A Peaceful Coastal Escape at the Inn at Bay Ledge

I had been looking forward to this stay for months because a friend of mine had stayed here and absolutely loved it. After hearing all about it, my expectations were pretty high and somehow, they still exceeded them. One of the things I love most about the Inn at Bay Ledge is its location. It's only a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, but tucked away in a peaceful setting overlooking Frenchman Bay.

When I first pulled into the driveway, I actually thought the inn looked a little smaller than I expected. I couldn't have been more wrong. The second I stepped inside, I immediately understood why so many people fall in love with this place.

The inn is exactly what you hope a coastal Maine getaway will be. Antique furniture, beautiful nautical décor, cozy fireplaces, warm wood accents, and welcoming spaces everywhere you turn. The entry has beautiful wingback chairs, a baby grand piano, and a fireplace that makes you want to curl up with a good book.

Just beyond that is another inviting living room with a second fireplace, a reading nook, and comfortable seating where guests gather after a day of adventure. It instantly felt warm, welcoming, and full of character. Then I looked out the back windows.

The expansive lawn leads your eyes straight to the sparkling waters of Frenchman Bay, and I couldn't wait to get outside and explore.

Sarah, one of the owners, welcomed us with the kindest smile and showed us to our room. It was absolutely beautiful, with luxury linens, a private bathroom, and my favorite feature, a private balcony overlooking the backyard and the bay. I could have sat there for hours just watching the water. The Inn at Bay Ledge has been welcoming guests to Mount Desert Island for more than 60 years. Originally built over 100 years ago as the home of a local minister, it became the Sunset Pines Motel in the 1960s before eventually becoming the Inn at Bay Ledge. Over the years, the property has grown to include the beloved back deck, balconies for the upstairs rooms, the charming Summer Cottage, and the Cottage at Sunset Pines across the street.

In October 2022, Sarah and Dax Wandling fulfilled a lifelong dream when they purchased the inn. Originally from Boise, Idaho, the couple had dreamed of owning a bed and breakfast long before they were married. When the Inn at Bay Ledge became available, they took an incredible leap of faith and purchased it after only seeing it through a virtual tour. Thankfully for all of us, that leap worked out beautifully.

When I met Dax, he was in the kitchen baking what may honestly be the best cookies I've ever had. Sarah laughed as she told me that's what sealed the deal for her, that's when she knew he was "the one." After tasting one myself, I completely understood.

After settling into our room, we headed out for an Acadian Boat Tour, which was only a short drive from the inn. It was the perfect afternoon on the water, and being so close made it easy to come back and unwind before dinner. If you're looking for a place to truly relax after exploring Acadia, this is it.

For dinner, we headed over to Abel's Lobster, and I can't recommend it enough. The views are incredible, and their lobster roll easily earned a place in my top three favorite lobster rolls in Maine.

As beautiful as dinner was, my favorite part of the evening was still waiting.

We hurried back to the inn to catch the sunset and explore the private beach.

A long staircase winds its way down the 80-foot cliff to the shoreline below, and by the time I reached the bottom, my jaw had completely dropped.

It felt like discovering a hidden piece of Maine. The rocky beach was peaceful and quiet, with dramatic rock formations that reminded me of Maine's Bold Coast.

We wandered along the shoreline looking for sea glass headed back up to sit with a bottle of wine as the sun slowly disappeared over Frenchman Bay. It was one of those moments you wish you could bottle up forever.

The next morning, I woke up early and heading right back down to the beach in my pajames. Talk about private ha.

After that I grabbed a cup of coffee and settled onto the back deck overlooking the bay. If you've followed Maine Scuttlebutt for a while, you know this is my favorite part of any trip. There's just something about sipping coffee outside while the world slowly wakes up. As I sat there, I chatted with a few other guests, and every single one of them had the same thing to say. They absolutely loved the inn and couldn't say enough wonderful things about Sarah and Dax.

Soon breakfast was served, and somehow it was even better than I expected.

Dax prepared an incredible homemade breakfast beginning with fresh granola loaded with all the fixings, followed by locally sourced eggs and delicious local sausage. He also made this delicious french toast casurole thing that was to die for. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. It was the perfect way to fuel up for a day of exploring.

One of my favorite things about staying here is that after breakfast, you're only minutes from everything Acadia and Bar Harbor have to offer. We spent the morning wandering through downtown Bar Harbor, popping into shops, enjoying the waterfront, and doing all the classic tourist things. Before we knew it, it was time to head home. The trip felt way too short.

There's still so much more I want to explore around Mount Desert Island, but one thing is already certain, I won't even think twice about where I'm staying. The Inn at Bay Ledge isn't just a beautiful place to sleep. It's a place where thoughtful hospitality, breathtaking scenery, delicious homemade breakfasts, cozy fires, private beaches, and quiet moments all come together to create an unforgettable experience. If you're looking for a peaceful home base for your Acadia adventure, I truly can't recommend it enough. Just don't be surprised if you're already planning your next visit before you've even checked out.

-Kate

PS: If you able to get that cookie recipe out of Dax send it to me Haha

https://www.innatbayledge.com/