get the best deals for bed and breakfasts traveling mid-week and out of season. Now contrast this with hotels that have the opposite problem, because they cater to the mid-week business traveler, but can't get people in rooms at the weekends.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

Here?s a few extra tips once you?ve decided an inn or bed and breakfast is the right choice for you...

Be sure to get detailed directions to the inn as many are converted homes and blend in with the surroundings, and don?t have neon advertising signs like hotels. When you call make sure you understand the cancellation polices as they are usually much more restrictive than hotels. And don?t forget your host is familiar with the area and can point you to attractions and restaurants not on any tour guide or map.

I love staying in inns. They've a lot going for them. Inns are usually very affordable, offer tons more variety than a bland hotel room, and are a great way to meet fellow travelers or vacationers.

For details on New England inns and to pick up your free travel reports go to Cliff Calderwood's New England Vacation site at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/

Have You Considered Staying in a Bed and Breakfast?

Do you enjoy going on vacation but feel like a change from staying in the impersonal hotel chains? Why not consider a Bed and Breakfast? As the public become more discerning about the standard of accommodation that they demand, the hospitality industry has had to respond. Forgot your old pre-conceived ideas of Bed and Breakfast style accommodation you might have and start considering the modern version which often include great locations, spacious and luxurious rooms, gracious hosts, fabulous breakfasts and the sort of peace that you would never experience in a large hotel.

You may be concerned about the idea of staying in somebody's home when all you want is some peace and quiet. Experienced hosts will sense very quickly as to whether you are a guest who wants to be left alone or whether you are happy to mix.

If you are new to B & B accommodation, it may be wise to stay either somewhere that you have been referred to or one that is part of a group. Those B & B's that belong to particular lodging groups are monitored regularly and have to undergo a rigorous evaluation process to become part of the group. Most countries that offer B & B accommodation have directories are available which will rate and review various establishments. The internet is obviously a good resource for researching and finding reviews about various B & B establishments.

The B & B industry has been undergoing a renaissance over the past decade. As the public desire different styles of accommodation, the B & B market is responding by offering what people are look for whether that be luxury, privacy, a great location or just a change from the impersonal hotel experience.

There is such a variety in the style of accommodation various B & B's can offer. Whether you are looking for a honeymoon destination, a romantic get away, a family style holiday, a reunion or even a business conference, B & B's can cater for it all.

Why not give it a try? You may well be pleasantly surprised.

Sue Taylor is the webmaster of several travel sites and she has stayed in many different styles of accommodation. Refer to http://www.bedandbreakfastsite.info and http://www.newzealandtravelsite.com