The Homestead Motel

Location: 143 Bucksport Road, Ellsworth, Maine, 04605, Ellsworth, US

Star Rating: 2 Stars

Property Type: Motels

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - Anytime

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Instructions: The front desk is staffed during limited hours.

Amenities & Facilities

• Garden
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Smoke-free property
• Free self parking

Guest Reviews

• Heidi (10/5): - Close to Acadia but quite quiet. We liked the owners.
• B.A (2/5): - Price was good. Every time toilet was flushed it leaked, parking was bad, rooms had musty smell daily even though a window was left open.
• Verified traveler (4/5): - Run down. Would have been worth it to pay more for a different motel.
• Verified traveler (2/5): Sorry - I am so sorry but this is a rundown place for a hundred bucks.
• Peter T (2/5): Ancient place and furnishings - Ancient run down place and furnishings. Tiny room. Sinking floor. Moldy dirty bathroom. I booked two nights but couldn’t stand the second one. Manager however was kind enough and refunded the second night.
• Susan (2/5): - A tired motel. Doug was lovely but the motel is not worth another visit. Hotels.com charged taxes as well as the site. What’s that about?
• Verified traveler (4/5): - Emm, some property doesn't have a flat floor. If you look at the 6th image provided by the property, you can tell its's tilted a little. No A/C. Fan only. Doesn't smell nice inside. Bedding feels sticky and you can see something doesn't appear to be very clean. Bugs around and inside. The staff and manager are nice. However, this probably gonna be the cheapest option around, if you only look for somewhere indoor to sleep.
• James (4/5): - Great price...room needed basic renovation.
• Verified traveler (2/5): - We thought we would give motel a chance even when reviews were unfavourable..very rundown. All reviews were correct.
• Greg (10/5): Great value. - Great hosts and a very good experience. We’ll be back.
• Verified traveler (2/5): Would never go back. - The place was a dive. Smelly, old, and run down. It hasn't been updated in over 30 years
• Verified traveler (8/5): Good stopover place - Inexpensive stopover but needs further renovation (in bathroom area for example). Friendly and conscientious host.
• Cliff (2/5): Stay away - This place is also known as "Homestead Motel & Cottages". On arrival we were given one of the cottages, well cottage not, this would be better described as a rotten damp smelling shed. I'm surprised one of us didn't fall through the bathroom floor as it was so spongy. The wallpaper was peeling off the walls, the ceiling was covered with water stains and the panelling on the walls was coming away. The WiFi didn't reach the room. The patio consisted of two filthy plastic chairs outside the front of the shed. There was daily housekeeping but I'm not sure it included making the bed because ours wasn't. I can honestly say this is the worst place I have ever stayed and would not recommend this to my worst enemy.
• ComeauA (4/5): Looked like the place had been closed down. - We made a detour from Bangor to check this out on our way to New Hampshire but the group of 4 women was so disappointed with the exterior appearance that they did not want to check inside. Seemed that the grass had not been mowed for more than 2 weeks. With no cars around and the cement in front the only cottage we saw was broken and grass was growing through it, made it looked like an abandunded place and not secure for a group of women.
• Adam (4/5): Eh...it was there - Wasn't the best...actually closer to the worse. The room was tilted, water leaking from bathroom to the sleeping room, microwave and fridge not clean. Staff was friendly and I am sure they are trying, but maybe just invest a little more.
• Will (6/5): A little tired. - This motel is a bit rundown. Clearly could use a little work-new carpet and curved shower bars leap to mind. Though the water pressure is by FAR the best I have had on my trip, which has included 7 other hotels. The location, about a half hour from Acadia National Park, is quite favorable. I stayed in one of the little cabins in back and since it did not have an adjoining wall it was very quiet. You can park RIGHT NEXT to the room, so moving luggage is not a problem. Also, as it got a bit nippy, the heater was more than adequate for the room. I slept like a log, so while I was not initially impressed with the bed, it certainly served its purpose!! "Breakfast" was a blueberry muffin, chock full of blueberries and a quite good cup of coffee. The owner was very enjoyable to talk to. The hotel definitely needs some work, but it has some real upside to it as well.
