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Maine’s coastline is littered with sandy spots and pretty port towns, but with some nicely spaced dramatic coves and rocky promontories, so a waterfront hotel in Maine can overlook a range of incredible views. Our Gurus have taken this into account when coming up with a list of the best hotels in Maine on the beach, and some of our waterfront stretches aren’t classically beachy, but have wonderful ocean views, and direct access to the water. Long loved by sailors, the Maine coast is also an historically popular family holiday destination, and there are plenty of family friendly picks on our list of the best hotels in Maine on the beach.
On the Waterfront
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- Small and intimate, the Blackpoint Inn has sea views on three sides, and is separated from the sand by just lawns and a pool, so all of its 25 rooms and suites have views of the water. The decor nods to New England heritage, and there’s a country club feel to the bar, and smart, fine dining restaurant, which specialises in locally sourced seafood.
For the Views
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- Stones Throw has got the name right, you really could throw a stone from these 16 rooms and suites into the ocean; you’re just across the road from the sand of Long Sands Beach, one of the top surfing beaches in New England. There’s a definite surf shack vibe, but with a boutique edge, and cool, contemporary art and furnishings, and plenty of white. The bar and restaurant are cool and laid back, and there are huge expanses of glass on each floor to get as much ocean-view access as possible.
For a Beach Break
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- The Stage Neck Inn sits just back from a sandy cove on its own peninsula, with 58 spacious, airy rooms, suites and cottages — all with their own balconies or terraces with outdoor seating. In addition to the direct beach access there’s also a pool and spa, and the whole inn is surround by neat lawns and gardens. This is another great pick for families, with the largest cottage boasting seven bedrooms. There are miles of sand in the local area, perfect for a family beach break.
- The Colony Hotel is idyllically positioned so that it overlooks both the Kennebunk River and the Atlantic Ocean, and there’s a private beach at the bottom of the long stretch of lawn, so there’s direct water access. And that’s just the start of what this family owned and operated hotel can offer. They have 125 rooms, suites and cottages, the largest has five bedrooms. The Colony Hotel also has a golf course, croquet lawns, a huge pool, lots of watersports facilities, and berry picking in season.
For Families
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- The Smugglers Cove Inn is perfectly positioned on a sandy cove, just minutes from Boothbay Harbor. The freshly renovated, nautically themed accommodation includes rooms and suites, all with private balconies or terraces, all sleeping up to at least four, and some with self-catering facilities. There are a number of pet-friendly rooms too. There’s plenty to do onsite, with great watersports facilities, an outdoor pool, and a pirate-themed playground.
- Just steps from the beach, the Newagen Seaside Inn is a small and charming, New England style property, with a white board facade, and peaceful ocean views. There are just 35 rooms and suites at the inn, decorated with a nautical vibe; our favourites have private, ocean-view terraces. The family services are excellent, and include babysitting, bowling, table tennis and a games room, and of course there’s a swimming pool and tennis courts, as well as the beach. It’s a romantic spot too, though — not too large, and perfect positioned to watch the sun set over the ocean.
For a Romantic Waterfront Escape
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- The Dockside Guest Quarters is heaven on York Harbor: an elegant, New England inn with a traditional mix of décor that includes plenty of white, a wide porch, and fantastic views over a rocky, dramatic stretch of shore and the Atlantic. With just 25 rooms and suites, in the main house and surrounding villas, this is a peaceful choice. Borrow a hotel bike and explore the region.
For New England Chic
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- Tides Beach Club is a small, luxurious pick just across the road from Good Rock Beach in Kennebunkport. There are just 21 rooms and suites, comfortably decorated in gelato pastels with New England style. The bar and restaurant can be quite lively, but the large porch is populated with rocking chairs, and there’s a chic pool lined with sun-loungers. There’s also access to a superb spa, and nightly bonfires. Adults only.
- The Inn by the Sea is an elegant, 61 room hotel, overlooking the ocean outside Port Elizabeth, Portland, close to Crescent State Beach Park and the Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse. The rooms and suites are classical, but contemporary, as is the exterior — a sort of contemporary take on New England chic. The list of activities includes firepit sunsets, garden tours and early morning yoga classes. The restaurant has spectacular views, and specialises in locally sourced produce.
Great Beach B&Bs
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- The Beach House Inn is one of the oldest B&Bs in Maine, an oceanfront offering dating from 1891. And it really looks a part of old New England, with Victorian charms, pale clapboard façade, a wrap-around porch, and shuttered windows in all 34 crisp, light rooms. The best have sea views, and, despite the building’s age, they all have contemporary bathrooms and all the mod cons. The Kennebunkport location is a great base.
- The Inn at Sunrise Point is an elegant B&B on the Penobscot Bay in Lincolnville. There are just 12, nautically themed, rooms, all with huge windows and lots of natural light, and some with private balconies and ocean views.
Still not sure where to book?