4 Best Hotels in Down East Coast, Maine

Grouped along the Machias River at this wonderfully secluded 50-acre property are three open-plan cabins with pine interiors, kitchenettes, and Adirondack chairs on the lawn and the historic center-chimney cape house B&B with a modern guest room with deck. Don't miss the house's antiques-filled "keeping room" with a large hearth that looks much as it did when the home was built in 1776. As there is just one guest room in the B&B, the third oldest home in Machias, you’re sure to enjoy the peace and quiet Down East is known for. Of course, the cabin guests do, too: it's inescapable in this tranquil place.

Five generations of the Peacock family lived in this 1860 sea captain's home in the middle of the village before it was converted to an inn in 1989; with a large foyer, living room with fireplace, and cozy library, the white-clapboard house has plenty of places where you can relax—there’s even a sunroom that opens to a deck and gardens. Antique pieces accent the tasteful, uncluttered decor. The best of the well-appointed accommodations is an open-plan suite with king bed, spacious bath, good-size sitting area, gas fireplace, large wet bar, and refrigerator. Peacock House is within easy walking distance of local shops and restaurants.

In this 1887 Queen Anne residence built by seaman Herbert Kilby, creamy white walls offset fine antique furnishings, for a brightening effect that evokes an old-fashioned summer home, especially as sea breezes blow through the large windows on a summer day; a carriage house can be booked for an extended stay. The first floor has a living room with a fireplace, music room, dining room, and large foyer, while the four guest rooms are upstairs, and there is a carriage house outback. Three guest rooms have a queen bed; the other has two cannonball twins. The carriage house has all the amenities needed for a comfortable extended stay including a kitchen, small deck, air-conditioning, gas fireplace, and washer and dryer. While guests enjoy a full breakfast served at 8 am, their host joins them, coffee in hand, to chat and help them plot their day—the kindly gentleman always has tips, maps, and pamphlets at the ready.

A former U.S. Coast Guard station on a hill overlooking Lubec Channel, this lodging offers a unique mix of accommodations in 14 buildings, some that were part of the station and others constructed this century by the historic-minded owner: the Keepers Cottage (sleeps four) has wonderful water views but no deck because it’s a replica of the original 1808 lighthouse keeper’s home that was at West Quoddy Head Light, just five minutes away by foot. Some units are apartments that sleep four or six; there are cabins that sleep four and a few large buildings that sleep 8 or 9. The latter includes the flagship 1915 Station House, with white clapboards and a red semi-hipped roof, where officers and crew lived until the facility’s 1970 decommissioning. A matching small 1925 structure that housed lifesaving equipment is a cabin rental (sleeps four) whose interior resembles a Maine sporting camp, with wood floors, walls, and ceilings.