• John (6/5): - It was a nice Motel when asking about ice they said we could have ice in a bag because their ice machine was broken down
• Saloni (2/5): - This was by far the worst accommodation I have ever had to stay in. There was no WiFi in the motel, and the room was also not clean. Worst of all, my friend ended up in the ER during the middle of the night due to an allergic reaction she got from the motel bed sheets. Additionally, to connect to WiFi, my friend and I had to go to the nearest Denny's to do so. We had to complete some office/schoolwork, which we had so much difficulty doing, due to no WiFi in the motel. Even in the morning, when I tried to check-out and return the motel key, no one was at the front desk. I tried ringing the desk bell, but no one from the staff showed up. Due to my friend's extreme allergic reaction, my friend and I had to spend the remainder of our night in the car, as we feared going back near the motel beds. It is up to people if they want to stay here for cheap, however I will not return again due to the unsanitary motel conditions and inattentive staff. I wanted to request a refund of some sort the morning I was trying to check-out, however the staff was no where to be found.
• Jubilee (8/5): - Doug and Rachel are both very nice. I had nice conversations with both of them. The room wasn't fancy but it's about all I needed for my stay there. The fan was quite noisy and the bathtub had a continual drip after my first shower. The wallpaper could use some updating and was peeling off the wall. The bed was comfortable, it had a nice big closet, they had a tv in the room, and they offered bagels, muffins and coffee for breakfast in the morning. Doug was very helpful giving me some maps and helping me get acquainted with the area when I first arrived.
• G (4/5): - Noise ac no shampoo or conditioner old and tired Towl had hole in it
• Verified traveler (2/5): - Very nice owner but the experience started poorly and only got worse. The front desk looks like a hoarder's office which made me uneasy from the outset. The room was then even worse than I imagined. Floors torn up, wallpaper peeling, fire alarm was dangling from its cords, leak stains on the ceiling, cobwebs above the shower, itchy blankets, and a leaky faucet. I almost never write reviews, especially not negative ones, but booking this hotel almost ruined our entire trip. I feel bad because the guy who runs the place is a very nice man, but spare yourself the disappointment. Hotels like this should not even be on Expedia.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Rundown - I hate giving less than positive reviews, but I have to be honest. This place is almost inhabitable. I knew from other reviews out there that it was lacking in frills, but that is an understatement. I arrived well after dark because of travel delays. Check in was fine. But then I get to my cottage. I had to use my phone’s flashlight to see the keyhole because the outside light was missing with wires hanging down. Inside was just sad. The toilet leaked water when you flushed it. The water in the shower would shoot out bursts of scalding water. The bed/mattress was so sunken in that I can only assume it was 20+ years old. These are just the highlights. I didn’t say anything to the owners because I was too tired from traveling. Maybe they had a better room available. What I can say for the cottage is that it was clean.
• Kayce (8/5): - Friendly helpful staff very welcoming
• Verified traveler (8/5): - LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. NO frills easy access to Acadia Park,
• james (8/5): Good basic place. - Good basic older motel. Good value for area.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Helpful owners but run down hotel - Room carpet was moist, old school ac/heater , uncomfortable mattress, no in room wifi, breakfast hours after 8am, poor towel quality. The only good part was owners aa they were very helpful with my needs.
• Verified traveler (2/5): - The staff is very welcoming, and doing their best with what they have to work with, but... the facility should have been condemned decades ago. If one can visualize a 1940s cottage set amidst a recycling yard, a structure that's seen no remodeling and minimal maintenance, in the intervening years - torn door screens, same carpeting, same bedding, collapsing ceiling tiles, the entire building floor on a bit of "tilt".... that's Homestead.
