The entrance to the main area in Acadia National Park is right next to Bar Harbor. This charming town therefore makes a great base for exploring the national park. We have carefully curated a select list of the best Airbnbs in and just outside Bar Harbor.
If you would prefer to stay in an Airbnb near Acadia but outside of Bar Harbor (including both Mount Desert Island and the nearby Schoodic Peninsula), check out our separate list of the best vacation rentals near Acadia National Park.
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Note that this guide was originally just focused on airbnbs, but I have revised and updated it to include other vacation rentals so that it includes more and better options.
There are also plenty of campgrounds in and around Acadia. Check out my Guide to Acadia Camping.
Our pick for the best Airbnb, Bar Harbor, Maine?
We love the Ledgelawn Cottage. This self-contained home is stylish, packed with amenities and in a quiet spot close to town.
Why is Ledgelawn Cottage the best Air B and B, Bar Harbor, Maine?
Ledgelawn Cottage wins on location as well as style, being in a desirable and peaceful area close to the town center. The sunroom and outdoor deck are great for relaxation, while the location means it’s easy to walk to the beach, cafes, stores and restaurants.
Best Vacation Rentals/ Best Airbnbs in Bar Harbor Comparison Guide
These quick reference tables are here to help you decide between different Bar Harbor Airbnb / vacation rental options.
Vacation rentals vary in terms of their type, price and guest ratings. To make it easier to decide between the options available, the following table lists each place’s key features, so you can see at a glance the main benefits of each.
If you are reading this on a mobile device, you might need to swipe to scroll across each listing.
| Property | Photo | Type | Pets | Guests | Rating (/5) | Price & Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Luxury Apartment |  | Apartment | No | 2 | 5.0 | CHECK NOW |
| Garden Cottage |  | Cottage | Yes | 3 | 4.8 | CHECK NOW |
| Acadia’s Edge Apartment |  | Apartment | No | 4 | 4.9 | CHECK NOW |
| Bar Harbor Hideaway |  | Studio | No | 4 | 4.8 | CHECK NOW |
| Eagle Lake Cabin |  | Cabin | No | 4 | 4.8 | CHECK NOW |
| Loft Living |  | Apartment | No | 4 | 4.8 | CHECK NOW |
| Hulls Cove Cottage |  | Cottage | Yes | 5 | 4.8 | CHECK NOW |
| Harbor’s Reach Cottage |  | Cottage | Yes | 6 | 4.9 | CHECK NOW |
| Ledgelawn Cottage |  | Cottage | No | 6 | 5.0 | CHECK NOW |
| Sunset Ocean |  | Apartment | No | 6 | 5.0 | CHECK NOW |
A overview of vacation rental/ Airbnb, Bar Harbor, ME options
Skip the overview and go straight to the properties
When choosing the best Airbnb in Bar Harbor, we have searched according to location, then narrowed only the best down to a range of different types. Our focus is on those that look great, are well positioned and attract great reviews from fellow travelers.
Types of Vacation rentals/ Airbnb in Bar Harbor
There are five main types of vacation rentals in Bar Harbor. Which type you will choose depends on other factors listed below. So, let’s take a quick look at the types available in Bar Harbor.
Suite
The suite listed here provides guests with a comfortable, private room with en-suite bathroom, as well as some basic catering facilities.
Cottage
A cottage tends to be larger than a suite, studio or some apartments, yet smaller than a house, although sizes do vary.
Apartment
Apartments can offer spacious, purpose-built living accommodation. Some have separate bedrooms, while others are set up as an open plan studio.
Cabin
Cabins offer guests the chance to experience comfortable, well-planned accommodation that is close to amenities.
House
Booking into a house is ideal for anyone requiring lots of living space. Houses tend to have more room both indoors and out. This type of Airbnb is just right for groups or families, giving everyone enough areas in which to relax and socialize.
Location
Your location can have a huge impact on the type of holiday you can have, so it’s important to consider this carefully. The town of Bar Harbor is a very popular place to stay in the Acadia National Park area, which is why we provide this separate guide to the Airbnbs available in or near this attractive Maine town.
If you are looking for a place a little further out of town, but still with easy access to Acadia National Park, check out our Guide to The Best Vacation Rentals near Acadia (other than Bar Harbor).
Downtown Luxury Apartment for 2
This highly rated suite in Bar Harbor is right on Main Street. There is plenty of light and space and even a view of Cadillac Mountain. To ensure comfort, the room comes with air conditioning.
A fully equipped kitchen makes simple self-catering possible, although you are right beside all the cafes and restaurants of central Bar Harbor. Despite this, private parking is also available to guests of this property.
