25 Best Hotels in The Mid-Coast Region, Maine

This gray-shingled, low-key yet refined inn—originally built as sea captain John Bradley's residence—has comfortable, tastefully decorated guest rooms painted in soothing colors. Several have fireplaces; those on the third floor have ocean views. A carriage house also has rooms, and there's a small garden cottage as well. On-site amenities include a spa (book appointments well before arrival), a pub, and one of the region’s best dining rooms, with a creative menu that emphasizes fresh, local foods.

This hill-top, two-story motel complex makes an excellent base for exploring Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta as well as Wiscasset. All of the well-appointed rooms (some with four-poster beds) have river views from private balconies or patios. The 4-acre grounds encompass perennial flower gardens, gazebos, and a heated outdoor pool. A generous continental breakfast features straight-from-the-oven muffins, fresh fruit, and usually a special hot dish.

Near the village of Five Islands on secluded and quiet-as-can-be Georgetown Island, this handsome shingled house sits on 5 secluded, waterfront acres along Gott’s Cove. Every room has a water view and features local art. Some have fireplaces and private decks. The included full breakfast features dishes made with Maine ingredients. The inn’s dock is perfect for sunbathing, watching the lobster boats come and go, or jumping in. Gulls, herons, and osprey are frequently sighted here, and you may glimpse harbor seals, too. Go paddling in one of the inn's kayaks or a canoe, or take a spin on one of several hybrid mountain bikes available to guests. Hike nearby nature preserves or visit spectacular Reid State Park (a five-minute drive from the inn). Bonus: It's a quick trip to Five Islands Lobster Co. for one of Maine's best lobster rolls (and other delicious seafood).

Set on 4 acres overlooking Wheeler's Bay, about 8 miles northeast of Tenants Harbor, this atmospheric inn was built in 1930 as a boarding house for stonecutters working in the granite quarries on Clark Island, just across the way. Accommodations are housed in both the main building and in an annex that was originally a chapel. Though on the small side, all the rooms are bright and cheery and have simple country furnishings. Some have water views, three have private balconies, and eight have shared balconies. The inn's well-regarded restaurant, The Causeway, serves dinner five nights a week in season and four nights a week in winter; its Sunday brunch has an enthusiastic following.

The main building of this charmingly old-fashioned inn dates from the 1800s—when it was built as a boatyard sail loft (where sails were made)—and is furnished with locally sourced antiques and nautical accents. From the lawn, porch, or a water-side room, it's fun to watch lobster boats come into the wharf, unload their catch, and set off again. The Wan-e-Set dining room and an adjacent deck are the setting for continental (off season) or full (summer) breakfasts featuring avocado toast, biscuits and sausage gravy, and Benedicts. Lunch and dinner may also be offered in season. On the inn's lower level, the year-round Quarry Tavern offers comfort food beside a stone fireplace and is popular with locals and visitors.

This beautifully restored Victorian inn, set amid delightful gardens on a side road in East Boothbay, is one of the last of the many turn-of-the-20th-century hotels that once welcomed guests to the area. Rooms all have period furnishings, including some four-poster beds; some also have fireplaces, and all but one has views of the islands in Linekin Bay. Bring your kayaks and access the water directly from the property. The broad porch overlooking the bay has plenty of comfy chairs from which to enjoy the view along with your breakfast, which features such specialties as bacon and blue cheese quiche and orange-ricotta pancakes. It's hard to tear yourself away from this serene spot to go exploring. When you do, be sure to return in time for afternoon tea and baked treats.

Perched above Harmon Harbor, this 1904, double-turreted inn truly is a haven from modern-day hustle and bustle—just head to the front porch, settle into a rocker, take in the amazing oceanfront panorama, and feel your stress melt away. Guest rooms, two of which have whirlpool tubs, are serene and uncluttered. The Sunrise Suite has a private balcony, and the turret rooms make up for their petite size with 270-degree views, perfect for greeting the sun in the morning and watching the moon rise at night. At Blue, the inn's restaurant (open to the public by reservation), the accomplished chef turns fresh seafood and other locally sourced ingredients into contemporary New England–style dishes.

Built in the early 1800s by Captain Mitchell Reed, this yellow, mansard-roofed inn sits atop McKown Hill in the heart of Boothbay Harbor. The water views are lovely, there's nearly always a breeze, and the innkeepers cater to the needs of each guest. At breakfast, served on the veranda or in the dining room, herbs and vegetables from the inn's garden are often used in dishes such as quiche, blueberry pancakes, or lobster deviled eggs. Some rooms have balconies, and some have whirlpool baths. There's a guest refrigerator and wine chiller, as well as complimentary snacks and bottled water.