• Jack (8/5): simple, cheap, friendly - Nothing fancy here. Fairly old furnishings, lots of charm. Very affordable. If you're looking for a clean simple place to fall asleep... then this is for you. If you're looking for luxury, go elsewhere! It's family run, and the family is very friendly.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Needs work. - This hotel has possibilities but it needs more done with it for improvement. The one plus is that it's affordable. I think they need additional staff to get things working right and cleaned. They should start by cleaning up their office as that is the first room you enter.
• Qiner (10/5): - It’s only Half an hour from Acadia National Park. If you like old fashioned and are in a budget, I do recommend here. A camping site price for a tiny cottage with heating, toilet, shower and breakfast included. Also, it’s clean and quite.
• J7006KBjenniferm (2/5): Needs major help - First we checked in the office was a dirty, hoarding type room, but still we thought to take a chance on a local owned place because we love small local owned businesses. The grounds looked unkept, nothing like the picture online. But then we walked to The room,we couldn’t open the door we had to throw our body against it like we were busting through, we walk in and we say ok needs updating (everything), the shower was rusted out so We were not going to even try to get cleaned up, the sink actually trickled a steady stream all night, when we woke the next morning I had a time just unlocking the door it took actually two of us one to push the door the other to unlock it, yes we laughed after getting out because we could not believe it.. the beds were uncomfortable, I woke up in the morning with red itchy bites all over me, then when I checked into my next hotel they told me they had heard horror stories of that place and that they were known to have fleas, I was mortified. Please know it has potential, good structure I really feel bad that it couldn’t of been better but I wish I saw this review before checking in...
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Our cottage certainly needed updating but it served its purpose. Our room had a full size fridge and microwave.
• Linda (6/5): Older motel. Easy drive to Acadia. - Good for the budget minded. Easy drive to Acadia National Park . Older motel.
• Linda (2/5): Condemn it! - This "cottage" was in terrible repair. Front step was wooden and was rotting, screen door had holes and the hydraulic stop was disconnected because wood was rotten. Owner tried to fix it with caulk. Storm door was actually an interior hollow core door that had pealing veneer. Floors sagged to rear of building. Bathroom was in rear and floor was soft and spongy. There was a hole by tub at bottom of door frame where something had chewed or it was rotten. I could see no smoke alarms. There was a park bench outside one cottage that had a broken seat. Everything in cabin smelled of mold and old urine. Outside on left side of cottage they had nailed a blue tarp to cover something up. There was some kind of wagon covered in brush and limbs that had been there a long time. There was also a lot of trash around. We were there on a Fri. and Sat. night booked through Orbitz because there were no other vacancies in the area. We paid $75.00 a night and then they charged an additional $4.50 a night for a "resort fee." Nothing about this dump had a feeling of a resort. Complete rip-off.
• colletter93 (6/5): Clean, cheap rooms & lovely owners - The price of the rooms should give you a big hint as to what to expect when you show up. Once you realize that this isn't going to be like a Comfort Inn, it's not as terrible as it first seems, and its quirks begin to charm you a bit. Make no mistake, this place is VERY clean & they swap out their mattresses often. I had a fantastic sleep here. Honestly, I enjoyed my stay here, especially after visiting with the owners for a while. Do yourself a favour and ask Doug about the property -- it has quite the story! Yes, it does need some updating, which is in the works. This is the place to book if you're looking for cheap, and unassuming accommodations. If you're looking for modern comfort, maybe don't stay here.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Homestead Motel - Cleanliness of the room was good. The upkeep was poor. Ripped screen in the door and other maintenance around the room and vicinity lacking. The wi fi didn't reach this cabin.
• iceman (4/5): Tired Motel - We found that accommodations were expensive in the area near Acadia National Park, so we tried this less expensive option. It is OK, but the place needs a make over. The room was clean but lacked some of the extras like decent Wi-Fi and a small fridge. The breakfast was just coffee/tea and bread with cream cheese. Our opinion is that it would be better to just not offer this option. So if you need to watch your budget, this place will do.
