Inn by the Sea

We had a lovely stay at the Inn at the Sea earlier this month. The Inn has a goal of "exceeding the customer's expectations" and in many respects they achieved that goal. The front desk staff was very helpful and always pleasant. The room was nicely appointed and we loved the balcony. The chef also offers a menu and service for pets. When we checked in, there were dog treats, water bowl and a pad and blanket for our dog. I needed to mail a couple of post cards. The front desk took care of that -- no problem. In the evening, the firepits were lit and guests were encouraged to head down for s'mores. Yum!! Only 2 opportunities for improvement, from our perspective: (1) delivery of our dinner in the restaurant took an hour. If the kitchen was that backed up when we ordered, we should have been warned of the delay. (2) many of the guests seem to be repeat guests -- so, we felt like outsiders occasionally and the repeat guests seemed to take advantage of some of the Inn's rules, such as, keeping your pet leashed. We highly recommend the Inn. The location is ideal -- check it out.

The Inn by the sea was very comfortable and clean to stay at. The room was beautiful, and filled was amenities for not only, myself but for my dogs. The room service was spot on and the food was delicious and plated beautifully. I loved the board walk trail to the beautiful sandy beach. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. It will be the only place I'll book when visiting Portland.

Went for Christmas Dinner to a tab of 262.00 without tip. A weird non melded platter of pastries, olives!, bread & buns were on table exposed to air, before we even at our table. The breads were already hardening on exterior & for sanitary reasons, not covered nor protected! My husband’s prime rib was OK, my ham a disaster…cut too thick atop a mound of mediocre stuffing. No au jous, marmalade glaze nor mustard sauce to enhance. Both meals came out cold. Brought his prime rib to near well & my ham as mild Smokey spam. Dessert was not a PIE slice, but rather a tartlet of pumpkin and apple. Major expensive disappointment & costly. Needless to say, since COVID, another Maine venue becoming overpriced & lackluster!

So stunning! First, thank you for being dog friendly. It’s such a relief to see the staff treat our pup like a member of our family. Other hotels say dog friendly but then refer to him as “the dog.” This staff goes crazy for dogs and if’s beautiful to see. So much so that the hotel provides a temporary home for a shelter dog before adoption. Brilliant. The rooms are fantastic. Spacious, beautiful views, clean, comfortable, quiet. The food is delicious. From the famers salad to the burger and fries to the short rib, we were never disappointed. The potatoes (fries and hash-browns) are the best I have ever had—cooked with care. And thank you to room service. Super fast and yum. Views are exceptional and there is easy beach access. Thank you to Ava, in particular, for exceptional service. We will be back.

Another fabulous trip to Inn By the Sea. This is one of our favorite places to stay in the Portland area. A huge draw for us is that it is dog friendly. Our dog Abby loves visiting here. Garden suites on the first floor allow easy access to a patio and the grounds outside. The inn is beautiful and gracious while being understated and elegant. It is just so comfortable. The location cannot be beat with gorgeous views of the ocean and direct access to Crescent Beach. The spa is small but nice. In the past, I have had a massage there and it was excellent. The restaurant, Sea Glass is small with beautiful views and fresh, local ingredients. We enjoyed dinner and breakfast there. The bar area, across from the restaurant is dog-friendly. The inn is a quick drive to Portland, really the best of both worlds. The rooms are beautifully decorated and comfortable with high quality amenities. Everything is clean and the staff is very friendly. Call out to Alex and Katherine at the front desk as well as Holly at the restaurant and Rosa who was leading an ornament decorating activity. Thank you! We will be back.

If I could give 6 stars I would!!! This is one of the most beautiful Inns I’ve ever stayed at. Amazing staff, great atmosphere, safe area. I booked the Garden Suite and it was an amazing room, no complaints. Not to mention, you can walk directly to the beach through the back of the Inn! Will definitely be back to Portland because of this Inn alone!

1 star is not for the inn itself, which is a sublime and peaceful retreat. I've been coming here every winter with friends and family for several years through their Habitat for Humanity offer, also appreciating their support of that organization. However, I learned the hard way that their cancellation policy is absolutely firm, even for medical reasons. If you have any health issues or any possibility you may need cancel within 2 weeks, just be aware you will need to eat a very big deposit.

We’ve returned to the Inn By The Sea many times since we honeymooned there in 1990. Over the years it’s weathered renovations, a fire, and the pandemic, all the while remaining the most welcoming, beautiful and gracious resort I’ve ever visited. I love the environmental commitment, the dog-friendly stance, the incredible setting, and the spacious suites. But honestly the property’s biggest asset is its staff. Reception staff, housekeepers, groundskeepers, spa staff, waitstaff and bartenders - every single person has been not only professional and knowledgeable, but warm, kind, and eager to help. This place is truly special.

