The Moorings Inn: Historic Inn with 12 Rooms and 7 Cottages (Built

White, two-story lodge with multiple porches and a well-kept lawn near Bar Harbor, close to Acadia National Park.

Step onto the harbor at The Moorings Inn. A 1765-built lodge with private beach and on-site Mansell Boat Rentals. Some cottages have A/C; Main House rooms keep to fans. It’s calm, waterfront, and exactly the kind of getaway you crave when you’re chasing quiet and sea air.

Quick facts

Lodging Type: Lodge/Inn
Price Low Season: 250
Price High Season: 400

Stay details

Lodging Type: Lodge/Inn
Price Low Season: 250
Price High Season: 400
Peak Season Dates: July–September
Off Season Dates: May and October
Minimum Stay: 2
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made three days before arrival will incur a charge for one night's stay. Cancellations made 24 hours prior to arrival result in no refund. For reservations of one week or longer, 30 days' notice is required, or half the total reservation cost will be charged. Timely cancellations for longer stays receive a full refund minus a $50.00 service fee. Other cancellations (4–7 days prior) are fully refunded minus a $50.00 service fee.

Rooms & amenities

Room Types Available: Suites
Singles
Doubles
Cottages
Dauntless Suite
Northern Light
Friendship
Theoline
Mansell Cottage Suites
Lookout Cottage
Max Occupancy: 4
Bed Configurations: King bed
Queen bed
Twin bed
Square Footage: Varies
In Room Amenities: WiFi (signal strongest in living room)
TVs in cottages; requested in Main House rooms
Refrigerator in some rooms and cottages
Microwave in some rooms and cottages
Fans
Heat
A/C in some cottages
Property Amenities: Private beach access with lawn furniture, grills, and fire pits
Complimentary wine and cheese nights in-season
Mansell Boat Rentals on-site
Free on-site parking
Restaurant Details: On-site cafe serves breakfast; room service is not available.
Family Amenities: Private beach
Quiet grounds

Location & access

Park Area: Acadia National Park
Distance To Park: Approximately 20 minutes by car to Acadia National Park entrance
Distance To Town: The Moorings Inn sits in Southwest Harbor, Maine; there is no publicly published driving distance to the town center.
Distance To Visitor Center: No publicly listed distance to the visitor center.
Parking Details: Free on-site parking for guests.
Shuttle Service: Islander Explorer Shuttle Bus (free) stops at various Mount Desert Island locations
Walkable Amenities: Waterfront access within 5 minutes walk
Nearby local shops and dining in Southwest Harbor within a short stroll
Accessibility: Accessibility details not readily available; no explicit ADA information provided.

Policies & fit

Pet Policy: Pet-friendly, with a fee of $50 extra per night, per dog. Cats are not allowed. Pets cannot be left unattended.
Seasonal Operation: Open May–Oct; some cottages year-round
Winter Access: Not available outside operating window
Best For: ✅ BOOK IF: You want a historic waterfront escape with easy park access and you’re okay with limited modern comforts. ❌ SKIP IF: You need air conditioning in all rooms or crave a polished hotel vibe.
Who Should Skip This: ❌ SKIP IF: You need air conditioning in every room or crave a modern hotel vibe.

Planning advice

Review Summary: Historic waterfront inn with serene harbor views and cottage charm. Quiet atmosphere and easy park access, but limited modern amenities and a structured cancellation policy affect value. Great for romance and peaceful getaways; plan ahead for peak season.
The Honest Truth: This is a centuries‑old inn with waterfront charm. It delivers a peaceful retreat and charming cottage options, but it isn’t a modern hotel—air conditioning isn’t universal and peak-season rules (minimum stays, cancellation fees) require advance planning.
Room Insider Tips: Ask for Lookout Cottage or Dauntless Suite for harbor views; avoid the Main House second floor if you’re sensitive to floor creaks; some cottages include A/C; confirm room type before arrival.
Pro Tip Booking: Direct booking at mooringsinn.com; call (207) 244-5523 to reserve by phone; peak-season cottages require advance booking.
Your Morning Game Plan: Coffee from the on-site cafe is decent; it’s about 20 minutes by car to the park entrance. Leave by 7:45 AM to beat crowds. If you’re chasing sunset views, time your trailhead start to hit Somes Sound viewpoints before the crowds arrive.
Best Time To Visit: Open May–October; the quieter shoulder periods are May–June and September; peak warmth and crowds peak in July–August.
Pro Tips: Call to reserve by phone at (207) 244-5523; advance booking is crucial in peak season.
Peak season minimums include 3 nights on weekends/holidays; some cottages require 2–3 nights.
Free on-site parking; cancellations may incur a $50 service fee.
Some rooms lack A/C; fans are provided and some cottages have cooling.
Private beach access and Mansell Boat Rentals enhance the waterfront experience.

More details

Is Valid Lodging: 1
Hours: Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Not Recommended For: Guests seeking full air conditioning in every room or a high-energy, nightlife vibe.
Cell Service Wi-Fi: WiFi available; signal strongest in the living area; varies in cottages
Local Hazards: Historic structure means occasional creaks and second‑floor noise potential
Year Built: 1765
Year Renovated: 0
Notable Views: Ocean and harbor views
Somes Sound views
Acadian mountains
Sunrises and sunsets
Architecture Style: Historic colonial-era inn
Awards: None listed
Recent Updates: Renovations ongoing; some cottages updated with kitchens and baths.
Family Friendly Notes: Well suited for couples or solo travelers seeking a quiet waterfront stay. Some rooms lack air conditioning; verify AC in the specific room before booking. The surrounding area is peaceful with limited nightlife.
Babysitting Available: 0
Nearby Facilities: Waterfront, Southwest Harbor shops and dining; Island Explorer Shuttle stops nearby on Mount Desert Island
Book If: ✅ BOOK IF: You want a historic waterfront retreat with easy park access and are okay with limited modern comforts. ❌ SKIP IF: You need air conditioning in every room or crave a modern hotel vibe.

Location

Photos

Cozy guest room inside a lodge in Acadia National Park with a brass bed and floral window valance.

Inn along Acadia National Park's shoreline with a white building and pine trees by the water.

Lawn seating along the water at Acadia National Park, Adirondack chairs facing a calm bay from a coastal lodge lawn.

Yellow boat on a rocky shore beside a wooden dock at a harbor in Acadia National Park.

Frequently asked questions

Is there on-site dining?

There is a breakfast cafe on-site; no full-service restaurant.

Is air conditioning available in all rooms?

Most Main House rooms lack A/C; some cottages have A/C.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations three days before arrival incur one night’s charge. Cancellations 24 hours prior to arrival are nonrefundable. For weeklong or longer stays, 30 days notice is required or half the total cost is charged. Timely cancellations for longer stays receive a full refund minus a $50 service fee. Cancellations 4–7 days prior are fully refunded minus a $50 service fee.

Is the inn pet-friendly?

Yes, dogs are allowed with a $50 per night per dog fee; cats are not allowed and pets cannot be left unattended.

How far is the park entrance?

Approximately a 20-minute drive to Acadia National Park entrance.