 Bethel,
Maine
Bethel, just 1.5 hours north of
Portland and 5 miles from Maine’s most popular ski area, Sunday River, is
a year round resort community nestled in Maine’s Western Lakes and
Mountains Region.
Bethel is a town where the common is uncommon; where Brooks Bros. sells
pliers and wrenches, Victoria’s Secret is a chocolate raspberry dessert
and the Timberland
Outlet is an exit for logging trucks. Astride the Androscoggin River,
nestled at the base of Paradise Hill, Bethel is truly “just this side of
Paradise.”
 Most rural villages are one-industry towns. Bethel is a rare blend of
farming, forestry, woods product manufacturing, education, and tourism. In
the past decade, the community has become home to active retirees,
eschewing the world of Sun City and professionals who have chosen the
small town lifestyle over that of the megalopolis.
Settled in 1774 by land grantees from Massachusetts who had fought in the
campaign to conquer Canada in 1690, Bethel’s original name was Sudbury
Canada. Farming was the mainstay of the region until 1851 when the
country’s first international railroad connecting Portland, Maine to
Montreal was built. The trains brought
 summer visitors from the cities to
breathe the fresh air and partake of homegrown food. The railroad carried
lumber and milled wood products back to the urban markets.
The town is a significant
educational
center thanks to the generosity of William Bingham II (a modern day patron
saint) who endowed Gould Academy and whose foundation continues to provide
funding for educational and social purposes in the community. In the early
decades of the 20th century, Bethel was home to Dr. Gehring’s famous
clinic for the treatment of nervous disorders. The National Training
Laboratory, now known as the NTL Institute, was established in 1947. NTL
specializes in human dynamics and organizational development, attracting
participants from around the world. In 1981 Hurricane Island Outward Bound
School for outdoor experiential education established its Mountain Center
in nearby Newry.
In 1959 a group of local businessmen formed the Bethel Development
Corporation. To develop four-season recreation, their first project,
funded by local shareholders, was Sunday River Skiway. Over forty years
later, Bethel is busier as a tourist destination in the winter, thanks to
the success of Sunday River Ski Area, than the summer.
The townspeople continue to embrace innovation while maintaining
their small town culture. Bethel was one of the first communities in Maine
connected to the Internet. They built the World’s Tallest Snowman and
continue to host the National Wife Carrying Championships.
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FEATURED SUNDAY RIVER AREA PROPERTIES |
 10
Peaks at Sunday River – Luxury Ski House, Newry, Bethel - Maine
5
Bedroom, 3
Full Bath 3,550 sq ft Luxury Ski House. Sunday River’s best view. Giant
great room with huge fireplace and entertainment center! Game room with
second entertainment center and pool table. Gourmet kitchen. Master Bedroom
with fireplace, canopy bed, 2 person Jacuzzi Spa Tub and walk-in tile
shower. Covered deck with gas BBQ. Infinity edge Hot Tub with stereo system.
Laundry room with hi capacity washer/dryer. Tastefully decorated with
leather sofas, Antique Skis, snowshoes, sleds, toboggans and wildlife motif.
Hi Def Flat Screen TV's. Free Wifi and Internet access via on-site computer.
Heated garage. Radiant Floor heat plus 2 gas fireplaces. Email:
sundayriver@visitmaine.net
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 Sudbury
Inn - Bethel
Just 6 miles from Sunday River Ski Area, the
Sudbury Inn offers 18 comfortable rooms, fine dining and a lively pub
all under one roof. All rooms have private bath, AC, cable TV and
include full breakfast from $79 to $199 per room per night. Dine on rack
of lamb or roasted duckling either fireside or on the porch in our AAA
three diamond restaurant or try "Suds Pub" offering an extensive pub
menu, lively entertainment and the largest assortment of draught beers
in Western Maine. Email: info@sudburyinn.com
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PHOTO LISTINGS |
Austin's Holidae House B&B
- Bethel
A Victorian-era Bed & Breakfast Inn in the heart of Bethel
Village. All seven rooms have queen beds with private baths,
cable TV, and WIFI. Three rooms have tubs (2 with Jacuzzis)
and showers, one room with single and queen beds. Full
breakfast includes your choice of local free-range eggs,
homemade scones, breads and granola, Irish oatmeal, French
toast, pancakes, with Starbuck's coffee. Afternoon
refreshments of homemade cookies and beverages; evening
after-dinner drinks. email:
holidaehouse@msn.com
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 Bethel
Hill Bed & Breakfast - Bethel
Renovated specifically to be a bed and breakfast,
we feature guest suites with comfortable sitting areas and private
baths, each has a whirlpool tub with shower. Common living area
exclusively for our guest’s use. Each guest suites features cable
television, free WIFI access, ceiling fans and/or air conditioning.
