The Asticou Hotel in
Northeast Harbor (ME)

The location is beautiful. Views of the harbor, adjacent to the gardens, easy drives, walks, or cycles to dine, shop, hike, or adventure. The Hotel itself has been recently renovated and the exterior and common areas are really lovely. The property was very clean. That’s the good news. This hotel is over $800/night and add in resort fees etc you are staying at what should be a high end hotel.This hotel is not worth the price and gets poor marks in service, food, and accommodation. When you arrive no one helps you with your luggage or even opens a door - not ever-coming or going. You are on your own. The desk folks watch you struggle with the door ? Upon arrival, we waited at the front desk while the desk clerk and another staff finished their flirtation before asking if we were there to check in. They seemed annoyed that we interrupted them. Other reviews commented on the grumpiness and I would agree. They provided no information on the property (ie fitness center, dining, concierge -nothing) or our accommodation. As other people noted, the rooms and bathrooms are very small. We had a king size room on the terrace level with a balcony. The bathroom can only be used by one person at a time. Small everything. Shower is cheap grade with no water pressure and plastic insert variety shower pan. Sink height was at mid-thigh on me and i’m 5’6 my husband literally had to bend in half to wash his face. We got ONE towel per person and those too were also VERY small. We were on the terrace level (500 rooms) and didn’t know this when booking, but while this gives you a balcony it also puts you under the kitchen and dining room which means every morning by 6:30 you wake up to the stomping of feet and moving furniture- and by 10:30PM or so more of the same. We ate dinner one night at the hotel during our stay. My halibut was good but my husband’s short rib was tough and dry. Service was shoddy. Waiter did not know the menu or the bar- in short- this was NOT fine dining and they claim it is. There are better places in NE Harbour to try. Copito in town has great food, friendly service and a cool vibe. We stay at nice hotels often - and even on this trip stopped at several towns along the way and were treated with a exceptional service, michelin star food and accommodations - Asticou did NOT compare and is definitely not worth the price.

Overpriced in our opinion, but it is Acadia area. Room is Clean, but small. Parking area is dark, some paved, some stone. Help with bags was available; staff was very nice & helpful. Biggest issue: Heat & A/C blows directly over your head when trying to sleep or read in bed. Had to turn it off to sleep. Dinner here revealed portion sizes that were quite small; but food was good.

Popovers were not hot and barely warm. The wild mushroom baguette was not described well and I didn't like it. My friends fish in the fish and chips was not fully cooked. The French fries were good. The salad with the fish and chips had tasteless dressing. The apple pie ice cream was good.

We have eaten several times at Dahlias for lunch and we love it. The view, of course, is gorgeous. Service is excellent, attentive yet not overbearing, and each server spends time with you answering questions about the menu and other points. My partner has had the fish and chips twice and that's why we go back. Nice size portion, crisp with a fine coating, not greasy at all. A side of a small salad and the fries are great. I've had the Caesar and it's excellent. Great dressing, nice portion scale and an added grilled chicken make for a perfect lunch. The mocktail mojito was beautiful! All in all, a great experience.

If you are looking for rustic elegance, you must visit the Asticou Hotel! We waited a year for the remodel and visiting it again was well worth the wait! |The decor is elegantly warm and inviting, the pool area gorgeous overlooking northeast harbour, and the staff is very attentive. The restaurant has an eclectic vibe and offers delicious meals. The hotel is an ideal place to have a family reunion, wedding or business getaway.

Beautiful remodeled hotel. We stayed in a cottage with two other couples. They are still working out some of the details, but overall a great retreat.

We were recommended to visit by the folks at Thuya Gardens: Goodness the gardens and pool are tremendous. Very Lake Como or Maggiori and in time the gardens should mature to be as lovely as any in Italian hotels we know. The decor was very stylish outside with the olive striped poolside loungers and pink tasseled umbrellas very much the latest in Euro style. A photographer was on hand and it made me think of the Slim Aarons photos of beautiful hotels and people brought right up to date. The staff were friendly and found us an early table at the restaurant. The oysters Rockefeller were there with the very best and the short rib was nearly perfect. The only complaint was that it was just slightly cooler than I'd want (just a smidge). The potato was extraordinary as were the vegetables. Layton was tremendously attentive and knew his stuff. Really helped us pick the entree. The desert menu was lacking the chocolate torte sadly. We will return to stay. The snug bar looked very inviting. All staff affable, smiling and friendly. We noted a lot of respect to locals who had been regulars. Very classy. Please organise sailing charters or even a slipway so we can bring our racing dinghies in summer and leave them on the lawn. One heck of a regatta venue!

