If you are looking for a luxurious vacation, wedding venue, or weekend getaway at a family-friendly resort in New England, then The Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine, is for you. Having been here a few times, I can say for certain it is one of the most beautiful family vacation Resorts in all of New England, not far from York Beach, Maine. And, with views, accommodations, and activities for all ages, it is one of the best places to visit in New England with kids.
The Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine, is for families, couples, and lavish celebrations. It’s situated on 70 oceanfront acres perched on top of Bald Head Cliff, where the Atlantic Ocean crashes on the rocks just below it.
As a resident of New England, it always holds a special place in my heart, so we love vacationing there whenever we can. We often take trips to places like Martha’s Vineyard and Great Wolf Lodge, Massachusetts, and go skiing in Vermont and New Hampshire. But Maine is a unique place and a favorite of many.
About an hour’s drive from Boston (see below for directions to Ogunquit, Maine from Boston,) this is a great addition to any visit to Boston with kids. And this location offers stunning views of the beach and the Southern Coast of Maine.
Here’s why I think this makes a great destination for families, as well as the many amenities the hotel offers, and a little more about this historic location.
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About Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine
The Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine was built by Elsie Jane Weare, wife of Captain Theodore Weare, and opened in 1872. It soon became the premiere resort for many sophisticated elite families in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.
One of the reasons this Weare family resort was so popular is the location. Cliff House stretches across Bald Head Cliff, so it offers fantastic views of the waterfront and Cape Neddick scenery.
It was the place to be throughout the 1920s and 1930s but was taken over by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. It served as a radar station for hunting Nazi submarines trolling the coast because the German U-boats had already sunk 152 allied ships at the beginning of 1942.
Over the following decades, it went through a huge renovation to become the Cliff House in Southern Maine that we see today. Many of the suites and rooms have private terraces with gorgeous Atlantic Ocean views and exquisite coastal decor throughout.
The Cliff House Today
Words can’t do justice to the elegant yet comfortable and refined accommodations. You must see it in person!
This beautiful hotel also has a wellness center, and luxury spa, and a couple of restaurants. The Cliff House’s signature dining room is The Tiller restaurant which offers ocean views of the rocky coast and stunning views of Cape Neddick.
If you’re looking for the ultimate Maine coast experience, The Cliff House offers delicious lobster dishes like lobster rolls at Nubb’s Lobster Shack. And you can visit Bald Head Coffee to get your coffee fix and fill up on seasonal light bites made from locally caught fish, beef raised locally, and fresh Maine produce.
Then visit The Cove Bar and Grille in the evenings for refreshing drinks, to munch on appetizers, and relax by the hotel hot tub and pool.
Cliff House Maine boasts over 25,000 square feet of event space where you can create a memorable and extraordinary social event or wedding.
As you can see, The Cliff House Resort offers a total package of oceanfront dining and beautiful accommodations in graceful coastal style with sweeping views of Cape Neddick and the Atlantic Ocean.
The Cliff House Location
The Cliff House Resort is located between Ogunquit and York, Maine. This iconic resort sits atop the majestic cliffs that overlook the southern coast of Maine, with views stretching to Nubble Lighthouse and York Beach.
It’s just one hour north of Boston, which makes it a convenient weekend trip for people living in New England. And with the scenic towns York and Ogunquit located nearby with their amazing shopping, restaurants, Ogunquit playhouse, and beaches, it makes a great shopping trip or family vacation at the beach.
Its location on Bald Head Cliff is what makes this resort truly special because it hosts some of New England’s best oceanfront views.
And since Maine produces a diverse variety of fresh seafood and other locally sourced ingredients, the food at Cliff House, Maine, is phenomenal.
Here’s Why the Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine, is for Families
So, you may be wondering why I’m saying that a luxury resort makes the perfect New England family vacation. I get it, but here’s the thing, the accommodations are amazing and the food delicious, but it’s more about the experience this location in New England offers.
Being so close to the Atlantic Ocean means there are plenty of beaches to visit, fun activities and experiences in the area, and the best shopping and dining.
Families can choose from a variety of hotel rooms with terraces, two double beds, family suites with bunk beds, and amazing oceanfront views. Most rooms have two king beds, and you can even stay in one, two, or three-bedroom suites. One or two king beds seem to be a standard feature of all rooms.
If you have a large family, you may want to book the luxury cottage. It has a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, and a private terrace with beautiful scenery surrounding you. Friends of ours booked this room, and it was like a Disney Vacation Club Resort room (only it’s not part of Disney.)
And besides the comfortably refined guest rooms and cottages, and majestic views, there are so many things for kids to do.
Things To Do With Kids at The Cliff House Maine Ogunquit Resort
First of all, there are three hotel pools; one is dedicated to families surrounded by fun outside games like corn hole that the whole family will love, and one is indoor. The third pool is an adult-only pool overlooking the ocean.
And if you have a golfer in the family, he or she gets exclusive access to the Cape Neddick Golf Club next door. Guests can enjoy the resort’s North Point Driving Range on the north point of the cliff, and guests can drive eco-friendly golf balls (they’re formulated to break down upon entry into the water) off the cliff into the ocean!
Plus, the Cliff House offers seasonal recreational options for family fun, like biking, hiking, fishing, river kayaking, and more. But the lobstering trips are some of our favorite things to do because they totally immerse you in an authentic Maine lobstering experience where you use lobster traps to catch these crustaceans.
