Little Island Motel, Harpswell

Go back in time to escape the city, the normal hustle of life. So peaceful. If you enjoy natutre you will adore the rustic motel rooms, the row boats and the bicycles. My husband and I go there every year for our anniversary.

Quite by accident I discovered Little Island Motel. And I am glad, It is not fancy, but it is Maine. Rather ordinary rooms with wonderful decks on the water. A dock to swim off and boats to row, even some quirky bicycles. Jo Atlas is an interesting woman and runs the Motel her way. She is careful to provide lovely local pastry and has a varied breakfast, which one can take to eat on the deck outside one's room. We have gone there the last two years and hope to go there this fall again. If fancy is what you are looking for this is not the place for you or is Orr's Island. But if you are willing to be part of the local scene, give a little of yourself and want to get the real feel of Maine, this is a simple, well situated place to stay. I do have to agree the bathrooms do leave a bit to be desired, but then who goes on vacation ( at least in Maine) for the bathrooms?

This place is clean (sheets and towels), but needs to be maintained. Plug on wall had no face plate, shower head was loose and wouldn't spray directly on you unless you hold it, tiny bathroom with tiny shower - water heater RIGHT next to shower! - door are warped and wouldn't close all the way, cobwebs all over windows. Proprietor was grouchy old lady - she needs to be as particular about maintaining her motel rooms as she is about exactly WHERE you park your car (she has a special place for each room to park) and sanity of preparing the food. After feeding the cat and then blowing her nose, we observed her pick up and cut sticky buns in pieces and put them on the plate and offer them to us, without washing her hands! This place is definitely NOT worth the $160/night we paid to stay here!