Just a short drive from Ogunquit, Cliff House (from $499/night; www.cliffhousemaine.com) in Cape Neddick has been welcoming summer guests to southern Maine since 1872. Aptly named, it sits on Bald Head Cliff, high over crashing waves, craggy rocks, swooping seabirds, and spectacular sunsets. Family-owned for generations, it recently reopened under new management as a year-round resort, bringing Cliff House right up to the minute while expertly retaining the feel of a classic Maine retreat.
On 70 oceanfront acres, there are now 226 guestrooms (up from 136), each with a sophisticated nautical feel. In beachy tones of blue, stone, and sand, a Cliffscape room has sleek furniture, super-soft sheets, bathrobes that feel like big, fluffy clouds, and a balcony overlooking the sea. Outside, water abounds, with a resort pool, a family pool, and bubbling hot tubs. The new spa is serene and focused on wellness, with a luxurious Salt Stone Massage that sets the tone for a relaxing day. And fireplaces in the inviting lobby and lower-level lounge, with floor-to-ceiling windows, exude warmth on chilly summer evenings. (Don’t forget the s’mores kit if you head for the outdoor firepit, instead.)
Cliff House’s oceanfront Tiller Restaurant serves all three meals, specializing in line-caught fish. You can’t improve on the resort’s Bald Head Coffee Company or Nubb’s Lobster Shack, either, with big garage doors that open to the views. Even the well-curated gift shop, carrying many Maine-made items, exceeds expectations.
Sandy beaches are minutes away, as is the busy, charming town of Ogunquit. But the true marvel of the reimagined Cliff House is that it encapsulates the ultimate Maine experience through and through — even if you never step foot off the property.