I just had the the absolute worst popovers I’ve ever eaten in my life at the Asticou Inn. |By way of history, my husband and I have been enjoying popovers for the past 50 years. In the past, we have gone to Jordan pond house which was most excellent until approximately six years ago. We learned that the chef at Jordan pond left and went to the Asticou Inn so we followed the chef to the Asticou. Again, about 6 years ago the popovers were incredible. Very eggy, light, hot, puffy and delectable. The Asticou Inn has been closed for about two years but reopened this past summer. So we decided to go to have popovers again. They were absolutely the worst popovers I’ve ever eaten in my life. Huge holes, tough, thick outside crust, deflated, and cold. each of us ordered 2 popovers. It should’ve been my first clue when our server asked us if we wanted them all at the same time. Normally, you would receive the first popover hot, eat it, enjoy it, and then receive the second popover hot. Well, we received our first popover, and it was cold, deflated, tough, and horrible. I should’ve just told the waiter not to bring the second. But, instead, I explained to the server that we wanted to have our popover hot from the oven. After awhile, our waiter brought two extra popovers for my husband and me explaining that the chef agreed that the first popovers were not hot. Unfortunately, the second serving of popovers were not hot, rather, they were more cold than the first serving. |We have laughed about this dining experience and called it our worst dining experience of the summer and unforgettable. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone. The popovers were horrible.

We stayed in a king room with a small view of the harbor. The room was adequate, but smaller than many $500 per night rooms we've stayed in. The cottages looked very nice. Staff was friendly.

Please bring back the popovers on the dinner menu!! (Available for lunch only). Recently reopened the entire facility after undergoing a comprehensive renovation. Very tastefully redone by the ownership. Started at the Moss Bar for drinks and appetizers and then dined at Dahlia's. Great guest experience. The staff is very attentive. Extended wine list with some great choices. Dinner menu is diverse and there is something for everyone. GF options. Recommended dining on the front porch if the weather allows. There is a wonderful view of Northeast Harbor! Came back for lunch (twice), the popovers with the blueberry jam and lemon curd is extraordinary, so light and fluffy! You can't have just one :)

The Asticou was above and beyond our expectations. Wonderful location and friendly staff. Our only disappointment was the hot tub was not working, but they refunded the “resort fee” so all worked out OK. Many friends have stayed in Bar harbor and didn’t like their hotel choices. Though this is a 15-20 minute drive from Bar Harbor, it is very close to Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain.

We always visited the Asticou Inn for a meal when we were in the area and it is has been redone and is called The Asticou Hotel now. It is much more upscale and we missed the old vibe. My vegetable pappardelle was delicious but my husband said his burger was just okay and bland. The prices were high for what we got.

The Asticou has undergone an amazing renovation. We did not stay at the Inn, but dined at Dahlia's twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. The new dining room is elegant with comfortable seating and a quieter vibe. The outdoor porch has retained its charm and is great for lunch - you can't beat the view of Northeast Harbor. We've been coming to the Asticou for lunch for over 30 years. Our lunch was quite good, and of course we ordered popovers. They were very good, but would have been better served (as they used to be) from an insulated basket. It was a cool day, and on the walk from the kitchen to the table, they cooled off quite a bit. Popovers are best eaten piping hot from the oven. Other than that, lunch was very good - the vegetable pappardelle was delicious. I do hope that they bring back the lobster stew - that's been a tradition at The Asticou for years - lobster stew and popovers for lunch after an invigorating morning hike. Dinner was a mixed bag. The pear margarita was very good, and there were some other interesting cocktails on the list. The seasonal salad was unremarkable, and the tomatoes were not fresh. My husband had the pork chop special which was very good - it was served with an amazing fried squash blossom as well as other vegetables. The scallops were good, but could have used some sort of side in addition to the jicama salad - it was not as generous a plate as the pork chop. We split a flourless chocolate cake for dessert and it was disappointing, it was dense and served cold. We will be back next year. This is their first season after the renovation and I'm sure the food will improve. The waitstaff and hostess were friendly and efficient, and the renovated public spaces that we saw were beautiful and elegant.