This place is fantastic but I have a special connection to it. My first time to this beautiful inn was 4 1/2 years ago when my boyfriend surprised me with a 2 night romantic getaway. It was February and we stayed in a gorgeous two bedroom suite with our six month old poodle puppy. For some reason the weather was unseasonably warm and we even got to enjoy a bottle of wine on our little deck patio. One night we enjoyed dinner at the hotel and the second night we did take out and enjoyed the beautifully appointed living room space. Great jacuzzi tub by the way! Fast forward to January of this year :-)... He surprised me with another getaway this time to celebrate my birthday. It was fun to have a s'mores / fire pit and socialize with some of the other guests. The real surprise was around sunset when we walked to the beach and he got down on one knee and proposed :-) at the top of the dune over looking the beach! We will never forget this beautiful inn by the sea and will definitely be back for anniversaries to come!

Having spent many trips to Inn by the Sea this was a mixed bag experience. The accommodations were exquisite, with a third floor end unit in the cottage building furthest from main building. The furnishings and layout was perfect and the outdoor porch and view was outstanding. The cleaning service could have been better especially since it is a "beach property" I would have appreciated a more thorough vacuum of the main living area. The kitchen had the right appliances for a short term stay, but the espresso machine needed restocking daily rather than having to request coffee pods. Front end staff was professional and friendly. They were certainly welcoming, but we were also a repeat stay with multiple units, so it was expected. What was not expected or logical was the restaurant staff and restaurant manager who consistently demonstrated a "can't do attitude"! The refusal to pull two tables together on the porch was explained many by servers in two different ways: first, we cant pull tables together because it will make it unsafe.(?) second, we just do not do it. When trying to reserve a table for 10 rather than 9, we were told that we could have a 6-top and a 4-top ONLY. I asked to speak with the Restaurant Manager, since this was a family gathering and we needed to sit together. He took ten minutes to emerge, during a period after lunch and before dinner when only one guest was seated in the entire place. I was simply asking if it was really impossible to seat us together outdoors, hoping that there may have been a miscommunication amongst the servers. He listened to my question as well as my curiosity regarding the unwillingness to seat us, and his only explanation was "We just do not do that". I removed myself from the conversation because I was frankly shocked in the reply. Because our party could only be 9ppl, I withdrew myself from the count and found dinner elsewhere that evening. The manager was aware that we would not be able to have a full family meal outdoors and simple did not care. In fact, it was revealed to me after I returned from dinner downtown, that when the party arrived for their dinner reservation- it had been cancelled, BY THE MANAGER I SPOKE TO. At no point did I ask to cancel the reservation, which was made by our hosts, who by the way were treating us all (5 units three nights each). I came back to enjoy drinks outdoors with my family and was shocked that the staff and especially bartender (after being well-tipped) refused to serve us and literally said they had to clean up. Our group was outdoors around a fire pit and the staff was belligerent and indifferent. In fact, they did close up, lights out, etc but left without shutting off the gas heaters. One of our group is a firefighter so he shut them all down. The front end staff was aware of the restaurant complaint but only offered to suggest a place for me to eat, when I explained that I would have to go elsewhere. There was a disconnect between the customer service at the front end and at the restaurant. While the front end staff exceeded expectations regarding service , the restaurant staff including the Restaurant Manager were intentionally and proudly non-welcoming to guests.

