University of Southern Maine Tours and Activities

We had an amazing stay at Cliffhouse and were pleasantly surprised by how beautiful it is. The only minor issues we encountered were that the pullout couch was quite uncomfortable for our kids, and it was frustrating that children aren’t allowed in the main pool—everyone with kids ends up crowded around a small pool off to the side. Aside from that, everything else was fantastic!

This property was beyond expectation. As long as you are comfortable using the app, check in was super easy and so was getting into our suite. The kitchen had everything we could have possibly needed, and having a living space was a great lift from a normal hotel room.

We chose Inn by the Sea because it was advertised as a “pet-friendly” property with beach access for pets, which was a key factor in our decision. Unfortunately, our experience didn’t quite align with those expectations. We arrived on a Sunday around noon and, as expected, our room wasn’t ready (check-in is at 4:00pm). However, unlike many hotels, we were not offered anything while we waited — no welcome drink, light refreshment, or even an early check-in estimate — despite having to wait the full four hours. Once we checked in, we were told our assigned room was not pet-friendly, and we would be charged for any accidents — despite booking under the premise that this was a pet-friendly stay. Additionally, the restaurant only allows pets in the outdoor seating area, and the pool area is not pet-friendly at all. So while the hotel does accommodate pets in some areas, it’s misleading to call it fully pet-friendly when the main guest amenities are off-limits. That said, the property is beautiful and most of the staff were friendly and professional, which we appreciated. But overall, if you’re traveling with a pet and hoping for a truly integrated experience, this may not be the best fit.