Hello Everyone,

I was hoping someone could offer an idea or two about a nice place to stay along the coast. We are spending a week at a cottage near Franklin, ME, then we'll spend a night somewhere on our way toward Portland, and then staying 2 nights in Portland, ME (don't have anything booked yet, so any ideas here?).

Do you have any ideas about where to stay? Does this sound like a good idea? I really wanted to savor the relaxed culture of the coast. Would you recommend Rockland?

Thanks! Dave

DaveAndMeg, when are you going? I've learned that the hotels and inns in Portland are pretty expensive over the summer weekends (Hilton Garden Inn for $250 and up) and sometimes fill up.

Tell us more about yourselves too. What are your interests? How old are you? Are you interested in active sports, hiking swimming, kayaking, food, museums and historic houses, just hanging out? Where are you coming from (outside the U.S, another region of the U.S, a big city)

That sounds like a good idea, I should tell you a bit more about ourselves!

We (Dave & Meg) are in our late twenties and are getting married on June 29th and are heading out to Maine for our honeymoon! We're starting by taking the Amtrak to Chicago for one night at a chic hotel which looks really neat (Longman & Eagle
www.longmanandeagle.com/ ). From there we are flying out east and staying for almost a week at a cottage. The next part is up for discussion. We have Mon (on the coast??), Tues (thinking Portland, but up for suggestions), Weds (Portland again?), Thurs (friends place in Boston) and fly out of Boston on Fri.

We are quite excited about getting to thoroughly relax, eat some good seafood, hike, kayak, and do other things outdoors. We wouldn't mind a good spa recommendation (usually not on the to-do list but it's our honeymoon). We love good food (hence the need to stop in Portland or near it to access their restaurants). We really enjoy staying at B&Bs or something that has character. We are coming from a college town in Wisconsin on the Mississippi River called La Crosse.

Thanks for any advice!
D&M

Since you'll be on your honeymoon, time to splurge a little?
Portland is really a nice little city, but similar to a college town, in my opinion. If you only have 3 days (Monday -Wednesday?), why not drive just a little farther south to one of the smaller waterfront resort towns like Kennebunkport or Ogunquit? Both have some nice inns, beautiful sandy beaches, some truly great restaurants and views! You can stop in Portland on the way to eat and walk around the Old Port area, and don't miss a stop at the Portland Head Light.
Ogunquit gets a younger crowd, but it also seems more crowded with daytrippers (it's closer to Boston) and families who stay at the many motels. Kennebunkport is a favorite of mine. A little older crowd on average (many people have homes and condos there), but plenty of nice quieter but luxurious, sometimes funky places to stay and eat too.
Does something like this place look interesting to you? It's right across the street from a beautiful quiet beach. http://www.tidesbeachclubmaine.com/ . I haven't stayed there but I've gone in and looked around and vowed to return, maybe off season when the rates are a little lower. But for a honeymoon, I'd spend it. The same owners have a couple of other boutique inns and luxury cottages nearby http://www.kennebunkportresortcollec...om/our-hotels/
I have no connection to the company, but I've stayed at some of their properties and I'm a fan

Thanks for the recommendations. I looked them up and they look quite nice. Does anyone else have any ideas for resorts around Portland that are on the coast? Thanks! Dave