Accommodations

Maine has been a tourist getaway now for more than a century, so it has its fair share of places to stay. In fact, there’s a remarkable array of lodging choices available to visitors, depending upon where you want to be and when you want to visit. You can pitch a tent on a cliff top way Down East, enjoying completely unspoiled vistas all to yourself, or stay in a luxurious suite at a South Coast beach town resort, with hundreds of other guests. There are inexpensive motels with never-ending sea views in the Boothbay area, cool cottages in Machias, farm bed-and-breakfasts in Jefferson, grand old hotels on Monhegan Island, and urban high-rise(ish) hotels in Portland. Take your pick.

A few things to keep in mind when considering accommodations: Hotels are generally limited to the cities and resort towns, and there are only so many true resorts in Maine and fewer overnight spas. Cottages, motels, inns, and bed-and-breakfasts can be found along the length of the coast. Cottages are the way to go if you want an extended stay and don’t mind doing your own cooking and cleaning. There are hundreds up and down the coast. Check in the phone book or with a Realtor in the area you want to be in.

Likewise, there are seemingly zillions and zillions of B&Bs in Maine now—500 or more at last count—and Mainers like to joke that after visiting the state in the summertime, every other tourist wants to move to the coast and open his or her own place. Bed-and-breakfasts can be great for new visitors, though, because they tend to be run by personable hosts who are very familiar with their area and can be your personal guide. Of course, some of these eager innkeepers can be overbearing, too.

You can find a searchable database of places to stay at the Maine Innkeepers Association (304 Route 1, Freeport; 207-865-6100; www.maineinns.com). It’s a handy resource.

That covers the where.

The when is a bit easier these days than it used to be. Maine tourists used to leave as soon as the leaves fell, and consequently so did all the innkeepers, closing up their shops until spring returned. More places are open year-round now, but there are still many that close for at least some part of the winter, so it’s best to call ahead and check. The slowdown of the tourist season can be a boon to visitors, though—rates at many fine inns and hotels can be slashed dramatically in the fall and winter, making a stay at a swanky spot affordable for the average traveler.

Wherever you decide to stay, and whenever you decide to go, make a reservation ahead of time so you won’t be disappointed.