Inn by the Sea
As we stepped through the front entrance into the lobby of Inn by the Sea, my daughter said, “Oh my goodness…this place is so beautiful. Look at the view!” And that is exactly what I was thinking. My first impression of the inn is that it was as warm and inviting as the staff working the front desk. After being shown to our room, we met Rauni, who was kind enough to give us a lovely tour of the inn and we were so impressed at how beautiful each room was that she showed us. You really can’t go wrong with your room choice.
The perfectly manicured lawn serves as a gorgeous backdrop to the inn. Just beyond the lawn the ocean takes center stage. All around you the salty ocean air mixes with fragrances from the colorful flowers. This beautiful inn is located on Crescent Beach, which is over a mile long and has the softest sand I’ve ever felt in Maine.
OUR SUITE
We stayed in a Spa Suite, which featured two floors…a living room and kitchen area on the first floor and in the loft there were two double beds, and an enormous bathroom. The beds and pillows were so comfortable and the room had a large-screen television. However, nothing compared to the gorgeous view from our beds. Feel like sleeping in? Use the electric shutters and then put the ‘Do Not Disturb’ lobster on your door.
You know how much I appreciate a nice bathroom and this one did not disappoint. This one was huge and made us feel like we were in a spa. The soaking tub was so inviting and we appreciated that they left us a jar of bath salts and a loofah. They even provide a book featuring coastal pictures to enjoy while you’re soaking. The shower was enormous…seriously…you could have a party in there. They provide nice shampoos and conditioners and the clay soap was a wonderful treat.
The living room was very inviting. It had everything you could need to relax, including a cozy chair and a comfy couch that can pull out into a bed. I loved sitting at the desk each night enjoying the view while catching up on work.
The kitchen area had a small refrigerator, which was perfect for our bottled waters and snacks. The suite also had a microwave as well as a coffee maker. My daughter was so thrilled to be greeted with a plate of cookies and chocolate covered marshmallows. I loved the note left each evening stating what to expect the next day: weather forecast, sunrise, sunset, tides, and water temperature.
The suite opened up to an adorable porch with seating for two. Our view was amazing since you could see the grounds as well as the ocean. I loved sitting out on the porch at night drinking a glass of wine and in the morning having a cup of coffee.
AMENITIES
– There are several lawn games for guests to enjoy including corn hole sets for guests to enjoy as well as a croquet set.
– There are lots of board games available at the front desk.
– There was a nightly fire pit on the inn’s grounds. It is an amazing spot to watch the sun set over Crescent Beach. They even provide blankets to make the sunset cozy.
PET FRIENDLY
Pet friendly doesn’t even begin to describe this hotel. You would be blown away by the lengths they go to make your dog feel welcome. They offer complimentary accommodations, water and food bowls in the room, beach towels for after an ocean swim, cozy blankets for naps, and they even provide treats. Is that not enough for your doggy diva? Well, Inn by the Sea steps it up a notch. They offer pet massages, dog walking, and doggie daycare. If you want to take them for an outing, they will give you a list of walking trails and pet friendly beaches so you can spend your day together. Is your little friend hungry? You can take them with you to the lounge or the porch and order off the gourmet dog menu so they can dine with you. Just look at this menu.
Meet Selma…an adorable dog the hotel has been fostering for a week. We fell in love with her and had the pleasure of spending time with her when we took her for a walk around the property. She is such a sweet girl. If we didn’t have a 14-year-old dog at home she would have come home with us. Selma is the 51st dog the inn has fostered this year! They are an amazingly caring hotel and they are making a difference in the lives of these dogs.
POOL
Although it was only 75 degrees on the weekend we visited, the pool was heated to 85 degrees and my daughter had a great time swimming. There are lots of beach chairs and ample towels are provided. The view from the pool of the gardens is so relaxing.
BEACH
Crescent Beach is a gorgeous place to have an inn. The walk down to the beach is such a pleasant experience as you stroll down a boardwalk through preservation land. On the walk there you can see birds sitting in birdhouses and hear frogs in the bushes, and then suddenly you feel sand under your feet and a sandy path leads you up the dune until the beach is in front of you.
SEA GLASS RESTAURANT
Sea Glass Restaurant is an elegant, yet welcoming, place for dinner. It has spectacular views of the ocean and you can enjoy your meal in the dining room or outside on the deck. The chef has developed a delicious menu using local produce, meat, and poultry from farms in the area. The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Since the restaurant is located only 10 minutes from Portland, Maine, it is a wonderful place to dine when in the area.
We enjoyed a lovely 3-course meal and everything we ordered was delicious. We loved the lobster shrimp dumplings, the sea scallops, and the stuffy clams. They offered exceptional service and they treated my 9-year-old so kindly.
TIPS
ADDRESS: 40 Bowery Beach Rd, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107
PHONE NUMBER: (207) 799- 3134
WEBSITE: http://www.innbythesea.com/
A very warm thank you to the Inn by the Sea for having my family as guests of your inn. I can’t stress how kind and helpful your staff is. They made our stay truly memorable.
As always, my experiences and opinions are 100% my own.
