Seaside Resort

I am looking for a resort or hotel on the beach with a great ocean view. Relaxation is the primary goal. I do not have a preference for location. My travel dates would be mid to late August 2007. I would prefer to go after school resumes to avoid crowds but I still want to have all of the ';tourist attractions'; available.

Any ideas and experiences will be appreciated.

Seaside Resort

Check out the Samoset Resort in Rockport, you will love it! It is in the midcoast area and right on the ocean. You never have to leave the resort if you don%26#39;t want to, but the Rockland/Rockport/Camden area is a very desirable location for travelers. There is everything from windjammers to museums to restaurants to quiet beaches. Good luck!

Seaside Resort

www.innbythesea.com

Just south of Portland, located directly on beautiful beach. Not a resort, but a high-end retreat for relaxing after hitting the sites in Greater Portland.

Thanks Cindywindy and Maine-ah. I appreciate the information.

What do you know about the windjammer cruises? I am thinking of a three day cruise and then four days at a resort or hotel as you have mentioned. I understand the cruises are very cramped but I would like to see the coast from the ocean.

Shoot for September if possible. Everything%26#39;s pretty much open, the crowds are gone, weather almost always perfect. Just stay away from labor day weekend.

I am very familiar with windjammer cruises and I think your plan to enjoy a 3-day cruise followed by a stay at an ocean-side resort sounds perfect! I think you%26#39;d be surprised by how comfortable you%26#39;d be on a windjammer. Some of them are more ';cramped'; than others but they all are really quite nice and are truly the best way to experience the coast. They are all owner operated so it%26#39;s like staying in a B%26amp;B in a way and they all pay particular attention to make sure you have a great time; they%26#39;re not just hired hands, they care about repeat business! My experience is that you%26#39;ll only go to your cabin to sleep anyway as most of your time will be spent on deck enjoying the amazing scenery and pulling on lines or steering the ship if you%26#39;d like.

The Schooner Isaac H. Evans has very comfortable cabins complete with wool blankets, quilts, and soapstone bedwarmers for cool Maine evenings. They have a sink with running hot and cold fresh water in each of the cabins (not available on all of the windjammers!) and a shared hot water shower. The heads (toilets) are not rustic marine heads but RV electric heads that flush with a simple step on a pedal. And the food is just awesome! They do a lobster bake on an uninhabited island on every cruise. Their web site is http://www.MaineSailingAdventures.com

You can find out about all the windjammers at http://www.SailMaineCoast.com If you click on ';Cruise Planner'; and go to ';Fleet Stats'; you%26#39;ll go to a grid that lists all the boats, how big they are, how many guests they carry, the price range, and how to reach them.

The Samoset is a great choice for the resort portion of your vacation. I can%26#39;t think of one I%26#39;d recommend instead. The Samoset is so close to everything that Rockland and Camden have to offer. But there is also the Rockland Breakwater (which you are likely to see from your room at the resort). You can walk out the rock jetty (just under one mile) to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and sometimes (most weekends I think) there are even volunteers present to give you a tour into the light tower. Don%26#39;t miss a visit to the Maine Lighthouse Museum and the Farnsworth Art Museum if you poke around Rockland. And by all means, don%26#39;t miss eating at Cafe Miranda. I just had dinner there last night and just love the place. Make sure you have reservations though. It%26#39;s a small place and very popular with the locals!

Good luck with your vacation planning and have fun in Maine!

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