We have never travelled as far north in Maine to Northeast Harbor but after watching The Asticou renovation on social media and having friends who spent childhood summers there they and we decided to make the trip! We were not disappointed! The resort is gorgeous and the details to the design and decor are beautiful. The landscaping is perfection and the resort exudes warmth. It is obvious the care extensive thought that went into the renovation. Notes:|1- pool area is absolutely gorgeous- but bar/food at pool not operational yet and no restrooms at pool yet. |2. Dahlia’s restaurant- food is excellent and outdoor dining is beautiful- but small bistro tables inside for parties of 2 are way too small and do not invite one to want to eat as there’s no room on the table! |3. Rooms are gorgeous - well appointed- linens are top notch- but they need to have dark colored towels for make up and not the cheap packaged towelettes. The bath products are supreme though|4. The staff is not local folk at all and this is a real disadvantage- there is no local expertise, area suggestions, Acadia knowledge and many of the staff we encountered were not overly friendly- in many ways many were still learning how to clean a guest room, make a cocktail and really need to learn to interact with guests- the bartender at Dahlias barely spoke to bar guests the night we ate at the bar- the bartender should be the life of the bar- engaging guests with conversation about the location, etc.. much of the staff lives across the street in 2 old and very neglected homes that you see right from the entrance to the beautiful hotel- I think this is a negative and the staffing and their living quarters needs to be addressed- the staff needs to be engaged with guests and be familiar with the locale where they work- they are not.||Overall- a great trip to The Asticou but will hope the staff becomes more Mainers or New Englanders and Maine savvy for my next trip!

I live on Mount Desert Island. The lunch I had at the Asticou on August 28th was not good. Stone fruit caprese salad was a plum, arugla with excessive dressing and 2 squares of mozzarella. $19! My friend had fish and chips. The chips were limp and cold. The menu is tiny, with very few possible selections.

Very disappointed with this hotel. Overpriced for what you get. The rooms are tiny, with bathrooms that are just too small. The rooms are comfortable and we had a beautiful view of the harbor, but 2 people will just keep bumping into each other. No desk in the rooms or anywhere to work on a laptop and the Nespresso coffee machine sounds like a leaf blower - so if one person wants an early cup of coffee then the other person will certainly wake up. There is not enough parking at night, when non-hotel guests might come for dinner, so you can have a long walk to the door. The staff needs a lot of training, as we never had one person at reception say good morning or good evening or hello or anything over the 5 days we were there. The bartenders in the restaurant had little grasp of English and kept putting lemons in our drink despite the fact that we kept asking for limes, even pointing to them. The pool area is beautiful, except they have no bathrooms - so you have to walk a bit of a distance back into the hotel for a bathroom. There is a beautiful bar at the pool, but they don't make drinks there - the bartender has to go into the hotel to get anything for a guest. I think a lot of the issues with staff will get better with training, but the tiny rooms and the puzzling pool area amenities need to be re-thought.

Just got back from The Asticou. The property is stunning! Initially we were a bit thrown off because we were told the property would be ready for our trip and the rooms we booked (and spa) were not complete. That said we were put into a cottage which was darling and I didn’t find any work that was intrusive at all. The general mgr was responsive regarding the delays and extremely nice/accommodating. The only thing that really needs work is breakfast at the restaurant. You will miss a chunk of your morning waiting on eggs BUT it’s new and they are training. Dinner and drinks at the bar was great. I’d absolutely go back - it is a property fit for a postcard. It’s that beautiful! Staff is so pleasant as well. Don’t hesitate

This hotel is wonderful and charming. It is close to the Thuya gardens which is a breathtaking place as well. The food was amazing and the service was second to none! Thank goodness they remodeled this lovely building and added a few things along with it. I can't wait to go back!

We have dined at the new Asticou twice for dinner and once for lunch since it reopened. The restoration is magnificent. The jewel of Northeast Harbor has returned. Yes, some finishing touches are still work in progress for parts of the property, a learning curve for the staff, and no popovers yet, but the pieces are all there, and well orchestrated. I hope the town of NEH will restore the sidewalk along Harborside Rd to make the walk / bike ride to and from both locations as pleasant as the each destination. Very well done.

