Welcome to the Bear Mountain Inn, a spectacular four-season lakefront bed and breakfast resort. The historic homestead, surrounded by sprawling lawns and forest, overlooks a private sandy beach w canoes, kayaks, fishing poles), and a large deck with fieldstone fireplace providing splendid vistas of Bear Lake.The Inn has eleven beautifully decorated rooms including two-bedroom suites, and large luxurious suites with in-room Jacuzzi & fireplace. For those desiring greater privacy, the inn offers two options: a two-story executive post & beam home, which provides ample space and privacy for families or groups, or our dog-friendly, quaint Sugar Bear cottage, both with extraordinary views of Bear Lake and the surrounding mountains. Outdoor 5 person hot tub (great for stargazing and relaxing) and fieldstone fireplace for evening fires.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
I was planning a weekend getaway for my girlfriend and I who was visiting from LA and came across the Bear Mountain Inn while looking at lift tickets for Shawnee Peak. After falling in love with the photos, I reached out and spoke with Julie on the phone. We made an instant connection and it was clear from even the phone call that this would be a perfect romantic getaway for us. The drive to the Inn was scenic with beautiful views and everything you imagine when you think of picturesque Maine. We arrived and as we walked in were immediately greeted with a huge smile and hug from Julie. Her joy was contagious and Brian joined soon after in a matching Bear Mountain Inn sweatshirt with a similar beaming smile. We picked out what we wanted for breakfast, more on that later, and then proceeded to get the grand tour. The Inn is BEAUTIFUL. Everything is intentional and done with care. From the room decor to the bar, you will instantly feel both at home and at rest. Since the occupancy was low that night, we were given a free room upgrade to the Red Oak. The room was perfect. An indoor fireplace, small kitchenette, a beautiful bathroom that had both a tub and shower, and a very comfortable bed. With hugs goodbye from our wonderful hosts we went into town for dinner. We highly recommend the Standard Gastropub in town. On return we used the hot tub (tip: set the hot tub to your desired temperature a few hours before you plan to use it) which is out under the stars. The next morning we had coffee in front of our in-room fireplace and then ventured downstairs for breakfast, where we once again were greeted with smiles from Julie and Brian as they prepared breakfast. Breakfast was perfect. Local brewed coffee, fresh homemade banana bread, fresh fruit, eggs to order, bacon, and perfectly seasoned potatoes.
If you are looking for new friends and a place that feels like home, the Bear Mountain Inn is second to none. We will absolutely be coming back year after year to celebrate our anniversary.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:The Red Oak was spectacular
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from SulliBrian, Owner at Bear Mountain Inn
Responded Mar 3, 2020
Hi Andrew, thank you so much for the kind words about you experience at the Bear Mountain Inn! We loved having you both, and are so glad that it is a home away from home for you. That is our goal as hosts, and reading reviews like yours make our work so fulfilling. We can’t wait to have you back for your anniversary!
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My boyfriend and I just visited the inn for a little Valentine's Day getaway. We were camp counselors at a camp down the road about a decade ago, so the Waterford area is very special to us. I hadn't seen the Inn in almost a decade, but it's been beautifully remodeled by Julie, Brian, and team. It's gorgeous!
The entire staff (Julie, Brian, Josh and more) are incredibly hospitable and treat you like family. The rooms have a a rustic theme but are quite luxurious. Our room (Mountain Ash) had an amazing jacuzzi tub, king bed, fireplace, and Smart TV. The hosts think about every little detail (champagne on arrival, s'mores kits) and they had a lot of COVID safe activities/meals for us to enjoy, including an outdoor winter pub and a fantastic 4-course dinner cooked by a local chef. Their daily homemade breakfast is truly phenomenal - these were the best blueberry pancakes I've ever had.
This place has a magical feel to it, and we will be back! Thank you again to Julie, Brian, Josh and the rest of the Bear Mountain Inn staff for a lovely few days at the Inn.
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Date of stay: February 2021
Rooms
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our family (2 adults + 2 young adult boys) visited Bear Mountain Inn on our first ever trip to Maine, and the barn suite accommodations were perfect for us! We had a full kitchen for cooking, everyone had their own bedroom and bath, and the view of the lake and the grounds from all the lovely windows was stunning. The bedding, pillows and towels (and extra blankets) were beautiful and soft. Wi-fi worked beautifully. The trail through the woods that follows the lake and stream was beautiful and serene. Bug spray was provided!