In actuality, we were torn between 3 stars (her) and 4 stars (me). I will start off by saying that the photos and descriptions on the website were a bit misleading. The only category of room I'd consider staying in for a return trip would be the loft suite. All the other rooms are a bit blah compared to the photos we saw. We stayed in a Garden Suite, which looked bright and airy in the photos on their website but was dark, narrow and had low ceilings in person. Upon looking at the photos, I see they used some kind of lens/angle which made the ceilings look a lot higher. There is a small bedroom which has windows that face a parking lot. We heard slamming doors, voices and car alarm beeps all morning. The room felt smaller and more cramped than we expected. The best part of the room was the bathroom which had a glass walled shower and a bathtub. It was spacious and the dimming lights made for a relaxing experience. The L'Occtaine bath products promised on the website were cheap 'Gilchriste & Sommes made in China. The towels and sheets were a bit cheap feeling, as well. There is a door which walks out into a courtyard (no garden?) and there are shared patios with furniture. We wanted to sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine and our neighbors were already there sitting. We skipped it as we would have been literally sitting elbow to elbow having a conversation with strangers. I can't believe they wouldn't invest a few dollars to have privacy dividers between the rooms' patios. How awkward! We are top tier members of the Preferred VIP program, so we normally get room upgrades. We were told the hotel was fully booked (in December) so we were told we were being given a 1 hour late checkout at noon vs. 11 a.m. instead. Um, okaaay. Quite a tradeoff! Also, normally properties give a welcome drink ... not this one. There were little bags of lobster gummy bears at the front desk though. The last gripe I'll mention is off season we were still hit with a $17 resort fee. The pool was closed in December, there was no beach chairs, no valet, no bellman, no shuttle ... so what did our $17 buy us? A ziplock bag of gummy lobsters? These resort fees are getting out of control. It's merely a way for the hotels to justify a lower price up front. What a sham! We mentioned it was a special occasion when booking on the phone and we were not expecting a bottle of wine or a birthday cake be sent to the room ... but not even a card in the room to acknowledge it? Blah. The hotel itself has a classy lobby and was immaculately clean. The staff we encountered during our stay was very friendly and helpful with questions we asked, etc. There is a quarter to half mile trail which leads to the beach and the landscaping of the grounds is nice around the resort. One other note ... finding an Uber into Portland and back isn't always easy. We were a bit nervous because it took us two tries to get an uber into town. It was a $16 trip. Coming back was easier to find but when the driver found out he was heading to Cape Elizabeth, he was a little cranky. It doesn't seem that far when you look at the milage ... but it's an easy 20 minute ride into Portland. Maybe during the summer, or if you stay in a loft room, this place is better. We felt that for over $330 in December, the value was not great. Next time we'd stay in Portland. It wasn't as close as we thought to the beach and the room was half as cool as it looked in the photos. It's classy and clean and there are little touches like birdwatching binoculars in the room but we did not feel like the price justified the experience.

The staff is very welcoming and accommodating! Everyone is so nice! We came with our two dogs and they were made to feel right at home. We had the Beach Suite. The room quite nice and the view spectacular! We would go to the lounge for food and drinks - as you can bring your pets in there. Again, the staff were attentive and very welcoming. The service, the drinks and the food were all excellent! Overall it was an excellent trip. We are looking forward to a return trip!

Beautiful location, quiet on a Saturday noon for lunch (off season) with excellent service and delicious food. Fried Haddock was perfect-- light, not too greasy, fish perfectly cooked. My husband tried his first lobster roll-- happy! The chicken sandwich was over the top-- piece of chicken was twice the size of the bun and perfectly cooked. Cauliflower raclette appetizer was my favorite. View is nice out the window with lots of families and dogs on the grounds to entertain. We will come again!

This review is solely for the spa. I had made a booking 2 months in advance for an afternoon appointment the day after Christmas, just prior to leaving the country. When I returned on Christmas and double checked my confirmation email, the time was wildly incorrect - for 9 am. It being a holiday, the spa was closed. When I spoke with the manager the day-of, I was informed that I would be issued not even a partial refund for the VERY expensive services booked ($456) for an error that THEY had made. It is no surprise that this business is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

This is a beautiful property with gorgeous landscaping. However, be warned that beachfront suites are not on the beach (nor are the cabanas). They overlook a marsh. Walls and ceiling are so thin you can hear your neighbors every move. We literally say 'bless you' when they sneeze! Floors are sticky. Suite living area space is not as big as it looks online. Seaside patios are very nice but again we are listening to our neighbors. For this price, go elsewhere. We are celebrating my mom's 80th birthday, and asked for the best room possible (her room is exactly like mine - probably my fault for getting sold a bill of goods by the reservation person who told me they'd be on the end and not noticing the same price). We made Sea Glass reservations for the first night and sat outside freezing (ok if they'd warned us). The food was excellent, as was our server. Overall, I'm not really sure how this place gets such great reviews. It's okay, but not great. I'm really disappointed. I have never written a hotel review before, but it seems like people need to know what they're getting (at this price, you can do much better - perhaps being short walk to beach will make it worth it for some)

Beautiful property inside and out! The service was great and the food was very delicious! The five star rating is a reflection of one individual; Danila. He was great and went above and. Dying so that our experience was exquisite and it certainly was. I shared the news with the manager, Cheyenne and she was thrilled and grateful for the feedback. Can't wait to go back! Enjoy!

