The Kimball Terrace Inn is a gem. It's at a bit of a disadvantage because many first-time visitors to the area are familiar only with the name of Bar Harbor, which is about 20 minutes away. Many first-time visitors may not have heard of Northeast Harbor, the small town in which the KTI is located. But, to our taste, Northeast Harbor and the Kimball Terrace Inn are the reason we are willing to drive hundreds of miles. Bar Harbor has the crowds, t-shirt shops, pizza places, etc., that mean vacation to many people. But we go to the area to unwind, and to get away from the crowds. Acadia National Park, less than 15 minutes from KTI, is what draws us to this region, with its views of the ocean, the evergreens and mountains, carriage roads and ponds. The Kimball Terrace Inn provides much the same sense of beauty and relaxation that we love about Acadia.

KTI is about 40 years old and therefore has the look of the early 70's, but it's not a bad look. It's a family-owned motel, and we find ourselves feeling a bit of nostalgia for those simpler days. With the evergreens nearby, there's some sense of a cabin in the woods. On our most recent stay, I looked and looked, but couldn't find a single area where the KTI seemed neglected or worn out. They clearly work hard to maintain it. The rooms are not deluxe, but the beds and bathroom are as clean as can be. You can also get a room with a small deck that looks out on the harbor. It may sound odd, but it is so pretty and peaceful that we could sit there for a long time, reading and simply unwinding.

There is a small pool, also very well maintained, that offers the same beautiful view available from many of the rooms. The view towards the harbor and marina is just so special. The lawn rolls down from the KTI to the harbor in the distance, and the hills on the opposite side complete one of the most beautiful views you can ever hope to find. We like to walk down to the marina and take the 2-1/2 hour boat ride on the Sea Princess, where a national park ranger provides terrific infornation about the area's history, geography, wildlife, lobster, etc. The boad stops for 45 minutes at Isleford on Little Cranberry Island, where we browse the charming pottery shop and other places, including a terrific small museum about the region. The boat ride is just magical, with unsurpassed beauty.

Back in Northeast Harbor, we like to poke around the shops, which include some high-end fashion but also jewelry and other items that are reasonably priced. The Colonel, charmingly rebuilt after a fire a couple of years ago, is a fun place to get a baked good or a meal.

Speaking of meals, we always have dinner at the Jordan Pond House, with its beautiful view of Jordan Pond and the Bubbles mountains, and its famous popovers and blueberry crsip a la mode. The Jordan Pond House is less than 15 minutes from the Kimball Terrace Inn and during August can be reached by the free shuttle bus system, leaving from the marina in Northeast Harbor. Or you can drive there.

The restaurant at the KTI, the Main Sail, offers a great breakfast on a patio overlooking the harbor. Get the blueberry pancakes!

We love the Kimball Terrace Inn and look forward to returning.

No decor in room, bare walls, and signs saying "all items were counted and police will be called if anythings missing" Plastic mattress covers on both beds and the man at the reception desk said " We gouge our customers in the summer and close up and are out of here after summer" . we stayed the rest of the time ourside Bar Harbor and were very happy. Also hte restaurant next door, appraently owned by the same people, should be avoided. Just get a drink and enjoy the view of the harbor.

A nicely located motel - it isn't an Inn - not far from the town and the harbor. A little dated, but decent for the price

This is definitely not a hotel by any means. Definitely would qualify as a motor inn or just an inn like it is titled. The rooms are in need of remodeling. The room reminded me of the late 1970s to early 1980s in decor. Nothing special but it was clean. The room we stayed in had a view of the marina which was nice. There is a restaurant attached to the hotel. We ate there once and the food was really good, but fairly expenisive. There is a bar menu you can order from though if you want something a little cheaper. There was an outdoor pool but we didn't use it. The location of this hotel is nice in the fact you aren't right in the middle of the major tourist areas to stay. If you want a quieter place to stay while visting the island I would recommend this place. If you want to be somewhere where you can go and do things after dark this isn't the place for you. You would need to drive a fair distance to Ellsworth or Bar Harbor if that is what you were looking for.