5 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Maine

Tucked away on 60 wooded acres near Goose Rocks Beach, this resort enclave has hiking trails, two pools, a sumptuous spa, a phenomenal restaurant, and a variety of lodging options—from luxurious one-bedroom bungalows and two-bedroom cottages to rustic-chic lodges with interconnected suites and studios. The individually decorated accommodations have fireplaces, outdoor showers, screened-in porches, and full kitchens that can be stocked with groceries or filled with delicious dishes prepared by your own personal chef. The spa is available to guests and nonguests alike.

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.

At this intimate, exclusive property, no detail has been overlooked in the meticulously appointed cottages and rooms, most of which blend contemporary comforts with classic elements and have fireplaces, marble soaking tubs, and double walk-in showers. Professional staff set the tone for a relaxing, pampered experience that is best rounded off with a multicourse meal in the acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, which is housed in a pair of elegantly restored 1920s barns. Visit the spa, dine at the more relaxed Little Barn, or try one of the curated experiences on offer (like coastal cycling or a visit to an oyster farm).

This enclave of 21 bright and airy cottages alongside a tidal river is set off from Route 1, making the soundtrack to a stay here the ocean’s lull, not traffic’s din, while kayaks, paddleboards, and rowboats let guests capitalize on the waterfront location. Renovated in 2024, each homey cottage is landscaped and has a screened sitting area and outside patio. A few have kitchens, while most have a wet bar, small fridge, toaster, and microwave. Cabana chairs surround the updated pool, which overlooks the firepit where s’mores-making kits are handed out nightly; beyond are the dunes on the back of Ogunquit Beach. A barista serves coffee, snacks, and charcuterie boards in the main lodge, where beach cruisers are ready to bike into town. A minimum stay may apply.

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.