One again, Inn By The Sea was a beautiful, treasured getaway for our family (including our family dog!). This Inn is beautiful inside and out with views of the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean a short walk away. We have started coming here twice a year and it is always a renewing and fun experience for our family. The staff are highly responsive and friendly and just do a remarkable job keeping things so lovely every day.

The food was superb. View breathtaking. Service was impressive- they walked us all the way around the back of the inn for easier wheelchair access. The " regular " entrance was accessible-ish- narrow doorway and high thresholds. But they realized we struggled and said when you're ready to go we will help you go an easier way. And he chatted amicably as we strolled around.

This is just a dining review. As a local, I've dined at the Inn many times over several decades. But dinner on the outside terrace this week with visiting friends from out of town was like something out of a bad sitcom. First, there was a long wait just to get drinks menus. Then, as we began our appetizers we found ourselves overwhelmed by perhaps fifteen children screaming and yelling and playing ball within about 10 feet from our table, and this went on and on and on, while their parents appeared to be at the farthest end of the large back lawn of the Inn. When we gently asked the waitress if perhaps the management might just ask the kids to play somewhat farther away from the dinner area, or ask the parents to have them do so, we were told that the Inn's policy was to let children do whatever they wanted to do, "to have happy memories of their visit to Maine." So then, after an unusually long wait, the main dishes arrived...well, 2 of the 3 did. No explanation. By the time two of us had completely finished our mains, the third main had still not appeared. We were then told that the chef didn't like the way the fish looked so wanted to start all over. The waitress asked if the diner who was waiting wanted anything during the ensuing long delay and she asked for "half a glass of additional wine." When the check later arrived, we were charged for it. (Her husband was also given the wrong sauce on his steak, with the waitress excusing the mistake by saying that the two sauces sounded very similar). Finally, as the long waiting guest was finishing her main, which she ate fairly quickly, the waitress told us that the dinner service was ending and suggested it was time that we left. All quite unbelievably poor from both the front and back of the house. It will be a long, long time before I venture back.

The location was gorgeous! The beach trail and beach access alone was so beautiful and peaceful. We went in September, and the pool was closed- Id love to go back in the summer time. The room was nice enough, but they definitely let animals stay in rooms, at least the room we got because it smelled a bit like dog. No big deal, but something to be aware of and maybe something you can possibly avoid. Staff were great- friendly and committed to hospitality. Loved the breakfast here and the laid back vibe in general of Cape Elizabeth. A gem.

We typically go off season to avoid the tourists. The rooms are very spacious, comfortable and inviting. The grounds are well kept and the views are so relaxing. The restaurant has many tasty items whether it is breakfast or dinner. The staff is just so friendly. It's a beautiful spot to get away.

Excellent stay. Staff was very friendly. Dining was outstanding. A lot of attention to detail, e.g., a rolled up shower rug in front of the shower you can easily unroll with your feet without bending over and unfolding it. The grounds were very nice and overall quiet. If I'm looking for a negative the only thing I can think of is that we were on the third floor and a couple of the rooms actually have a forth floor... well we had one of these third floors and someone with a herd of kids decided to book the forth floor... sounded like they just let them wrestle till 1am up there.

I'm not even sure where to start with this review because every aspect of Inn By the Sea is absolutely incredible. We booked an overnight in the Cove Suite with our 10 week old pup. I have been to Inn By the Sea before for breakfast so I already knew I was in for a treat! We were warmly greeted when we arrived and were brought to our room. The Cove Suite overlooks the courtyard and has a breathtaking view of the water. Waiting in the room was a dog cookie and a welcome note. Small touches were scattered around the room and that meant so much. Our pup enjoyed the cookie so much we ended up taking one to go. The room was spacious and modern. They have reusable glass water bottles, and small bag to take home unused soap. Their green initiative is evident throughout the resort but it doesn't take away from the experience. The room we stayed in sleeps about 4-6 people. As you can see from the attached pictures the details are what makes your stay here so special. Once settled in we went for dinner at the Sea Glass Restaurant which is literally a few feet from the room. The food was beyond my expectations. Each dish was presented with thoughtfulness and precision. Chef Brown and Chadwick have put together an exceptional menu that incorporates local produce and will keep you coming back for more. I think my photos speak for themselves. I truly cant wait to go back!

I've been going to the Inn By The Sea for years. Yes, I've noticed a decline in everything. But the location brought me back for my last visit. We rented the king suite 2 floors $750 a night Upon entering room we could smell the smell of dead dog, yes you got that right. Dead dog, not wet dog. They couldn't move our room till next day. I was sick from the smell all night. The windows are filthy, screens ripped, bed linen had balls all over it. It was by far the grossest room I've been in. They moved us next day to a better room, and gave us a free breakfast for our troubles. We don't eat breakfast, so it wasn't really a gift for us. Don't waste your hard earned money. And you better love dogs here because they bark all night and roam the premises.