• Abigail (4/5): Nice people but it need to be update - one sentence creepy clown photo right above bed right when it came out that weekend. They place need to be really update but for one night and you spend more time doing hiking and stuff it was worth it
• Jblue76 (2/5): Needs a lot of work. - I really wish I could give this place a better review. The people who own it do seem nice but I really need to share so others do not have this experience. The cottage they directed me too was kind of cute in the outside so I had some hope when unlocking the door. As I was assaulted by the scent of mothballs I scanned the room and saw this was not to be a good night. I considered just booking elsewhere and also thought about just driving the 6 more hours home. Anything but here...instead, I decided to suck it up, opened some windows and sprayed some fragrance. After the room aired out for awhile , it was better. But even though I believe the room was clean it was just sadly in need of... everything. Floor, walls, furniture, tv...it all was old and sad. None of the usual things you find in a room, which I'm sure was my fault as I just assumed there would be at minimum a coffee maker and mini fridge. The worst part was the bed. It felt like it was forty years old and I felt springs under my body. I did not get a good nights sleep. Maybe they have nicer rooms, I know it's a budget room, but I have stayed in plenty of budget hotels and this was the saddest room I've ever stayed in. Perhaps they give the worst rooms to people with pets? Who knows...but even my dog was acting odd in this room. At least she had her nice dog bed! I am sorry this place isn't nicer, as it has a ton of potential. Honestly, I would not stay here again if it was $10 per night.
• Verified traveler (2/5): Run down dirty fire trap - Overcharged for the first time in over 40 years of travel.Room had bug in bed and had to smell bug spray no sleep.Mold in bathroom didn't dare take shower.Owner had attitude and did same overcharge to next customer who booked with your site.Open electric box outside door not safe at all.
• Verified traveler (2/5): - Was really dirty.Men at front desk was really dirty. E enthough price was cheap, a minimum of comort is required
• Ellie (4/5): Tired motel in a good and affordable location. - Very old and tired motel with tiny bathroom, shaky porch flooring, and no tea bags or muffins/bagles in the morning as promised. there was a pot of coffee. Location was very good as was the price. For sleeping only, it was okay.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Close enough to Acadia. - Doug the owner was very nice. He was accommodating
• Patricia (2/5): Never again. - Dirty,unkempt. Rusty table lamp. Smelly carpet. Water stained lamp shades and curtains.
• Mary (4/5): Very dated - The room was extremely dated, hasn't been updated in over 30 years by the looks of it. The bathroom was so small that I couldn't turn to sit properly on the toilet. The bathroom was also full of mold. By the time we left in the morning, my head was so stuffy and our clothes all smelled musty.
• iroammaori (10/5): Cozy down Maine cottages and motel,great location,rates and pet friendly - I just spent 12 days at the Homestead and was very satisfied.If you're looking to stay somewhere ultra modern with all the wi-fi hook ups and designer decor this isn't for you.If you want a cozy cottage with a comfy bed,clean room and bath with cable TV and lots of hot water where your canine companion is a welcome family member and the heater is more than up to keeping you warm through a cold raw Fall night its home away from home. The decor may be dated but the point isn't to be trendy its to provide good basic accommodations at a very reasonable price. The owners are friendly and a good source for some local color and provide that morning cup of coffee in the office. Location is great the road takes you straight into downtown Ellsworth with direct access to Bangor or Arcadia Park and lots of local eateries and shopping, some great outlet stores as well. This will be my go to place whenever we're in the area. Visitors keep this a pet friendly place and pick up after Fido its only courteous and here you're not gouged for having a furry friend, I want to be able to go back with mine. Thanks for having us; Bob and Bebhinn, see you in the Spring.
• magnariderv45 (6/5): Plenty of nice places for lodging in Ellsworth. This one is memorable as a time capsule. - This place is on Buckport road just before it descends into historic downtown Ellsworth. Staying here is like traveling was in the late '50s or early '60s. Don't expect any amenities here. No internet access either, unless you want to stand in the main residence "breakfast nook/office" and do your surfing. The proprietors (Doug and Rachael) are research scientists and definitely not small business people. We have been staying here for years and do manage to enjoy ourselves despite the rather dated and spartan conditions.
