The Craignair Inn by the Sea

Robert C

2024-04

I live close by, so I do not stay there. I am sure it is quality. The area is stunning.If you get a chance to enjoy the Prix fixe meals here, you will not be let down. Just off the charts for Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Perfect ambiance, presentation, service and quality. A "Do not hesitate" date.

Ilya Bass

2023-12

We had an amazing stay for a three nights getaway. The location of the inn is fantastic, right on the coast with great views of the ocean and a cove on the other side. Clark Island is a nice place to hike and is just short walk away; plenty more options to explore around the area for hiking and culture. The owners are very attentive and helpful with recommendations. Rooms are very clean and tastefully decorated. Breakfast options are plentiful and tasty. Highly recommend!

RD

2023-12

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Daniel Minden

2023-11

An absolutely lovely inn that I cannot recommend enough. If you want a relaxing, peaceful taste of mid-coast Maine with friendly service and excellent food and drinks, this is the place to go. Lauren and Greg go out of their way to make customers feel at home.The Craigair is a beautiful, historic property that has been well restored — and its restaurant, The Causeway, has a delicious menu and fantastic bar with great cocktails and a deep selection of whiskys and a very good wine list. And the restaurant serves complementary breakfast on a nice patio. It’s also right next to Clark Island, which has a gorgeous 2-mile trail that you can walk along, right by the ocean.In our room with the window open, we could hear the waves in the morning from our bed, as we relaxed. Highly recommend! Thank you, Lauren, Greg and team!

coolest kid

2023-11

I had a wonderful experience here! All of the employees are very friendly and remember your accommodations and preferences. When I went here I needed to have food with no dairy, they remembered that and gave me recommendations on other dishes they had there. They have a wide variety of vegan and gluten free dishes which is very professional and up to the times, they are also super tasty 😋! The room service was great and it is also dog friendly so you see happy dogs around which is a bonus.

Gillian Bonazoli

2023-08

Great visit to the Cottage at the Craignair Inn! This seaside cottage is utterly charming, clean and very well equipped. Super comfy beds and lovely linens! The upstairs suite of rooms are so lovely overlooking the sea and the little balcony off the bedroom is the perfect spot for morning coffee or evening cocktails. The owners and staff were very welcoming and it was a pleasure to have a delicious breakfast at the Inn on two of our three mornings. We have stayed and dined at the Craignair Inn several times over a number of years. Although we loved its traditional old time Maine vibe we are very happy to see the changes and new life that are being brought to the Inn by the current owners and proprietors. The care, attention to detail and dedication is evident.We look forward to our next visit.

RW

2023-08

A truly wonderful experience! This was our first trip to Maine and we are so glad we found Craignair Inn. The room was delightful and quiet, and the views were breathtaking. There is nothing better than greeting the morning with a cup of coffee on the deck with your dog by your side. And don’t forget to try the fresh blueberry pancakes. Their hospitality and kindness show through everything they do. We can’t wait to go back.

Robby Tucker

2023-09

This hotel outperforms so many other more expensive hotels in the area. They have done a great job creating a hub of hospitality in a quiet area. We stayed here somewhat spontaneously to celebrate our anniversary and we're so pleasantly surprised with how well they managed to offer a modern experience with an a nod to the past of the property/area. The restaurant is VERY good - wide menu covering lots of bases and great service. The rooms are very comfortable with nice views of the causeway and Clark Island. The only downside was separate (but private) bathrooms which we knew of going in, not a real problem. I loved the incorporation of local art downstairs which does well to tie in with the vibrant local art scene. It was torrentially raining during our stay but otherwise we'd have spent the evening outside by the firepit and yard games provided. There is a good chance we will be back here for future getaways!

Margaret Weeks

2023-09

Awesome experience all around. Great sleeping beds. Very peaceful stay. Walking path around adjacent island and trails access could not be easier. More than dog friendly, dog loving! Food was exceptional all around. Breakfast and dinner delicious with beautiful presentations. Friendly accommodating staff. We will define return and send friends!

MadMoose

2023-09

I didn't stay at the inn; I had dinner in their restaurant, The Causeway. We had a reservation, but still waited 20 minutes, but there were empty tables that were never used while we were there ( we were the second to last seated/served for the night).Service was slow despite plenty of staff. Food was great in concept, but poor in execution - thick gooey sauces, undercooked meat, items not blended properly, etc. The highlight were the grilled oysters. I might be picky, but at those prices, I deserve to be.They have a deck you can eat on. It was nighttime and under 60° yet they kept the sliding door open!The entire first floor seems to be dedicated to the restaurant - it seems they turned what used to be a room for guests to relax into a additional dining tables.Big parking lot.

Kellie Valeriani

2023-05

The Inn was gorgeous and in such an incredible location. Views on the water from our room were so lovely! We were greeted by the owner Greg, and we felt so welcome. Dinner was incredible and the drinks were wonderful! Nice ambience by the fire. Breakfast in the morning was perfect with delicious coffee. Spent the morning walking around Clark island right along the water. We will definitely be back for sunsets and sunrises!

