Maine > State > Resorts and Luxury > Waterfront Lodging

Maine: Waterfront on the Ocean

Maine has outstanding waterfront and oceanfront destinations with scenic views and activities for all ages. The coast has attractions ranging from historic lighthouses along the shoreline to picturesque schooners out at sea. Maine's South coast consists primarily of Kittery, York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk, and Old Orchard Beach. Whatever your vacation preference, the Southern Maine Coast has it all. Moving up the coast, Portland, ME, sitting in the heart of Casco Bay, offers a city feel with a twist. Located right along the coast, Portland has some of the best restaurants inspired by Maine foods. The primary towns along the Midcoast of Maine include Camden, Rockport, Boothbay Harbor, and Brunswick. Among these quaint towns are beautiful waterfronts and scenic views. Possibly one of the most well-known and picturesque regions, the Downeast area of Maine is famous for its rocky shoreline, scenic harbors, and incredible mountain-to-sea views. Home to Acadia National Park, this is one of Maine's most frequently visited locations.

Maine: Waterfront on a Lake

Maine isn’t just home to beautiful oceanside towns and beaches. Moving away from the coastline, Maine is also home to incredible lakes with picturesque lodging options. These areas are a place of great scenic beauty, most popular in the fall during peak foliage season. Rangeley Lake State Park consists of 869 remote acres on the 10-square-mile lake, which is famous for landlocked salmon and trout fishing. Another famous option is Sebago Lake, known for its huge size and variety of activities available. With beaches along the entire lake edge and boats of many sizes allowed, Sebago Lake spans multiple Maine towns and is a wonderful place to go on vacation.

Grand Harbor Inn

14 Bay View Landing Camden, ME, 04843 Phone: 207-230-7177 Toll-Free: 877-553-6997

Distinctive, 4-Diamond inn by Camden Harbor a masterpiece at the edge of the water

A masterpiece at the water’s edge, the Grand Harbor Inn has earned its AAA™ 4-Diamond honor with exceptional service and serene, well-appointed accommodations. Imagine waking each morning, as breakfast is delivered to your room, and enjoying it on your private balcony overlooking Camden Harbor, ME. The inn’s 10 rooms and suites also have gas fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Arrange for a sunset sail, a kayak tour, or paddle boarding, visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum, go on an art walk or a hike in Camden Hills State Park with stunning views of Penobscot Bay and Megunticook Lake. Inn guests can request day passes to the local Y, with an indoor pool and rock-climbing wall. In-room massages and other spa services can be arranged. Recipient of a 2024 AAA 4-Diamond Award.

Visit our sister properties - 16 Bay View - Lord Camden Inn

Higgins Beach Inn

34 Ocean Avenue Scarborough, ME, 04074 Phone: 207-883-6684

Let your quintessential Maine vacation by the beach begin at this welcoming inn

You want that quintessential Maine waterfront vacation — serene, beautiful, relaxing — but with some exciting activities in the mix? Done, and done, at the Higgins Beach Inn! This scenic, comfortable inn by the smooth sands of one of Maine’s prettiest beaches offers a variety of accommodations, from cozy rooms for singles or couples on a budget to a suite for four with an enclosed porch. Perched between historic Prouts Neck and the sandy shores of Crescent Beach State Park, the inn is also only 20 minutes south of Portland, ME’s shops, restaurants and museums. But you might just want to settle in on Higgins Beach, a favorite with surfers, kayakers and those in need of a day’s utter relaxation in the sun. Come back for dinner at the inn’s popular Shade restaurant.

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Sea View Inn

65 West Grand Avenue Old Orchard Beach, ME, 04064 Phone: 207-934-4180 Toll-Free: 800-541-8439

Simple pleasures at an affordable seaside retreat

The simple pleasures of a shore side vacation include genuine New England hospitality plus spectacular ocean views. Newly remodeled suites, oceanfront and ocean side rooms include kitchen facilities, air conditioning, cable TV and wireless internet service throughout the property. You’re on Old Orchard Beach, called by USA Today a “must-see, no-cost destination” and one of the “40 Great Travel Bargains” by Reader’s Digest. Your daily companions are sun, sand and surf and you can always cool off in the pool, find a lounge chair or fire up a gas grill on the poolside patio. Every guest is guaranteed one beach parking spot per room and use of the facilities at the Waves Oceanfront Resort. You’re never more than a short walk away from great food, shopping, the pier and local amusements.

