Casco Vacations from $765

Quiet and peaceful with views of the Bay. Easy to access and close to downtown Portland

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!

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.

Great place to go and relax for a few days.

The decor and private garden were nice, as was the self-service pantry on the 2nd floor. The destination fee was a little annoying on top of the proxy room rate, as the credit for the bar was not useful for one member of our party who does not drink. Very convenient to Old Port.