Best Pool Hotels in Maine

Perched on a small peninsula that juts into York Harbor in Maine, this boutique inn wins over visitors with its picturesque locale. The Stage Neck Inn's Colonial-style guest rooms boast sea views, and you can watch boats bob in the harbor while enjoying fresh lobster on the Sandpiper's outdoor terrace, or from the other on-site dining venues, Shearwater and Outdoor Terrace. Plus, all accommodations come with coffee makers, minifridges, Wi-Fi access and cozy terrycloth robes, though several recent guests thought the rooms could use an update. The inn also houses two pools (one indoor, one outdoor), a full-service spa and two clay tennis courts. But for many, it's the inn's quality customer service that clinches the deal; several guests highlight the front desk and restaurant staff as particularly friendly.

Located on the edge of Rockland Harbor, about 7 miles south of Camden, Maine, Samoset Resort is a vacation destination unto itself. Here, guests have access to a massive outdoor pool, a full-service spa, four restaurants and 18 holes of championship golf. But despite all of the amenities, previous guests say that it's the gracious hotel staff that makes staying here such a treat: Visitors compliment the front desk and service staff on their friendly personalities. Another crowd pleaser? The spacious accommodations appointed with robes, iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs and mahogany furnishings. Though some visitors caution that a stay here can cost a pretty penny, they also say that the high level of customer service and picturesque surroundings make it worth the price.

The 193 guest rooms at the Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina include coffee makers, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi access (included in the daily resort fee) and spacious workstations. Some rooms also have semi-private balconies with views of Bar Harbor, Maine. Suites, which come with up to three bedrooms, also come with fully equipped kitchens with a full-sized refrigerator, as well as an expanded living area and a dining table that seats up to six people. On-site amenities include free self-parking, a business center, a free guest laundry facility and access to two oceanfront pools and hot tubs, as well as tennis courts, a spa and a fitness center. There are also four restaurants and lounges: La Bella Vita serves fine Italian food; Stewman’s Lobster Pound serves coastal Maine seafood; Enoteca Wine Bar serves wine and tapas-style plates; and Splash Pool Bar offers light bites and frozen drinks by the pool. While some recent guests loved the great outdoor amenities and the convenient location, others said the customer service was not up to their standards.

Described by previous guests as a "spectacular" and "luxurious" retreat with amazing views, the Cliff House Maine reopened in 2016 after an extensive $40 million renovation. The hotel is situated on 70 acres, about 15 miles south of Kennebunkport, Maine, and overlooks the ocean.The property's 132 rooms and suites are decorated in a nautical theme, with a white, navy, yellow and cream color scheme. All accommodations have private terraces boasting ocean views, LCD flat-screen TVs, clothing steamers and in-room wine coolers. If you're looking to indulge in some pampering, Cliff House's spa offers a bevy of services and treatments, including massages, body wraps, facials and more. There's also an indoor and outdoor pool, and a fitness center. On-site eateries include Nubb's Lobster Shack, Tidemark Terrace and the Tiller Restaurant. Recent visitors were pleased with the quality of food at the Tiller Restaurant, but some said it was a little pricey.

This Cape Elizabeth property is about 9 miles south of Portland, nestled amid Maine's Great Pond and the Crescent Beach/Kettle Cove State Park. Recent visitors describe the inn's location as idyllic, and the guest rooms and amenities as the very definition of laid-back luxury. Appointed with bathrobes, hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs, internet access and soothing red and charcoal accents, the inn's accommodations, beach suites and cottages earn top compliments from recent visitors, as do the friendly staff and pet-friendly amenities. At Inn by the Sea, you can indulge in rejuvenating treatments at the on-site spa, and when dinnertime rolls around, you can savor decadent meals at the Sea Glass Restaurant.

