April 2012

Suite 618, Hilton Garden Inn, Portland

“Our entire staff agrees that spacious Suite 618, on the top floor, commands the best view,” Kim Strondak and Abigail Flynn say. “At the corner of Commercial and Franklin Arterial, four large windows overlook the busy waterfront, Portland Observatory, and beautiful Casco Bay with Fort Gorges and Peaks Island glimmer in the distance.

“We’ve had musical performers such as James Taylor, Ted Nugent, Snoop Dogg, and Ani DiFranco stay with us. We’ve had actresses like Loretta Swit, Sharon Stone, and Helen Hunt here for filmings. Recently we hosted Governors Mitt Romney and John Sununu, and Seth Wescott and Kareem Abdul Jabbar visit us.” $319-$419

Room 206, Stage Neck Inn, York

“The Inn is situated on a peninsula offering our guests over 270-degree views of the ocean, beach, harbor, and York River from our property,” says Phoebe Apgar-Pressey, general manager at the Stage Neck Inn. “Guest Room 206 has the best view of both the ocean and river, as does our Harbor Porches Restaurant. Prices for the room range from $389 to $431 from June to September, going as low as $321 in off-peak months.

“To the North-West, you can see York Harbor Beach with our outdoor pool above that. To the north are a park and the cliff-walk that leads in front of the stately 1800 ‘summer cottages’ set high on the rocky coast. To the east, you see the open Atlantic Ocean with Boon Island in the distance. To the southeast is the entrance to the harbor. In the morning you might see lobstermen heading out to get their fresh catch. Throughout the day a myriad of craft pass by, from sailboats to small pleasure craft to yachts.”

Willows Mansion Penthouse Suite
Atlantic Oceanside Hotel, Bar Harbor

“Our Penthouse Suite on the top floor of the Willows Mansion has a 180-degree view of Frenchmans Bay,” says general manager Joy O’Shaugnessy. “It’s a two bedroom suite with a king bed in one and a queen in the other. Each has its own bathroom. The floor-to-ceiling windows look right out to the water over a terraced garden–you’re no more than 100 feet from the water. On mornings lobster boats are spotted crossing our shore.

“On a clear day you see the summit of Schoodic Mountain, the tallest peak on the horizon. There you can hike up blueberry barrens to the bald granite top and spy black bears, just as Robert McCloskey mentioned in his children’s book Blueberries for Sal.

“Across the bay is the town of Gouldsboro and Stave Island. Closer to our shore is Bald Rock, the tiny tip of an enormous underwater mountain that several of our guests have adopted as ‘their island.’ Closest to our shore is Bar Island. At low tide it offers a natural bridge you can walk over and hike to the peak for a view of Acadia National Park. Just beyond that is Sheep Porcupine and Burnt Porcupine Islands, whose formations from glacial movement is apparent from their sloped shape and are a favorite destination for kayakers.

“Our 12 acre property gives guests room to stroll the grounds or walk along our pebble shore to find sea stars and periwinkles.” $259-$399

Harborside Hotel, Bar Harbor

“The views seen from the Premium King Ocean Front rooms are the best in the hotel,” says Christine Brome, conference services manager. “When staying in these rooms, guests can start their day with the beautiful Bar Harbor sunrise. As the sun is rising, guests will begin to see the Porcupine Islands located in Frenchman Bay. You’ll have to use your imagination, just as the artist who named them did, to see a porcupine from the rounded islands and jagged tree points. Beyond that, on any given day the room balconies offer premium seating to watch the lobster boats and whale watching trips coming and going in the harbor.” $189-$500

Room 221, Bar Harbor Inn, Bar Harbor

“The best view would probably be from Room 221 in the Main Inn,” says Joanne Parkinson, assistant to the innkeeper. “The second-floor room has a king canopy bed and a ‘double’ water view of both the majestic Atlantic Ocean on one side and Frenchmans Bay on the other, as well as many other historic buildings along the half-mile stretch. The beautiful four-mast schooner Margaret Todd docks at our pier and offers three sails a day. At most any day you’ll find lobster boats, sail boats, nature cruise boats, a whale watch boat, or even a large cruise ship in the Harbor. The oceanfront rooms start at $339 in the summer.”

Water Street Tavern & Inn, Lubec

“You’ve come to the easternmost town in the continental United States!” says Water Street Tavern owner Jim Heyer. “Our Tavern Suite looks out on the narrows and the New Brunswick, Canada, island of Campobello. The view encompasses the International Bridge to the island and the Mulholland Light House is just about a 3 wood from the deck. The Tavern Suite has a full kitchen and washer/dryer, and is situated above a single bedroom suite called the Narrows. Both are literally right on the water; sometimes you can see seals feeding and frolicking right outside your window! Plus, there’s Pope’s Folly Island, which is home to a family of bald eagles which are very easily viewed.”

“Our in-season room prices range from $95/night for a single room to $150/night for a two-bedroom suite.”