There are few things that put a damper on a reunion quite like bad weather. As the organizer of your family’s get-together, this is something you have to keep in the back of your mind—especially if you’re hoping to hold your reunion in a less-than-tropical location. Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Event Center in Bar Harbor, Maine is a delightful retreat in any season. Your reunion can enjoy water sports and hiking in the summer, or cozy up to a warm fire and delicious comfort food in winter.
How Do I Get to Atlantic Oceanside Hotel?
Situated right on Maine’s scenic coast in the Down East region of the state, the 12-acre oceanfront property welcomes guests to Bar Harbor year-round. Even in the off-season, this place brims with charm, hospitality, comfort and plenty of things to do. The city of Bar Harbor is a short drive from Bangor, Maine and only a couple hundred miles from Boston, making it relatively accessible by car. The Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport is only 12 miles from the village, and Bangor International Airport is 50 miles away, so people from across the country can easily access Atlantic Oceanside Hotel for their reunions.
What Activities Are Available at Atlantic Oceanside Hotel?
Once you arrive and settle in, the first thing your family will ask is what you have planned. What is there to do in this quaint hotel on the shore? The answer is…well…a lot. Atlantic Oceanside has dozens of activities and amenities to keep your reunion busy the whole time you’re here.
The hotel features an indoor and outdoor pool for you to enjoy, as well as a hot tub where your reunions can stay toasty warm during the cooler months. For those who want to keep up with their exercise routine, there’s a great fitness facility and yoga offered daily in season.
Atlantic Oceanside offers nature cruises that depart from the private pier in front of the hotel. These two-hour, narrated boat rides allow your group to enjoy breathtaking scenery, local wildlife and many of Maine’s historical homes and lighthouses. Guests can also take part in numerous water activities, such as kayaking and canoeing. Or you can relax and catch some rays over on the private pebble beach. If you visit in the winter, the hotel provides you with information on some fun snow activities, including cross country skiing through the beautiful natural terrain or snowmobiling along the Park Loop Road.
Acadia National Park is the place to go for hiking. The park contains over 120 miles of some of the most varied and beautiful terrain in the state. Outdoor enthusiasts in your reunion will love hiking along the various trails and up Gorham Mountain. The park has trails that range from strenuous to very easy, so people of all athletic abilities can enjoy it. There are also some 55 miles of gravel carriage roads for walking, as well as biking, horseback or horse carriage riding.
If your group is in the mood to relax, head over to the state-of-the-art spa at Atlantic’s sister property, Bar Harbor Inn. There you can unwind with a soothing massage or refresh with a mud facial. The town of Bar Harbor is a fun place to explore. Hop the seasonal free shuttle to downtown to enjoy a day of shopping and sightseeing.
What Can Our Reunion Grab Some Grub?
When families get together, there’s always food involved. It’s essential that you plan for many nights out—as well as evenings in—and take into account everyone’s tastes. For the foodies in the group, Atlantic Oceanside does not disappoint. The hotel offers complimentary continental breakfast, complete with house-made pastries—and some gluten-free options. You can also enjoy a full- service breakfast in season. There are many great restaurants located nearby, all of which serve delicious local fare. Be sure to treat your family to a traditional lobster bake, where they will dine on fresh lobster, clams, potatoes and corn cooked over an open fire.
What Are the Accommodations Like?
At the end of the day—after you’ve hiked and swam and kayaked yourself to exhaustion—it’s wonderful to have a nice place to rest your head. Atlantic Oceanside’s comfortable rooms are equipped with modern amenities, ocean views and a patio or balcony. Your group can stay at one of five buildings at the property. The Atlantic View Lodge is the latest addition to the hotel, opened in 2011, and is a premium accommodation. Oceanside is only 100 feet from the shore and features newly renovated rooms. The Maine Building houses the indoor pool, breakfast room, hot tub and exercise room, convenient for all guests staying there. The Willows Bed & Breakfast is an historic estate with 13 guest rooms and a deluxe penthouse. Seaview Cottage is perfect for small reunions, with two bedrooms, a kitchen and living room.
It can be difficult to find the right place to host your reunion, especially in certain states and specific seasons. The charms of Maine can be experienced year-round at Atlantic Oceanside, where reunions can bond over lovely ocean scenes, exciting activities, great food and much more. Atlantic Oceanside impresses with its attentive staff, desirable amenities and exciting activities. You’ll love it so much, you’ll want to stay another night.
Get started by contacting Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Event Center using one of the methods provided. If you’ve held a reunion at the Atlantic Oceanside before, we’d love to hear what you have to say in the comments section.
