A welcoming inn by the bustle of Bar Harbor

BAR HARBOR, Maine -- When I first met Jeff Anderholm he was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and a big smile and I was immediately suspicious. Before I even had pulled my bags out of the car he whisked me into the spacious parlor of the Bass Cottage Inn to show me the luscious woodwork, the high ceilings, the fireplace, and the light-filled dining room where breakfast is served each morning.

Had he recognized my name when I registered? Did he know I was there to review his inn? Why else would he be so welcoming? It turns out my suspicions were misguided; the man simply loves his job.

The inn, I learned in my first three minutes, was built as a private home in 1885, and subsequently operated as an inn -- owned by one local family -- from 1928 until 2003. That's when Anderholm and his wife , Teri, purchased the building and, putting aside their lives as business executives in Boston, began a meticulous, year long renovation .

The tour continued past the check-in desk to another room with a fireplace, leather chairs, an Oriental carpet, and a stained glass panel in the ceiling.

Through this room is a pantry, stocked with dark-roasted coffee, tea, and a mini-fridge filled with water, soft drinks, and a pitcher of brewed ice tea.

Nearby, a platter of homemade oatmeal raisin cookies was tempting (as were brownies the following day).

``What do you drink in the morning? Coffee? Good. We make a nice strong brew. If you need some before we start serving breakfast, you'll find it here," said Anderholm.

Obviously the man could recognize a coffee addict when he saw one. At that moment I knew the Bass Cottage Inn was a good choice for my two-night stay on Mount Desert Island.

Anderholm led me upstairs, pointing out the original restored stained glass windows and the elaborate wood banisters.

In my room, I was introduced to the television (a free DVD library was downstairs), the phone (free local calls), the bathroom (with a shower -- no tub , an abundance of towels, and a robe), and a queen-size bed beneath a vaulted ceiling. Anderholm left with a smile and a wave.

My room, No. 7 on the third floor, is one of the inn's smallest, but was plenty big for me. The decorating scheme is soothing and low-key, in pale pink, beige, and white . The decorative bed pillows, bedspread, and window treatments have subtle floral patterns but aren't frilly.

My only objection to the room was the central air conditioning was too cold for my comfort. I wish I could have controlled the temperature , and been able to turn it off in the evening when the cool breeze from the harbor would have been plenty, and quieter.

Breakfast is served from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Muffins, fruit, and juice accompanied the hot entree choices -- one egg item and one waffle item each morning, both beautifully presented.

The inn is steps away from Bar Harbor's busy Main Street, which has an abundance of shops selling T-shirts, boutique clothing, and local crafts, along with art galleries and jewelry stores. It's also steps from the harbor, where whale-watching boats, kayakers, and ferries arrive and depart.

For dinner, there are many choices for many budgets, but I found an unexpected surprise in a Main Street restaurant called Havana. Deep red walls, wood floors, and Buena Vista Social Club-style music created an intimate and warm setting for their delicious offerings, which they call ``American fine dining with a Latin flair."

On the morning of my departure I revealed to Anderholm the hidden purpose of my visit.

``I saw you taking notes at breakfast a few minutes ago, and the thought crossed my mind that you might be a travel writer. Then I looked at you and decided: `Nah.' "

Which proves that looks can be deceiving, but at the Bass Cottage Inn what you see is what you get, which is pretty darn wonderful.

Contact Necee Regis, a writer in Boston and Miami, at neceeregis@yahoo.com.