The owners are lovely, and available to answer any questions or share information. Hannaford's grocery store was 15 minutes away, and had a great selection of produce, bakery items, and other yummy stuff for cooking. With a fresh breakfast provided every morning, we didn't have to leave the grounds unless we wanted to.
We loved the small rec room (pool and ping pong) and the outdoor hot tub was a hit, too. We didn't try the outdoor fire pits (or the s'mores kits that were available), but that's on our list for next time!
If you're looking for a cozy couple's stay, or if you're going with friends, the rooms in the house are amazing, and there's a little 2-person cottage on the grounds with a cute private sitting area facing the lake, including an electric fire pit. We would definitely go back!
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was refreshing to be met with such warm hospitality after a 5 1/2 hour drive to Maine. This genuine hospitality continued throughout the weekend at the Bear Mountain Inn with Julie, Brian and Josh who made sure that our stay was perfect in every way and Terri, who prepared the most scrumptious breakfasts. The wedding ceremony that my husband and I attended was by a nearby lake, and with the sun peeking through the trees, which made for a beautiful backdrop. Afterwards, we enjoyed a lovely cocktail hour and reception in the rustic, yet stunning barn, adorned with two crystal chandeliers. The Inn has been elegantly renovated with modern amenities and exquisite taste, that only accentuates the character of this destination. My husband and I can't speak more highly of our stay here and we plan to return in the near future.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:The Red Oak room was perfect...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from JulieAndBrian Sullivan, Owner at Bear Mountain Inn
Responded Sep 5, 2021
Hi Maria, thank you so much for sharing your experience. Our goal is to make the Bear Mountain Inn a home away from home with all of the creature comforts to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. It was a joy having you stay with us and we can’t wait to have you back again!
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Loved the Mountain Ash room! Lovely sitting area overlooking the front of the house and toward the lake, gorgeous bathroom, great amenities, perfect B&B stay! We could only stay one night, but took advantage of the canoe early the next morning to go around the lake and then partook of a sumptuous and delicious breakfast. The owners and hosts were friendly and helpful with whatever we asked or needed. A gorgeous property and welcoming stay.
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Date of stay: June 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:All pictured online; hard to choose. Loved the Mountain Ash room on the top floor. Need to...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from JulieAndBrian Sullivan, Owner at Bear Mountain Inn
Responded Sep 5, 2021
Thank you so much for sharing your kind words Tamara. We hope to have you back soon for a longer stay!
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My husband and I visited the Inn for a 4 day get away. We where welcomed by Julie and Brian who made our stay welcoming and catered to all of our needs. A welcome tray of snacks and champagne greeted us in our cottage. I highly recommend the cottage. It is separated from the inn and is very private. It also has a patio with its own fire pit and overlooks the lake. Every morning we had a home cooked breakfast. Terri is a wonderful cook. I highly recommend her fresh baked banana bread. We entertained ourselves with the kayaks and paddle boards provided at the lake front. There is also a pool table and multiple board games are available. The Inn is close to hiking trails which we enjoyed. I can only say if you can go for a visit to this lovely Inn GO!!!Julie and Brian far exceeded all expectations. We are already planning another trip.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from JulieAndBrian S, Owner at Bear Mountain Inn
Responded Jun 26, 2020
Hi Brenda, thank you so much for sharing your stay experience. It made our week to read such a wonderful review. It was so nice having you and Jeff here. We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay. It really means the world to us, and we can’t wait to have you back!
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I’ve traveled a lot and have stayed at many a B&B. And hands-down, the Bear Mountain Inn is simply the best I’ve ever experienced. The owners Brian & Julie have cultivated a place that’s so classy, charming & personable, and it possesses an endless array of thoughtful & incredible touches. The most hospitable cook in the world, Terri, tailors breakfasts to your liking (her banana bread is worth the price of admission alone). My goodness. It’s a complete luxe experience but at surprisingly affordable rates. Oh! And the grounds themselves - the sprawling landscape overlooks the vast beauty of Bear Pond itself where kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes await you, which are all included. I’m giving this place 5 Stars only because I can’t give it 6 or 7. Do yourself & your loved ones a huge favor, and STAY AT THIS PLACE. It’s the total package.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from JulieAndBrian Sullivan, Owner at Bear Mountain Inn
Responded Jul 7, 2022
Thank you for the glowing review Rob! It’s been so nice having you back every summer since we took ownership of the Bear Mountain Inn. You have been visiting since before we purchased the property, and you have seen the transition and improvements over the years. Our goal is, and has always been to make our guests feel right at home here. It gives us great joy to see our guests enjoy all the amenities the inn has to offer. As always, it was a true pleasure having you back and we hope that you might be back again to experience a winter stay with us. Take care, and we look forward to your next visit!