Visit our sister property - Waves Oceanfront Resort

Sea Cliff House

2 Sea Cliff Avenue Old Orchard Beach, ME, 04064 Phone: 207-934-4874 Toll-Free: 800-326-4589

Directly on the beach, this seaside hotel close to Old Orchard Beach attractions, dining

There’s “close to the water,” and there’s “on the water,” when it comes to seaside hotels, and the Sea Cliff House is definitely in the latter category. Directly on gorgeous Old Orchard Beach, ME, the year-round hotel offers rooms, suites and efficiencies — some with whirlpool tubs, some with ocean views — as well as a pool and hot tub with a view of the dunes and sea. Stroll 10 minutes down the beach or West Grand Avenue to the famous Pier at Old Orchard Beach, with its games, entertainment and restaurants. Half a mile south of the hotel is Ocean Park, a classic seaside vacation village, with its original soda fountain in the heart of town, movies and concerts. Other nearby activities: whale watching, hiking, biking, golf, fishing and river cruises.

Village by the Sea - Family Fun with Room to Stretch Out! - Wells, ME

Wolf Cove Inn

5 Jordan Shore Drive Poland, ME, 04274 Phone: 207-998-4976

After a day on the lake, fall asleep to the sound of the loons at this waterfront bed-and-breakfast inn

Fall asleep to the sound of the loons over pristine Tripp Lake and wake to another day in paradise when you stay at the Wolf Cove Inn, 11 rooms and one cabin set on almost two acres of scenic lakefront, gardens, pine groves and sweeping lawns. After your complimentary breakfast (blueberry baked stuffed French toast, anyone?), take one of the inn’s kayaks or canoes out to explore the lake. Come back for some real relaxation in the four-season outdoor sauna and cold-plunge tub, or arrange for an aromatherapy massage in your room. Each room is unique, with garden or lake views. Some have a fireplace or jetted spa tub. The Eagle’s Nest Cabin has panoramic lake and pine grove views. Some rooms, and the cabin, are pet-friendly.

250 Main Hotel

250 Main Street Rockland, ME, 04841 Phone: 207-594-5994

Waterfront vacations in picturesque coastal Maine begin with a great boutique hotel

Vacations by the water begin with a great hotel. Overlooking Rockland Harbor, ME the 250 Main Hotel offers guests 26 rooms designed for style, comfort — and water views. Some rooms feature wrap-around or floor-to-ceiling windows, private decks and balconies. When you’re ready to explore the coast, try the scenic Rockland Harbor Trail, or pay a visit to Rockland Breakwater Light or the Maine Lighthouse Museum. Take a ferry to North Haven, Matinicus and Vinalhaven Islands. Book a sail, kayaking adventure or boating excursion. Start with breakfast or lunch in Rockland, ME, then explore its shops, galleries and museums. Check out the hotel’s website for a rotating list of specials and packages, including the “Lobster Crush” package, with a gift card for lobster for two at a restaurant on the pier.

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Lafayette's Oceanfront Resort

393 Mile Road Wells Beach, ME, 04090 Phone: 207-646-2831

All the units at this year-round resort are on or just steps from lovely Wells Beach

At Lafayette’s Oceanfront Resort, the word “oceanfront” doesn’t mean “ocean in the distance.” All the year-round resort’s rooms are either on or steps from expansive, sandy Wells Beach. Direct beach access means you can swim, paddle or just doze in the sun while the kids play in the tide pools. Off-season, the beach is a dramatic and serene place for gathering shells and sea glass. The resort has an indoor pool, oversized hot tub with a waterfall and a workout room. Some units have kitchenettes; almost all have decks or patios with beach and ocean views. And there are larger homes to book, also close to the water. Nearby, you can arrange for a sailing cruise, go sea kayaking and deep-sea fishing, hike or golf.

