14 Best Hotels in The Southern Coast, Maine

Toward the tip of the peninsula that juts into the ocean at Prout's Neck stands this stylish, tastefully updated, 1878 resort inn with spectacular views up and down the coast. Guests have access to beaches, kayaking equipment, a yacht club, and a country club with tennis courts and a golf course. Finer touches abound, such as Frette linens and terry robes. The Cliff Walk, a pebbled path that wanders past Winslow Homer's former studio, runs along the Atlantic headlands he often painted. Peak season rates include breakfast, dinner, and gratuities. The Chart Room pub and the Point restaurant take advantage of the views.

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 truly 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.

At this luxurious hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, you can watch the white crests smash the craggy bluffs below while nestled in a hooded flannel robe on your balcony. Take a steamy dip in the outdoor hot tub underneath whirling snowflakes or starry summer skies, sit by the fire pit with a hot chocolate, and gobble up all the freshly caught local seafood and seasonal treats you can eat in one of four on-site eateries. A network of hiking trails sprawl across the expansive site. Don’t want to leave your room? Cozy up by the fire and watch the storms come in---there’s no other view like this anywhere.

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.

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 four historic inns and houses 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. Across Maine Street is the down-to-earth AWOL Kennebunkport. Six suites in the main inn feature neutral palettes, as do the private, rustic-luxe cabins, each of which has a fire pit.

A family-run operation that is now in the competent hands of the second generation, this resort hotel takes full advantage of its gorgeous harborside location, with Adirondack chairs, chaise longues, and a fire pit on the surrounding lawns; water views from most guest rooms; and floor-to-ceiling windows in the common spaces. Amenities include an indoor pool and hot tub, large beachside outdoor pool, an intimate spa, well-maintained clay tennis courts, and access to local golf courses.

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.

Hands down the most family-friendly resort in the Kennebunks, this place is a dream for parents who want to have a quality family vacation without stress. Right on the water, the historic inn has a sweeping lawn with picnic tables and fire pits. There's also the seasonal Camp Nonantum, a kid-centric spot on the lawn with activities all summer long, from knot-tying to crabbing (bookable in advance)—so parents can enjoy the pool or simply have a relaxing afternoon.

This cluster of tidy, well-appointed cottages opened in summer 2022 in a quiet area that's still a stone's throw from beaches and Dock Square. The cottages, which have names like Beachcomber and Drifter, might look tiny from the outside, but soaring ceilings and whitewashed walls make them feel spacious, and a surf-theme decor and Frette and Cuddledown bedding are among the touches that make them comfortable yet playful. There's no on-site eatery, but there is a saltwater pool, and a breakfast basket of pastries comes delivered to your door each morning. Just note: this is a retreat for adults only (18-plus).

These chic bungalows at this water-side property a short walk from town have a hip beach-vibe design, private lawns that blur the distinction between indoors and outdoors, and harbor views. The Yachtsman is the perfect base for exploring the area on foot or by bike, kayak, standup paddleboard, canoe, or boat (each of which the hotel provides free of charge for guests), though you may just want to stay put once you step inside.

This massive, turreted structure still looks much the same as it did when it opened in the mid-19th century, and the proximity to the beach can't be beat—just don your suit and step outside. Rooms in the main building have plenty of amenities, including crackling fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and balconies where you can enjoy the ocean breezes. In late summer, it feels like every other guest is a member of a wedding party.

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).

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. 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.