One of those “Some day we will have to go there” places
The Lucerne Inn is a year-round Maine attraction on the way to Acadia . If you’re traveling to Bar Harbor or Acadia, you’ll pass it on Rt. 1A between Bangor and Ellsworth. It’s a great place for a meal as well as a room, no matter the season. We stayed there in early January and loved it.
The Lucerne Inn is one of those places that is located along a main route to a “destination.” In this case, it’s between Bangor and Ellsworth, Maine, the major cities in that part of Maine. You also have to pass it to get to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Other than the golf course, which is by and across the street from it, there’s not many reasons to stop.
We pass it all the time on our way to our place in Lubec. We often break our six hour drive by staying overnight at a chain hotel in either Augusta, Waterville, Bangor, or sometimes Ellsworth. Usually, we pick a hotel based upon rewards and price. This time we opted to splurge a bit and try the Lucerne. We were delighted to find a discount online. We also liked that we didn’t have to leave to find a place to eat, like we do for the chains.
A little bit of “Wow” along a tree-lined highway
You will find the Inn as you reach an open area on top of a rise overlooking Phillips Lake. You can’t miss it. It has a fantastic view of water and mountains beyond. The main building is flanked by separate and complimentary buildings all white and all well kept and enhanced by seasonal floral accents.
While it looks large from the outside, it has a cosy atmosphere within it’s historic walls. It’s origins date back to shortly after the War of 1812 when it became a stagecoach stop between Bangor and Ellsworth. The inn celebrated it’s 200th anniversary in 2014 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The hallways and dining room are enhanced by vintage and antique furnishings and paintings.
For the 200th anniversary, the innkeepers added new amenities to the rooms, including a gas-fired fireplace, whirlpooltub, towel-warming bar, furniture, and custom curtains and comforters. The complimentary toiletries are Beekman’s 1812 goat milk brand. The towels are thick and the mattresses comfy.
In the back of the inn is a patio, large swimming pool, and a gazebo where seasonal wedding ceremonies are held with Phillips Lake and mountains as a backdrop.
Dining Options at the Lucerne Inn
The Lucerne Inn has both a restaurant and a pub serving dinner to the public as well as guests. The restaurant menu reflects fresh local and seasonal ingredients and an experienced chef’s touch. Sample menus are posted on the Inn’s website. Dinner is served seven days a week from 5 to 9 p.m. A sumptuous Sunday Brunch Buffet is served from 9 to 12:30.
Rian’s Pub is open from 4 to 9 p.m. with happy hour from 4 to 6.
Rian’s Pub has a separate pub menu.
Scallops wrapped in bacon Spinach artichoke mushroom flatbread pizza
It also has a special menu during their happy hour. That is the time to go, as they reduce the prices on the finger foods, but the quality is high. (Note that the links to the menus are for what is currently posted on the Inn’s website.) They offer a couple of Maine craft beers on draft. When we were there they had beer from the Airline Brewing Company of Amherst and Ellsworth and Geaghan Brothers of Bangor and Brewer, Maine.
On Fridays from mid-January until May the restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat seafood dinner. All the courses have fish or seafood and dessert is included. Past menus are posted on The Lucerne Inn website.
Guests at the Inn will wake to enjoy a continental breakfast served in the dining room. You can enjoy egg and sausage “boats”, fresh fruit salad, pastries, English muffins, yogurt, juice and coffee and tea while enjoying the morning sun reflecting off of the lake and rolling hills seen from your table.
The Lucerne Inn is Pet Friendly
You might be greeted by the owner’s golden retriever. The Inn allows pets for $25 per day. There are a limited number of pet-friendly rooms, so keep that in mind when planning your stay.
More to know about why The Lucerne Inn is a Maine attraction
Special Occasions
The Lucerne Inn offers Romantic overnight or weekend specials which include a room, champagne or cider, dinner for two including dessert, and chocolate covered strawberries, plus breakfast or Sunday brunch if you stay on Saturday night.
The Lucerne Inn also is the site for special events and business gatherings. It offers specialized seating, break out rooms, and catering packages.
Weddings
The Lucerne Inn offers the romantic Overlook Room or a tented patio for wedding venues. There’s a lovely gazebo with white folding chairs for ceremonies. There’s a wedding planner onsite and the catering staff will work with you on customizing a menu. The staff also offers planning assistance for off-site wedding party outings, recreational activities and local tours. Room Blocks at a discount are available for wedding guests staying at the Inn. You can see photos of the gazebo and patio and request a proposal via their website.
The Overlook
The Overlook Room is in a building separate from the main building. It features four chandeliers, a gas fireplace, an area for a dance floor, and a little alcove that faces Bald Mountain and Phillips Lake. It holds up to 120 people with tables/chairs and dance floor or 140 people with tables/chairs and no dance floor.
Tented and lit Patio with lake and mountain views
A brick patio attached to the back of the main building provides an outdoor feeling while having an elegant ambiance. Roll up the tent sides and there’s a beautiful view of Phillips Lake and Bald Mountain and starry Maine nights. It holds up to 195 people with tables and chairs and there’s plenty of room for dancing.
A little more about The Inn
During our stay we noticed that the first floor had rooms as well as the restaurant and pub. So, for those who avoid stairs, the floor plan is a plus. They do have rooms on other levels with stairs so be mindful of that when booking. The bathtub had a bathmat and a grab bar. Not a permanent grab bar, but still better than other places we’ve stayed.
Lucerne-in-Maine Golf course is adjacent to The Inn
A nine hole golf course, designed by Donald Ross, and separately owned and operated, faces the Inn from across Rt. 1A and also abuts it. There’s a tunnel under the road for golfers to travel to The Inn side of the course.
Local Folk and Eagles also a Maine Attraction
The people that you find there also make the Lucerne Inn a Maine attraction . Not only those who work there, but also those who drop in for a meal and drinks at Rian’s Pub or the restaurant. The night we were there several couples, in all age brackets, came in. There were often friendly greetings among friends, as well as sharing of stories of how they came to the area. It made for a cosy, companionable atmosphere. The wood stoked fire in the pub’s fireplace enhanced the setting.
As we were leaving Lucerne Inn after our breakfast, an eagle swooped over our heads. DownEast and Acadia offer an abundance of bird watching opportunities, especially of migratory birds and experiencing the eagle was an example. Whether or not you are a bird watcher, seeing a bald eagle is a special moment. There is a Maine Birding Trail with a website about bird watching in Maine. The DownEast Acadia website also has information about bird watching in the area.