The welcome is warm at this inn, where gas fireplaces glow in the lobby, and guest rooms—about half of them in a historic wing—have serene color schemes and reproduction Federal-style furnishings. Several rooms showcase pieces by local furniture makers, and the guesthouse, which sleeps up to nine people, features L.L. Bean housewares. Separate two- or three-bedroom townhouses are good for short or long stays; all have full kitchens, and several are pet-friendly. Deluxe rooms have wet bars, whirlpool tubs, and wood-burning fireplaces (or, in one case, a stove). The on-site Broad Arrow Tavern offers hearty fare and has a patio. A full breakfast and afternoon tea, complete with scones and finger sandwiches, are included in the rates.

Step back in time at this restored 1888 summer hotel, where the decor in the main building remains Victorian and that in the cottages and bungalows is more contemporary. For a truly romantic retreat, though, book the carriage-house suite. Relax on the big wraparound porch or in the parlor beside the stone fireplace. To keep room rates down, the owners have employed a few cost-saving measures: soap is the only in-room toiletry, and although there's coffee in the morning, there is no breakfast (you can always head to the Sea Gull Shop and Restaurant, next door to the lighthouse, which is known for its memorable meals). Like the hotel itself, the booking process will transport you to earlier times: you must call to request a reservation and then send a deposit in the form of a check; you'll receive a postcard confirmation.

Maine-inspired artwork and fresh flowers add to the simple elegance of this peaceful, Queen Anne–style inn, where guest rooms have colorful floral bedspreads, hooked rugs, and four-poster or other traditional-style beds. One room also has a working fireplace, another has a kitchenette, and some rooms have baths with two-person whirlpool tubs. The Pine Room has a private deck. The full hot breakfast is served in a light-dappled sunroom or on a deck when the weather is nice.

On the edge of its namesake bay and just a few minutes from downtown Boothbay Harbor, this secluded, 20-acre, wooded resort has accommodations that range from rustic cabins to modern waterfront suites. All guests enjoy a buffet breakfast and access to a heated saltwater pool; paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes; and a fleet of small sailboats with complimentary sailing instruction. At lunch and dinner, the Deck Bar & Grill, perched over the water, serves a menu of modern takes on Maine-sourced ingredients.

You may think you've arrived in the North Woods upon entering this lovingly maintained, 1940s-era, log structure—a family-run place with many repeat annual guests—but one look out the windows makes it clear that you're still on the Maine coast. Rooms all have private decks with wonderful water and sunset vistas. Some units also have mini-refrigerators, microwaves, and whirlpool tubs; others have full kitchens and separate seating areas. One also has a gas fireplace. A full hot breakfast is included in the rates, and dinner service (by reservation) is only for guests. The grounds feature colorful flowerbeds and an outdoor pool.

Rooms are comfortably furnished, warm, and inviting at this circa-1780 inn set beside the large, unspoiled Damariscotta Lake, where casual afternoon gatherings on the deck and hammocks-for-two overlooking the water make the most of the location. You might see loons, herons, bald eagles, and other wildlife on an excursion with the owner in an antique Lyman powerboat. Swimming is big here, or you can go for a paddle: several canoes and SUPs, plus a kayak, are available for guests' use. Don't miss the fascinating fish ladder, a short walk away, where alewives swim upstream every spring to spawn. Downtown Damariscotta's shops and restaurants are 2 miles away.

Originally the home of Walter Reid, who donated the land for gorgeous Reid State Park (just down the road), this inn has stayed in his family for three generations. The five guest rooms all have air-conditioning and great ocean views. Rooms with themes played out in their decor and colors (especially in the bathrooms) include the Lighthouse, Violet, and Rose rooms; art complements each theme. Retreat to the Spanish Room with a good book for some quiet reading, or catch the ocean breeze on a screened porch, a relaxing place to enjoy the generous hot breakfast included in lodging. Well-tended gardens grace the grounds, and its location on the bank of the Kennebec River has made it a favorite for weddings, conferences, and reunions.

