9 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Maine

Decidedly "new Maine," this lovingly renovated 1892 inn with a laid-back, summer-casual kind of nonchalance is just steps from the surfer's paradise that is Higgins Beach. Tastefully decorated with a clean, cheery color scheme of cool grays and corals, each of the charming, impeccably maintained rooms has a contemporary cool vibe, with just the right touch of vintage accents.

With a location on stunning Crescent Beach, some of the state's most gracious service, and a top-notch restaurant that delights at every meal, you might never want to leave the aptly named Inn by the Sea. Each accommodation choice is impeccably maintained and equipped with luxe bedding. The Inn is admirably run with numerous eco-friendly practices, including serving seafood that’s locally sourced, sustainably harvested and underutilized; maintaining wildlife- and butterfly-friendly landscapes (and offering guided ecology walks); and using solar power and recycled building materials.

The four historic inns and houses—Nathaniel Lord Mansion, William Jefferds House, James Fairfield House, Acton Patterson House—in this Lark Hotels collection were painstakingly restored in 2020 and 2021, and each was given its own sumptuous, traditional-meets-modern twists. The central Nathaniel Lord Mansion has its original doors and wallpaper from the 1880s mixed with luxe beds and baths. Across the town green at the bright, airy William Jefferds House, some of the rooms have small porches.

This shingle-style, 19th-century mansion, originally one of the area's many summer "cottages," commands a magnificent ocean view that takes in the Bush estate at Walker's Point; its location is just far enough from the bustle of town to feel like you've gotten away from it all. Spacious, tastefully decorated guest rooms—filled with special touches, such as local artwork and comfy throws—have cozy fireplaces and relaxing sitting areas that overlook the garden and ocean. The Club House, just a stone's throw from the main inn, offers a resortlike vibe with a lap pool, lawn and club games, and cozy nook areas where you can unwind with a cocktail or a cup of tea.

Once the summer mission of St. Martha's Church in Kennebunkport, this exquisite inn, just a block from the beach, has retained many details from its former life, including cathedral ceilings and stained-glass windows. Guest rooms are spacious, some with serene marsh views, and the upstairs suite has an ocean-view deck. The three common areas, all with fireplaces, are perfect spots for afternoon refreshments. The inn is one block from the beach.

A stone's throw from the bustle of Kennebunkport and just a mile from the beach, this charming boutique B&B is housed in a gorgeously restored, 1860s farmhouse and carriage house. Guest rooms feature heavenly mattresses and the highest-quality bedding under high ceilings. Each morning includes a healthy, sumptuous, and locally sourced multicourse breakfast in the dining room or on the seasonal brick patio, weather permitting. Bicycles and an automated Italian wine bar are available for guest use. A two-bedroom cottage is available in season.

This 1880s shingle-style "cottage" is a haven of antiques, art, and eclectic decor—artfully painted floors, lush wallpaper, and meticulous attention to detail are the fruits of a former designation as a designers' showcase home. Set back among trees and stunning perennial gardens, the inn's guest rooms are individually decorated, though all share rich coloring and fabrics, high ceilings, and many large windows; some have fireplaces and refrigerators, and all have TVs.

The stately building that houses the Tides Beach Club is a charming grande dame from the Gilded Age heyday of seaside "cure" retreats. Just steps from long, sandy Goose Rocks Beach, this lively inn is the epitome of laid-back, seaside-chic design, which extends into each of the spacious, bungalow-like rooms that are decorated in rich, feel-good ocean blue and coral hues.

A mid-17th-century fishing cabin with dark timbers and a fieldstone fireplace forms the heart of this historic inn, which now includes several neighboring buildings and three on-site restaurants. Reflecting this diversity, there are smaller rooms furnished with antiques and country pieces, cozy B&B-style quarters, and suitelike modern rooms with amenities like whirlpool tubs and gas fireplaces.