Beautiful location, exceptional staff, delicious food!! Looking for a romantic quick getaway, this is the place!

I stayed at Inn by the Sea early in July and had a great experience. The hotel was welcoming, clean, and well appointed. We loved the large room that we stayed in. The located provided the picturesque setting we were looking for, and the proximity to downtown Portland was a quick 15-minute ride. We loved sitting in the Adirondack chairs all over the property. The pool was nice too, but the pool chairs were not very comfortable. That was our only complaint. My husband and I agreed that we would gladly return to the Inn on a future trip.

Where to begin... This situation is so entirely ABSURD. It's a long read, so settle in with your popcorn and wine and I can guarantee you will be just as dumbfounded as I am. Yesterday, I booked a "Corner Room" for a one-night stay in September with my husband and two corgis. I followed the booking link directly from the Inn's website which allowed me to select the Corner Room AND select that I was bringing my pets. A few hours later I received a call from Alex at the front desk. Alex told me that the Corner Room was no longer available and I would have to upgrade to a Garden Suite for an additional TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS to bring my pets along. I decided to wait for the manager to come in that evening. In the interim I posted a poll on my personal Instagram page asking my friends if they thought this was a fee the inn should cover or if I should cough up the $200. The Instagram page for Inn by the Sea Maine proceeded to VOTE that I should cough up the $200. The inappropriateness of this is mind blowing. The audacity! Eventually, I was able to get in touch with the manager, Annie, to express that I did not think it was my responsibility as a customer (with an existing confirmation # and email) to pay the additional fee for the upgrade that was not my choice or fault. Annie tried to tell me that "they always recommend guests call to confirm when booking with pets." I reviewed the booking site and it does not say that anywhere that I could see. Also, as a first time guest, how would I know that if the actual booking site does not state that? Annie proceeded to tell me I could have the room for a $100 upgrade instead of $200. Again, for something that WAS NOT my fault. I declined this offer. Then, the kicker you have all been waiting for, I asked Annie about her social media personnel. I proceeded to tell her how unprofessional I thought it was that their Instagram manager would engage on a poll on social media. Annie tried to tell me that "their marketing manager would never do that because she's SO professional and has been there 16 years." Not sure what being somewhere for 16 years has to do with it? I asked Annie for her email address so I could send her screenshots of PROOF. I sent those along and she said she would get back to me this morning. By early afternoon I had not heard back from Annie so I gave the front desk a ring. I called twice in which my call went unanswered, but mysteriously 5 minutes later Annie called. I'm inclined to believe my calls were being screened, although of course that I have no proof of. When Annie and I spoke she told me she reviewed my photos and spoke with her marketing manager and she believes the marketing manager never voted on my poll. Yet, I still have LITERAL PROOF. Annie again stood by her stance that her marketing manager is so professional and would never do that. She stated maybe it was an accident. I find it hard to believe it was an accident that my poll had 2 votes for "I should pay the $200" and 56 votes for "the inn should pay" and one of those votes 2 was an "accident" by the inn. Do yourself a favor, book somewhere else that treats their customers with respect and integrity. This is a business focused solely on profit and defending inappropriate actions by employees.

Do not stay on the lower level. It is NOT a relaxing experience... the noise level from families walking above you is TERRIBLE! Forget sleeping.... it will NOT HAPPEN.

We just had a wonderful stay at the Inn by the Sea! We stayed in an ocean view loft suite. It was lovely! We also enjoyed the restaurant during our stay - we had one dinner, brunch and breakfast. The room was beautiful, tastefully decorated and comfortable. Best view was from the upstairs loft. Staff was completely delightful and helpful. Our meals were creative and delicious. We enjoyed some new dishes and also a couple of standard New England fare, which I would call "elevated" classic New England food. We enjoyed the owner's art collection placed around the property as well as the subtle ways they choose to be sustainable. A perfect weekend get away. We've stayed in a lot of New England Inns - this has all the classic touches, but has raised the bar in food, decor and service.

We stayed here last night and could not be more impressed! The food, the room, the views, the customer service were phenomenal. We loved every minute and the price was well worth the investment! We'd stop here again just to dine at the restaurant- the vegan food was exceptional and they even made us custom items too.