There are lawn games and painting classes on the property, a movie theater with family-friendly movies, a fire pit for smores, kid menus, and so much more.
Cliff House Amenities At A Glance
When you stay at Cliff House, you get access to many thoughtful amenities that were created for families like:
- An indoor pool
- Two seasonal outdoor pools
- Outdoor and indoor hot tubs
- Serta Signature Suite Elite II mattresses
- In-room safe
- 55-inch flat-screen TV
- In-room steamer
- In-room beverage chiller
- Cozy Signature bathrobes
- Maine Stations offering complimentary sparkling and still water, tea, coffee, and fresh local milk on every floor and complimentary snacks
- 24-hour fitness center
- Local excursions, adventures, and events
- Spoondrift the gift shop in the hotel lobby
- A variety of dining options on-site like the main dining room, The Tiller restaurant, Bald Head Coffee Co., and Nubb’s Lobster Shack
- The Cove Bar and Grille at The Cove Pool
- Day spa
And more.
10 Reasons the Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine
There are many reasons we think the Cliff House is perfect for families with kids of all ages, but here are my top 10.
1. Family Suites with Bunk Beds and Full Kitchens
Suites like the two-bedroom corner oceanfront bunk suite come with bunk beds which are perfect for the kids. It also has three private balconies. Cliff House also has a smaller sleepaway bunk suite with bunk beds, and some suites come with kitchens.
2. Smores By The Fire
My kids love eating s’mores by the fire in the evenings. You can purchase s’mores packages to roast over the firepits outside while you take in the beautiful views of the night sky.
3. A Family-Dedicated Pool
We also love that Cliff House has one pool dedicated to families and one for guests ages 13 years and up. The separate pools allow adults vacationing by themselves or with older kids to not be bothered by smaller children, and families can feel comfortable in the family pool.
4. Movie Nights
Our kids really enjoy watching movies at the on-site Hartwig Theatre, which makes Cliff House a great place for a family vacation. In the afternoons and evenings, all guests can watch movies in the theatre if you’re looking for a quiet but fun night in.
5. Family Painting Classes
Art classes are available all year long at Cliff House. Enjoy Plein Air Painting (painting outside), group and couples classes, and private art courses. Also, there is a Paint a Memory Class that is perfect for people of all ages to enjoy as the onsite artist walks you step-by-step through the process.
6. Wonderful Family-Friendly On-site Restaurants
One of the most important parts of a family vacation is the dining options. And with Cliff House being so upscale, you may be worried if there are kid-friendly options. Rest assured that all four restaurants and bars on-site offer kids’ menus and food the whole family will love.
The family fun continues at Nubb’s Lobster Shack, where once you order at the window, you have various seating options. You can belly up to the bar, find relaxed indoor seating, or head outside for fun lawn games like cornhole until your food is ready.
7. Indoor Pool
My family also loves that we can swim all year round with the indoor pool and hot tub. And all the hotel pools are salt water, just like the nearby ocean. You’ll find the indoor pool on the 4th floor right across from the lobster shack.
8. Kids’ Indoor Play Area
The Cliff House Resort in Ogunquit, Maine, has an indoor play area for the kids to enjoy in bad weather. It also has many fun activities onsite that kids can participate in with an accompanying adult. From movies to build-a-bear, build-a-boat, kid’s exercise classes, learning labs, botanical tours, paint-a-memory, and more, this Maine resort has so many things for families to enjoy.
9. Lawn Games
The lawn games themselves are worth highlighting because it goes to show just how important family fun is to the owners and staff of Cliff House. Every day you can play family-friendly lawn games like bocce, ladder ball, cornhole, kan jam, and more.
10. The Cliff House in Ogunquit is Close to Many Main Activities and Scenic Places to Visit
Another reason we love staying at the Cliff House is there is so much to see and do! It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in Maine scenery and activities with great places to visit, like Ogunquit, York, Cape Neddick, and other seaport towns.
You’ll want to take in the scenery while you’re there. And places like the beach, Mount Agamenticus, and the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge let you see the local wildlife and go hiking, biking, swimming, and more. You can go on boat rides and look for seals as well as visit historic sights like the Nubble Lighthouse in the area.
And, of course, there are typical family-friendly activities like trips to the candy store in Perkins Cove, mini-golf, museum visits, shops, and more.
Directions to Ogunquit, Maine
Driving to the Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine
The Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine, is located in Southern Maine, between Ogunquit and York. It is about an hour’s drive from Boston, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire, and 45 minutes from Portland, Maine.
Flying to Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine
The nearest airports are: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire (MHT), and Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine (PWM.) You will need to rent a car or book a shuttle to get to the Cliff House from the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine, have a beach?
The Cliff House does have a private beach for Guests, but it is a bit rocky in this area. Not far is the town of Ogunquit, and there are traditional sand beaches there, as well as in nearby York Beach.
What City Is The Cliff House in Maine?
The Cliff House is located in Ogunquit, about an hour’s drive from Boston.
Final Thoughts On Cliff House Maine Ogunquit For Families
Since its inception, The Cliff House has been a preferred resort for many New Englanders. And it makes the perfect family vacation for people who want to stay in a prime area for sights to see and kid-friendly activities.
I know that you’ll love The Cliff House Maine Ogunquit as much as we do. You don’t even have to leave the property to find fun things to do, but I definitely recommend you do, as Maine has so much to see.
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