• WilandTil (2/5): Anything less than one for a rating? - We stayed in "cottage" #7 last night. Read the review from 2011 for cottage 7. It hasn't improved. Traveler's photos online are accurate. We thought it was laughable until bedtime-before we saw long black hairs on the sheets along with a live brown spider. My husband thought it should be condemned, my daughter thought it should be donated to the fire department for a training exercise. The people were nice. $107, please put some of that money back into the place! Be sure to look at the rooms before parting with your money. It's scary!
• Raman12312 (6/5): Best Location, Low Price - Yes, this is a low price and not a modern hotel but i think you should consider the Pros. When i pay money i expect more but this hotel was worth it. Pros: 1) LOW price 2) Hotel owner was so nice person to talk to. He baked us and his guests fresh bread for breakfast. 3) Park right outside your door. 4) very quiet 5) Close to Acadia National park and Ellsworth (5 minutes drive) Cons: i have a list. Please be aware. 1) Very old room/cottages with a small ineffective heater in room, and no heaters in the bathroom. This place is very cold. 2) Doors and windows doesn't seal properly. 3) No wifi in rooms.
• Mary (2/5): Unbelievable, gross - This place was very gross, mold smelling , peeling paint , beds awfull, would love a refund?
• 509robinm (2/5): Worst I have ever seen - With uneven floor, tiny beds from the 1950's, musty and moldy room with water damages everywhere, false advertising, this motel should not be allowed to operate. Nothing here is up to the code. This place needs to be bulldozed and rebuilt before it can be allowed to open for business. This motel is the worst!
• 296elkea (8/5): Perfect location to stay for a low price! - We searched for an cheap accommodation located near Acadia National Park. Homestead Motel and Cottages satisfied that conditions. Our room was proper and clean and it was perfect for two nights. The owner was really kind and made a nice breakfast for us! There was free WiFi by the reception.
• SelenaB1990 (8/5): Very nice Motel but don't expect luxury - Last weekend, visiting Acadia National Park, I stayed in Homestead Motel and Cottages with 7 other friends. We were looking for the cheapest place to sleep and shower. Expecting the worst after reading a lot of bad reviews, we were surprised to see the clean room and bathroom. The beds were comfortable, there was a heater and the next morning they cleaned our room. A breakfast with bagels and homemade strawberry jam, blueberry muffins, coffee and thee was included. Owners were really kind. This all for 33 dollars per person for 2 nights!
• Verified traveler (4/5): Bates Motel - Reminded me of the Bates Motel doors would not close. We got locked in the room. Blueberry muffins were fresh, hot and homemade.
• Julie (2/5): DO NOT STAY HERE - If it weren't so late and the fact that we had no where else to stay, we would NOT have stayed here! We even contemplated sleeping in the car. I never would have stayed here if I had kids. Should be torn down!! And we're not even picky or hard to please people...
• johnsU9795BI (6/5): A cheap and clean place to spend the night - A clean room at a good price, the outside could use some work but the room is fine, lots of ways to spend three to four times as much if you want to, all we wanted was a clean place to sleep and shower, and that is what we got.
• Lucy (6/5): The price is right - The place is no frills but clean and dogs friendly.We have two big dogs and didn't even pay extra for them.The cottages are small but we just needed place to sleep as we were hiking in Arcadia.Our three days we stay there went fast,we'll be back next year.You can't ask for more for that price in this area.
• Verified traveler (2/5): Not recommended - I do not recommend this place. The air conditioning was very loud and not working. I complained about it and it was still the same. We suggested to move to another room but was told they were full but on the second night we notice that some rooms were already empty but still didn't move us.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Must have adventurous sense of humor - It is good sometimes to experience the nadir of a certain event one comes to take for granted!
• Jing (2/5): DIRTY PLACE - If you have other choices, do not stay here.
