Guest Room Amenities

All eight individually appointed guest rooms have fresh flowers, comfortable seating, an alarm clock, a sound machine, Port wine & home made chocolates, wine glasses, water glasses, Hunter ceiling fans and individual climate control A/C and heat. Each private bath boasts luxurious bathrobes, slippers, soaps, bath and body amenities, radiant heat under ceramic tile flooring, modern fixtures, hair dryer and other "spa" touches. Some rooms have private decks with harbor views and our three room Penthouse Turret Suite also has a fireplace.

Inn Amenities

Private Off-Street Parking, Covered Bicycle Enclosure, Guest Refrigerator with Complimentary Soda and Bottled Water, Hot & Cold Spring Water Dispenser, Guest Telephone (offering free calls anywhere in the US), Wireless Internet, Guest Computer, Books, DVDs, Magazines, Games and a Flower Filled, South Facing, Wrap-Around Porch with a view where guests can enjoy breakfast and our afternoon wine and hors d'oeurves as an alternative to our indoor spaces. Also, a great spot to enjoy lunch from one of our local fresh markets or take-out restaurants.

Common Rooms

The Inn has a Formal Living Room with a welcoming fireplace and is decorated with an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional furnishings, plants, fine art and collectibles.

The Lounge, adjacent to the dining room, offers additional comfortable seating, another cozy fireplace, a beverage buffet with imported Lavazza Espresso, flavored syrups and assorted teas and hot cocoas available all day.

Guests may use our newly renovated Dining Room, featuring our own large-scale art photography and library, at any time of day for playing games, listening to music, reading or just talking with other guests.

And of course, guests are free to relax outdoors on our wrap around porch and take in the fresh sea air.

Early Morning Coffee

Freshly brewed regular and decaf coffee and hot water are available on the beverage buffet in the Lounge by 7:00am along with a different light bite each day - fresh baked croissants, muffins, cinnamon buns and hand-dipped chocolate topped biscotti. There are small trays available should you wish to take your beverages to your room or out to the porch to enjoy before the breakfast service. Also, in the Lounge, our espresso machine is available 24 hours as is hot water for a selection of teas or cocoas.

Afternoon Treats and Early Evening Wine & Hors d'Oeurves

Each afternoon a freshly baked sweet offering is available on the beverage buffet in the Lounge as a tasty "pick-me-up" after a busy day of adventures on the Island. And, in the early evening, guests are invited to enjoy a light snack and a glass of wine, served in the dining room, before heading out to dinner at one of our wonderful local restaurants.

However you choose to experience Maine's natural beauty, we will do all that we can to enhance your experience here at  Kingsleigh Inn - Treat Yourself and Someone You Love!

Our location...

Nestled on the western side of Mount Desert Island, Kingsleigh Inn is situated on Main Street in the heart of a true fishing village - Southwest Harbor, Maine just one hundred yards from the water. The decor is eclectic, comfortable, casual and welcoming. We are located in-town, situated amongst shops, restaurants, museums, the marina and the public library. We are surrounded by Acadia National Park and are just minutes from a number of hiking and biking trails, lakes and the gorgeous rocky oceanside cliffs at the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Bar Harbor is just a fifteen minute drive for those seeking the numerous shops, restaurants and tourist attractions then preferring to end their day relaxing on the island's less trampled "Quietside". Southwest Harbor is a small but vibrant community offering our visitors a taste of a real Maine fishing village providing an ideal home base for exploration of the island.

A brief history...

Kingsleigh Inn is a turn-of-the-century 1904 Queen Anne manse of the Victorian era. In 1882, Anson I. Holmes, a prominent businessman in the growing town of Southwest Harbor, purchased a parcel of land from the east side of Main Street (just south of the intersection with present Clark Point Road) stretching down to the water, from James H. Freeman. Holmes then erected a two story commercial structure on the site. The newly formed Masonic Lodge held its first meeting on the lower floor. For many years, the upper level of the building served as the Customs House for ships from foreign countries arriving in the harbor. Sometime during the next twenty years, the building was moved, and in 1904, (Holmes, who by this time ran a livery stable, owned a large store and a hotel on Main Street in the area of the current Town Park) rebuilt on the site. At 5,500 square feet, the new building used as his private home was known as the Anson I. Holmes Cottage. The home was then renovated around 1984 and was transformed into an 8 room, 8 bath bed and breakfast. After a succession of innkeepers, Kingsleigh Inn was purchased by its current innkeepers, Pamela and Bryan. The lastest thorough renovation took place in 2005 with continuing updates each year including, most recently, individual climate control (A/C and heat) in each guest room, new gas fireplaces in the living room and lounge and radiant heated tile flooring in the bathrooms along with all new modern fixtures. The small house directly behind the inn was relocated to Holmes’ lot many years ago from another location in town. The home still belongs to the great-grandson and family of Anson Holmes.

then...

The black & white photos are of the inn in its original condition from the early 1900's (these photos were created from original negatives we obtained from the family; note the vintage car to the right). Many of the finer points still remain (detailed railings on the main porch, the cedar shingle siding on the upper level and the stucco "pebbledash" on the lower level). Quite often a home's turret would face the front but in this case, it faces the harbor to take advantage of the wonderful harbor view. Awnings were added in more recent years to protect against the bright afternoon sun that floods the interior with light. All first floor windows are the original wavy glass; all upper level bedroom windows have been replaced.

and now...

The architecture...

Victorian homes are architecturally commonly referred to as the Victorian Style, but this "style" is really a period in history. The Victorian era dates from the time when Queen Victoria ruled Britain (1840 to 1901). During this time, industrialization brought many innovations in architecture. There are a variety of Victorian styles, each with its own distinctive features. Kingsleigh Inn displays such characteristics as steeply pitched roofs, usually with dominant front-facing gable (though missing in this case), textured shingles to avoid smooth-walled appearance, partial or full-width asymmetrical porch, usually one story high and extended along one or both side walls, asymmetrical façade, patterned masonry (in this case, a “pebbledash” surface with sea stones embedded in stucco), turrets, bay windows, dormers and an asymmetrical floor plan.  Kingsleigh Inn displays its Colonial Revival characteristics by the dormers and symmetrical façade facing Main Street. The main entrance to the home as it was built was via the porch staircase. Note the antique brass doorbell on the original front door at the top of the steps. Many turn-of-the-century houses are in fact hybrids, combining Queen Anne motifs with features from earlier and later fashions. The Kingsleigh Inn is a prime example of this fusion.

We will be more than happy to make dining reservations for you and steer you toward the best hiking, biking and outdoor activities on the island.

It is our goal to anticipate your needs, surpass your expectations and provide a Memorable Maine Vacation.
-Pamela & Bryan