3 days ago
Head To These Hotels On The Coast Of Maine This Sumer
Inn by the Sea
Inn by the Sea
The coast of Maine is my idea of what summertime is all about, from clambakes on the rocky shore to falling asleep to the sound of seagulls. Here are three of my favorite resorts.
Just seven miles from Portland's Old Port, Inn by the Sea gets my vote for the best example of understated luxury on the Maine coast. The property, bathed in sea breezes and wisps of morning fog, overlooks Crescent Beach, a mile-long stretch of coastline. You reach the beach via a boardwalk through a wooded grove and discover a strand that's perfect for shelling, long walks, and yes, swimming when the cold waters warm up a bit. I love the rooms here, which are bright, artfully decorated, and elegantly appointed. There are 62 of them, as well as Garden Suites, Loft Suites, Beach Suites, and Cove Suites, many of them offering ocean views. Inn by the Sea is renowned for being both kid-friendly and dog-friendly, and the Inn's restaurant, Sea Glass, has long been one of the state's top restaurants, continuing to uphold its culinary excellence under its new chef, Ramiz Jasic. If wandering through the property's extensive perennial gardens isn't calming enough, there's a pool and a spa for deep relaxation. A short drive away is Portland Head Light, the state's best-known lighthouse, famously depicted by Edward Hopper.
Bluebird Ocean Point Inn
Bluebird Ocean Point Inn
Set in Boothbay Harbor's Ocean Point community overlooking Card Cove, The Bluebird Ocean Point Inn is a good base for exploring Midcoast Maine. The interiors of the Bluebird Ocean Point Inn were designed by Elder & Ash. Accommodations include king and double queen rooms in the nine cottages, as well as suites and multi-bedroom suites. There's plenty of dining in town, but the hotel offers the Ocean Point Kitchen and OPK Bar on-site. Boothbay is the essence of the Maine coast and the heart of the Midcoast Region, a haven for sailors and the gateway to Monhegan Island, which lies about 10 miles offshore. The town is filled with shops, boutiques, and restaurants, and offers the Maine State Aquarium and the nationally acclaimed Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
Chebeague island Inn
Chebeague island Inn
Chebeague Island lies off the coast of Yarmouth, which is located just north of Portland. Accessible via a 20-minute ferry ride, Chebeague is about three and a half miles long and about half that wide at its widest point. The home of about 400 year-round residents, who include fishermen and lobstermen, it's long been a haven for those seeking peace, quiet and an escape from the heat, a world away from Portland. The Chebeague Island Inn dates back to the 1920s and has one of the most inviting porches you will find anywhere on the Atlantic seaboard. The lawn has Adirondack chairs and slopes down to Casco Bay. There is the nine-hole Great Chebeague Golf Course, clay tennis courts, lawn games, and a fire pit. Hamilton Beach is a 10-minute stroll away. Now affiliated with two of Portland's best restaurants, Twelve and Evo Kitchen + Bar, the food at the hotel restaurant is a high point of any stay. As for the guest rooms, they're painted white, flooded with light, and very simply designed. There's WiFi, but no TVs or phones. Nor is there any air conditioning. You just leave your windows open for the cool sea breezes.