The free national park shuttle is just one block away and it less than a 10-minute walk to the town pier, so the location is hard to beat!
Number of guests: Up to 2
Number of rooms: 1
Amenities: Coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator, air conditioning, flat screen TV in living room and bedroom, WiFi, parking, washer/ dryer
Rating: 5.0
Pros: Apartment in downtown Bar Harbor with views of Cadillac Mountain
Cons: No pets, parties, or smoking
Good for: A solo traveler or couple seeking a room with parking in central Bar Harbor
Garden Cottage for 2-3
This gorgeous little garden cottage in Bar Harbor is perfect for two – plus a little one. As furry friends are permitted, this Airbnb in Bar Harbor, Maine is pet friendly, too.
Overlooking lots of green space, the property has a distinctly coastal feel inside and out. There is a screened porch with seating and a picnic table on the lawn. A shower room and well-equipped kitchenette ensure you have everything you need for a relaxing Maine vacation, while being close to central Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. A travel cot can be provided for an infant.
Number of guests: 2-3
Number of rooms: 1
Amenities: Kitchenette with coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator and stove, air conditioning and heating, TV, WiFi, porch and garden, parking
Rating: 4.8
Pros: Small garden cottage in Bar Harbor area
Cons: No parties, smoking or air conditioning
Good for: A solo traveler, couple or small family seeking a pretty, cozy cottage
Acadia’s Edge Apartment for 3-4
At just 200 feet from the National Park, this studio for three really is on the edge of Acadia. It is also under a mile from Bar Harbor, so the location really is difficult to beat. Stay here and you can be out hiking or biking the park trails in no time.
With one bedroom and an additional sofa bed, this wood clad apartment can accommodate a couple plus a child or two small children. Featuring a lighthouse theme within, the bed can even be folded against the wall to create more floor space during the daytime.
Number of guests: Up to 4
Number of rooms: 1
Amenities: Kitchen with coffee maker, stove and oven, washing machine and dryer, heating, cable TV, WiFi, workspace, backyard, parking
Rating: 4.9
Pros: Apartment near Bar Harbor and Acadia
Cons: No pets, parties, smoking or air conditioning
Good for: Couples or small families searching for an Airbnb near Acadia and Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor Hideaway for 4
If you like to be in the midst of a pleasant town center complete with shops, bars and restaurants, then check out this stylish studio for four. Packed with character, the second-floor apartment is located just a few minutes’ walk from downtown Bar Harbor.
Inside, the studio is light and bright, with white walls plus exposed beams and brickwork. There is one Queen and one sofa bed, plus a well-equipped kitchen, air conditioning and heating.
Number of guests: Up to 4
Number of rooms: 1
Amenities: Kitchen with coffee maker, stove, oven and refrigerator, washing machine and dryer, air conditioning and heating, TV and WiFi, parking
Rating: 4.8
Pros: Stylish apartment for four in downtown Bar Harbor
Cons: No pets, parties, smoking or outdoor space
Good for: A solo traveler, couple or small family after a stylish, downtown apartment
Eagle Lake Cabin for 4
Run by an Airbnb Superhost, this cabin is just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Bar Harbor. Perched on a hillside and surrounded by woodland, the cabin is quiet, yet conveniently close to Eagle Lake Road.
Recently renovated, the cabin has a spacious kitchen and an attractive, comfortable lounge area. Outdoors there is a deck with BBQ grill and fire pit – a fabulous place to watch the sunset over Mount Desert Island.
Number of guests: Up to 4
Number of rooms: 1
Amenities: Kitchen with coffee maker, stove, oven and refrigerator, washing machine and dryer, air conditioning and heating, TV and WiFi, deck with BBQ, parking
Rating: 4.8
Pros: Spacious cabin for four close to Bar Harbor
Cons: No pets, parties, smoking or children under 12
Good for: A couple or small family seeking comfort and convenience
Loft Living for 4
If the buzz of being downtown appeals to you, then sample loft living at this central apartment. Located in a quiet, historic Bar Harbor neighborhood, a three-minute stroll from this property will take you to a whole host of shopping and dining options.
There is a Queen and a double bed, with one in the loft and one in the main, open plan living area, making this ideal for a family of three or four. Lots of white walls and warm wood tones make this a bright and inviting space to stay in.