Visit our sister property - Norseman Resorts

Fireside Inn Ocean's Edge

159 Searsport Avenue Belfast, ME, 04915 Phone: 207-338-2090

Every room has a view of Penobscot Bay in this comfortable inn by the sea

Set alongside a rocky beach, with a view of stunning Penobscot Bay from every room and suite, the Fireside Inn & Suites is the perfect location for Maine vacations by the sea. Some of the comfortable accommodations include fireplaces, massage chairs, walk-out balconies with bay views – even a four-person hot tub! Some rooms that exit directly onto the expansive lawn are pet-friendly. Stroll through Belfast, one of Frommer’s Travel’s “10 Coolest Small Towns,” for funky boutiques, flea markets, antiques shops and museums as well as great dining options. Go sailing, kayaking, hiking, biking or, in the winter, skiing and snowshoeing. Come back to the inn’s heated indoor mineral pool, whirlpool and sauna and plan your next exciting day in coastal Maine.

Waves Oceanfront Resort

87 West Grand Avenue Old Orchard Beach, ME, 04064 Phone: 207-934-4949

Lodging that brings you as close as you can get to Maine's best beach

Waves Oceanfront Resort is located on Old Orchard Beach, Maine, with wonderful ocean views. Our resort boasts 139 air-conditioned rooms each with private deck, telephones, color cable TV, kitchenettes with refrigerator, stove and sink. Many of our Oceanfront and Ocean view rooms have been completely renovated. All of our rooms are within 150 yards of the beach, making it a quick trip for your children to play in the sand on your next family vacation. Our four cottages are perfect for larger families or reunions, and we are only a short walk to the Pier, attractions, restaurants and shopping.

Visit our sister property - Sea View Inn

Rockport Harbor Hotel

20 Central Street Rockport, ME, 04856 Phone: Toll-Free: 844-326-3090

If you love the sea, you’ll fall in love with this hotel in an historic boat-building village

Are you ready for your vacation by the water? At the Rockport Harbor Hotel, the luxurious boutique hotel in Rockport, ME’s historic waterfront village, an attentive staff and a hotel combining coastal charm and modern luxuries is ready to make it the best vacation ever. Studios and suites have gas fireplaces and balconies, many with water views. The new Atrium rooftop restaurant offers spectacular views of the harbor and Penobscot Bay as well as delightful dinner options; the Oak Room lobby bar is a great place to relax with a cocktail and a burger. Ask about the hotel’s Schooner Heron Package, which includes an eco-sail, happy-hour sunset sail or private morning charter. Those who love the sea will fall in love with Rockport Village, which boasts a proud boat-building history.

Tugboat Inn

80 Commercial Street Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538 Phone: 207-633-4434

Harborfront inn a great spot to launch your vacation on Maine’s bustling coast

Launch your Maine vacation from the Tugboat Inn, on the waterfront in Boothbay Harbor, where the atmosphere is welcoming, the activities plentiful and the views are simply beautiful. The Inn’s 64 rooms and suites in five buildings face the water (some actually extend over the water), and most have a deck or balcony overlooking the harbor. The spacious Crow’s Nest Suite has a jetted tub, full kitchen and large private deck with stunning harbor views. There’s a full-service restaurant, lounge & patio deck with impressive menus and water vistas, roof top deck, sheltered marina with slips and moorings, and a hot tub on the marina deck overlooking the inner harbor. Activities in the area range from a scenic railroad, a botanical garden, and live-music venues, to kayaking, canoeing, windjammer sails and lobster-boat excursions.

Spruce Point Inn

88 Grandview Avenue Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538 Phone: 207-633-4152 Toll-Free: 800-553-0289

Get away from it all, and close to the natural beauty of Maine, at this historic resort

All the joys of staying at a resort on the Maine coast are yours at the welcoming Spruce Point Inn. On its 57-acre oceanfront property, you can launch your kayak, go paddleboarding, swim, fish, take a harbor or lighthouse cruise, or just watch the sailboats from your private porch or balcony. Stay in a suite in the historic Main Inn (ask about the Crow’s Nest with not-to-be-missed panoramic ocean views), in the spacious lodges with room to spread out, in a charming private cottage with a woodstove or in a contemporary townhouse with vaulted ceilings and private decks. Dine on the freshest local ingredients while you watch the sun set over the ocean.