• Joanne (2/5): Not exactly as advertised - No words to describe... they couldn't find the booking because they don't check email. Bathtub had hair in it. No air condoning except for a broken ceiling fan and hole in screen.(they did provide 2 floor fans and 1 worked.) Front door had an in gap so bugs could fly in freely. Parking was a gravel lot in between discarded boat, picnic tables, and plants. Gentleman was friendly. The gps did not identify this location.
• 527katelyns (2/5): False Advertising - When we booked this motel, we expected it to be what they had advertised on the website. When we arrived after the check-in time, no one was there. We had to wait 45 minutes for someone to help us check-in. The lawn looked like it had not been mowed in weeks. The landscape and gardening had not been done in forever. Upon entering the cottage, it smelled musty and moldy, the ceilings had water damage, the corners of some of the walls consisted of mold, the bedsheets looked like they hadn't been updated since the 70's. The carpets and chairs were stained. Overall, we did not end up staying and therefore moved our reservations to the Comfort Inn. I am not sure how this motel is still open, there is nothing up to code. It disgusting. I have no clue how this is rated the 10th best motel in Ellsworth, but it is awful. I would stay away if I were you. I feel bad for the owners, but I think they need to close down until they have completed all renovations. The website looked inviting; however, it was deceiving.
• Andrea (4/5): - It is old and smells like it. The room was clean enough but uncomfortable and stuffy. Could open the door because the screen door was full of holes. We left at dawn because of the smell and stuffiness.
• Verified traveler (4/5): - Hotel facilities is pretty bad. The bathroom is dirty and the door can't even be closed.
• Mosques (2/5): Don't stay here! - The place needs to be bulldozed. There is trash and weeds everywhere. The owner is as nice as can be but he needs to put some money into the place. The rooms were not even level. The floors are rotting underneath. It is not convient to the town. You still have to drive. It's on a busy road so if you stay here ask for a back cottage, away from the main road.
• Sandra (8/5): - The motel was quaint and the owner was very accommodating. He gave us many suggestions on places to visit and restaurants to go try. Older motel, but very clean.
• DominoFrost (10/5): :) - The owners are wonderful people! They are a kind, hard-working, fantastic family who live there year-round. They also know a lot about the local attractions and what is going on in the area. They provide a great service for the downeast traveler.
• Verified traveler (2/5): I regret this choice. - Entire cottage was on a slant. Slept in my clothes only using the comforter. Holes and stains in the sheets.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Nice overnight stay close to Acadia - Very cute little motel, with chairs on the porch. Room was clean and the bed comfy. The owner was very nice.
• Verified traveler (2/5): - The porch floorboards were rotted. The room had an odd, almost urine like odor. The air conditioner kept cycling on loudly every 30 minutes. Just as we'd fall asleep, it would come on again. The bathroom was very clean. Just very old. The bed linens smelled clean.
• Ron (8/5): Character and charm - True character cottage. Very friendly owners. Great stay.
• Elizabeth (6/5): Help - The owner was so nice. Needed a lot of work. Was clean
• Lerathebest (8/5): - Home made muffins for breakfast are delicious. Room is clean, just old. Nevertheless, perfect for one or two nights stand.
• ecoroyalty (8/5): What's with the other reviewers' negativity?! - I checked into this hotel when I was visiting Acadia National Park. The hotel owner is a very nice couple. They are very friendly and accommodating. I noticed some other reviewers pointed out how terrible the hotel condition was -- the room itself didn't have a problem, it was clean and very cozy. Their main office looked like an antique shop, chaotic but in an organized fashion! If some reviewers wanted to have a crazy clean hotel room with modern decors in this area, they would have to pay at least double the rate this hotel offered. Nothing is perfect, and so this hotel has just the right balance between comfort and affordability. Thanks for hosting and keep it up!
• Verified traveler (2/5): Overpriced and Underserved - We were disappointed with this hotel. Breakfast was supposed to be 8 - 10 and it was at least 8:30 before there was food served. There was supposed to be Wi-Fi, but it was only available in the office, which was poor reception. Our room smelled musty and our clothes seemed to be wet in the morning. The carpet was very worn and the bathroom floor was soft in places.
