T+L’s First In Lodge Overview of The Asticou in Maine

Summertime in Maine will get all of the glory, however there’s one thing actually enchanting about Vacationland on the cusp of fall, particularly Mount Desert Island. By early September, the throngs of hikers alongside the oft-packed trails of Acadia Nationwide Park have thinned, the strains at fashionable lobster joints like Abel’s and Beal’s are mercifully quick, and the rocky seashores are blissfully crowd-free, leaving loads of room for leisurely walks and tide pooling.

My husband and I first visited Mount Desert Island in late August 2020 and had been desperate to return with our three-year-old son, Luca.  Once we realized that The Asticou Lodge, a Nineteenth-century lodge situated within the quiet village of Northeast Harbor, had lately accomplished a sweeping renovation, we couldn’t resist squeezing in a last-minute journey earlier than it closed for the season. The $28-million improve not solely refreshed the 50 visitor rooms contained in the historic principal constructing, but in addition added 17 suites with terraces and harbor views, plus 15 spacious cottages best for households. We snapped up a one-story, two-bedroom bungalow for a three-night keep throughout early September.

Glancing across the foyer as I checked us in, I observed that a lot of the unique inn’s attraction has been retained or reimagined with sensible design decisions that add a extra trendy sensibility, together with a larger sense of place.

Designers Krista Stokes and Mark Cotto anchored the principle constructing in a chic shade palette that displays Mount Desert Island’s rugged panorama: deep greens and browns to channel the nationwide park’s forests and wetlands, gray tones to evoke the granite cliffs and rocky seashores, and pops of pink and burgundy to echo the native girl’s slipper orchids and seaside roses. Partitions are peppered with nautical and botanical prints, in addition to work from Maine-based artists, together with David Allen, who created the lodge’s customized toile wallpaper.

Throughout our lengthy weekend, it turned clear that the concept of connecting company to the island wasn’t simply embedded into the decor, however sewn into the material of the lodge itself. Someday, the lodge organized for us to see the island from the water. The captain met us on the dock of The Asticou’s sibling lodge, The Claremont in Southwest Harbor, the place the properties share a pair of classic vessels. On our hour-long cruise aboard the Girl A, a 1959 Downeast lobster yacht restored to pristine situation, the captain took us previous the evergreen-lined Cranberry Isles. As we hummed alongside, he identified cormorants drying their wings and bald eagles perched on a excessive tree department, amongst different birds.

Learn on for my full evaluation of The Asticou Lodge.

The Rooms

In the principle constructing, visitor rooms are divided into 10 classes based mostly on their measurement, essentially the most spacious and personal being the Harborview Loft, a 454-square-foot hideaway located by itself flooring. All lodging incorporate a mixture of customized furnishings and classic finds that floor the areas in a standard European aesthetic, however a playful mixture of patterns provides a contact of caprice.

Cottages vary from single-story one-bedroom items that sleep as much as 4 individuals to two-story three-bedroom houses that sleep as many as six. Getting into our bungalow, dubbed The Herbalist, felt like strolling into a classy buddy’s thoughtfully furnished New England visitor home. A luxurious sofa and armchairs flanked a leather-wrapped chest to create the open-floor plan’s cozy dwelling space, whereas the eating nook and compact kitchen had been set off by a modern island. Whereas we didn’t do any cooking, I appreciated gaining access to a full array of prep instruments and servingware, plus a dishwasher for simple clean-up.

Each bedrooms—a major with a king mattress, plus a second with two twin beds—function en-suite bogs stocked with Le Labo toiletries. However the shock MVP amenity turned out to be the Bluetooth-enabled CubieBlue alarm clock, which we used to broadcast a soothing forest soundscape from our telephones in a single day after our transportable sound machine died.

Meals and Drink

Open all through the day, The Asticou’s restaurant, Dahlia’s, serves refined trendy American fare with worldwide touches. On our first night time, we popped in for an early dinner, the place highlights included tender scallops sauced with a coconut-lemongrass caramel and a summer season salad that made essentially the most of native greens, juicy blueberries, and heirloom tomatoes.

Tucked throughout the corridor is Moss Bar. The quiet lounge’s curated menu shows an identical mixture of native pleasure and worldwide aptitude. Nearly all of beers are from Maine breweries, together with the favored Allagash in Portland, whereas the small plates pop across the globe (chorizo skewers, lamb lollipops, and, after all, a lobster roll).

The lodge’s Cabana Bar retains company well-fed whereas lounging poolside.

Actions and Experiences

The Asticou can set company up with a non-public information for nature walks or hikes via Acadia Nationwide Park. Someday, the lodge organized for a mild hike alongside the Ship Harbor Path that will lead us previous a tranquil cove, mudflats, and a spruce forest. When a gradual drizzle refused to let up that morning, our information pivoted with ease, suggesting a few alternate routes that will allow us to take pleasure in nature with out getting completely soaked. We settled on Sieur de Monts, which gives a stable introduction to Acadia with its nature middle and well-marked trails.

Boat cruises and charters are additionally out there via its sibling lodge, The Claremont in Southwest Harbor.

In spring 2026, The Asticou plans to launch extra programming, together with artwork and yoga lessons.

The Spa

As a part of the lodge’s renovations, The Asticou is constructing a brand new subterranean spa that can debut with a full slate of wellness choices in spring 2026.

Household-friendly Choices

The guided nature walks and boat excursions attraction to households with youngsters of all ages since they’re simply tailor-made to company’ pursuits, talent degree, and home windows of persistence—a key issue for fogeys with little ones. Moreover, the outside pool is heated.

The lodge’s number of lodging additionally permits households and multi-gen teams to unfold out and spend time collectively.,

Accessibility and Sustainability

The Asticou’s principal inn is supplied with an elevator, and there are two ADA-compliant suites. One of many Harborside Cottages can be ADA accessible.

Location

The lodge is situated within the village of Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island, roughly an hour from Bangor Worldwide Airport (BGR). It’s additionally a three-hour drive from Portland, Maine.

Guide Now

The Asticou is open seasonally from Could via October. The lodge isn’t a part of any loyalty program, so earlier than you e book your keep, try its web site for essentially the most present reductions and packages.

Nightly charges at The Asticou begin from $750.

Each T+L lodge evaluation is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed on the property, and every lodge chosen aligns with our core values.