For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to explore Bar Harbor, the seaside town on the largest island of Maine, Mount Desert Island. Situated on Frenchman Bay, which is a part of the Gulf of Maine just off the Atlantic Ocean, Bar Harbor seemed like a dream to me. I was sure I’d fall in love with the salty air, the abundance of seafood, and the laid-back vibe. Turns out, I was right.
Bar Harbor’s small-town charm touched me the second I heard the locals chatting about the upcoming season and watched the fishermen come in and out of the harbor with the day’s catch. I even loved that there were so many neighborhood savings and loan banks in town. I thought that was a thing of the past.
Top Bar Harbor Accommodations
Even more so, it was the quaint places to stay in Bar Harbor that tugged at my heartstrings — in particular, two Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) renovated from historic homes, Bass Cottage Inn and The Ullikana Inn.
Situated on a private lane close enough to see the water but wonderfully tucked away from Main Street, the B&Bs are referred to as sister inns and the “cottages” on the harbor. While the inns have a storied past, they are now owned and operated by Stay Bar Harbor Hotel Group, the passion project of founder and partner Stephen Coston.
Coston is a local developer and philanthropist with a background in lodging and renovation. His hotel group operates 263 plus rooms in Bar Harbor with more under construction. Dedicated to the community and Maine, he brings fresh ideas, a business mind, and love and support for restoration to both cottages.
I recently had the opportunity to stay at The Ullikana Inn. Since the inns are sisters, check-in and breakfast are at Bass Cottage Inn, so I was able to experience both. I took some time to walk through each home and its grounds, appreciating the many cycles of life they underwent and imagining the family stories that played out within the walls.
Ullikana Inn, The First Summer Cottager
In 1885, the Ullikana Inn was built by Alpheus Hardy, a wealthy Boston shipping entrepreneur and one of Bar Harbor’s first summer cottagers. (In wealthy enclaves along the East Coast, the word “cottage” is often applied to homes that others would call “mansions.”)
There is some mystery behind the life and death of Hardy. The man of means died in 1887, cutting coupons and never getting the opportunity to live in his Tudor-style mansion.
No one ever knew why Hardy named the cottage Ullikana, but due to its grandeur, many speculate it must have meant something beautiful. Perhaps it was a vision of a protecting sea that still watches over the cottage. Wouldn’t we love to know?
Bass Cottage Inn, A Politician’s Seasonal Retreat
Also built in 1885, Bass Cottage Inn was the creation of politician and businessman Joseph Parker Bass. From that time until he died in 1919, Bass and his family enjoyed the inn as their summer home. During my stay, I sensed their love of nature and the salty sea air surrounding the inn.
The Lost Years
There is little information on who owned or lived in the Ullikana after Hardy’s death. The assumption is that his wife lived there for a while before selling the inn as a residence or for rental purposes. On the other hand, research suggests that Bass Cottage Inn remained the Bass Family’s summer home for decades.
We do know that the Great Fire of 1947 devastated much of Mount Desert Island. While many homes, landmarks, and much of Acadia National Park were destroyed, Ullikana Inn and Bass Cottage Inn remained unscathed.
Following the fires, as part of the recovery plan, the town’s legacy was reshaped as a more tourist-oriented destination. I’m sure this was both a relief and a challenge for whoever owned the inns during this time. However, while research suggests new owners after the fire, the details are not clear and concise until the early 1990s.
Ullikana, Revitalization
In 1992, Helen Harton and Roy Kasindorf purchased the Ullikana Inn. The pair moved to Bar Harbor from New York after traveling up and down the coast of Maine. They renovated the 10-room B&B with modern touches that preserved the historic feel while minimizing the Victorian look on the inside. Room by room, the new owners revived the inn with unique blends of artisanal woodwork, furniture, paintings, and more, adding splashes of color to incorporate their life and style.
After 26 years of welcoming and hosting thousands of guests, they felt it was time for someone new to take over the inn. Eddie and Judy Hemmingsen, long-time hospitality industry leaders in Bar Harbor, purchased Ullikana in 2017.
The Hemmingsens owned and operated the Bluenose Inn and The Rose Garden Inn in Bar Harbor from 1979 to 2000 before moving a tad west to Belfast, Maine, where they revamped a Main Street building into the Belfast Bay Inn. But they wanted to be back in Bar Harbor and always admired The Ullikana Inn. So, when the opportunity knocked, they were ready.
Bass Cottage Inn, Saved from the Wrecking Ball
In 2003, Jeff and Terri Anderholm, who left their successful corporate jobs to follow their dream to live a life in hospitality, purchased Bass Cottage Inn. The Anderholms saved the inn from a wrecking ball as the run-down house was in danger of a teardown.
The couple poured their energy into renovating the home, opening up the floor plan to create a timeless space of relaxation, transforming it from its Victorian style. The Anderholms took great pleasure in welcoming guests to stay in Bass Cottage. However, time called for change, and in 2018, the Hemmingsens also purchased the property, making it Ullikana’s sister. The Hemmingsens embarked on extensive renovations and upgrades that they call “Modern, Maine, and Classic.”’
Bar Harbor’s Sister Cottages Today
In 2023, Coston made the sister cottages part of his Stay Bar Harbor portfolio. The hotel group continues to satisfy old town charm while bringing an innovative style and confidence to the beloved side street inns.
The setting blends the luxury of a hotel stay with the ambiance of a boutique bed and breakfast. And you can’t beat the location. I walked to the waterfront each day, and when I came back to the inns, just steps away, I had ultimate privacy in my cozy, remote space.
At whichever of the two inns you are staying, you are invited to the lobby of Bass Cottage for a delicious gourmet breakfast featuring baked scones with seasonal and regional ingredients. I am not a big egg eater, but the scrambled dish was perfectly fluffy, soft, and creamy. Each night, homemade cookies and sweets await you in both houses for a pre-dinner treat. The coconut and chocolate magic bar was decadent.
I found calm during my stay at the Ullikana Inn in the private and adorable Poppy Room, complete with lush bedding and a separate sitting room with a cozy gas fireplace. On the lovely, quiet grounds, I sat with a glass of wine each night and admired the ripples of the sea from my lawn chair, feeling swept away by the exquisite hospitality that made me feel special. When visiting this region of Maine, there is no easier place to stay than the cottages on the harbor.
Both Inns operate on a seasonal basis, opening in Spring and closing in Fall.
If You Go:
- Located in Southeastern Maine, Bar Harbor is an hour and 15 minutes from Bangor International Airport.
- Bar Harbor Maine Bed and Breakfast – Bass Cottage Inn – Near Acadia
- Ullikana
- Visit Maine – The official website for the Maine Office of Tourism. Information on activities, events, lodging and chambers of commerce. Searchable by region.
- Stay Bar Harbor – for information on all of their hotel properties throughout Bar Harbor and Maine.
Darla S. Hoffmann is a contributing writer for several online publications; her portfolio can be viewed at www.aboutwineinaz.com
