6 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.

A far cry from Maine’s coastal bed-and-breakfasts and quaint inns, this hotel in the massive, revitalized Lincoln Mill has a distinctly urban feel. The lobby is home to the Batson River bar, and the rooftop has a pool (rare in this area) with views of historic Biddeford. The loftlike rooms have impossibly tall ceilings, gas fireplaces, and sumptuous glass-walled showers. The spacious lobby has a coffee shop and often hosts live music.

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.

This cluster of tidy, well-appointed cottages opened in 2022 in a quiet area that's still a stone's throw from beaches and Dock Square. The cottages might look tiny from the outside, but soaring ceilings and whitewashed walls make them feel spacious. The “little cottages” are for two adults only; children 12 and older can stay in the “big cottages.” Some cottages are dog-friendly.