Gourmet continental breakfast with hot entrée is enjoyed in the sun room
with a cozy gas fireplace. Email:
info@bethelhill.com
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 Chapman
Inn - Bethel
A charming and delightful inn with unbeatable
location, in the heart of Bethel's historic district facing the town
common. The Chapman Inn offers great rooms, a "world famous" full
gourmet breakfast, and warm genuine hospitality, and all at sane rates.
The inn is very family friendly, and indeed was named "Best Family Inn
in New England" by the New England Travel Guide. Pets are also welcome.
email: info@chapmaninn.com |
 The
Norseman Inn and Motel – Bethel
Our convenient location in the heart of the lakes and mountains of
western Maine makes us the perfect getaway retreat in all seasons. World
class alpine and cross-country skiing, mountain biking, canoeing,
kayaking, hiking When you stay in one of our 8 rooms in our 200-year-old
Inn, you are home! Plus we have 22 motel rooms in our converted and
completely refurbished from a 100-year-old barn. Email:
info@norsemaninn.com
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 Riverbend
Condominiums –
Newry/Bethel
Luxury 1, 2, & 3 bedroom Post & Beam Condominiums
located just 1.8 mi. from Sunday River's lifts. These are privately
owned, professionally managed second homes that are clean, quiet, and
beautifully furnished. We are an official stop for the "Mountain
Explorer" free shuttle which provides transportation to the mountain and
in town. email: riverbnd@megalink.net
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 Bethel
Inn Resort - Bethel
Maine's Premier Four Season Resort in the heart of
historic Bethel Maine. Country elegant accommodations and townhomes,
award winning fine and casual dining, health club with an outdoor heated
pool, whirlpool, hot tub and spa services. 18 hole championship golf
course. 40km Nordic Ski Center. Just 6.8 miles from Sunday River Ski
Resort. Whether it's a ski or golf vacation or corporate meeting,
retreat or wedding, The Bethel Inn Resort offers unsurpassed amenities,
accommodations and recreational activities. Email:
info@bethelinn.com |
 Gideon
Hastings House – Bethel Inn and B&B
First class Inn and B&B. In true
Italian tradition, when the house was being renovated, the first
addition was a full size professional Bocce court. There are phone lines
and data access in the rooms. Each room has a TV with VCR and Radio. To
maintain individuality, there are only four bedrooms up stairs in the
main house, all with air conditioning, individual heat controls and
polished floors. Decor follows the owner’s love of country Tuscan style.
Email:
gideon@megalink.net
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 The
Victoria Inn - Bethel
The Victoria is an historic inn built in 1895 and located in the heart of
Bethel, a classic New England village. The inn has been lovingly restored
with the décor and antiques of the Victorian period. Whether it's a
romantic getaway to this charming town, a week of winter fun on the
slopes and trails, a fall foliage excursion or a summer retreat, The
Victoria has a room waiting for you. Email:
info@thevictoria-inn.com
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 The
Inn at The Rostay – Bethel
Located in the heart of Bethel, Maine on Route 2, the only major East -
West thoroughfare in Northern New England. A quick 5 minute ride, We are
the closest motel to Sunday River Ski Resort and only 1.5 miles to the
center of Bethel Village, Home of the Bethel Country Club, Gould Academy
and NTL Institute. We have 3 room types for every taste and budget
including Inntel Rooms, Deluxe Motel Rooms and a 2 bedroom efficiency
suite. Hot Tub and Swimming Pool. Email:
info@rostay.com
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