Boothbay Harbor Inn

31 Atlantic Avenue Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538 Phone: 207-633-6302

From its perch right on the waterfront, this inn offers guests classic Maine getaway

If you are searching for the perfect coastal Maine getaway, look no further than the Boothbay Harbor Inn, with its unbeatable combination of a perfect location close to shops, galleries, restaurants and seaside activities, and comfortable, modern guest rooms, most with balconies or patios from which to admire picturesque views of the harbor. The inn, directly on the waterfront, also features a seasonal lounge, so you can enjoy a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail in an indoor bar or by the outdoor fire pit as you watch the spectacular sunset. The front desk has ideas for itineraries in and around active Boothbay Harbor, from local trails to hike and bike to scenic cruises and great places to shop.

Visit our sister properties - Tugboat Inn - Fisherman's Wharf Inn

Fisherman's Wharf Inn

22 Commercial Street Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538 Phone: 207-633-5090

See why visitors return every years to this comfortable inn perched on a working fishing pier

You’ll fall in love with Boothbay Harbor when you stay at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn, with its oceanfront location and exceptional accommodations. Perched on a working fishing pier, guaranteeing world-class views from most of its comfortable rooms and suites, the inn has been hosting vacationers and other travelers for over 75 years. They love the lodging options, with water views from balconies and decks, and the award-winning restaurant, where dining on lobster while watching the boats sail past is an experience not to be missed. And they love the clear waters of this Maine fishing village, where you can arrange for boating and sailing excursions, kayaking tours, hiking and biking trips, live theater performances, golf and shopping. The inn also offers a small selection of pet-friendly waterview rooms.

Visit our sister properties - Tugboat Inn - Boothbay Harbor Inn

Dunes on the Waterfront

518 Main Street Ogunquit, ME, 03907 Phone: 207-646-2612

Soft sands and resort amenities on the Maine coast

One of Ogunquit’s best kept secrets lies just across a tidal river from Ogunquit Beach with miles of soft white sand and hiking trails. This peaceful and secluded cottage resort offers stunning coastal scenery and hotel amenities ideal for families and couples. Classic whitewashed seaside cottages offer double-occupancy guest rooms to waterfront cottages that can sleep six and feature hardwood floors, screened porches, full baths, full kitchens, and have their own outdoor sitting area, Keurig coffee makers and full housekeeping service. There is a heated outdoor pool, games, and a dock for fishing and boating. Ogunquit has it all - shops, restaurants, museums and galleries and the famed Ogunquit Playhouse. And a trolley to take you to all of it.

Penthouse Suite Deck Harbor View - Harbour Towne Inn - Boothbay Harbor, ME

Harbour Towne Inn on the Waterfront

71 Townsend Avenue Boothbay Harbor, ME, 04538 Phone: 207-633-4300

Your mornings at this gracious inn begin with the sights and sounds of the harbor

You’ll wake each morning to the sights and sounds of the water when you stay at the Harbour Towne Inn on the Waterfront. Most of the beautifully restored inn’s 11 rooms have harbor views, and the spectacular penthouse suite has stunning vistas from its private balcony. The inn, known for its gracious hospitality, serves a full breakfast each morning, included with your accommodations. Stroll its gorgeous gardens, or walk a few minutes to the galleries, shops and restaurants of bustling Boothbay Harbor, ME. You can book a sail on a sloop, a whale watch or a lobster-fishing excursion. Go sea kayaking, hiking or biking. (In the winter, there’s cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.) Visit a botanical garden or the aquarium or enjoy the sunset over the water from your relaxing room.

