Mount Desert Island: The Quiet Rise of Maine's Premier Coastal Retreat
An understated island once cherished by Gilded Age titans like the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers is quietly emerging as the new Nantucket, offering a more serene alternative to the bustling summer destinations of New England. For generations, Nantucket has epitomized the classic New England summer experience, synonymous with cedar-shingled houses and hydrangea-lined properties, while maintaining its reputation as a playground for billionaires. However, discerning travelers seeking natural beauty without the accompanying spectacle are increasingly looking north toward a place Vogue recently described as so fiercely protected by loyalists that even writing about it can spark backlash.
A Remote Sanctuary with Gilded Age Heritage
Mount Desert Island, located in Maine and referred to as MDI by locals, is home to the magnificent Acadia National Park, offering deep-blue harbors, expansive pine forests, rocky coves, world-class hiking trails, and long stretches of pristine coastline. All these natural wonders come wrapped in the quaint charm of a cozy New England beach town, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and exclusive. While its remote location is undoubtedly part of the appeal, it also presents significant logistical challenges for visitors.
The nearest major airport, located in Bangor, requires approximately a two-hour drive to reach the island, while the smaller Bar Harbor Airport primarily offers short hops from Boston's Logan Airport. Driving remains the most common option, though it's no quick journey: about five hours from Boston, eight hours from New York City, and roughly five-and-a-half hours from Providence, depending on traffic conditions. For descendants of Gilded Age families and modern-day A-list celebrities, however, the unparalleled beauty and profound calm of the island far outweigh the considerable effort required to reach it.
Privacy and Legacy: The Island's Enduring Appeal
Real-estate agent Mariya Doncheva explains that high-net-worth buyers particularly value MDI's privacy, serenity, and under-the-radar status, noting that most estates remain within families for generations and rarely appear on the open market. While comparisons to Nantucket or the Hamptons are frequently made, Doncheva emphasizes that MDI's fundamental ethos is distinctly different. The island shares their popularity and second-home demand but deliberately lacks the overt "trophy and celebrity-level activity" characteristic of those more famous destinations.
Despite its intentionally low profile, Mount Desert Island has served as a prestigious retreat for more than a century, with prominent families like the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts maintaining summer homes there. Contemporary celebrities including Martha Stewart now own substantial properties on the island, with Stewart's 63-acre estate situated in Seal Harbor. Doncheva describes this area as "full of little hidden towns on this beautiful island that most people don't even know exist," highlighting the island's secretive charm.
Historical Foundations and Modern Hospitality
Bar Harbor, the island's main town, has absorbed most visitor foot traffic as it serves as the primary gateway to Acadia National Park. A centerpiece of the island's hospitality scene is the historic Asticou Inn, whose roots can be traced back to the 1870s when the Savage family began welcoming travelers to their Maine compound after nearby Bar Harbor became overcrowded. Nearly 150 years later, it has evolved into one of the island's most distinguished hotels, embodying MDI's understated elegance and timeless appeal.
MDI's history as a Gilded Age refuge remains central to its contemporary identity. The Rockefellers donated vast swaths of land that helped create the foundation of Acadia National Park, while the Vanderbilts brought a sense of refined, understated luxury to Bar Harbor, establishing it as a quieter counterpart to their more socially active properties in Newport. This legacy of conservation and discreet opulence continues to define the island's character today.
Local Flavors and Unique Experiences
For travelers seeking authentic experiences rather than flashy attractions, the island offers numerous laid-back favorites, from Abel's Lobster, renowned for its warm and cold Maine lobster rolls, to cozy coffee shops and no-frills, family-run restaurants. For a special evening out, visitors can book a water taxi to Islesford Dock, a former working pier transformed into a fine-dining destination that sources nearly all its ingredients from Maine, with seafood pulled directly from the surrounding waters.
The Rockefeller family's conservation efforts were particularly significant, with John D. Rockefeller Jr. donating nearly 10,000 acres that formed the backbone of Acadia National Park and financing approximately 57 miles of automobile-free carriage roads complete with sweeping vistas and elegant stone bridges. Their Seal Harbor estate, the 100-room Eyrie, featured a celebrated Chinese-inspired garden designed by Beatrix Farrand, showcasing the family's commitment to both luxury and landscape preservation.
Market Dynamics and Enduring Traditions
The Gilded Age era on Mount Desert Island eventually waned under the financial pressures of the Great Depression and World War II, ending decisively with the Great Fire of 1947 that swept through Bar Harbor and destroyed many iconic estates. Despite these losses, the tradition of legacy ownership persists strongly today. As Doncheva noted, "Usually when people secure a good price there, they don't want to sell. The estates there roll into their families."
While demand continues to grow steadily, the island's distinctive character keeps it grounded. Doncheva observes that interest has remained consistently strong: "In the past three years, interest has almost been the same, but inventory is tight, and prices are much higher than the average for the area." Mount Desert Island reported a median home price of $1,037,500 as of December last year, according to Realtor.com, with the median sale price increasing 5.12 percent year-over-year, signaling ongoing appreciation and potential strength for sellers in this exclusive market.
Doncheva ultimately summarizes the island's primary attraction with elegant simplicity: "It's not that well known - and that's exactly why people want to be here." This statement captures the essence of Mount Desert Island's appeal as a destination that offers both natural splendor and genuine privacy, maintaining its status as one of New England's best-kept secrets while gradually emerging as a legitimate alternative to more established luxury retreats.
