10 Best Seaside Inns in New England
Summer and seaside inns go together like lobsters and melted butter. From Cape Cod to Down East, these are the 10 best seaside inns in New England.
By Tracey Minkin|Aug 16 2023|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine KeenanLove a room or porch with an ocean view? Here are 10 of the very best seaside inns in New England, from Cape Cod to Down East.
10 Best Seaside Inns in New England
Photo Credit : Courtesy of Ocean House
Ocean House | Watch Hill, RI
A resplendent Victorian grande dame that got considerably grander with its 2010 renovation, Ocean House is peak luxury in Rhode Island’s laid-back but nonetheless exclusive summer enclave. There’s a resident croquet pro (book a lesson), and the resort’s OH! Spa is world-class. Named a 2018 Yankee Editors’ Choice for “Best Luxury Escape.”
Photo Credit : Courtesy of the Red Inn
The Red Inn | Provincetown, MA
Painted sassy red and set right on the water (the slender beach disappears at high tide), this outpost in Provincetown on the far end of Cape Cod has hosted presidents, celebrities, and lucky pilgrims since 1915. Upscale but very friendly, and not-to-miss sunsets from those bleached white Adirondack chairs dotting the deck.
The Beach Plum Inn and Restaurant | Menemsha, MA
What may recommend this gorgeous little inn with just 11 rooms overlooking Menemsha Harbor on Martha’s Vineyard is that it’s likely you can’t get cell service here. Let the romance begin, with private patios, cozy hammocks, country-French décor and a stunning destination restaurant.
Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
The Tides Beach Club | Kennebunkport, ME
It’s hard to decide what to love most at this upscale/casual boutique inn: the broad, breeze-loving porch, the view of Goose Rocks Beach (one of our picks for the 10 Prettiest Beaches in New England) right across the road, great local catch at TBC’s house restaurant, or an in-house stand-up-paddling instructor (who also teaches beach fitness). The best part? You’ve got all weekend to debate it.
Ocean House Hotel at Bass Rocks | Gloucester, MA
An easy reach from Boston, the rugged shores of Cape Ann feel surprisingly distant. Face the bracing Atlantic and Thacher Island’s twin lighthouses from all 51 rooms of this classic seaside inn (the 1897 Stacy House’s king suites crown them all). A billiards table, darts, and warm cookies every afternoon are old-fashioned delights.
Photo Credit : White Elephant Inn
The White Elephant Inn | Nantucket, MA
Sophisticated, impeccably designed, and an easy stroll to the bustling fun of Nantucket Harbor, the rooms and suites in the Hotel building or any of the Village residences are pure luxury. Don’t miss the afternoon port and cheese tastings, and cocktails at the property’s Brant Point Grill are a seaside must.
Photo Credit : Annie Graves
Black Point Inn | Scarborough, ME
Surrounded by ocean and beaches on three sides, this historic grey-shingled inn set on Winslow Homer’s beloved Prouts Neck is a deluxe getaway from May through October.
The Claremont Hotel | Southwest Harbor, ME
At the mouth of the only fjord on the East Coast (Somes Sound), this historic retreat has retained the charms of bygone days: a clay tennis court and two tournament-class croquet courts, rowboats, rush-seated rockers on the porch, and a serenading pianist at cocktail hour. Consider coming for August’s Croquet Classic.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Blue, The Inn on the Beach | Plum Island, Newbury, MA
This stylish getaway on Plum Island on Massachusetts’s North Shore is set among sand dunes and sparkles like a lapis lazuli gemstone. With a quiet South Beach vibe and nautical look, rooms and cottages include fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and Jacuzzis.
Inn at Stonington | Stonington Borough, CT
Historic and romantic in equal measure, this 18-room inn occupies a charming Connecticut colonial village (one of our picks for the 10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England) full of great antiquing, gallery-hopping, and dining. Watch for the only fishing fleet left in the state to pass by your waterfront-view windows, with the freshest catch of the day.
What are your picks for the best seaside inns in New England?
This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.
SEE MORE:
10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England
The 25 Best Beach Towns in New England
These are wonderful places, but you forgot the Weekapaug Inn, Westerly, Rhode Island. The Inn has been there forever, and recently underwent a massive renovation/restoration. Or maybe it’s best left unmentioned, to prevent it being overrun by enthusiastic visitors? ;-D
What? Not one of the amazing Inns in Newport, RI? That’s okay, we’d rather keep our beautiful area off the grid!:)
I have to say this is a nice list, but Inn at Peak’s Island off the coast of Portland Maine should definitely be on this list. It’s a truly wonderful place.
Newport RI has some of the best inns in New England.
Sorry one wasn’t listed.
Have to agree. Aquidneck island is Shangrila.
agreed- was there this summer for a delightful visit!
If you want a beautiful taste of down east Maine at its best try the Island View in Sullivan Maine, simple beautiful, you will not be disappointed if you like Maine.
We’re so honored to be in such great company! Thank you Yankee Magazine.
Hoow abooot the Wequassit in W. Harwich?
Great article and picks, Tracey!
Are there any affordable inns for those of us who are not part of the 1%? Just curious.
Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, ME. Been there two years in a row. Absolutely beautiful. Private beach, Sea Glass Restaurant. Affordable.
