Where should we stay??

Hi all!

My husband, 19 year old daughter and I want to spend a long weekend in Maine in the next few months. Just not sure where, and hoping you can help.

Ideally, I%26#39;d like to be right on the ocean, somewhere nice, pool, beach... no budget limit.

I went to the Univ. of Maine for one year in Farmington. But I%26#39;m not that familiar with the coast.

Thanks in advance!

Where should we stay??

';Beach'; is going to limit your choices. Most of the beaches are Portland and south. Especially if you want to stay in a hotel ';on'; the beach.

Popular beach towns with lots of nice hotels on the water include Ogunquit (tho the nicer hotels are in sight of but not directly on the beach), Kennebunk/Kennebunkport, and York.

The most popular tourist regions are Bar Harbor, Camden, Boothbay, Portland and Kennebunk/Kennebunkport. My favorites are Bar Harbor and Camden, but the coast there is mostly rocky, tho Bar Harbor is close to Acadia%26#39;s Sand Beach.

Also consider how far you want to drive.

Check out the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth (a Portland suburb.) it has a pool and a board walk to Crescent Beach State Park. It%26#39;s a short drive to several lighthouses, a popular lobster pound and great shopping in Portland (and Freeport). They have condo-like units with kitchens.

Also look at The Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport. I love the Colony, but warning that it doesn%26#39;t have tvs in all rooms (maybe an issue wtih the 19-year-old.)

Where should we stay??

Thanks for the tips Michele!

Beach not important. Ocean is. I%26#39;m checking out all you have given so far.

Bar Harbor has some nice resort class hotels right on the water (with pools too) but since you%26#39;ll probably vising Maine again, maybe you should save Acadia for a time when you%26#39;ve got more days? Bar Harbor is another 3 or 4 hours beyond Portland (depending on traffic and how fast you drive) and the extra driving will clip a lot of time off your weekend.

Camden has more B%26amp;Bs than hotels, most are in town, not on the water, and most have no pools. Tho it%26#39;s a lovely town, I%26#39;m guessing it might not be the best bet for the accomodations you are seeking on this trip.

Boothbay Harbor has some nice resorts wtih pools. Look at The Spruce Point Inn (high end; closer to the action), Newagen Seaside Inn (older, classic Maine in a much more secluded area; the 19-year-old might like the Pine Room, but not on a weekend where they have a wedding as you%26#39;ll feel like an outsider crashing the wedding.) There is also the Ocean Point Inn in East Boothbay.

I think that all that Michele is suggesting makes a lot of sense. My perspective, though, is that, coming from CT, for a weekend, I%26#39;d be inclined to shoot for Portland and south. Ogunquit has a number of great hotels overlooking the water. Ogunquit has a lovely beach. Then there is the Marginal Walk, a mile long (less?) path along the rocky shore to Perkins Cove, a cute and functioning fishing village that also doubles as a tourist destination with some shops and restaurants.

But the coast is dotted with towns with attractive inns and B%26amp;Bs, hotels, beaches, etc. Each unique in its own right and as nice a destination as the next. Look at York, Kennebunkport (where senior Bush has his summer place), Old Orchard Beach, Cape Elizabeth.

Then there is Portland, one of my favorite cities in the country. (As a matter of fact, both Portlands are.) The old port section is a large downtown area of shops, cafes, restaurants, nightlife, galleries, etc. nestled in narrow streets, some cobblestoned, and right by the water. The seafood is great. Casco Bay Ferries has regular service to many of the outlying islands. A great way to spend the day. Walking distance from the old port is the arts district, with an excellent museum, art school and a cool neighborhood. If you are up in that neighborhood at dinner time, there is an excellent restaurant called Ufa%26#39;s. Search the reviews for a description.

As for timing, are you thinking of summer, or shoulder season spring or fall? Weekends are very busy along the coast of Maine. No reason not to come, but be prepared and make reservations for lodging as soon as you know your plan and destination. Saturday traffic is also pretty miserable as people are either beginning or ending their week vacations. Coastal roads will be jammed, and the southern towns, below Portland, will probably be the worst of them. As a matter of fact, the traffic can be pretty nasty all the way up past Bath, even along I-95. Makes a good case for Michele%26#39;s suggestions, maybe Boothbay, or Camden, Rockport and the whole stretch of coast down to Port Clyde. If you do head north, you will be rewarded with incredible beauty and lessere crowds. But, stay on I-95 to make your best time. There will be time for exploring when you reach your destination.

I`m reiterating my suggestion (from Boston Forum) for Glenmoor by the Sea in Camden and hope you`ll consider it if they have availability at the time you`re traveling. I`ll be anxious to hear what you come up with for your Maine weekend. BTW, I always enjoy reading your vast information and helpfulness on NYC forums. Quin

I spent till 2 a.m. this morning researching what you all gave me to that point!

Quindad, I sent you a personal message re: the Glenmoor, but heck I might as well just say it....

That is (almost) exactly what I was looking for! The place is on the ocean with views...but it%26#39;s not pretentious or amusement parky. The downside is it is about seven hours from where I live. Not a fun hike.

Sooo.... since I also want to see the Sox play.... what I think I might do is combine a short trip to Boston (one or two nights) then head up to Maine (four nights maybe). I have to make sure my husband and daughter are free for a week ...then I need to check the dates with the Glenmoor.... hopefully we%26#39;ll have a match.

Otherwise, some very nice suggestions have been made, and now I have a lot to work with!

You know, just the thought that I am going to get away to the Maine coast for a few days already makes me feel better!

If anyone ever needs help with NYC (or Conn) plans feel free to message me.

Thanks,

Voy

Just in case you need accomodation suggestions for Boston, may I recommend The Omni Parker House. Although we`re locals, we always spend a winter weekend here in one of their suites, which are often surprisingly reasonable. This is Boston`s historic, luxury hotel with opulent public spaces, old world charm and outstanding service. While the guest rooms can be smallish, the junior and one bedroom suites are spacious and beautiful. One caveat: there is a major construction site directly behind the hotel on Province Street so you`d be wise to book through the hotel directly at 617-227-8600 and make any specific requests if early morning construction noise is an issue. The hotel is also in a terrific central location. Just a thought.

Ditto the Omni Parker House. I just got back from a long weekend in Boston, staying at the OPH on Quindad%26#39;s recommendation. We couldn%26#39;t have been happier with it.

Thank you everyone for coming through on this one!

Because of the thoughts and suggestions, this is what we have planned so far. Our trip is in July, and my daughter will be on another trip at that time (to Appalachia, she is helping with a housing project), so it%26#39;s just my husband and me.

1. Day One — Connecticut to Boston. I decided to give priceline a whirl just to see if there were any bargains, and got the Marriott Copley Place for $85. Got tickets on stubhub to see the Sox play that afternoon.

2. Day Two, Three, Four — I reserved a cottage at Glenmoor by the Sea in Camden. I spoke to one of the owners and she was absolutely delightful.

Not sure about our final night, but am thinking about the southern Maine areas that were mentioned.

Thanks again!

Voy

Hi - I%26#39;m a little biased because I live in the area :-) but I would suggest the Newcastle / Damariscotta / Pemaquid Peninsula area. You are within reach of both Portland and Camden, plus the quintessential rocky coastline with lighthouse and a good sandy beach.