Bluenose Inn

90 Eden Street Bar Harbor, ME, 04609 Phone: 207-288-2665

Water, water really is everywhere in Bar Harbor, home to this delightful inn with stunning views

Everything about Bar Harbor celebrates its idyllic position on Maine’s scenic coast. That’s true for the Bluenose Inn, where beautifully appointed rooms and luxurious suites feature views of Frenchman Bay, many from private balconies. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at the Looking Glass Restaurant, with breathtaking bay views from its deck or indoor dining area. Enjoy the indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub or fitness room, then head to Acadia National Park (passes are available at the front desk) for hiking and biking by the ocean. The Bar Harbor area is also awash in canoeing, kayaking, whale-watching and sailing opportunities. Or just stroll through the seaside town, with its eclectic mix of restaurants, shops and galleries. Back at the inn, enjoy a cocktail in the piano lounge.

Waterfront Lodging - Maine Windjammers - Camden, ME - Photo Credit Fred LeBlanc

Maine Windjammer Association

Sailing from Ports in Rockland and Camden, ME, 04843 Phone: Toll-Free: 800-807-9463

Cozy, comfy cabins make your windjammer-cruise vacation even more exceptional

Cozy and comfortable, lodging accommodations aboard the vessels of the Maine Windjammer Association ensure that every guest gets a great night’s sleep and has the perfect place to relax on board. Mattresses are comfy, and amenities include (depending on each ship) everything from hot fresh-water showers and windows that open to plenty of places to recharge devices. But most guests find they aren’t in their rooms very long because there is so much to see and do, from helping the crew trim the sails (or steer) to villages and islands to explore. And the food! Pancakes cooked over a wood stove, home-baked pastries and dinner entrees and amazing apps, plus an island lobster bake with all the trimmings. At night, enjoy stories, songs and great conversation on deck.

16 Bay View

16 Bay View Street Camden, ME, 04843 Phone: 844-213-7990

Enjoy an authentic coastal Maine experience when you stay at luxury inn close to harbor

If you’re seeking the authentic Midcoast Maine experience, look no further than 16 Bay View. The luxury hotel’s perch in downtown Camden, ME puts you in the middle of galleries, fine restaurants and boutiques, and just footsteps from a picturesque harbor. Take a kayak harbor tour, go paddle boarding, plan a trip aboard a schooner. In the winter, visit the Snow Bowl for downhill skiing and snowboarding with an ocean view. There’s great hiking in Camden Hills State Park, and a full slate of museums and arts venues. Room options include gas fireplaces and deep soaking tubs, and continental breakfast is served each morning. Enjoy wine and small plates by the fire in the lobby lounge or, in season, head up to The View, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant. Just named a AAA 4-Diamond Award-winning hotel!

Visit our sister properties - Lord Camden Inn - Grand Harbor Inn

Black Point Inn

510 Black Point Road Scarborough, ME, 04074 Phone: 207-819-4064

Surrounded on three sides by the ocean, inn has been popular beachfront escape for over 100 years

They know a thing or two about what it is to run a popular beachfront hotel at the Black Point Inn. After all, they have been doing just that since 1878, when they were one of the grand hotels to call Prouts Neck home. Today, surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic, the inn is still known for its location, its comfortable accommodations and its unpretentious Maine hospitality. Each of its 25 spacious rooms and suites has its own distinct character, some with private decks. Enjoy morning coffee or an evening glass of wine looking out over the water. The views are equally lovely from Adirondack chairs on the sweeping lawn and from The Chart Room restaurant. The inn also has a geothermal heated outdoor pool, bikes and kayaks.

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Cliff House

591 Shore Road Cape Neddick, ME, 03902 Phone: 207-361-1000 Toll-Free: 855-210-6901

Inviting accommodations by the water also feature exceptional dining, serene spa

One of the most inviting waterfront destinations of its kind following a landmark transformation, the Cliff House is not to be missed for those seeking the ultimate in elegance, relaxation and coastal serenity. All 226 luxury accommodations have private terraces and incomparable oceanfront views. Relax in your sumptuous bedding, or by a fireplace, or in a deep soaking tub. Accommodations are custom-designed in graceful coastal style. World-class amenities include a luxury spa and 24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness center; inside and outside pools and hot tubs; a fully curated art exhibit; live entertainment in the Oceanview Terrace Salon; and a selection of first-class dining options, from the signature Tiller restaurant to the quintessential New England Nubb’s Lobster Shack. There are daily children’s activities, garden tours and art classes.

