The Willows was built in 1913
for Miss Charlotte Baker, a patron of the arts who operated a
finishing school for girls in her native Boston. The entire project was
completed for $50,000. Local newspaper accounts of the time clearly
thought this to be quite an extravagant sum to spend on a summer home. The
name Willows was chosen because of the stately willow trees that lined the
curving entry drive. Miss Baker enjoyed her home for a number of years and
was active in the arts in the summer community. The great room with
magnificent views of the bay was her conservatory and she frequently
hosted concerts, poetry readings, piano recitals and other affairs
connected with the summer art scene. When not otherwise in use, the
conservatory served as Miss Baker's art studio, where she liked to paint
scenes of Frenchman Bay as viewed from her picture
window.
 After Miss Baker's death, The
Willows was acquired by Sir Harry Oakes. Oakes was a multi-millionaire
businessman who also had homes in England and the Bahamas. Lady Oakes
preferred to summer in Maine to escape the oppressive summer heat of the
Bahamas and Sir Harry would join her when the demands of his business
empire allowed.
 In the summer of 1947, a wild
fire destroyed much of Bar Harbor including most of the summer homes.
Where once there were over 200 summer estates, after the fire only a few
remained. The property was bequeathed to Bowdoin College shortly thereafter
and purchased by the Cough family in 1969. The mansion has recently been
restored to it's original splendor and is certainly the crown jewel of the resort.
The tale of Sir Harry Oakes is a
tale of money, intrigue and murder most foul.
To read
a brief history click here.
For your privacy and independence, The Willows Oceanside Inn is "host free." All transactions for The Willows
Oceanside Inn are handled by the hotel front desk in the main building.
Rooms
We require 14 days notice prior to arrival date to issue a refund of deposit, less a $20.00 processing fee.
If your reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the arrival date, the first night deposit will be forfeit.
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2008 Rates for The Willows
Oceanside Inn
|
Room |
# of Guests/
View |
May 9-
June 14 |
June 15-
June 28 |
June 29-
Aug. 31 |
Sept. 1-
Closing |
811
Suite/ Adj
|
2
/ Partial |
$154 |
$199 |
$249 |
$219 |
812
Suite/ Adj
|
2 / Full Ocean |
$174 |
$219 |
$274 |
$239 |
813
Adj
|
2 / Full Ocean |
$174 |
$219 |
$274 |
$239 |
821
Corner Room
|
2 / Full Ocean |
$174 |
$219 |
$274 |
$239 |
822
Adj
|
2 / Full Ocean |
$154 |
$199 |
$249 |
$219 |
823
Adj
|
2 / Full Ocean |
$154 |
$199 |
$249 |
$219 |
824
-
|
2 / Full Ocean |
$154 |
$199 |
$249 |
$219 |
825
Corner Suite
|
2 / Full Ocean |
$199 |
$239 |
$294 |
$249 |
826
-
|
2 / No Ocean View |
$109 |
$139 |
$184 |
$154 |
827
-
|
2 / No Ocean View |
$109 |
$139 |
$184 |
$154 |
828
Corner/ Adj
|
2 / Full Ocean |
$154 |
$199 |
$249 |
$219 |
829
Suite/ Adj
|
2 / Partial |
$154 |
$199 |
$249 |
$219 |
831*
Pnthse
|
2 - 6 People |
$2379 |
$2409 |
$2879 |
$2469 |
- Adj means that there are interconnecting doors to the next room if your party exceeds 2 people.
- *831 (Penthouse) rates are by the week, however, nightly rates are available within 60 days.
- Mansion rooms except 831 include free full breakfast, bathrobes, bottled water and more.
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Policies
- 10% percent discount for AAA members.
- Canadian guests can use their CAA for a discount.
- Above rates do not include 7% sales tax.
- The Willows is pleased to provide a smoke-free and pet-free environment for our guests.
- The Willows is the only building on the property for adults only and the minimum age is 16.
- Breakfast included.
- First night's deposit required for rooms.
- Full payment is required for Penthouse.
- Cancellation fee for Inn rooms is $20.00 and 14 days notice.
- Cancellation fee for Penthouse is $40.00 and 30 days notice.
- Cancellations not meeting the above criteria will result in forfeiture of entire deposit.
- Check-In: 3 PM
- Check-Out: 11 AM
- MC, Visa, American Express and Discover accepted.
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