Old Orchard Beach, ME

[Nicsmom]

My DH has a meeting about an hour away from Old Orchard. So, we are all going with him to spend a couple of days at Old Orchard. I've never stayed there. I'm looking for a nice hotel, clean, very close to the beach. Our budget for the room would be under $200 p/night including tax/fees. Any suggestions. I would also appreciate any suggestions for good eats and stuff to do with a 5 yr old and 16 yr old. Thank you!!!

 

[luvflorida]

My DH has a meeting about an hour away from Old Orchard. So, we are all going with him to spend a couple of days at Old Orchard. I've never stayed there. I'm looking for a nice hotel, clean, very close to the beach. Our budget for the room would be under $200 p/night including tax/fees. Any suggestions. I would also appreciate any suggestions for good eats and stuff to do with a 5 yr old and 16 yr old. Thank you!!!

I have spent almost every summer of my life (and I'm old) in the Old Orchard, Ocean Park, Pine Point area of Maine. Many winters in Maine, too!

Old Orchard Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in New England. OOB is a non-fancy, family oriented beach town, although in the past ten years or so, there has been a lot of new construction (condos mostly) that has changed the look of the area somewhat.

If you are looking for a room ON the beach, you've come to the right place! Extending a few miles from both ends of the downtown/pier area (East and West Grand Avenues) are numerous motels and cottages that sit within feet of the sand. OOB isn't a place where you'll find many chain motels/hotels, though. Most of the places are locally owned and have been around for years. Don't expect anything too fancy or upscale, unless you're looking into renting one of the newer condos. The majority of the motels and cottages are from an older era.

However, you should be able to find something under $200. a night, and something that is clean and right on the beach. My husband and I stayed at the Alouette on East Grand Avenue a few months ago. Our room was very clean and had a kitchenette. The best thing, though, was that it was right on the beach. We had a private deck with a gorgeous view of the ocean.

If you google Old Orchard Beach motels, I'm sure you'll come up with a lot of choices. Some of the ones that are right on the beach that come to mind: Friendship, Alouette, Royal Anchor, Waves, Edgewater, Gull, Old Colonial, and Flagship. There are also private cottages and bed and breakfast places.

There are a lot of shops and eating places in the square at the bottom of Main Street. Lots of beach-type shops all up and down the main street. There is also an amusement area that the kids would probably enjoy.

Be sure to get some of the famous Pier Fries! They've been an Old Orchard Beach institution for many, many years. The pier isn't anywhere near as nice, or as long, as it used to be, but there are some good views of the beach from both sides.

Any other questions, just ask and I'll try to be of help!

EDT: The Clambake in Pine Point has delicious seafood and a very, laid-back atmosphere. At Camp Ellis (in the other direction) is Wormwood's Restaurant, one of my all-time favorite places to eat. The scenery in Camp Ellis is typical coastal Maine. Very beautiful with a breakwater, where you can walk pretty far out over the ocean. There are usually lobster boats coming and going, also.

 

[Nicsmom]

Thank you so much for all the advice and details. I will have to look at some of the hotels that you suggested. Fries...I like fries

 

[Muffy]

Thanks for all the info on Old Orchard Beach! My DD is going there this weekend with friends and I will pass on the info about hotels and restaurants.

 

[jjskribs]

I have been vacationing at Old Orchard Beach for the better part of 50 years. I have stayed at most of the motels on the ocean side of the street.

One of our favorite places was the Friendship. The bedroom is separate from the sitting area which was very convenient for us when our kids were little. The beds in the bedroom area are comfortable but the pull out couch in the sitting area leaves a little to be desired for comfort.
It is directly on the beach and it has a swimming pool( although with the ocean steps away I never understood why anyone would use the pool!). Every unit has a microwave and a small fridge.

For the past 10 years or so our favorite place has been the Ocean Walk. It is a very well maintained property and we love it there! They have different size rooms... you would probably do best in the large studio. There are 2 Murphy beds in the large unit which is nice because it frees up lots of space in the room when you're not sleeping. You can see great pictures of each kind of room on their website. These are not "typical" motel rooms. You really have to check out the website to see what I mean.

The hotel is directly on the beach and they provide nice lounge chairs for guests. They have cabanas for rent for a nominal fee. These rooms are air conditioned which we really like because despite the fact that there is usually a nice ocean breeze it does occasionally get hot. They have an inside swimming pool.

I'm not sure when you are planning your trip but the Ocean Walk is very popular and often sells out in the summer but you can punch in your dates on their website and they will tell you immediately if they have available rooms. I highly recommend this place.

As someone mentioned the Clambake which is just a mile down the street from the Ocean Walk has a large menu and nice casual dining. We LOVE the steamers.

If you have time and are looking for a spectacular view I would recommend the Lobster Shack at Twin Lights. It's about a half hour drive but well worth it. They have a great website where you can check out the menu. Again, it's casual dining inside or out at picnics tables and the view is unbelievable. Also, they have great homemade blueberry desserts!

Have a fantastic trip... I live on Cape Cod but vacation in Maine!

 

[aprilvaca04]

A lot of good recommendations have been given. I would recommend The Friendship Hotel as one of the best on the strip. Do stop by The Clambake Restaurant for yummy seafood. It's a fun place to go. And the help is pretty great too, my 2 daughters work there. Try to have some Pier Fries, Bill's Pizza and Deep Fried Oreos from Deweys...if you have any other questions I'd be happy to help.

 

[Nicsmom]

Thank you all for such great recommendations. We've called many of the hotels suggested but they are booked. We did find a room at the Beau Rivage. It's not directly on the beach, about 75 yards away, not bad. We will have to do the Clambake, fries and of course, fried oreos.

 

[aprilvaca04]

Thank you all for such great recommendations. We've called many of the hotels suggested but they are booked. We did find a room at the Beau Rivage. It's not directly on the beach, about 75 yards away, not bad. We will have to do the Clambake, fries and of course, fried oreos.

That's not a bad location at all...Have fun!

 

[suzannews]

We stayed at the Normandie 3 summers ago and it was clean and right on the beach. The owner, Mike, was very nice. Not sure what the rates are now but we definitely paid under $200 a night in the middle of July. We loved the area. Excellent ice cream on the pier. Watched fireworks from the hotel one night. We had a great meal at Surf 6 and drove out to the Lobster Shack one afternoon. We hope to get back there soon!!