Our experience was wonderful! From check in to check out the staff is outstanding. This was our first experience taking our fur babies with us. I never expected the pet friendly rooms to be so nice and exceptionally clean. We can't wait to go back!

The entire staff has one agenda. Their patrons. They are not only pet friendly but usually have a dog from the local ASPCA to get and give love and to possibly get adopted. Last night was a"paring" dinner with Sroudwater Distillery. Chef Chadwick and his team performed magic. Steve from the distillery perfectly paired the food with cocktails. Their distillery tour is on our agenda for today. Come and experience how you should be treated

Such an amazing experience here! Got the honor of proposing to my fiancée this weekend on their private beach at sunset with almost no one around. Our loft room was spectacular, with a balcony overlooking the lawns and ocean, amazing Jett tub and bathroom, and super great space overall. The inn was beautiful decorated and the staff went above and beyond. So happy with this spot

We really love staying at Inn byThe Sea. The oceanfront rooms with fireplaces are perfect! This time they moved us into a condo which was lovely. The only drawback was the condo stairs which we both have difficulty with. We had reservations for three nights which they cancelled due to a storm causing power failure. We made other arrangements in Portland and asked to be notified if they got power. We were told that they cancelled our reservation so never told us when power returned Thursday morning. A friend informed us of the power return but it was too late to change our current reservations for Thursday night. We were at least able to stay Friday, our last night in town. The sheets on our beds had pills, were worn and scratchy, making it very uncomfortable to sleep. This did not occur on our previous stay. Perhaps housekeeping needs to discard the old bed linen. The restaurant food was exceptional as was the service. Breakfast prices were a little too pricey. $10. for a bowl of venue soatmeal? Really? One doesn't mind paying a little strange more for dinner. It was well worth it! My husbands Dogfish was superb. My apple salad and clam chowder was also very good. Be sure not to miss the s'mores you can roast out back during the evening. Flashlights are available for those who don't see well at night. This venue pays great attention to detail and customer service! We look forward to our next visit.

Sadly, not as described. We called to confirm with the Inn that we would be able to get everything we wanted. After being reassured over the phone that we would have an amazing water view from our bedroom on the upper level we agreed to upgrade from a traditional room to a suite. We were also assured that would be a fireplace. Needless say we were looking forward to coming here for a long weekend of relaxation after overseas travel. But it was not to be. Things always look better in the dark. It was dark when we arrived and were shown to the room. Soon after that we fell sleep immediately given our long day of travel. Upon checking we were told by the person escorting us that once the shades were up in the morning we would have amazing view of the water. The bed was adequate. Not close to the best I have ever slept in, but adequate. And upon waking up everything went sideways. We could hear some banging and I was not sure where that was coming from. I went down to open the windows and discovered that our upstairs bedroom suite looked out at construction on the property. If I went over to the railing and tilted my head I could see the water -- or if I went over and sat on the stairs. Downstairs on the small deck you could see the water but we were also directly above the swimming pool. When we called in we told them we wanted quiet and privacy. To me that does not sound like looking at a construction and being above the swimming pool. I had also ordered ahead online a plate of warm brownies. Nowhere to be found and never to be mentioned again. There was also no fireplace. We asked to be moved in the morning and were told they could show us some other rooms later in the afternoon that may be more suitable that that none of the rooms would have a water view from upstairs. I was left scratching my head and wondering why we bothered to upgrade when everything we were told was not true. No view from the bedroom. No fireplace. No brownies I ordered. This point we were over it and we wanted to go somewhere to get exactly what we wanted so we checked out. Not only was there not much in the way of apology, but the hotel adjusted our rates and billed us for over $500 for less than 12 hours. It was supposed to be a four night stay with much lower average rate. I understand the night we came was probably the most expensive night but obviously nothing was as described and come on, least you could have done was adjust the bill before sliding across the counter to me. When I voiced my displeasure they took $100 off. Wow, thanks. If not for their misrepresentation of the room over the phone and when we checked in we never would have been there at all. Overall, very disappointing. But I could not be more glad that we left and cut our losses when we did. We are now staying somewhere that is more expensive, but that was never the issue. I have absolutely no problem paying top dollar for an experience that I want. But I do have a problem with is being told one thing, more than once, and having exactly the opposite delivered. As a business owner myself I also am keenly aware of the need to make a situation right. Not only was there no empathy here, but there was no effort made. I realize tons of people seem to think this place is great but I would never come back and would never recommend it. Maybe my standards are just too high. But what they say about luxury experience is that it's not about paying the most amount of money -- it's about getting exactly what you want or at least exactly what is promised and then being willing to pay for it because you are happy. Here I got nothing that I wanted despite what was promised and left incredibly unhappy. As an aside, when we came in there was a great deal of noise in the lobby/restaurant area. It pretty much shattered the idea of quiet inn. The gentleman showing us upstairs nervously laughed and said that these were locals celebrating there Friday night and it's usually not this loud. When we got off the elevator on the second floor we could still hear them. Thankfully we were down around the corner so we could not hear them in our room but I would imagine if you had a room here in the top of the stairs and near the elevator this would be incredibly annoying.

