A reader question:
My wife and I have two young (5,8) children and we are just now staring to plan a driving trip around the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire. Do you or your readers have any suggestions for hotels? I love staying at great hotels, and wonder which should be on the "must visit" list. We don't know the area at all.
Thank you for this and for this wise, sane community.
The NH seacoast is 13 miles, Maine's is 3,478. The Wentworth By the Sea in Portsmouth, NH is probably the best on the seacoast.
ReplyDeleteIt’s actually on Newcastle, an bridge-accessible island adjacent to Portsmouth. Great views, big old hotel built in the later 19th century, then derelict for decades, restored in the last 20-25 years. Big, feels like a resort with a golf course and spa.
DeleteYes, but the majority of folks headed thataway will be looking for Portsmouth :) As far as I know, they do not have a golf course, but they are adjacent to the marina.
DeleteThe hotel has an arrangement with nearby Wentworth By the Sea Country Club so guests can play.
DeleteBar Harbor Manor.
ReplyDeleteHotel Pemaquid. Close to Pemaquid Lighthouse (sometimes featured on SWNE), which has a Fishermen's Museum that your children will like and rocks to climb on at low tide. If they have read, "Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man" then they will like turning the fly wheel on the one cyl. make-and-break engine, just like Burt has in the Tiddly-Iddly. The Gosnold Arms in New Harbor (also sometimes seen on SWNE) is another option nearby, and the Hardy Boat cruises across the road can take your family out seal watching. (The seals are usually on Webber Dry Ledge, esp. at low tide.)
ReplyDeleteThe OneSixtyFive in Brunswick is also charming. This is a good jumping off point to see Bowdoin College, where your kids will like the small Peary-MacMillan Artic Museum (in Hubbard Hall, up the stairs, turn left), and the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, which has many things for kids. While at MMA, consider a visit to Popham Beach to let the kids run and swim, and pizza at The Cabin, which you will pass en route.
Enjoy your trip!
Hotel Pemaquid in mid coast Maine!
ReplyDeleteHarraseeket Inn - Freeport, ME. A wonderfully run family business.
ReplyDeleteAmen to the Harraseeket Inn...afternoon tea is pure delight!
DeleteI always thought that afternoon tea was someting only us British did!
DeleteThe Pentagoet Inn in Castine, Maine.
ReplyDeleteThe Harraseeket Inn for sure! And the Eastern Slope Inn in North Conway New Hampshire! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThe Eastern Slope is about 2 hours from the seacoast.
DeleteThe Colony in Kennebunkport has big heated pool that kids love. Dogs are more than welcome!
ReplyDeleteGrey Havens in Georgetown Maine; White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, I think.
ReplyDeleteThe magic is at Grey Havens.
Fond memories of Grey Havens from a stay many years ago. A spectacular spot!
DeleteSpruce Point Inn in Boothbay Harbor, ME
ReplyDeleteSamoset Resort in Rockport, ME
The Blackpoint Inn in Prout's Neck, Maine close to beaches, Portland.
ReplyDeleteThe Eastwind Inn in Tenant's Harbor: close to lighthouse; quiet, day trip to Monhegan.
The Blair Hill Inn in Greenville, Maine(Mooshead Lake) is stunning with beatiful views from the porch.
The Castine Inn: Castine is a quiet town with a yacht club, golf club(with tennis). Has a public beach and a great saltwater swimming pool for the kids. The Pentagoet Inn is also very nice.
Enjoy Maine.