Hinckley's Dreamwood Cottages

Unit 3 had some considerate extras, including spare pillows and an outdoor garbage can for smelly items. The small deck with chairs and a table was nice, and the place was fairly well insulated, with ceiling fans in both rooms. The kitchen has a fridge/freezer, electric stove, microwave, and Keurig. There are several practical annoyances, though. The unit isn't very kid-friendly, even though we managed, and the kitchen is poorly equipped: no oil or spray, no baking sheets, cheap utensils, and no cutting board. The large burner only works if you get it positioned just right. There weren't cleaning products or extra trash bags, and there's nowhere comfortable to eat indoors. The bathroom has just a few hooks outside, no towel rack, and the hot water is scalding, so it's hard to get a comfortable temperature. Clothing storage is limited. The living-area ceiling fan is too high to adjust, and traffic is audible all day because the unit is about 50 feet from a busy road. Each unit differs. This was an okay stay if you're flexible and bring supplies, but it needs some upgrades and more attention to detail.

The cabin was spotless, the bed was comfortable, and having a kitchen was nice. It felt dated, though I actually liked that about it. It's a quick drive to the downtown harbor area, and the price was lower than many hotels and cabins around Bar Harbor. I took off a star because the deadbolt didn't work: the bolt wouldn't line up with the hole. That felt a little unsettling in an unfamiliar place.

We liked it so much that we added another night. One cottage was especially cute, a standalone one-bedroom with its own living room and kitchen. Everything we figured we'd need was already there, including a Keurig, mini fridge, microwave, paper towels, and toaster. The location is lovely, just a short drive from town and Acadia national park. Our rooms were recently renovated and clean, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I could have happily stayed a whole week.

Housekeeping was available only if requested, even though I had to pay a cleaning fee. The rooms were right by the road, so traffic noise was an issue, and the entrance sign could use a light to make it easier to spot after dark. The location near the park was convenient, but the room was just okay, and I think there are better options in the area for similar prices. I expected a cottage in the woods and was disappointed by the motel-like quality of the rooms. The listing said our cottage had a deck and patio, but it had neither. I raised this with the property manager and was told they don't control the description on booking.com. He offered us a connected cottage with a deck, but it didn't have a kitchen, so I declined.