jagovino The last time we visited Southern Maine, it was with our kids at the end of a brutally hot summer and the beaches in Ogonquit were packed. It wasn’t the best introduction to the beauty and seaside atmosphere Maine has to offer. This year, at the end of June, my husband and I traveled alone (the key here is no kids!) to stay at the Cliffhouse in Cape Neddick, Maine. This was a different experience than traveling with our kids, although the Cliffhouse would also be a great family resort to bring the kids to. Here is what we loved about our stay:
The Rooms:
Cliffhouse is on a cliff (hence the name) overlooking the ocean and every room has a spectacular view. Most rooms include a spacious balcony where you can enjoy the sounds of the crashing waves and views of the Atlantic Ocean. We were there on a particularly cool June weekend and slept with the door to our balcony open and listened to the sounds of the waves crashing all night, pure heaven! The room was also spacious and the bed was super comfortable. The whole hotel is outfitted in a nautical theme which has a very soothing, Serena and Lily-esq vibe. The resort also offers suites and cottages for those who book with kids or multiple people. We saw many families there with kids ranging in all ages so it seems like a great place to book a family vacation as well.
The Food:
There are three restaurant options at Cliffhouse which makes it easy to stay on site. The first night, we dined outside at their outdoor dining option, The Terrace. Again, the views of the crashing ocean were exceptional and the service was top-notch. The menu at the Terrace is the same as the menu at their main restaurant, The Tiller. We started with a lobster clam chowder and had fried burrata in honey which was amazing. Our main dishes included scallops and shrimp and the dessert was an exceptional chocolate cake. We loved every minute of our meal at The Terrace. Other than the more formal restaurants, Cliffhouse also has a laid-back lobster shack called Nubbs. This menu offers the usual Maine lobster shack items like lobster rolls, fried shrimp and clams and chowder with great beer selections. It was raining on our last night and we didn’t feel like going into town for our dinner reservation, so we ate at Nubbs and were not disappointed. This would also be the perfect place for families. The last option Cliffhouse offers in terms of food is their on-site coffee shop, Bald Head Coffee. This was a great addition to the resort as they sold lattes, matcha, breakfast foods, and snacks. Open early in the am until the afternoon, Bald Head is a great spot for quick snack or drink. All of the food amenities at Cliffhouse make it a great spot to stick around during your whole stay and not have to worry about leaving the resort.
Things to Do:
Besides the two pools, the oceanfront access, and the many restaurants, the town closest to Cliffhouse, Ogonquit, offers a lot to do. There are many small shops, great local eateries, and a public beach. The Cliffhouse is also very close to Perkins Cove, which a must-do if you are in the Ogunquit area. There you will find a little village with authentic seafood restaurants and local fisherman docking their boats right next door. There are also various little shops to visit and explore. If you are in Perkins Cove, make sure to take a Cliff Walk, along the ocean. This is a scenic walk along the cliffs that surround the Atlantic, the same cliffs you will be watching out your window at Cliffhouse. If you want to stay at the hotel, they have a wonderful spa, fitness classes, and an art studio. They also have a kids club and a family-friendly pool with swim-up bar area.
If you are willing to take a day trip, you should check out Portland, about 45 minutes from Cliffhouse. Portland has the most quaint vibes and the food scene there is exploding. There are numerous shops, local crafters and souvenir stops, as well as exceptional bars, oyster and seafood restaurants, and waterside dining. If you are in Portland, be sure to try a doughnut at Holy Donut, their gluten-free options are also incredible. We had one of the best meals of our entire trip at Central Provisions. We didn’t have a reservation, which they highly recommend, but were able to eat in the downstairs bar area, which was just as cozy. The food was outstanding with a special scallop toast, a popover with ham and cheese and delicious bloody marys. My husband rated the meal 10/10 and he is hard to please! You have to try this spot if you end up in Portland.
