This summer, Maine is seeing the debut of three new coastal hotels, conveniently located in the state’s southernmost stretches, making them easily accessible for New Yorkers and visitors from major New England airports. One of these new hotels is the Nevada in York, just over the border from Massachusetts. Originally a midcentury roadside motel built in the 1950s, the Nevada has been restored and renovated by the husband-and-wife owners, Joe Lipton and Michelle Friar. The hotel now features 21 rooms with king-size beds and ocean views, a tiki bar, taqueria, bikes, and a beach club, all starting at $236 a night.
Moving up the coast to Ogunquit, the Dunes on the Waterfront, an 85-year-old retreat owned by the Perkins family for three generations, reopened this month under the ownership of Tim Harrington. Harrington, known for the Kennebunkport Resort Collection and Salt Cottages in Bar Harbor, brought in local designers to reimagine the Dunes, creating a charming coastal Maine experience with 21 cottages that feature timeless coastal decor and comfortable furnishings. Amenities include private porches, gas fireplaces, a heated pool, grassy lawns, fishing dock, and access to Ogunquit’s sandy beach, with rates starting at $950 a night.
In Portland, the newly built Longfellow opened this month, offering a wellness-focused stay in a five-story, 48-room hotel. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Longfellow features a health-minded breakfast and lunch spot, Twinflower Cafe, focusing on local ingredients and nutrition. The hotel also boasts a fitness center equipped with Technogym gear and a spa called Astraea, inspired by the Atlantic Ocean and offering meditation experiences, infrared sauna rooms, massages, and wraps using organic products from Voya. Designed by Brooklyn’s Post Company, the Longfellow offers a spare but luxe New England meets northern European look and feel, with rates starting at $499 a night.
These new hotels showcase a renewed interest in Maine’s coastal locations, offering guests a range of experiences from midcentury throwbacks to wellness-focused contemporary stays. Their convenient locations near major airports and cities make them ideal destinations for visitors seeking a beachy escape this summer. Hotels like the Nevada, Dunes on the Waterfront, and Longfellow provide unique accommodations, amenities, and experiences that cater to a variety of traveler preferences, from ocean views and beach access to wellness-focused services and locally sourced dining options.
With their charming cottages, beach clubs, tiki bars, and wellness amenities, these new coastal hotels offer guests a variety of ways to relax and enjoy the beauty of Maine’s coastline. Whether you’re looking for a mid-century modern retreat in York, a family-style experience in Ogunquit, or a wellness-focused stay in Portland, there’s something for everyone at these new hotels. With their unique designs, thoughtful amenities, and convenient locations, these coastal properties are sure to attract visitors looking for a memorable vacation by the sea in Maine this summer.