Mike S

2023-05

We will surely stay here again ! We very much enjoyed our stay at the Craignair Inn by the Sea. The Inn is an historic property, so some quirkiness is offset by charm and a beautiful seaside landscape. Owners Lauren and Greg were friendly and accommodating. One evening we arrived back at the Inn, having had dinner reservations at an area restaurant fall through. Greg went to the kitchen and served us the most delicious carrot ginger soup with warm rolls. We didn't want him to bother, but he insisted that we have something to eat. Such a caring and thoughtful host ! The included breakfast choices were wonderful. We also had an amazing dinner at the Inn's restaurant, The Causeway.

Kayleigh Sullivan

2023-05

What a gem! The inn is on a road that dead-ends with the Clark Island Causeway making it a wonderfully quiet and peaceful location. Our room met all our needs – the bed and linens were very comfortable and the ceiling and bedside fans brought in a nice sea breeze on some warmer than usual September days. We thoroughly enjoyed reading, watching the sun set, and following the tides from the lovely new balcony off our room on the second floor. The restaurant was right below our balcony and I worried about noise disruption since I’m a light sleeper, however, the sound did not seem to travel into the room at all. Breakfast each morning was just fantastic with so many delicious options to choose from. The restaurant is such a convenience if you simply want to walk downstairs for dinner and the meal we had there was tasty as well. It was fun to explore Clark Island, which has easy walking trails but enough to keep us occupied for half a day. Camden Hills State Park is only about 30 minutes away for those who want something a little more rigorous. It was nice to have the option to travel to Camden/Rockland for some exploring and food, but the tranquility of the inn was so welcomed each time we returned! Lauren was a very hospitable host and responded to all emails/calls within hours. The Craignair crew is doing a wonderful job and we hope to become regular guests!

Jane Seitz

2024-01

We went for dinner New Year’s EveArrived early and had delicious blueberry margarita at the very pretty barPresentation was beautifulOut server Susan was wonderfulFood was amazingMenu had great diversity with optionsGreat area for photo shoots for New Year’s EveOwner made the roundsHeaters in porch were wonderfulI would return and recommend

Emma O'Brien

2023-09

The most magical hidden gem in Maine. We love this spot because it’s so friendly for our kids, walkable to Clarke island & incredible food! Lovely hiking trails for dogs & kids too, with a fun quarry to swim in on the island, and two beautiful beaches. The owners are really warm and thoughtful, feels like an extension of being invited to a home. Our room was lovely, with an en suite room for our two year old was perfect for a family with two kids under 2. We enjoyed dinner on the deck at the Causeway, definitely book ahead for a reservation! Lovely firepit & games out on the lawn for the evenings. Close to rockland & Camden for shopping, and a short drive from McLoons lobster for the best lobster on the East Coast! Easily my favorite under-the-radar spot to stay in Maine. We will be coming back next summer for sure!

JNo

2023-06

I didn't want to leave. Think old school inn, with just the right updated touches. There's no town or shopping. There's a stunning view and amazing breezes. In May, it was cool enough for an outdoor fire pit, an indoor fireplace, and Yahtzee! Check out their dinner menu. We LOVED breakfast and those BISCUITS. Clark Island and it's beach is right there. It was quiet for us, but I can imagine you might tread lightly and be respectful of your neighbors.

Eleanor Marks

2023-06

Loved our room: gorgeous ocean/tidal/island views from our deck. Food was luscious: super-local, fresh, and incredibly inventive, hearty and generous and surprising riffs.And best were the owners: Lauren and Greg Soutiea as high-energy, warmly welcoming guides to the whole mid-coast Maine adventure (check out Greg’s blogs and writing on the web, and check out their bios.) They really love their community, their staff: what heartfelt enthusiasm!I love this place: their home is filled with ever-changing artwork, great music and they love dogs too!Rooms: Stunning view with private large deck.Nearby activities: Both coastal and inland Maine: boating, swimming, hiking…and tons of arts buzz from Boothbay to Rockland and Camden.Safety: Totally safe, surrounded by lush rural setting and the ever-changing ocean and tides.Walkability: Incredible walk across the causeway to a Maine Coast Heritage Island.Food & drinks: One word: luscious!Noteworthy details: Car charging station! Gourmet restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Stunning natural setting. Really down-to-earth warm and welcoming hosts. Some dog-froendly rooms!

Sara Patel

2023-06

Stopped here to try the vegan lobster rolls. Unfortunately they didn’t have them available at lunch time but they had the vegan crab cakes and we ordered two rounds because it was so delicious! The service, the view, and the ambiance definitely made us think to just stay there for the night but they were fully booked for a wedding. We will definitely be returning to Maine and staying here for a few nights.

Jessica Talbot

2023-05

My husband and I loved our stay at The Craignair Inn a couple of weeks ago! Our room was really cute with a little deck that looked out on the water. Our daily breakfast was great and we especially loved dinner at the Causeway. I had one of the largest lobsters I have even seen — and it was delicious. The owners are friendly, kind, and had great suggestions for things to do in the local area. We would love to go back!

