We have been owners at Harbor Ridge for many years. We were fortunate enough to purchase reasonable resales of an odd and an even week in alternating years, after a number of years of renting from an owner and exchanging into the area via II, to either Harbor Ridge or Acadia Village.
I cannot add too much to the very thorough and thoughtful discussions and recommendations above. Harbor Ridge is a very well managed and maintained family friendly resort. It is evident that the manager takes pride in her job. I suggest you attend the wine and cheese event early in the week where you can get lots of good recommendations from other guests, owners and the resort staff.
If it is not offered at check in (they sometimes forget when they are busy on check in days), be sure to ask for the restaurant discount card, which provides for a 10% discount at a number of local spots. All are good.
I will say that we are in the minority that prefer Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound over Thurstons. Thurstons is great, with beautiful harbor views. We prefer the lobster at Trenton Bridge, where they cook the lobsters using seawater boiling over wood fires, notwithstanding the busy roadside location.
If you enjoy kayaking, and if you have never been to the area, there are a number of guided sea kayaking vendors in the area, including one in Southwest Harbor. However, you can also just go on your own by renting kayaks at
www.nationalparkcanoerental.com where you can spend the day (or half day) on Long Pond.
As mentioned above, there are hiking trails on both "sides" of Mt. Desert Island. In the past, the Southwest Harbor-Tremont Chamber of Commerce (
www.acadiachamber.com) distributed a free Quiet Side map of hiking trails. The most thorough guide to the outdoor activities in the area, including hiking and biking trails, that I am aware of is "Discover Acadia National Park" by Jerry and Marcy Monkman, published by the Appalachian Mountain Club. If your local library does not have it, try Amazon.
I will try to help if you have any questions. Feel free to contact me via Private Message. Enjoy!