Waterfront resorts in Maine?

[TimeforMe]

DH and I are looking to go away for 2-3 nights at the end of July. I would really love to stay on the ocean with a view. It doesn't have to be a 5-star place, but I don't want a dump either. We don't want to go as far up as Bar Harbor (we'll be driving from CT), so I was thinking maybe Kennebunkport or Ogunquit? I am open to any and all suggestions. I looked at a few online at TripAdvisor but was hoping I could get some opinions from my DIS friends. Anyone?

 

[pumba]

here is a listing for hotels near Old Orchard Beach ...besides a beautiful beach they have an amusement park and some of the best french fries around .......We call them pier fries.....and everyone that is from Maine or knows Maine always talks about them....

 

[goofyernmost]

My families favorite is Wells Beach. Its quieter than Ogunquit and has some really good eating places such as Lord's Seafood, reasonably priced and good food.

 

[mkel34]

It doesn't get more waterfront than the Cliff House in Ogunquit.

http://www.cliffhousemaine.com/

Also, when in York last summer we walked past this place which looked very nice.

http://www.atlantichouseyorkbeach.com/

 

[mtemm]

cliffhouse is very nice. haven't stayed there yet but my inlaws have and they enjoyed it.

 

[TimeforMe]

here is a listing for hotels near Old Orchard Beach ...besides a beautiful beach they have an amusement park and some of the best french fries around .......We call them pier fries.....and everyone that is from Maine or knows Maine always talks about them....

I think you forgot to attach the listing. TIA!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I was just looking at the travelzoo website and they have a couple nice hotels on sale during midweek in Kennebunkport. I'm not sure if they are water front as I'm not familiar with the area.

ETA: http://www.travelzoo.com/hotels/boston/841548/

 

[pumba]

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&a...roup&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CDoQtQMwAA

BOY what happens to me without my morning get up and go coffee........Now I have done this before ....so SORRYYYYYYYYY

 

[redsunfish]

It doesn't get more waterfront than the Cliff House in Ogunquit.

http://www.cliffhousemaine.com/

cliffhouse is very nice. haven't stayed there yet but my inlaws have and they enjoyed it.

I give a third vote to the Cliffhouse. I worked there one summer and it is a really beautiful place and Ogunquit and York are both really nice places to visit.

 

[Tinkermommy]

It doesn't get more waterfront than the Cliff House in Ogunquit.

http://www.cliffhousemaine.com/

Also, when in York last summer we walked past this place which looked very nice.

http://www.atlantichouseyorkbeach.com/

I had a business offsite meeting at the Cliff House. The location is beautiful and the property is very nice. It's not modern (think old TVs, formica countertops in the bathroom) but very cleaned and well maintained.

 

[jfoofj]

I love Ogunquit.... make sure you do the Marginal Way if you go there (really pretty walk along the coast). I never stayed at a hotel up there though, I had a friend who used to rent a house in the summer when he was a waiter up there and my friend and I would crash on his couch. (Ahhhhh, the college years).

I've stayed in York too.... I'm trying to remember the name of the place... I want to say Anchorage? It was across the street from the Ocean (Long Sands beach I think?) and it was ok. Kinda big, lots of rooms, had indoor and outdoor pools and restaurants. There was a place on Short Sands beach that I remember saying I wanted to stay at... it was called the Union Bluff, it just looked to have a cozier feel to it.

 

[npmommie]

Ogunquit is our most favorite place. We have always stayed at the Beachmere
http://www.beachmereinn.com/

you can walk right onto marginal way from there, if you go out to the street you can walk to town, or the main beach, or get a trolley to either place.

other nice waterfront places to check out in Ogunquit are
Sparhawke
Anchorage
Norseman ( this one is right down on the main beach, you can step onto sand)

 

[TimeforMe]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll have to check availability and that will probably narrow my choices quite a bit. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the rocky Maine coast. Exquisite!

 

[Pikester]

My family stayed here a couple of summers ago while visiting Old Orchard. Not all rooms have an oceanview but there is a map you can look at to see which ones are.

http://www.alouettebeachresort.com/

We enjoyed it.

 

[CandyMandy]

Just an FYI from someone who grew up in New England and knows the beautiful Maine coast well - if you go to any of the beaches close to the areas that have been mentioned here, just be aware that North Atlantic ocean water is FREEZING!! The best it gets is if you can find a tidepool far from the low tide mark on a very sunny, hot day - the water in those spots will warm up to comfortable temps, albeit they are so shallow (9 inches or so at best) think of them as warm kiddie wading pools. The beach that tends to have the biggest and best of these tidepools is the York Town beach (not the large York beach proper, the smaller one off the York harbor - warning, parking there is very limited!).

 

[Snoozan]

Another huge fan of Ogunquit here - just there for a day trip this past weekend! I really enjoy the Anchorage(right on the Marginal walkway overlooking Ogunquit Beach). Beautiful landscaped grounds with both an indoor and outdoor pool/hot tub. Another hotel is Sea Chambers - great location but more dated than Anchorage. Both are in walking distance to downtown and Perkins Cove so lots of little shops and restaurants to enjoy.

FYI - there are 2 Anchorage hotels - one in Ogunquit and one in York, ME. Both are very nice, but Ogunquit has more ambience, IMO.

 

[C.Ann]

Also, when in York last summer we walked past this place which looked very nice.

http://www.atlantichouseyorkbeach.com/

Another huge fan of Ogunquit here - just there for a day trip this past weekend! I really enjoy the Anchorage(right on the Marginal walkway overlooking Ogunquit Beach). Beautiful landscaped grounds with both an indoor and outdoor pool/hot tub. Another hotel is Sea Chambers - great location but more dated than Anchorage. Both are in walking distance to downtown and Perkins Cove so lots of little shops and restaurants to enjoy.

FYI - there are 2 Anchorage hotels - one in Ogunquit and one in York, ME. Both are very nice, but Ogunquit has more ambience, IMO.

All nice - but I would opt for one in Ogunquit because there's lots to see and do within walking distance.... Love the Marginal Way and love Perkin's Cove!!

 

[goofyernmost]

Just an FYI from someone who grew up in New England and knows the beautiful Maine coast well - if you go to any of the beaches close to the areas that have been mentioned here, just be aware that North Atlantic ocean water is FREEZING!! The best it gets is if you can find a tidepool far from the low tide mark on a very sunny, hot day - the water in those spots will warm up to comfortable temps, albeit they are so shallow (9 inches or so at best) think of them as warm kiddie wading pools. The beach that tends to have the biggest and best of these tidepools is the York Town beach (not the large York beach proper, the smaller one off the York harbor - warning, parking there is very limited!).

Every once in a while, when the wind is just right and the gulf stream moves a little closer to shore, the water can be actually tolerable. Not warm but it doesn't cause your heart to stop.

I just realized that my endorsement of Wells is falling on deaf ears. Then it came to me that Wells is the poor mans Ogunquit. Cliff House, although not above my means physically, is above my psychological ability to pay for. They don't call me cheap for nothing.