May-2015
Jet set sunrise, sunset offered
BAR HARBOR — In a world where the well-heeled collect experiences along with things, a local hotel is offering potential guests a trip of a lifetime.
Ocean Properties, the operators of the West Street Hotel here, has put together a package deal that includes watching the sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, hopping on a private jet, and ending the day watching the sunset from its exclusive resort in Sunset Key Florida.
“This trip is definitely not for everyone,” said Rick Consolo, charter broker for the hotel’s partner, Aura Jets. “It is marketed to the section of the population who has flown via private jets before and can afford it, as the starting price scares many people off.
The price for a couple’s special day in the sun? A base price of $36,000.
“It is a phenomenal opportunity to get away on an anniversary or for a relaxing, romantic vacation,” Consolo added.

A Bar Harbor hotel operator is offering a special package that features watching the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, above, in the morning and a private jet trip to the Florida Keys to watch the sunset.
PHOTO BY EARL BRECHLIN
Appropriately labeled the “Sunrise to Sunset Private Jet Escape,” this excursion begins in Bar Harbor, where travelers will wake up early for a trip to the top of Cadillac Mountain where they can count themselves among the first in the country to view the sunrise. They will then return to Bar Harbor to enjoy breakfast and shortly after, head out to the airport in Trenton to begin the leisurely 3.5-hour flight to Key West.
Once there, travelers will journey by boat to Sunset Key, an exclusive 27-acre island oasis. Then it’s off to a beachside dinner at Latitudes, the island’s fine dining open-air restaurant and a chance to watch the sunset at the nation’s southernmost tip.
The two-night and jet package includes transfers to and from private airports, travel to and from Acadia National Park and private ferry transfer to Sunset Key.
The trip is customizable with Aura Jets. Passengers can choose to add in-flight comforts such as gourmet catering, fresh flowers and arrangements, customized gift baskets, and foreign and domestic magazines and newspapers.
The sunrise-sunset escape is available from June 1 to Oct. 18.
Jennifer Forte Cuomo, publicist at the West Street Hotel, said Ocean Properties and Aura Jets previously collaborated on offering private jet transportation between anywhere in Florida and Sunset Key.
Kerry Morrissey, marketing director at Ocean Properties, dreamed up the package this past winter. He wanted to create a trip that captured the golden summer and fall months of Maine.
Consolo said guests can customize their experience to suit their tastes. “We set up the parameters of the trip, but once customers call me, I go with whatever they want for a package,” Consolo said.
Cuomo said that as of this week, no one has signed up for the trip.