Even on a freezing, overcast day, this place was incredible. Amazing service, exquisite food. We had lunch before having massages at the spa and it made for a GREAT afternoon.

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.

The Inn by the Sea will forever hold a special place in my heart, because it's where we adopted our first dog, Rocky (previously known as Lucky), in July 2017. Their foster program with the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland is an amazing concept and without it I don't think we would have ever taken the plunge. We were here for a wedding at the time, and I regretted not booking a room at the hotel during that visit. We finally made it back for a night in March 2019, and for a full weekend at the end of May. I cannot get over how accommodating they are to pets. There were dog towels, bowls, and treats waiting for the pups when we got here. They ask you don't leave the dogs unattended if you leave the premises (understandable, especially as ours would just bark the whole time) but arranged for a pet sitter to stay with them while we went out to dinner! And it was only $10 an hour! The staff is super friendly, and the premises are quite beautiful. You have great views of crescent beach, and there are a ton of scenic places to walk the dogs. I am also a big fan of the Sea Glass restaurant, and have eaten there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The bar has fantastic cocktails, but this visit when I couldn't partake they were so nice to whip up a mocktail for me. The Inn by the Sea is the perfect weekend getaway for us, and we will definitely continue to visit whenever we get a chance.

My kids and I have a tradition of going to breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. As for the past few years, we have gone to glass at Inn by the Sea for their Thanksgiving brunch. What a great tradition. What a great restaurant. We had a bunch of things from oatmeal, to French toast stuffed with apples, to pancakes and avocado toast. Everybody loved their meal. Go check it out.

This place! Inn by the Sea was so dreamy. Unfortunately we were not able to stay a second night because of other commitments but we returned for dinner - we sat in the bar area which is first come first serve. You can see the courtyard and ocean from inside the restaurant. The food was so amazing, we had a farmers salad, mussels with chorizo, and the hack fish. AMAZING. The broth the mussels are cooked in was so yummy we ate it like it was soup when we finished the mussels lol. The courtyard provided the best place to sit by a fire or walk around and enjoy the sunset and scenery. We also had time to walk down to the beach which was white and sandy. The room we stayed in was clean and we only wished that we could have had breakfast in bed there to really enjoy it but we had to leave super early before in room dining was available. Such a pleasant stay, highly recommend and we will definitely return :)

Great place to visit. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable about things to do in the area. Short walk to the beach. Fire pits were on at night. The coffee and hot chocolate bars were nice. This is a hidden gem. Definitely plan on visiting in the warmer months.

One of my favorite places that I've ever stayed! The staff was phenomenal. The other guests were beyond kind. The room and grounds were beautiful. Restaurant waiters and the good phenomenal - ask for Scott as your waiter, he's wonderful! If you don't love dogs, though, it may not be the place for you. Very dog friendly and there were many staying there. Hard to beat the views, nice Adirondack and other lounge chairs outside, or the nighttime s'mores! Highly recommend. I can't wait until I can stay again,

Autumn in Maine is my absolute favorite-- the traffic and wait times due to tourism ebbs and well loved places like the Inn still serve brunch on the sun-drenched patio and even welcome friendly dogs year round. My rescue lab Casco lays in a fur puddle by my feet while I feed him bits of egg. The chef has a special menus just for dogs if he wanted his own brunch entree. Chilly start to the fall? Blankets by request. After a delicious meal with friends, we walk closer to the beach and the inn's heated pool is even open at the end of the season for our four-legged friends. Five star hospitality and service for humans and our better halves as well.

Was there last summer. Most of the rooms are now removed of the fire places. The extra touches in customer service are not there anymore. No waiting cookies. :(

Rest assured that this place is just as beautiful in person as it is represented on line. We stayed in a suite with a view of the lovely grounds with the ocean in the distance. Sat out on our balcony and listened to the waves in the evening. Our room was squeaky clean. Comfortable bed with quality linens. Every staff member we interacted with was friendly and helpful. If we ever find ourselves in this area again this is where we will stay.