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The place is beautiful no doubt but the owners of this place are racist. I attented a wedding there and there were issues with space at the reception. The owners/manager misbehaved with 3 of us who were brown and waiting at the reception door and rudely told us to leave the wedding reception several times because there was no space.They could have taken a more professional approach and be more accommodating to us. We were close friends to both the bride and groom all dressed up for the wedding ( we did not look like we were trespassing the property). I think this is systemic racism and would have never happened if we were white. The owner was monitoring the Inn 24×7 and told us to leave the wedding venue during the wedding reception. So yeah be careful of booking this place if you are not white.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Brian Sullivan, Owner at Bear Mountain Inn
Responded Aug 8, 2021
Nawshaba, thank you for taking the time to share this information. We do believe that through the feedback of our guests, and the guests of those guests, that we are able to learn and grow the most. As you remember last weekend was a joyous and celebratory event for Megan and Paul. The Bear Mountain Inn staff were all very excited to meet both sides of the family, learn about everyone's cultures and backgrounds, and it was quite exciting for everyone to see that culture unfold on our property. As you well know, the guest count was considerably over what was agreed to, or expected. We were told to plan for 150 guests, and well over 50 additional guests arrived. Yes, it took some quick planning and communicating between our staff, the caterer, photographer, and both sides of the family before we were all able to wrap our heads around how to move forward with the day. In the end, we in fact, did not turn anyone away. We know that a few people did choose to leave on their own. But with the help of close family members interpreting other languages, the caterer getting more food, and everyone involved, we were able to feed all the guests and make sure that everyone enjoyed the day and were able to celebrate the marriage of Megan and Paul. Please be assured that at no time did race, creed, religion or anything play a factor in any of the quick decisions that were made. Nawshaba, we would hope that you might look back on your experience knowing a little more about the days events. We welcome you back with open arms, in order to better convey our quality of guest experience to anyone that steps foot on the property here at Bear Mountain Inn + Barn. At all times, all are welcome here regardless of race, orientation, background or culture. Please allow us the opportunity to make it up to you. We would be grateful for the opportunity to speak with you about this matter, and use your experience to learn ways to improve our guest communication.
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We went for a family wedding with our boys ages 4 and 7 and had THE BEST time. Canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, lawn games, board games, card game, even hot tubing on a 90 degree day. Fire pit and s’mores at night. Kids never asked for tablets or TV. Beautiful and relaxing setting. Best part (best is probably not the right word), our 4 yo had a massive nose bleed on his button down shirt 1 hour before the wedding where he was the ring bearer. Julie took the shirt and got it washed and dried with time to spare before the wedding. Incredible service.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from JulieAndBrian Sullivan, Owner at Bear Mountain Inn
Responded May 22, 2022
Hi Alexis, thank you so much for sharing your experience and kind words. We loved having you and your family. Our number one goal is to make our guests feel like they are right at home. There is nothing that gives us more joy is seeing guests enjoy the property, and to take advantage of the amenities. It was such a beautiful wedding, and your son did a great job as the ring bearer. Hope to have you back again!
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From outstanding hospitality, to A+ cleanliness, to stellar views and all the charm one could imagine, our stay was just too short! While we would love to keep this a secret, it would not be fair for others not to experience this charming and absolutely beautiful Inn. Julie and Brian were amazing hosts and while our stay was short, it was certainly sweet. We are already planning a trip back this fall/winter! For reference, we stayed in the small cottage complete with an indoor fireplace and an outdoor fire pit...perfect for romantic nights!
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Date of stay: July 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:For privacy, romance and quiet, you cannot go wrong with the stand alone cottage!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian and I as of last week are the new owners of Bear Mountain Inn. We are working on updating this on tripadvisor.
We have a wonderful local officiant, if you wish. Please give me a call at the inn to discuss details.
Julie
There are more places to choose from in the Waterford area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
bear mountain hotel south waterford
LOCATION
United StatesMaineWaterford
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
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