Matt M.
Yelp
According to their website, this hotel bills itself as "Maine's Luxury Pet-Friendly Maine (sic) Beach Resort," however I found that to be a bit far-fetched.
While the grounds are lovely and the setting very tranquil, please note the following when bringing your furry friend with you, especially if you book the INNcredible Pet Package as we did. According to the package, taken directly from their website from today, the package offers:
1. Two nights in a single bedroom suite accommodation --- TRUE
2. Inn by the Sea dog bowl --- TRUE, but used.
3. Personalized L.L. Bean dog bed --- FALSE; despite telling them our choice of colors from blue, green, or tan and our dogs name, upon arrival were told a bed would be shipped to our home address and given another used dog bed from a previous guest apparently named "SENGE"
4. One 30-minute in-room doggie massage --- FALSE; upon trying to book this, we were told that they no longer offer this due to ME law in that such services need to be performed by a vet; Even this in-room services menu lists the "pet massage" to a number which reached grounds
5. Nightly selection from our gourmet pet menu --- TRUE
6. Nightly pet turndown service including locally made pet treat --- FALSE; they just give you two biscuits which our dogs didn't particularly care for.
So if you're booking dog package, note that you're only paying extra for a used dog bowl, two biscuits, and a nightly meal...MOREOVER:
Even if you're not paying the pet package, note that the only place the pups can eat with you are in the lounge and out on the small terrace which seemling seat a maximum of 20 guests. The first night we arrived, a local wedding party - who were NOT guest of the hotel, just going to hang out - took over the lounge. We brought our dog down to eat with us and were told they wouldn't be able to accomodate us. When I told the manager the bride (who was SUPER nice) told me she "just lived a mile down the road" he told me he wasn't aware of their party (but was aware of another birthday party) and said could setup a table for us in the foyer. PASS. We are paying guests of the hotel. If a wedding party is going to take over an entire space, minimally we should be made aware of this booking. His other option was to tell us we were "welcome to use in room dining."
Defeated, and exhausted, we gave in. And my fiance's burger was crumbling and cold when delivered.
We are incredible disappointed as we had such high hopes for this place based on previous reviews.
If you're not traveling with you dog and are making use of the beach, then perhaps the price you pay would be warranted. But, off season, and if traveling with your dog, I would highly recommend staying in many of the other dog-friendly hotels nearby, just up the road in Portland.
EDIT: Based on Michael's response, stating the dog massage was removed two years ago, I wanted to point out at least two places on their site which still clearly list it as included in the package on this page https://www.innbythesea.com/about/pet-friendly-beach-resort and when booking the room using code "PET."
I took a screenshot of both of them:
https://i.imgur.com/0ZzmAen.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Is8vUjH.jpg
These are in addition to the in room compendium that lists the service, but when you dial to book it, you're connected with the hotel's groundskeeping.