INN BY THE SEA
ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: As we pulled up to Inn by the Sea, we had no idea of the beautiful delights that lay just beyond the front door. We left the car at the porte cochère while we checked in, taking in the beautiful lawn, lush with wildflowers, a pool and activities, just outside the back door. A table offered guests fresh, cold lemonade, and in the morning there was coffee and tea along with complimentary newspapers. Keys in hand, we drove our rental car around and parked closer to our guestroom.
GUEST QUARTERS: In 2018 Inn by the Sea opened 10 new one- and two-bedroom luxury suites, complementing a multimillion-dollar renovation of the main house and 12 new two-bedroom suites rolled out in 2017. That feeling of newness and freshness still pervades.
We needed far more time than our one-night stay to enjoy all the amenities of our massive two-bedroom suite. The feeling of Maine is sprinkled throughout, even in the small details like a lobster hanger to indicate Do Not Disturb. The suite opened into a hallway with a cutout to the right. To the right of the cutout was the first bedroom, with a king-sized bed flanked by two nightstands, with two chairs in front of the bed and a dresser with a TV above. The marble bathroom, with a soaking tub, two sinks, a large vanity and a spacious stall shower, sat next to the bedroom, and closet space lay adjacent to the bedroom door. Continuing down the hallway we found the second bedroom with two double beds. This room was perfect for spreading out and stashing our luggage. The hallway opened to a living area and kitchen with dining table. A door opened to a patio, offering seating and overlooking the aforementioned lawn. For dinner and any activities in the area, we could depart from the patio door, which locked with the same keys as the main door.
SERVICES/AMENITIES: We needed more than our one-night stay to truly enjoy all the resort had to offer, as well! Luckily, we did enjoy two meals at the on-site Sea Glass — dinner alfresco (the clam chowder was divine, and the signature blueberry butter was such a sweet touch!) and breakfast indoors the next morning before departure. My husband is still raving about the swordfish he ordered for dinner at Sea Glass.
Give yourself enough time to relax on sandy Crescent Beach. We wandered down the boardwalk just off the main lawn after breakfast and walked through the indigenous seaside gardens to check out the stretch of beach. The hotel has a table with water and beach amenities set up right at the entrance and chairs and umbrellas on the beach for guest use. Private and tranquil along the sandy shore, the whole set-up screamed relaxation.
During our stay, the offered activity schedule included adult yoga, adult swim (there’s an on-site pool, as well), beach ecology walks, family yoga, family beach walks, children’s art, nightly s’mores, garden tours and kids’ eco-classes like a Bug’s Life Tour. Adults can enjoy mixology classes and should take some time to appreciate and peruse the museum-quality art on display, offering insight into the soul of the coastal region.