Sue Smulski

2023-05

Perfect setting for a much needed quick getaway!Our experience was outstanding and unusual in many ways.First, There is nothing we could suggest to be changed.Greg and Lauren are wonderful hosts but also are on-site, fully engaged owners.The experience delivered better than any large, well resourced hotel . The difference was we felt like we were staying with good friends. Dinner was delicious. Enjoyed the best crab cakes ever tasted. The dining room features a fireplace and piano among rotating art exibits from local crafters. The Inn Is immaculate and priced appropriately. Every detail of our stay was planned and executed. With the help of our hosts we enjoyed outings to Museums, nature walks and shopping, all within a 30 min. Drive.Would not change a thing! Unexpected were the beautiful sunset watched from our room windows and a delicious complimentary breakfast overlooking the bay/Clark's island.Highly recommend you visit anytime of the year!

MJ

2023-05

This place was a gem by the sea…Everything was flawless from checking in to having dinner and breakfast! The food was the best I have eaten in years and I travel extensively! The staff was amazing and friendly and accommodating I can’t wait to come back to visit again Thank you so much!! I really didn’t want to leave, the interior of the Inn was so warm & welcoming,books,art, cozy chairs and a beautiful piano.I can’t wait to come back and explore the bay out front!! See you soon as I will be back this summer Absolutely loved the couple that run it 😍Their heart & soul is in it 💯

Micah Risk

2023-05

My only complaint is that we couldn’t stay longer! The owners and staff are all incredibly friendly, accommodating and welcoming. The rooms are perfectly clean and very comfortable. The restaurant is probably the best in the entire state of Maine, serving up super fresh, creative and flavorful dishes.The location is something you have to see to believe. The views are stunning and picturesque, unique beaches with crystal clear water, and the area is full of adventure for all ages. We can not wait to return!

Kevin Falco

2023-05

Our stay at the Craignair Inn was incredible and we absolutely will be returning. The setting was idyllic and accommodations were perfect. The room was well furnished, comfortable, and cozy. The service setup was also top notch with coffee/tea available first thing in the morning to let you watch the sunrise and kick your day off. The complimentary breakfast was delicious every morning and super easy - pre-ordered the night before and ready nearly right as you sit down at your table in the morning.If you choose to stay here, you'd be remiss to not dine at the Causeway Restaurant which has now taken over as our favorite dining establishment. The food was simply incredible...make sure you leave room for dessert!!Lauren and Greg (and the whole team) are always around, friendly and willing to help with anything. Thank you all for a fantastic weekend and we will see you next time!

Helen Tory

2023-05

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Pamela Evans

2023-05

Friendly, cheerful, accommodating hosts make a huge difference in a getaway experience, and that perfectly describes the Craignair proprietors! This is a very pleasant, unassuming place in a beautiful location. Just wish the restaurant were open for dinner mid-week in the off-season as it's quite a drive to anyplace else that is. Our room was clean and comfortable and the after 9:00 p.m. quiet policy kept things peaceful at night.

James Larvia

2023-05

My wife and I stayed at The Craignair February of 2023 for their Mardi Gras celebration tasting meal. We stayed for two days and loved everything. The food was great. The room was cozy and comfortable. We had a room in the main house with a deck to sit on that had the best view of any room we have ever stayed in. Both of the owners were always around and accessible if we needed anything. We are planning on making The Craignair Inn a regular recommendation and adding it to our favorites list

dan schwartz

2023-07

This is a truly wonderful spot on the coast with the best restaurant on the peninsula on the premises. There's lots of hiking in the area, two well known lighthouses close by, Owl's Head and Marshall Point, and is fairly close to both Port Clyde and Rockland.The restaurant is fantastic with all kinds of fare and in particular, many vegetarian options. The food is great however you chose. Add a small but excellent whisky list, local craft beers, and an ample wine selection and you have all the makings of memorable meal. Great views are a bonus!Will stay here whenever I'm in the area.RECENT UPDATE! Stayed last weekend and am happy to report that the whisky list has grown and is now quite lengthy and impressive, regardless of your budget.

R Benner (Rain)

2024-04

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Being Authentic

2023-05

We had a great stay at the Inn. Courteous staff, awesome location, the walk in the nearby island was spectacular.In addition, the breakfast is prepared to-order; and the dinner at the restaurant was beyond expectations, it’s clear that the best chefs work there.It was our first time traveling in Maine, and our stay at this place was the best.

Alex Zipparo

2023-05

Our stay couldn’t have been better. I’ve wanted to stay here for several years and the space and service exceeded my expectations. The owners are lovely and attentive, and have curated a unique and thrilling experience for guests. The room was stylish and clean, and the proximity to water can’t be beat. The breakfast included the most perfect pancakes I’ve ever had. I only wish I had taken advantage of the extras offered with our stay- next time!