Number of guests: Up to 4
Number of rooms: 1
Amenities: Kitchen with coffee maker, stove, oven and refrigerator, washing machine and dryer, air conditioning and heating, TV, WiFi, parking
Rating: 4.8
Pros: Loft apartment in central Bar Harbor
Cons: No pets, parties or smoking
Good for: A couple or family seeking a cool, central vacation property
Hulls Cove Cottage for 5
This Airbnb near Bar Harbor, Maine is ideally positioned for visiting Acadia National Park, as it is just over a mile from the Hull’s Cove entrance. In a quiet spot, it is perfect for relaxation as well as convenient for shops, restaurants and a pebble beach.
The delightful garden has a fire ring and raspberry bushes, and is often visited by local fauna including foxes, deer and owls. With two bedrooms, the cottage can sleep up to five in comfort, and is just a ten-minute stroll from the water’s edge.
Number of guests: Up to 5
Number of rooms: 2
Amenities: Kitchen with coffee maker and dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, heating, WiFi, patio, parking
Rating: 4.8
Pros: Cottage close to Bar Harbor in peaceful coastal location
Cons: No parties, smoking, TV or air conditioning
Good for: A family or small group seeking a vacation cottage near Acadia
Harbor’s Reach Cottage for 6
This clean, tidy and comfortable cottage is available for vacation rentals all year round, and also suits anyone seeking an Airbnb in Bar Harbor that is pet friendly.
Various amenities are thoughtfully provided by the hosts to ensure a pleasant stay, including fresh coffee from their own roastery. There is parking for several vehicles and a generous backyard with gas grill, fire ring, picnic table and lawn chairs. Inside, the feel is fresh and breezy with lots of white, neutrals and light blue. Two bedrooms plus a sofa bed mean this Maine home sleeps up to six.
Number of guests: Up to 6
Number of rooms: 2
Amenities: Kitchen with coffee maker and dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, fans and heating, cable TV, WiFi, large backyard with BBQ, parking
Rating : 4.9
Pros: Cottage in tranquil part of Bar Harbor area
Cons: No pets, parties, smoking or air conditioning
Good for: Families or small groups seeking a coastal cottage near Bar Harbor
Ledgelawn Cottage for 6
Located on one of Bar Harbor’s best loved streets, this stylish vacation cottage is close to the ocean as well as the town center. Recently renovated, this home on Ledgelawn Avenue is just a few blocks from everything.
The owner has taken great care to decorate and furnish it well, successfully combining classic American and contemporary styles. Subtle greys, greens and blues echo coastal Maine, while there are occasional pops of color to liven things up. This lovely home has three bedrooms, no guests need sleep in the shared living spaces.
Number of guests: Up to 6
Number of rooms: 3
Amenities: Kitchen with coffee maker and dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, air conditioning and heating, cable TV, WiFi and workspace, backyard with BBQ, parking
Rating: 5.0
Pros: Cottage in upscale and convenient Bar Harbor neighborhood
Cons: No pets, parties or smoking
Good for: A family or group who want style, space and a great location
Sunset Ocean Apartment for 6
If you’d like the convenience of being close to town but would prefer a quiet, natural setting near the ocean, you can have it all with this Maine Airbnb.
It is situated in a quiet part of Bar Harbor, close to the tranquil ocean where guests can enjoy paddle boarding and kayaking. It’s rare to see another person, but you are likely to spot rabbits, hummingbirds, deer and bluebirds. This space really does offer the very best of the area, with easy access to town, ocean, nature – and of course the National Park.
Number of guests: Up to 6
Number of rooms: 2
Amenities: Kitchen with coffee maker and dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, heating and fireplace, TV, WiFi and workspace, balcony, parking
Rating: 5.0
Pros: Second floor apartment near town, ocean and nature
Cons: No pets, parties, smoking or air conditioning
Good for: A family or group requiring a natural setting near the sea
Which is the best Airbnb in Bar Harbor for you?
I rate all the rental properties listed here very highly – as do numerous satisfied travelers. To read more reviews, click on the links below each listing.
Which is the best option for your vacation will depend on factors such as the size of your party, whether or not you have a pet, if you want to self-cater or be close to restaurants and stores, and the amenities you are looking for.
Whether you’re a couple looking to spend most of your time outside, a family looking to self-cater and keep the kids happy or a group traveling together, we hope this guide makes the selection process a little simpler and faster.
Wherever you decide to stay, I hope this handy guide to selecting the best Airbnb in Bar Harbor helps you to have an incredible trip.
Do you have another vacation rental in Bar Harbor that you loved? Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know.
Read more accommodation guides here:
Be sure to read my Guide to Acadia National Park to help plan your trip
If you found this review helpful but are not quite ready to book your trip yet, Pin It to your Airbnbs and National Parks boards so you can find it easily!
About the Reviewer
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
As an Airbnb associate, I earn a commission when you book through those links.