Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor – Acadia National Park

The honest review

The Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor – Acadia National Park holds the unusual distinction of being the first and still the most amenity-rich resort property on Mount Desert Island. Sitting at 123 Eden Street about 1.5 miles from downtown Bar Harbor and a short drive from Acadia's main entrance, it offers a package that's hard to beat when you're traveling with children of any age.

The headline family feature is the KidSuites — rooms where the kids section (bunk beds, themed décor, a TV with video games) is partitioned from the adult sleeping space. That alone cuts the chaos of sharing a single hotel room with energetic kids after a long day on the carriage roads. Kids under 12 eat free from the children's menu at the on-site restaurants — up to two children per paying adult — which adds up meaningfully over a week-long stay.

The outdoor heated pool overlooks the ocean, and the adjacent Splash Pool Bar lets parents decompress with a drink while kids splash around. The hot tub is a genuine perk after long hiking days. The resort also runs a free Kids Club activity program that's more than a gimmick — staff-led sessions keep younger kids occupied while parents get a moment to breathe.

Two restaurants, including La Bella Vita, handle most families' dining needs without requiring a car. Free parking is a practical win in a town that can get very congested in July and August.

The honest caveats: the building is large and the corridor-hotel feel is real. It's not a boutique or a rustic Maine lodge experience — it's very much a brand-flag resort, and some reviews note that rooms can feel dated outside the renovated KidSuites sections. The location on Eden Street, while quiet and near the park, requires driving into Bar Harbor's downtown for shopping and restaurants beyond the hotel. Summer pricing pushes into the mid-$300s on peak weekends, which is steep for what is effectively a three-star property structurally.

That said, for families who need reliable air conditioning, guaranteed pool access, bunk beds, and a brand-consistent experience, this is the go-to property in Acadia. Families with toddlers and elementary-age kids in particular will find the KidSuites and kids-eat-free policy worth a premium over smaller motels nearby. Multi-generational groups — grandparents along who want comfort while younger kids exhaust themselves in the park — will appreciate the full-service setup. Book early for summer; it sells out by March most years.