The Winslow Homer Cottage with a view of Penobscot Bay; photograph courtesy of the Inn at Sunrise Point and Jumping Rocks Photography

Rooms with a View

01 Press Hotel | Portland

This boutique hotel on upper Exchange Street in downtown Portland gathered all of its interior inspiration from the building’s history as the former headquarters for the Portland Press Herald. Inside find art installations inspired by newsrooms and decor such as writing desks and vintage typewriters that remind us of the art of print in a digital age. The Penthouse Suite has exclusive rooftop lounge access. The stairway leads guests up to the roof, where you can see almost 360-degree views of the Old Port, Casco Bay, Back Cove, and Munjoy Hill.

02 The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel | Kennebunkport

The Admiral’s Suite at the Boathouse Waterfront Hotel has a view down the Kennebunk River. Sit on the deck off the second-story room and watch boats as they come in to dock or head out to sea. This is a colorful summertime scene, and in the frost-covered winter months, the seascape is calming. All of the 25 rooms and suites are nautically inspired and outfitted with modern amenities. Take advantage of the “stay enhancements,” which can include fresh baked cookies from David’s KPT and farm- fresh milk or prosecco and chocolates upon arrival.

03 Bluenose Inn | Bar Harbor

The Bluenose Inn was built on a hill, so fourth-floor balconies clear the tips of pine trees, and guests are left with fresh ocean air and sweeping vistas of Frenchman Bay. The Porcupine Islands are lush and evergreen and the Schoodic Peninsula is visible in the distance. Cruise ships pull into port and at low tide Bar Island’s sandbar stretches to meet the busy downtown Bar Harbor. Room packages can include Acadia National Park tours, schooner cruises, and dinner at the hotel’s Looking Glass Restaurant—water view also included.

04 Blair Hill Inn and Restaurant | Greenville

The Blair Hill Inn and Restaurant is located on the east side of Moosehead Lake. In the evenings the sun sets over the lake behind the mountains and paints the sky in oranges and pinks. The scene often empties the inn’s dining room—a popular local spot that fills up most nights. Set on a hillside and raised on a 20-foot-high fieldstone, the inn’s views are above the tree line. Those on the top floor look out to seaplanes flying at the same level high above the lake.

05 Spruce Point Inn | Boothbay

Green islands, blue waters, and lots of boats in between—that’s the scenery from Spruce Point Inn in Boothbay. Spruce Point juts into Linekin Bay and the inn is positioned just right to have both sunsets and sunrises visible to guests. Particularly sought after are the oceanfront cottages that have fireplaces, kitchen facilities, porches, and, of course, views of boats on moorings in the harbor and of Burnt Island Lighthouse in the distance.

06 Inn at Sunrise Point | Lincolnville

Guests have been known to cancel prior engagements to hang out for a little while longer in the Adirondack chairs that dot the Inn at Sunrise Point’s lawn, which has views of Penobscot Bay . The Lane Cottage is as close to the scene as one can get. The private abode is set on a 25-foot bluff and from every room guests can watch the tide washing in and out over the rocky shoreline. Also on the property are elaborate gardens with roses, peonies, poppies, clematis, lupines, and more.

07 Migis Lodge | South Casco

The dock at Migis Lodge offers a panoramic scene of the White Mountains, lake islands, and still, clear water. The lodge offers 35 private cottages equipped with fireplaces, quilts, and fresh flowers and when the sun goes down on clear nights, the still lake water reflects the colors of the sunset. The private cottages are connected through 125 acres of pine needle-covered paths where trees maintain privacy. While there are numerous views from each cottage, Sunset, Spruce, and Stone’s Throw have 180 degrees’ worth of Sebago Lake.

08 Asticou Inn | Northeast Harbor

On a hill overlooking the green-blue waters of Northeast Harbor is the Asticou Inn. The waterview rooms face south and look out to the Cranberry Isles off Mount Desert Island’s shores. While the harbor fills with sailboats and yachts in the warmer months, the protected inlet is a working waterfront for local fishermen year-round. In the early evenings from the windows of the second-, third-, and fourth-floor rooms, guests watch the hushed scene of boats and moorings in golden light.

09 Tides Beach Club | Kennebunkport

At this beachy inn, the Jonathan Adler- furnished suites are highly coveted with private balconies and gorgeous undisturbed Atlantic views (not a lot of boat traffic here). This inn is a six-mile drive from the busier Dock Square and across a low-traffic, 12-foot road is Goose Rocks Beach. Out to sea, the only obstruction is Timber Island, which is accessible via sand bar at low tide.

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