Inn at Ocean's Edge

24 Stonecoast Road Lincolnville, ME, 04849 Phone: 207-236-0945

Peaceful, picturesque Penobscot Bay the backdrop for charming boutique inn

Explore the rocky beaches of Penobscot Bay, stroll through the Maine coast’s small towns and fishing villages and soak in the serenity of a quintessential vacation by the shore when you stay at the Inn at Ocean’s Edge. Stay in a room with a bay view from a private balcony, relax by your gas fireplace, arrange for a massage at the Poolhouse Spa. The boutique hotel has a jaw-dropping infinity edge pool that gives the illusion of flowing right into the ocean; a wood-burning sauna and hot tub. A gourmet breakfast is served daily in a dining room overlooking the bay. Spend your days kayaking, hiking, biking or visiting the area’s arts and cultural attractions, restaurants, vineyards, breweries and shops.

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Deck and Beach New - Norseman Resort - Ogunquit, ME

Norseman Resorts

135 Beach Street Ogunquit, ME, 03907 Phone: 207-646-7024 Toll-Free: 800-822-7024

Rooms with water views, a restaurant literally at the ocean’s edge: the perfect seaside resort

You can’t get much closer to the water than the Norseman Resort, the only beachfront hotel on scenic Ogunquit Beach, one of Maine’s most beautiful sandy stretches. Guests in the resort’s comfortable 90 units, many with views of the ocean, dunes and tidal basin, walk out the door and, voila, there’s the beach! Plunk down your umbrella and take in the sun and surf or, off-season, stroll the dramatic shoreline. Enjoy a casual cafe menu and beverages at the water’s edge at the resort’s Splash Beachfront Restaurant, which offers the best sea view in town. Resort guests have access to the seasonal heated outdoor pool, tennis courts, sauna, exercise room and laundry facilities at the Aspinquid, just 250 yards from the Norseman.

Visit our sister property - Lafayette's Oceanfront Resort

Point Sebago Golf Resort

261 Point Sebago Road Casco, ME, 04015 Phone: 207-558-8000 Toll-Free: 800-655-1232

Pristine lake and sandy beach are at the center of the fun at this full-service resort

Sebago Lake, 55 square miles of pristine water, is the centerpiece of the Point Sebago Resort, with a one-mile stretch of sandy beach perfect for swimming, paddling or just relaxing with a Tiki Bar beverage while the kids build sand castles. The resort’s cabins and cottages are at or near the water, as are several glamping options. The seven-bedroom island lodge offers views of the lake from its wraparound deck. Activities at the resort include an 18-hole championship golf course, an inflatable waterpark obstacle course, tennis, bocce, pickle ball and volleyball. There are kids’ organized activities, arts and crafts programs, a restaurant, two lounges with live entertainment and themed weekends (one for beach-lovers; another for pirates!). Check the website for special rates for first-time visitors and Maine residents.

Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake

30 Migis Lodge Road South Casco, ME, 04077 Phone: 207-655-4524

Lakefront accommodations, from lodge rooms to large cottages, provide the classic New England vacation

Even the choosiest travelers fall in love with their accommodations at Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake. The rustic-luxe Main Lodge has eight lake-view rooms with gas fireplaces. And the resort’s 35 cottages, ranging from studios to six bedrooms, nestled amid 125 acres of pine forest, have beautiful fieldstone fireplaces; and private decks, balconies or porches with lake views. Lake activities at the resort include kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, swimming, fishing and water skiing. There’s also a disc golf course, tennis courts, supervised kids’ camps and a massage and wellness center. Meals, all provided under the Full American Plan, feature traditional American cuisine menus that change daily (and lobster is always included). Sail to an island for a cookout or dine at tables in the lodge.

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