• Verified traveler (2/5): Must be closed by authorities - The motel is in terrible condition. The room was smelling mildew.
• Verified traveler (6/5): - We were there for the 4th of July weekend 2015. Everything was booked so we ended up to this motel. Have to say that it was very clean. (Don't let the hotel buildings mislead you on this point) the office was in need of a good clean up though. Owner was very nice and made us feel welcomed. I have to admit that this motel/cottages are in a need of renovations. All this being said, for the price, it was as expected.
• Lisa (2/5): - We used this hotel to overnight on our way to our final destination. Location was good: off of highway and fairly close to town. The motel cabins need repair. Although the sheets and towels were clean it just had an overall feel of being dirty. Also the wireless internet was not working in the rooms...have to hang out in office if you wanted to use wifi Can't comment on the breakfast as we felt uncomfortable eating from there.
• Kenneth (4/5): A PLACE TO DRY OFF - 15+ hours of rain tent flooded it was warm dry and the owner hospitality was great rooms a little old but the towels 5+
• Bob (6/5): Close to Bar Harbor and 1-1/2 hrs from Campobello - Staff very good and the motel is a homey little mom and pop style that aren't many left around.
• Verified traveler (6/5): - just stayed 1 night one the way to another destination. clean, friendly staff, dated, window screens torn. good value for the price.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Trust the reviews - We weren't expecting much given other reviews so it met our expectations. The rooms are old but clean. The door was sticky and we had to push hard to get it opened or closed. It was the kind of room which you got a good night's sleep but little more. It reminded me of staying at my grandmother's house. Welcoming but dreary.
• rachel (6/5): great town - The owners were extremely nice . The room was very clean but very out dated they need new rugs a newer tv and to fix the water damage because there was mold but would stay there again !
• sam (4/5): Cheap... - Cheap hotel close to downtown Ellsworth. 35 minutes from bar harbor and Acadia. The hotel itself looks worn down and could use a coat of paint and replacement screen doors. The room smelled like Lysol and the ceilings were stained. The bathroom door did not shut as the room was built sideways. Next time I'll book further in advance and spend a little more to just stay in bar harbor...
• klspence345 (2/5): Waste of time/money - When we arrived there was no one there to check us in but the place was dirty and there was stuff just piled up EVERYWHERE. It looked like a hoarder lived there. There was a sign on the desk that said to call so that we could get checked in so I tried to use the phone that was on the desk and there was no number anywhere I could see. We had to find another accommodation. And when I got charged I called to get my money back and the owner just yelled at me saying I couldn't understand the instructions (apparently I was supposed to use the phone located BEHIND the door) and I wouldn't be getting my money back. Rude staff. Dirty establishment.
• debrah892 (2/5): Don't believe the photos - We arrived after a long day at Acadia. The office smelled of animal excrement. I gave it the benefit of doubt. Checked in to the cottage. The cottage had tree branches hanging over, weeds growing above the entry and tape on the screen to the entry. No ac....no fridge. The toilet broke on first flush. Upon further investigation, it (the toilet innards) was held together with a rubber band. Omg. We walked the grounds full of junk....Mosquitos and debris. I knew it was not the experience I wanted in Maine. The owner gracefully credited me for the two nights reserved after taking photos and threatening legal involvement. Move along....don't do it. The floors were crooked, the cabin musty. You can only put so much lipstick on a pig.
• JulietteMarks (2/5): This Motel should go out of business - We booked a room at this motel through Booking.com and were shocked when we arrived. We have never seen the likes of a motel that has been allowed to become so run down. We asked the owner to cancel our booking, but he refused and we had to stay there to avoid paying for another room elsewhere. Also, by the time we arrived in the Bar Harbour area there were no other accommodations to be had; we were stuck. Booking.com is looking into this on our behalf. There were a couple good things: clean sheets and towels and the room had been cleaned; there was soap, but no shampoo. However, this motel should really not be in business unless a serious renovation is done. Issues: Low ceilings that were patched to cover significant damage; bad smell despite attempt to keep room clean and tidy, old, dank carpet, decaying baking soda in fridge, paint peeling off door, ripped screen door, heavily leaking faucets in tub, spider crawling on ceiling when we went in (this can happen, we know, even in the best hotels, but it did yet another problem to the long list), bench outside room missing wooden slats, grounds unkempt, office had piles of papers and junk, musty smell...and on and on and on.