Situated about a half-mile southwest of Dock Square, the White Barn Inn & Spa serves as a convenient place to hang your hat if you're looking to explore the heart of Kennebunkport. The inn's AAA Five Diamond Award-winning restaurant is one of the most popular establishments downtown, thanks to its upscale iterations of cod, halibut and lobster roll (all fresh daily catches, of course). The inn also offers private cooking classes available for budding culinary artists. Keep in mind that there are several accommodation choices to pick from: The Main House, the garden and the waterfront cottages. Recent guests especially appreciate the extra perks found in each guest room, like marble bathrooms with heated floors and whirlpool tubs and walk-in rainfall showers. Visitors also appreciate the accommodating staff and the surprisingly quiet locale on Kennebunkport River. 

Set in a serene area in northern Bar Harbor, the appropriately named The Bayview boasts panoramic views of Frenchman Bay and nearby Acadia National Park. Guest rooms are simple yet spacious, featuring private balconies and free wireless internet access. Previous guests appreciate homey services like free cookies every afternoon and complimentary breakfast, but what really draws them to The Bayview is the customer service. Visitors can't help but parise the hotel's staff members for their friendly, accommodating behavior. But before you book, you should note that The Bayview closes during the winter months, only accepting reservations between late May and mid-October.

The 98 guest rooms and suites in the Bluenose Inn in Bar Harbor, Maine, have free Wi-Fi access, Keurig coffee makers, minifridges, microwaves, irons and ironing boards, bathrobes and 42-inch LCD high-definition TVs. Many rooms also feature a fireplace and private balcony with views of Frenchman Bay. Recent guests said they enjoyed the location and spectacular views. The key feature of the hotel is the Great Room, a piano lounge where guests can gather and socialize or play board games while pianist Bill Trowell plays classical and contemporary tunes. Other on-site amenities include a spa and steam room, two heated pools, a hot tub and a fitness center. For dining, the hotel offers The Looking Glass restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner and was voted “Best Breakfast with a View” by the editors at Yankee Magazine in 2010. However, some recent guests said the options were limited.

The Balance Rock Inn is quintessential Maine. The hotel sits just steps away from the serene waters of Frenchman's Bay in Bar Harbour, offering panoramic bay views from multiple points in the property. And the idyllic cottage look isn't just for kicks: The Balance Rock Inn previously served as a family summer cottage back in the early 1900s. And when you take a look at your room, you may feel as though you've traveled back in time. Accommodations are classic in decor and bright in color palette, with most rooms featuring white floral patterned wallpaper and intricately carved wood furniture. Guests often describe rooms as cozy and well-appointed, thanks to flat-screen TVs, bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, complimentary in-room bottled water, free Wi-Fi access and furnished decks, among other features. Outside your digs, you'll find an outdoor heated pool, a small fitness center and The Veranda Bar, a favorite among recent visitors, who recommended ordering a drink at the bar and then grabbing a seat next to the outdoor fire pit on the patio (especially at sunset). While the bar was a hit, some said the complimentary breakfast could use some improvement, though the short walk to town (a block away) to other eateries, was a plus for recent lodgers.

With just 24 rooms, this hotel appeals to travelers looking for a quiet getaway to Brunswick, Maine. Located about 26 miles north of Portland, along the banks of the Androscoggin River, The Daniel was originally built in 1819 and began operation as a hotel in the 1980s. The property and its rooms were renovated in 2013 and recent guests were complimentary of the updated accommodations. Rooms include desks, minifridges and free Wi-Fi access, and some have doors that lead to a small Juliet balcony. Property-wide amenities all guests can enjoy range from the whirlpool and sauna to the fitness room and guest pantry stocked with snacks and drinks. For a full dinner, visitors can sit down at Coast Bar + Bistro, which features a rotating seasonal menu of Maine specialties. Plus, the restaurant and lounge welcome live music on Thursday and Friday evenings. Past guests of The Daniel raved about the food at the restaurant, as well as the tasty complimentary breakfast, and said the staff members were accommodating and friendly.