Ann’s Point Inn; Acadia’s secluded treasure

As the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean, an amber glow casts a shadow on the high tide. The stillness of the water shimmers and reflects the tree-lined shore of Bass Harbor.  In an instant, the landscape portrait is muddled by a highflying Tern who dropped from the sky like a rock, causing a splash…followed by a ripple effect on the surface of the water. A moment later, the bird reappeared, taking flight with fish in beak…heading into the radiating sun toward shore for a breakfast feast.

That was the resplendent sight I saw one morning while staying at Ann’s Point Inn on the “Quietside” of Mount Desert Island, near Acadia National Park in the great state of Maine.  The awe-inspiring waterfront view is just one of the many fantastic features at Ann’s Point Inn.  I stayed in Osprey’s Retreat, one of four highly luxurious suites. With its vaulted ceilings, seating area near a fireplace, king-sized bed with layers of linens and plush pillows, large bathroom with modern vessel sink and double-headed tile shower, I in fact felt as though it was a retreat in every sense of the word.

My accommodations were not the only features supporting the “retreat” theme of my suite; so, too, were the common areas.  The living room /atrium is a cozy and perfect spot for guests to mingle and converse about the day’s events. During inclement weather, I assume this might be the spot where wine-hour is held.  I wouldn’t know, because during my visit the weather was glorious and we enjoyed wine and cheese each evening on the patio looking out at the water. At 5:30pm, Alan provides guests with an educational tour of the palate…introducing folks to local wines and exotic cheeses.  On my first evening I became familiarized with mead…a wine made of honey rather than grapes. I had heard of mead before, but never had an opportunity to try it. Alan is quite passionate about his wine-hour and is a wealth of knowledge on the topic.

Another area of the inn that will catch your attention is the large indoor lap pool, Jacuzzi and sauna. This is yet another feature that provides guests with an opportunity to truly unwind.  Note: Alan was telling me that he and Jeannette have plans to remodel this area, replacing the large lap pool with a smaller one… one equipped with a propelling jet so that you can swim laps in place. I mention this for future readers of this post.  I have no doubt that the swimming/exercise/sauna area will be better than ever after the remodel.

There is also a refreshments area where you can select from an array of snacks, bottled water or single cup of coffee to curb the appetite before heading into one of the nearby villages for lunch or dinner. There are several great restaurants within a few minutes drive of the inn, yet the location at the end of a road facing a secluded cove of Bass Harbor provides a quiet sanctuary for guests.  The peacefulness and unique landscape of the inn’s site, yet its close proximity to dining and other activities make Ann’s Point Inn one of the best located lodging establishments in the area.

Come morning, it is time for Alan’s “better half” to shine.  Jeannette is a wonderful cook, whipping up a gourmet three-course breakfast to get the day off on the right foot. Coffee drinkers will appreciate the high-end cappuccino machine and use of quality beans that are locally roasted. Breakfast on one of the mornings I was there consisted of:

• Wild Maine blueberry-lemon muffins with Fieldstone Farms fruit spread.
• Homemade granola and assorted yogurts
• Fresh fruit cup that consisted of pineapple, papaya and mango with a honey-lime coconut balsamic glaze.
• The main course featured herbed featherbed eggs with Hasselback potatoes and a tomato/basil salad.

Both the outdoor patio and nearby atrium provide the most captivating settings to enjoy breakfast with fellow guests.

The inn is within a short drive to a host of hikes, biking trails, lakes, lighthouses and amazing sights in and around Acadia National Park. However, if you’re an experienced kayaker and want to stick around the inn, there is a single and double kayak available to take out. Just make sure the tide is coming in and not going out…the current is quite powerful and could suck you out to sea if you’re not a strong paddler.

The inn also organizes some interesting annual events that may intrigue gastronomic guests, such as their fall cooking retreat. This three-day event gives foodies and cooks wanting to improve their skills, the chance to join one of the premier local chefs for a cooking and dining extravaganza.

There are so many subtleties here at the Inn that end up coalescing to make a big impression on guests…including this seasoned traveler. For example, in the evening, while you are at dinner, you’ll arrive to some freshly baked cookies in your room. The bathroom not only has plush robes, but you can also don a pair of slippers.  Additional amenities include a couple kinds of handmade soaps, a travel-sized tube of toothpaste, and, a gift from the local artesian olive oil and vinegar shop, Fiore.

I’m an avid lodger of B&B’s and boutique inns…I’ve stayed in so many that I’ve become quite an authority on the subject. Ann’s Point Inn is right there at the top of the list of the best inns I’ve ever stayed.  Alan and Jeannette excel in every single category I evaluate—from the inn’s location, accommodations, amenities, breakfast to the atmosphere, everything at Ann’s Point Inn is stellar. Rarely do I find an inn that is able to excel in each of the nine categories I look at.  Granted, Ann’s Point Inn is not inexpensive, so you would expect amazing offerings at this price point, but you’d be surprised at how few are able to deliver such a complete, well-rounded and wonderful experience. I made an interesting observation a couple years ago as to who makes the better innkeeper…someone with a lot of hospitality experience, or, someone with extensive experience traveling.  Each place I stay, I ask about the innkeepers’ background—each time, I find that the best B&B’s are run by folks with a lot of travel experience, staying in a variety of inns over their year’s of travel.

If you’ve ever stayed at Ann’s Point Inn, please leave a comment below and share your experience with my readers and me.  If you found this post to be helpful, and/or interesting, please feel free to share it by clicking one of the social media icons button.

Ann’s Point Inn Information:

Innkeepers: Alan and Jeannette
Email: info@annspoint.com
Website: AnnsPoint.com
Map: Click here for Google Map
Phone: 207-244-9595
Price: $275-$350 per night (two night minimum)
Open: June 1st – October 31st
Notes: For peak summer months, book early.