We stopped for a drink and this property is beautiful. The decor top notch and the views are spectacular! We will go back again and perhaps dine on our next visit! The lunch menu looked great!

I haven’t gotten to see the fully renovated hotel yet but I wanted to post and say check the menu before you book a table because it looks like they no longer serve popovers, which is very disappointing as it had been our family tradition for years.

We didn't stay at the hotel, however we felt we must give a review. Our car broke down in front of the hotel, so we went in to have a light lunch and some wine while we made arrangements to get our car taken care of. The hotel staff and especially Tyler, the front desk manager, were very understanding and helpful. Tyler even recommended the perfdct place to take our car. We thank God for Tyler and all of his staff, you guys were awesome!!

My husband and I recently spent the weekend at the newly renovated Asticou Hotel and had a fantastic time. Every detail has been thought of at this hotel- the rooms are exquisitely decorated, the pool and pool deck area are covered in incredible statues, plants, and trees, and the food was delicious. Every staff member was kind, helpful, and professional. We are already trying to plan when we can come back next!

Came to this hotel’s restaurant for lunch and WOW WOW WOW. They recently reopened after renovations apparently, and I am so thankful we got to experience it. The food was INCREDIBLE- 10/10. Everything we tried, and we tried a lot. Not to mention the views from the restaurant! Wow. What a gem, definitely worth making the effort to come dine here! Wait staff super friendly and attentive too

BEWARE. DO NOT MAKE A RESERVATION HERE. They Canceled our reservation one week beforeour trip starting July 1. We just drove by the hotel and it's not even close to being finished. About 100 cars of contractors doing on the work on the outside. How dare they take reservations, horrible. They knew full well that this hotel would not be ready for July 1. It's unlikely it would be ready for the rest of the summer. Stop taking reservations and take responsibility. This is well within control to NOT take reservations and advise about the construction. You also need to put on your website that the hotel is under massive construction on the inside and the outside. Many guests do not want to stay with all of that going on if they want a peaceful vacation.

Booked the Asticou on the recommendation of a friend, noting that if you wanted the real Maine feel this was a perfect spot. Yes, it is a bit old, but given its age, it’s in amazing shape. Rooms are a bit small but clean and great beds. Also, this is an amazing location. Bar Harbor is great, but overrun. Northeast is amazing and I will stay there every time! Above all the service was amazing. The staff was super helpful and very nice. The bartender Kip was one of the best employees I have ever met. A perfect combination of friendly, funny, and helpful. He helped make it a wonderful vacation. Do whatever he recommends!

I booked this place based on the location to Acadia National Park and also something that wasn’t over the top expensive since were road tripping with our two kids to multiple destinations. I honestly have no idea why some people gave it such bad reviews! I was contemplating between giving it 4 to 5 stars since I really only had one complaint. First off, the hotel is over 140 years old. With that said, it’s going to be old! There are going to be things that aren’t perfect, but I loved the old feel and it felt how I imagined being in Maine would be. We had a one bedroom suite and it was perfect size for our kids. There as no air conditioner it they did provide box fans. I’m assuming this is normal for Maine. The water pressure was great and the shower was hot! The view from the Inn is absolutely beautiful and overlooking the Harbor. Breakfast is included which was a huge plus for us and we did enjoy an evening dinner at the restaurant. No complaints and the food was great. The food was extremely expensive but traveling the east coast I was realizing these prices are normal for the area, and tourist location. I loved having dinner outside overlooking the harbor. My only real complaint is the pool area. The pool is great and was so refreshing after a day of hiking, it the upkeep on the pool is lacking. Around the pool needs power washed and weeds pulled. There were weeds all over the pool area. I saw the works cleaning and mopping the indoor Inn multiple times a day, but they need to focus on the pool area. Other than that the service was great. Everyone was friendly, kind and attentive. I also loved the it was on the Northeast side of the Harbor, close to Acadia NP and Bar Harbor, but still a few miles away from the Bar Harbor and set in a more quiet area of the area. We absolutely loved our first time in Maine!