Relaxing Beachfront vacation in New England

April 21, 2014 7:39 AM

I'm looking for a great hotel/inn/motel on the beach in New England. I'm in Central Massachusetts and would like it to be within a 3 hour drive. We'd be doing the trip July 10-13.

Normally we tent camp but I'd like 3 or 4 days of the opposite. I'd like a nice room and decent (or great!) restaurants nearby, bonus if the restaurants are walking distance. A pool is a huge bonus too. I'd like to keep it at about 300 bucks a night, which might be tricky for a weekend in the Summer, especially for places that are still available.

I'd be happy with any of the New England states that fit the criteria - CT, MA, RI, NH and Maine.

It's for 3 of us; my husband, my 6 year old son and me.

posted by beccaj to Travel & Transportation (5 answers total)

Last summer, I stayed a weekend at "The Beach House" in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, with my sister and 7 year old nephew. The hotel is on the beach, and a cute, almost European-style house. Not fancy by any means, but clean, comfortable, and very affordable. However, I would not recommend staying in their basement or lower beach front rooms - but the main and upper levels are great. We didn't get a lot of beach time due to a lot of rain, but a nice long beach great for long walks, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and seaside attractions, all walking distance. No pool, but most (if not all) rooms are equipped with kitchenettes that are useful. There are definitely other hotels in Old Orchard Beach with pools. We drove from Albany (4.5 hours or so), but from central MA it's around 2.5-3 hours.
posted by raztaj at 8:01 AM on April 21, 2014 [2 favorites]

July 10-13 is prime greenhead season. Be sure to ask the inn if they have them, they can really put a damper on a beach trip.
posted by Marit at 11:07 AM on April 21, 2014

Response by poster: Raztaj- thanks for the suggestion, they booked basically for the whole summer! Must be a great place. I will keep it in mind for next year.

Marit- thanks for the heads up.
posted by beccaj at 1:29 PM on April 21, 2014

If you're not objecting to Cape Cod I stayed in this sweet resort, the Bluewater, on my wedding night, definitely cheaper than 300.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 1:58 AM on April 22, 2014

Response by poster: Potomac Avenue - thanks for the suggestion. In summer it is $ 350-600. Do you think it's worth it if I can get the $350?
posted by beccaj at 4:24 AM on April 22, 2014