Just had a mid-winter getaway with four friends, taking advantage of the Habitat special. We had a lovely time and the suite (2 bdrm. 2 bath, fireplace, large balcony that has a table for 10 and fireplace) was exceptionally clean and beautiful. Enjoyed ocean view, walk on the beach and a drink in the cozy bar. Also had breakfast in the restaurant which was spectacular. Special kudos to Mark at the desk and Michael, our waiter, for superior service and friendliness. All employees were wonderful. We will be back!

We did not want to leave! Service very friendly and helpful and thoughtful! Our room was amazing with beautiful views of the ocean and the boats. Access to beach was easy and the restaurant was very nice. The spa was great as well. A definite plan to return!

Love! Love! Love! We aren't even home yet and we already know we will be back. Cozy, comfy and great service! Super dog friendly too.

Highly recommend this spot- it's a little out of the way if you want to stay in the city of Portland- but if you don't mind a 15 minute drive this spot is so relaxing and right on the water of a gorgeous beach. The staff could not be kinder (thank you Mark!) and the rooms are so cozy. Great spot if you're looking for some quiet and relaxing.

This place is spectacular in every sense of the word. Stayed here over Valentines weekend and it sits directly on the ocean in Cape Elizabeth, a short drive from Portland. It is a massive place with separate buildings which house some of the coziest and most beautifully decorated rooms I have seen. We stayed in the beach suite and it overlooked the ocean and has a kitchen and fireplace. The bathroom was huge with an oversized tub and shower. The staff here could not have been more friendly and after staying in some of the best hotels in New England, I have to say this tops the list. We came here with our kids and every corner you turn, the staff was accommodating. The turndown service in the evening was a nice subtle touch and just everything about the place is grand. I looked at several hotels in Old Port, Portland and they were just as pricey and it is too close quarters over there. This place is directly on Crescent Beach with trails and boardwalks and I am quite sure in the summer it is great. We will be sure to visit again. We ate breakfast in the Sea Glass restaurant and it was delicious. I would highly recommend this place to anyone searching for an upscale place to stay off the beaten path of Portland and truly the epitome of Maine. We absolutely loved it!

Just coming home from another amazing stay at Inn by the Sea. The whole family-dog included-loves this place. Rooms are clean and very well appointed. Service is impeccable even with state Covid restrictions. I am so happy we came for a relaxing long weekend.

The Spa at the Inn By the Sea is the ultimate reset button! Once you book a treatment, you are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the spa amenities. You're welcomed with a cozy, plush robe and sandals. The women's sanctuary is exactly that- warm colors, soft music, a steam room and showers. There's a sitting area with tea and magazines to enjoy and relax before your treatments. Whether you're visiting Maine or just need a day away, this is the place to go. You'll feel completely refreshed! Monthly specials are a great way to try out different treatments with seasonal touches.

Everything was amazing from beginning to end. Gorgeous room with a great view of the ocean and the grounds. Ridiculously large bathroom which I will miss dearly. We celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary this weekend here and they made it perfect. Staff was very accommodating and the Sea Glass restaurant was delicious. We stayed in a Spa suite and loved every minute. Thank you for helping make our anniversary trip memorable. Highly recommend. Can't wait to return.

Me and my boyfriend have decided to make Inn by the Sea our new yearly tradition! We've come here for the past 2 years for Valentine's Day. We love it here, amazing rooms with amazing views, so clean and beautifully decorated. The staff is so friendly and welcoming. The food here is amazing as well. I highly recommend!!

Great hotel! Even being the off-season in Covid we were not disappointed! Beautiful views and gorgeous room! We had a 2 floor suite with floor to ceiling Windows. Heated floors in the bathroom along with a massive jacuzzi tub that we fully enjoyed! Love it here and we already can't wait to come back for a weekend this summer! Also the SeaGlass.....YUM!!!!!

This is a very rare treat in Maine. Fine service, nice wine list, decent food, a sizable porch area with some ocean view, a boardwalk down to the crescent beach and...dog friendly! That is right! Brunch is best. They now have a funny dog brunch menu...uh no thank you, but a giggle. Great place, please try it out and dont let the fancy hotel scare you away. Prices are similar to other places in Portland these days.

Loved our stay! The Inn is so charming. What an amazing staff. The food was delicious and our spa treatments were delightful. The only negative....my room looked over the parking lot and the storage pods. My daughter's room looked into the next building. The hotel management was very gracious and compensated me for the inconvenience. I will definitely go again... just would request an ocean front suite.