• the Hoosier K's (8/5): Worn but cozy - The motel is very dated but the current owner is attempting to renovate the property. Think of lodging in the 50's & you'll be right at home here. The owner is very personable & goes out of his way to please the guests by providing a breakfast that includes homemade jam & muffins which you enjoy in his 1810 home. He is also eager to provide assistance if you're heading to downtown Ellsworth or over to Acadia National Park.
• Joyce (2/5): What a waste of money! - We have never stayed in a place so bad. Can't believe you had it on your website. Slept in our clothes; didn't use the shower. Left at 5 AM. Furnishings were sparse and from the '50's. NOTHING to recommend it.
• Martin (8/5): - Nice place, being refurbished at the moment. Friendly management good morning continental breakfast. Would definitely stay there again Older facility being upgraded by current owners.
• cosmo (10/5): cozy - I'll take the crummy wallpaper for the privacy of my own cabin at an affordable rate.
• Carrie (4/5): Not even an average place. I - It was a below average place. It was clean and I didn't mind the place for the price until I checked out and they charged me an additional $8.50 for using Expedia to book the room. The price was definitely too much for this room with the additional $8.50 for the night. I told Doug it was wrong to publish one price and be charged more by booking on-line. He said, it is in the very small print, and they are a small place and cannot absorb the price. The room is not worth the price.
• R (2/5): Looked great in the 1950's (MAYBE)? - Not sure when these were built, but I'm guessing sometime in the mid 1900's. Not too sure if they've been remodeled or updated since they were new. Went to the bathroom and thought I was going to go through the floor. Smelled like a moldy old shoe when I first walked in. After the door was open for awhile it smelled better, but not great. Wouldn't recommend this place for any price and for what I paid it was way too high.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Silent but humid - Nice spot but smells not good in the room and the bed broke when my husband sat on it !!!
• Doggerm (4/5): Dream gone bad - I hate to write negative reviews about a place, but i guess thats what Trip Advisor is about. I booked the Homestead because i have previously stayed there. I knew it was an older , dated motel but it was quaint. I have to say it has gone downhill in the last 4 years. I made reservations directly to the motel. When i got there , i was very surprised at the condition of the main building let alone the outside of the accomodations. The lawn was over grown, the shrubbery was overgrown, there was rubbish piled in the yard. There was no one in the office, and i waited for about 20 mins, all the time thinking i need to cancel my reservation. While i was waiting another couple came by and said they too had been waiting but cancelled their reservations based on what they saw "outside". I went for a drive and called to cancel, but the owner called me back within 5 mins. I went over to check it, thinking it cant be too bad. I checked in, went in the room and realized that it was bad, firstly they charged me a rate that was waaaayyy too high for what this was. the cabin was dark and dingy, no ac , the heater was a small forced air stuck in the wall , there was an old refrigerator probably from the 70s and one of the earliest models of Microwaves. The Homestead is in a nice location, and it used to be a reasonable place to stay , even if it was dated. It could be a gold mine if the owner invested even 10,000 in the place, even a good landscaping job would help ( i thought the place was closed) . If you are in the hospitality business , you must respect the fact that people PAY you for a decent place to stay. You need to put some of this pay BACK into the business. Even if you phased the renos,, replaced some furniture, replaced the tvs in a couple of rooms. change the mattresses ,, even one room a month, in a year you would almost have it all renovated. We dont mind paying a 100 bucks, if its worth it, but we dont want to feel gouged. Doug, Please , have a look at your rooms. or try staying in the cabins with your family. It may be time to revisit the "dream"

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