The Most Romantic Hotels to Book in Maine, USA

A few miles south of Portland sits this sprawling, 61-room getaway on Cape Elizabeth’s sandy Crescent Beach. Seduction-seekers should hide away in the inn’s beach suites, which boast water views, outdoor patios, spacious living spaces, kitted-out kitchens, soaking tubs and king-size beds. If you can tear yourself away from that, a private boardwalk leads through a wildlife sanctuary from the inn to a mile of unspoilt, sun-toasted sands. True to its name, the Inn by the Sea delivers the seafaring warmth of southern Maine.

Cozying up with a loved one on the Chebeague Island Inn’s Adirondack chair-lined porch, ogling views of Casco Bay, feels like vacationing in a painting that chronicles New England’s celebrated nautical landscape. Assembled on a hilltop overlooking the bay in 1880, history and romance have been whispering sweet nothings here for over a century. Each of the 21 guest rooms feature custom Maine art and furnishings, Italian linens and absolutely no TVs or phones – the perfect formula for retiring to your luxurious room for the night.

The romance of a bygone era oozes from the original 1880s Maine cottage architecture at the Breakwater Inn & Spa, one of America’s most storied hotels. The luxury waterfront hotel is steeped in nautical elegance, coastal comforts and the allure of a storied destination: in coastal Kennebunkport – summer stomping grounds of the Bush family. Swoon-worthy amenities like spa-style robes, plush bedding and private river-view porches are all that’s needed to settle in for a long-haul weekend of pampering on a presidential scale.

Dine on Osetra caviar and butter-poached lobster with a side serving of ocean views in the on-site restaurant at Cape Arundel Inn. This grande dame of Southern Maine prides itself on offering everything you’ve come to expect from a much bigger hotel, but with the personal service and attention to detail that only a boutique operation can ace. Order cocktails from your poolside lounge chair come summer, or cozy up by the stone fireplace in the Clubhouse Lounge with a glass of red come winter.

As one of the port’s oldest inns, the Breakwater has its charms, the relaxing riverside setting being high among them. On-site restaurant Stripers is something of a local haunt – patrons as prominent as the Bush family have been known to frequent this waterside restaurant. And there’s no better place to be come sunset than Stripers’ string-light-strewn deck, a craft cocktail in hand.

Hidden among the greenery, this lakefront inn feels as if it’s light years from civilization, when Maine’s most populous city is in fact less than a 45-minute drive away. Soak up the serenity by the inn’s lakeside fire pit, or take a romantic paddle out in its rowboat for sunset. Most of the property’s king rooms feature fireplaces and spa tubs.

This Kennebunkport wilderness retreat has it all – acre upon acre of pristine birch forest begging to be explored, the sandy shores of Goose Rocks Beach just a mile (1.6km) down the road, and two heated outdoor pools for when a swim and an afternoon nap beckon. The modern, impeccably styled cottages are sparsely spread across this sprawling resort, so you can rest assured you’ll have all the privacy you need.

Just minutes from the sandy beach in Ogunquit, this popular hotel boasts more than just arresting Atlantic views and the promise of being lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean. For one, there’s the strength of the property’s in-house dining. From your morning espresso at third-wave café Bald Head Coffee Co., to a picnic lunch of lobster rolls on the lawn of Nubb’s Lobster Shack and perhaps a room service dinner in bed from fine-dining outfit the Tiller, Cliff House has all bases covered.

Nuzzled in right next to the beach on a rocky peninsula, Stage Neck Inn has a prime York Harbor setting. Capitalizing on its location, almost every room features some form of coastal view, whether ocean, harbor or beach, and some have their own private balconies – the ideal spot to enjoy a crisp bottle of white and a cheese platter. Take a stroll around town, the oldest in Maine, before rounding off the day with a couple’s massage at the spa.

There’s a lot to love about this young-at-heart Kennebunk property. Freestanding bathtubs grace many of the rooms, as do fresh flowers. Contemporary New England cuisine is dished up at the on-site restaurant White Barn Inn (think Maine “peekytoe” crab and cucumber summer salad with shiso, and lobster bisque with an espresso crème fraîche). There’s a wild array of experiences on offer, too, such as cooking classes and woodland dog sledding.

Housed within a 1923 art deco-era building, there’s a sizable chunk of history at this Portland address. Located within the city’s revitalized warehouse district, the building underwent a sleek redesign, welcoming its first guests in 2015. Take the complimentary bicycles out for a ride around town before dining on oysters and Moët at the hotel’s popular bar, Inkwell. All rooms and suites enjoy a turndown service, too, so you can look forward to a cheeky chocolate before bed.

The Yachtsman Hotel’s warm welcome, whereby guests are treated to a glass of prosecco, sets the indulgent tone for your romantic getaway in Maine. This remodeled former motor lodge has plenty of pizzazz, from the pool barge docked in the river beside the property to the colorful interiors. Wake up to a special delivery – a basket of baked goods, best devoured in bed, and laze away the day together on your private terrace.