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The Bethel Inn Resort is a full service, four-season resort located in Maine's western mountains on the village common of Bethel, Maine offering fine and casual dining, golf , skiing, spa services, a health club, lake house, conference center and 200 acres of resort activities.
History
The main inn building opened in 1913. and many of its early guests were patients of Dr. John George Gehring, to whom the Inn was dedicated. A pioneer of combining psychological and physical therapies, his wealthy patients came from all over New England and the Midwest. As the business expanded with added buildings, recreational guests came “for the season” to enjoy the seclusion of Bethel and the cool mountain air of Maine’s Mahoosuc mountains.
As vacationing habits changed, the Inn struggled mightily under a succession of owners until February 22, 1979 when the banks stepped in and closed its doors, perhaps forever.
A 39 year-old, semi-burned out advertising executive, Richard D. Rasor, bought the property in May, 1979, hoping to apply modern communications and marketing practices to revive and expand the property. Rasor had been Executive Vice President of the J. Walter Thompson advertising company in New York and Detroit with accounts including Unilever and the Ford Motor Company.
In 1986 a $7,500,000 construction project began, adding 100 acres, new traditional guest rooms, 53 luxury condominiums, a golf course expansion to 18 holes, a conference center and health club with an outdoor, year-round heated pool.
Present day
Reborn since closing in 1979, today the property is considered Maine’s premier four season resort and consists of 150 guest rooms, hosting 59,000 guest-overnights a year. Guests appreciate the rich history of “The Inn” and the modern, updated facilities it offers, combined with the welcoming nature of its long-time, loyal staff.
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