A riverside location, tasteful decor, and lots of common areas (inside and out) make this an especially relaxing country inn. Rooms have classically styled newer furnishings and sumptuous fabrics. One room has a fireplace and two have gas stoves; another room has a private, ground-level entrance. On pleasant mornings, breakfast is served on the back deck overlooking the gardens and river. It's a short walk into town for dining and shopping.

An 1848 Greek Revival house has been transformed into this upscale boutique hotel, where the guest rooms, suites, and cottage are open, airy, and decorated with uncluttered traditional furnishings and serene color schemes. Enjoy morning meals in the sunny breakfast room, and then relax in rockers on the front porch or cozy up beside a fire in the library. Hang out with guests and nonguests in the low-key Pub165. The service here is very personalized, including helping guests plan explorations of Brunswick and other places along the coast.

This nearly century-old resort on 450 water-side acres at the western side of the Phippsburg Peninsula is a good choice for both couples and families. It's also popular for family reunions and weddings. Cozy guest rooms in the clapboard-covered main lodge have cottage-style furnishings. Rooms in what was built to resemble a lighthouse have classic Maine furnishings, and most have great water views. Luxury suites and cottages round out the selection of lodging options. Amenities include a golf course, tennis courts, and a heated saltwater pool. The waterside patio at the Ledges Pub serves up lunch, dinner, and great views.

Since 1892, this refined seaside resort has welcomed guests, including members of the Kennedy family, to its own sea-lapped point at the eastern side of the outer harbor. All of the rooms and suites—housed in the main inn, lodges, cottages, and townhouses—are decorated in a serene coastal style. Many have excellent ocean views and balconies or porches; some have gas fireplaces. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the casual Salty Stag, which also has a bar and a deck. The more elegant, dinner-only Whiteclover has lovely water and sunset views. Activities include tennis, kayaking, paddleboarding, yoga, fishing from the dock, shuffleboard, table tennis, arcade games, and hiking trails amid 40 acres of old-growth forest. One swimming pool juts out over the water; another sits at the edge of the woods. A spa is also set amid trees. Other perks include complimentary bicycles and 45-minute harbor tours aboard the inn's motor launch.

With a large modern wing attached to a historic Federal house, this refined hotel offers an airy, contemporary atmosphere blended with period-appropriate warmth. Thirty rooms and suites are spread out over the East Wing (which also houses the exceptional 555 North restaurant) and the original 19th-century house. Pets are welcomed, but a nightly fee applies.

An 1840s Greek Revival mansion in the heart of Bath's historic district is the setting for this welcoming, beautifully furnished (but unfussy) inn. Two rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, making them especially popular wintertime choices. The innkeeper is a trained chef whose skill shines in breakfast dishes such as a fruit-filled clafouti with maple candied bacon, a grilled ham and brie sandwich on a homemade English muffin, or an open-faced BLT with a poached egg. It's a 10-minute walk to Front Street's shops and eateries.

Perched on a bluff above the boat landing, this landmark summer hotel recalls an era when guests arrived with steamer trunks for extended island stays. To capture the feeling of complete leisure, sit a spell in a rocker on the long porch and take in the gorgeous view. Local works of art are displayed throughout the three-story hotel, which was begun in 1816 and expanded in 1910. Guest rooms have been upgraded over the years and are pleasingly appointed with simple furnishings. Suites 1 and 2 have private, harbor-view porches. Waterfront afford views of the sunset over stark Manana Island; the adjacent Pierce Cottage, with an additional four rooms and two suites, has views of the village and lighthouse. Breakfast and dinner are served in the water-view dining room, which is also open to the public.

This large, century-old, white-columned house, tucked on a hillside not far from the heart of Newcastle, has large and comfortable rooms, appointed with period-appropriate furniture and equipped with modern conveniences like Nespresso machines, high-speed Wi-Fi, and Blue-Ray players. The innkeepers welcome children (they have their own). If guests are dog lovers, the very friendly family pup, Daisy, will be given permission to say hello. The porch across the front of the inn overlooks a small meadow and beckons guests to sit a spell.

Dating from 1865 and once the home of a wealthy sea captain, this grand, hilltop inn has an immense lawn dotted with Adirondack chairs, a wraparound porch, and a fireside lounge with a stylish bar. Guest rooms in both the main inn and the two motel-like guesthouses feature modern, coastal decor; some have vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, and soaking tubs. The sumptuous breakfast, prepared by the chef-owner and served in the dining room or out on the lawn, comes with views of fishermen and sailboats passing by.