We spent Memorial weekend there. Absolutely the finest. Accommodations, meals, and staff are all superb. Somewhat expensive, but worth it! Indulge yourself.
this year will be our 67 wedding anniversary- we spent near 30 at “Seaside” resort Kennybunkport, Maine and enjoyed every day–we miss that part of our life, now in Old-
age-Home– CEH
Ocean House in Watch Hill (Westerly) is not a renovation. The old building was razed, and this one built in its place
Correct. The original Ocean House (1868-2005) was torn down. The new Ocean House was built built 2007-09.
The Spruce Point Inn, Boothbay Harbor. Delightful.
Every time we have stayed at Spruce Point Inn has been a pleasure. We always come back. We have been coming since our daughter was a toddler.
How about listing inns and B&Bs that are pet friendly. My silky terrier goes everywhere with me,
The Seadar in Harwich Port on Cape Cod should be among the seaside Inns not to be missed. Water views, gorgeous white sand Nantucket sounde beach and a stroll to historic Main Street for fun and fine dining, galleries, shops and Cape Cod at its best.
Love Harwich Port. My grandparents owned the house on 17A Miles St, My great aunt’s owned the house on 7 Ayer Ln overlooking the ocean. My brother and I use to look out her bay window through telescopes watching all the boats and ships. My 2nd cousin June’s husband Edric and his brothers owned the famous Snow Inn and Clam Bar.
The Tides in Kennebunkport was terrific!
What happened to the Beachmere Inn in Ogunquit, ME? Absolutely gorgeous, right on Marginal Way!
The Beachmere Inn in Ogunquit offers smalll efficiency units with a view of the Ocean and access to the Marginal Way. One of my favourite places fif the last 50 years!
The Beachmere seems a little tired for far as the interiors or at least the ones we have been in. The location cannot be beat for sure and the views are spectacular but sprucing up would be really nice.
Great list of Inn’s and it will make my life easier in building a good driving itinerary! Thank you for providing this list. Travel Agent – Beth Walter
We had an amazing stay at the Chatham Bars Inn (Chatham, MA). Exceptional service, wonderful food and a beautiful beach. The Farm dinner was very special (they do several each summer- chef Kenny Gilbert of Gilbert’s Underground Kitchen and Gilbert’s Social in Florida was guest chef on our visit). It was a very special experience. Yes….it is expensive- but we felt worth it for the exceptional service, meals and setting.
For years I’ve loved the Ocean Point Inn in East Boothbay, Maine – away from the bustle of town, and facing a beautiful scene.
What’s the best inn at Moosehead lake?
We stayed at the Eden Pines Inn in Rockport, Massachusetts this past August. We knicknamed it “paradise”! It is located right on the ocean with balconies overlooking the ocean where we could watch the lobstermen go about their trade. They have a very nice expanded continental breakfast in their all-windows dining area that looks out on the ocean or you can go on the veranda with recliners again overlooking the ocean. All the furniture is white wicker…beautiful! They have homemade cookies & iced tea in the afternoon. It’s only an easy 5 minute drive to the many shops & restaurants in quaint Rockport. A vacation to remember…and return to!
I love Chatham Bars Inn and couldn’t believe it wasn’t on this list. The food is great and they grow a lot of it at their own local farm. Their desserts are spectacular.
you forgot the Cliff House in Wells Maine We have b een going there for many years
As others have noted Spruce Point Inn in Boothbay is a contender: dog-friendly — and was named a 2018 Editor’s Choice for Maine oceanside lodging. As Yankee noted, ‘the village is a mile and a half bike ride away… assuming you can tear yourself away from the view!”
You forgot the magnificent Steamboat Inn ,Mystic,CT on the Mystic River just south of the historic drawbridge.
How about the razed and rebuilt Wentworth-By-the-Sea in New Castle, NH??
Would LOVE a list of pet friendly inns even if not on water – that don’t charge 100 per night per dog! Anything about 150 a night would be great to know about- many of us travel with pets and are weary of La Quintas!
Bar Harbor Acadia Cottage Rentals (www.bhacr.com) offers a number of pet friendly lodging options at various price points. Rentals are typically weekly and pet fees vary by cottage over but are typically $100-$150 per week for pets. We rent through them every year.
In your opinion, where is the best food and easy terrain in house for a chap w a walker
Any inns for the handicapped?
Good question. Need websites/lists for inns that are handicapped accessible AND that have recliners in rooms for those who can no longer sleep flat on a bed.
The Tides Beach Club | Kennebunkport, ME
I read in their description that they have handicapped rooms. Not exactly sure of the details. See above.
Weekapaug Inn was founded by my husband’s family; ownership shared with the Ocean House
Captain Swift Inn in Camden is worth a stay. Nicest place I’ve stayed and nicest people running it! The food is exceptional and walking distance to everything downtown. We are going back in the Spring!
Grey Havens
One of my favorites is the York Harbor Inn in York Harbor Maine. Nice all inclusive place to stay with unique rooms, pet friendly, great free breakfast, and a pub to relax in!
Hotel Pemaquid, not on the water, but within 200 ft. Old victorian inn that has a feel of a bygone era and is very affordable.
Our favorite inn year after year is the Ocean Point Inn in East Boothbay, Maine–beautiful views, great food, and best place to relax and unwind…
Edgewater Beach Resort in Dennis Port, MA