TOP 6 Maine Beach Destinations

Kick back in a coastal Adirondack beach chair, put your feet up, and soak in the ambiance of classic New England at The Dunes on the Waterfront, a classic-yet-modern waterfront resort just north of Ogunquit. The Dunes offers guests exclusive access to the beach and the ocean along 12 private and beautifully manicured acres with fabulous views. The beachfront hotel has been welcoming families for fun summer vacations and romantic getaways on the coast for three generations.

The coastal inn presents 19 elegantly appointed cottages and 17 additional guest rooms for a memorable getaway. At the Dunes, guests enjoy a combination living room/dining room with a fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, full bath or ¾ bath, and either one or two bedrooms. (Guest rooms vary in size from rooms with a standard double bed to larger rooms with two double beds or one king bed. There are also two-room suites and two-bedroom guest rooms.) Most residences are detached units with screened-in porches with an ocean view.

Families young and old, as well as romantic couples of all ages, take pleasure in a getaway to the Dunes. Guests can explore the nearby towns and all the cultural activities or hit the beach or ocean for plenty of fun in the sun. There’s biking, boating, fishing, golf, hiking, mountain biking, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing and whale watching not far from the hotel. After a full day of excitement, relax at the on-site pool or spa, or take a moonlight stroll along the water. It’s a getaway you won’t soon forget.

Resting on a large hill on the east side of Chebeague Island is the iconic, rich yellow Chebeague Island Inn, a fully restored 21-room boutique hotel overlooking Casco Bay. A special place in the island community, the entire inn has been meticulously restored to its original architectural features. The inn harkens back to the late 19th Century. Originally constructed in the 1880s, it is one of the last remaining hotels that dotted the Maine coast during the Golden Age of summer travel in the early 20th Century.

Each guest room at the inn is detailed with touches from local Maine artists and artisans, so no two rooms are alike. All rooms have custom queen-size beds with lofty down bedding and Italian hem-stitched linens to complement modern comforts like TV, Wi-Fi, tasteful furniture and valet service. Other perks include free coffee, tea and snacks during the day.

The Chebeague Island Inn is a perfect place to walk the beach, explore, read, play board games or gather with your friends and family to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. There’s also plenty to get your blood pumping – like badminton, boating, Bocce ball, croquet, fishing, golf, sailing, or tennis.

After a full schedule of activities (or relaxing!), make plans to sit down with your friends, family or loved one for an impeccable meal at the Chebeague Island Inn Restaurant. Chock-full of tasty, creative fare from locally sourced ingredients, the landmark restaurant is a can’t miss.

Isolated on a beautiful peninsula at Fort Point, The Stage Neck Inn is surrounded on three sides by the York River and York Harbor. The 58-room resort has a wide variety of contemporary guest rooms that are ideal for a family vacation or a more intimate getaway for romantic couples.

The inn is a popular spot for unforgettable weddings and important corporate meetings because of its immense splendor, access to recreation and culture, and accommodations that can handle larger groups or get-togethers. The Stage Neck Inn has on-site conference and wedding venues, casual oceanfront dining, a serviceable bar, fitness room, swimming pools, tennis courts. A variety of water sports and an 18-hole championship golf course are only a short distance from the resort.

The delectable Shearwater restaurant at the Stage Neck Inn is open to the public for lunch and dinner and provides room service for guests at the hotel. The restaurant serves up local treats like fresh Lobster and oysters in its own unique style that’s a hit with visitors and locals alike. To add to the ambiance, guests can dine outdoors during the season overlooking the ocean.

The Spa at Stage Neck is a full-service pampering day spa. Guests can plan a treatment around their schedule to feel renewed and refreshed. Treatments include couple’s massages, facials and lash/brow tinting. It’s an excellent add-on indulgence for a relaxing vacation, girlfriends’ getaway, solo trip or romantic getaway.

Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake has been welcoming guests for more than a century to the inland bed and breakfast in southern Maine, just northeast of Portland. The lakeside cottage has eight rooms in the Main Lodge and 35 rustic lodges with handsome appointments in every room like handmade quilts, fresh flowers and a wood-burning fireplace. Residences also include modern touches like Wi-Fi and flatscreen HDTV.

A traditional American Plan resort, the lodge dates to the early 20th Century and sits on 125 acres in a thick pine forest with lots of nature, wildlife and fresh air.  Guests have immediate access to majestic Sebago Lake. Other natural attractions like Jordan Bay, Fyre Island, Thomas Pond, Panther Pond, Brady Pond, Long Lake and Crescent Lake are only a short distance from the resort.  

With so much water in every direction, it’s easy to spend your days canoeing, fishing, kayaking, motor boating, paddling, sailing, swimming or water skiing on pristine waters. Or stay on land and enjoy spotless beaches, disc golf, golf or tennis. Guests can also explore nearby towns of Sebago, Casco and Raymond for shopping, antiquing and other fun cultural outings.

Lodging plans for guests for Migis Lodge include three extraordinary meals per day, prepared on-site with locally sourced ingredients. Fresh-cooked meals include local favorites like classic Maine lobster arranged by the brilliant kitchen staff. It’s an ideal way to fuel up for a big afternoon on the lake, or the perfect cap to a magnificent day.

Just steps from sandy Kennebunk Beach, the Beach House has classic rooms with modern amenities, and is quintessential New England at every turn. The vintage 1891 seaside inn is a thoughtful nod to days gone by mixed with all the contemporary amenities you’d expect at a top hotel. The coastal inn offers 34 charming guest rooms that are individually furnished with choice American antiques, wrought iron beds, supple white down comforters, cable TV, plush terry cloth robes, eco-friendly luxury toiletries and air conditioning.

Guests can crack a window or simply step outside to be drawn in by the salty aroma of the Atlantic Ocean. Around the hotel, guests can check out a complimentary bike and take a leisurely stroll along the beach or borrow a canoe and hit the water. The town of Kennebunk is only a short ride away. Families and friends can gather for a fun game of Bocce ball, or simply relax in a beach chair and read a book or scroll your social media while soaking up the sun.

Rooms at the seaside retreat come with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and are outfitted with a perfect mix of antique furniture and accents along with modern-day amenities. Guests of the Beach House can get in a workout or receive spa services at the resort’s sister property, the Breakwater Inn. The inn’s appetizing restaurant, Stripers, offers fresh, local favorites served on a lush lawn overlooking the Kennebunk River. The Sunset Lounge is another on-site dining option with a more relaxed atmosphere, fantastic daily specials, imaginative cocktails and a robust wine list.

Nestled near the mouth of the Kennebunk River and only steps from the sea, the Colony Hotel just south of the town of Kennebunk, melds Colonial charm with contemporary features to present a quintessential Maine getaway. From antiquing and cultural programs in the area to boating, fishing and sailing on the water, there’s lots of prospects for excitement or relaxation – whichever you seek.

First, visitors can choose from 124 guest rooms at the historic inn, including Ocean Side and Garden Side options in the Main building. Each room has beautifully crafted furniture, hardwood floors, hooked rugs and tasteful vintage floral wallpaper. Second, there’s no shortage of modern touches like air conditioning and cable TVs in the rooms, along with a heated saltwater pool, an 18-hole putting green and two ocean-view restaurants and bars.

Guests of the Colony Hotel enjoy walking to nearby shops, visit one of the area’s awesome spas, head to the water for sailing, whaling or a lobster cruise, or take a leisurely stroll or tour the hotel grounds. The Marine Room serves up everything from fish tacos and burgers to steamed Maine lobster. There’s even live entertainment on Friday and Saturday during the season.

When it’s time to really relax, head to the Porch Dining Room for seasonal specialties and cocktails or select a vino from the extensive wine list. From July to September, kick back poolside at the Ocean Terrace and enjoy whatever you like from the Marine Room menu.