Guests will enjoy this lovely inn for its academic locale and distinct personality.

On a tree-lined street near the Bates College campus in Lewiston, you’ll find the Ware Street Inn. Innkeepers Jan and Mike Barrett own the charming colonial, which was built in 1940 by the Wellehan family of Lamey Wellehan Shoes. The grounds are immaculate and lovely in winter. A white picket fence lines the yard, and a brick pathway leads to the entrance.

Inside, the Ware Street Inn reminds me of a European bed-and-breakfast. There are no pretensions here. Instead, you’ll find bowls of M&M’S for guests, Barrett family photos and memorabilia, and a few whimsical touches throughout. While walking upstairs, I spotted a bust of Elvis on a shelf. He’s wearing sunglasses and a Bates College visor.

My husband and I stay in Juliet’s Room, which boasts a full-size bed, antique furnishings, and a modest bathroom. An outdoor balcony with views of the cobblestone terrace below hints at the room’s namesake.

In the morning, we are treated to a bountiful breakfast. Banana bread, fruit, yogurt, granola, juice, and coffee are ready when we arrive. Jan serves the main course: apple-stuffed pancakes with homemade cider syrup. The dish fills the room with the heavenly scent of baked apples and cinnamon. Jan’s breakfast is especially enjoyed by a 20-year-old Bates College junior. He tells me he’s leading a freshman orientation trip to Mt. Washington’s Presidential Range, and then helps himself to more pancakes.

My favorite space is the living room. The mantled fireplace with a large mirror strikes my fancy, as do the built-in bookshelves. The Asian-inspired wallpaper looks hand painted, but I later learn from Jan that she found the wallpaper at Marden’s for $5 a sheet. I make a mental note to hit the discount store immediately after my visit.

If you couldn’t tell already, Jan is a refreshingly honest and knowledgeable host. She is a New Auburn native who clearly loves her community. Guests will find it hard to resist her straightforward approach to hospitality. And if you won’t take my word for it, just ask Elvis.

The Ware Street Inn | 52 Ware St. | Lewiston | 207.783.8171 | warestreetinn.com