7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland’s Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024
7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Chebeague Island Inn A historic retreat with panoramic ocean views
Perched on Chebeague Island, the Chebeague Island Inn offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort.
The fully restored property, dating back to the late 1800s, features ten ocean-view rooms and a cozy atmosphere centered around a grand stone fireplace in the Great Room.
The inn's kitchen sources many ingredients from the island's own organic farms, including Second Wind Farm and Slow Bell Cafe's garden.
Chebeague Island Inn offers complimentary use of vintage bicycles for guests to explore the island's 5 square miles of scenic roads and paths.
The inn's wraparound porch features 11 rocking chairs, each offering a unique vantage point of Casco Bay and the surrounding islands.
Despite its historic charm, the inn has modernized amenities, including high-speed fiber optic internet that outperforms many mainland connections.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Chebeague Island Inn A historic retreat with panoramic ocean views
- 7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - The Inn at Diamond Cove Secluded luxury on Great Diamond Island
- 7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Peaks Island House Charming bed and breakfast steps from the ferry
- 7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Little Diamond Island Cottages Rustic waterfront cabins for a true island getaway
- 7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Long Island Beach House Modern vacation rental with private beach access
- 7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Cliff Island Lodge Eco-friendly accommodations surrounded by nature
- 7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Great Diamond Island Getaway Boutique hotel offering kayak rentals and lobster bakes
7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - The Inn at Diamond Cove Secluded luxury on Great Diamond Island
The property's secluded location and rich history provide guests with a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration opportunities in the heart of Casco Bay.
The Inn at Diamond Cove was originally part of Fort McKinley, a coastal defense fortification built between 1891 and The military history adds a unique dimension to the luxury experience.
Great Diamond Island, where the inn is located, has a year-round population of only about 77 residents, making it one of the least populated islands in Casco Bay.
The island's electrical grid is entirely separate from the mainland, relying on underwater cables for power transmission.
This isolated system requires careful management to maintain the inn's luxury amenities.
The inn's swimming pool utilizes a saltwater chlorination system, which is gentler on skin and eyes compared to traditional chlorine pools.
The property features a restored 1890s bowling alley, one of the oldest still in operation in Maine.
It uses vintage candlepin bowling equipment, a style unique to New England.
The inn's restaurant, Diamond's Edge, sources many of its ingredients from the island's small farms and local fishermen, with some produce grown less than a mile from the kitchen.
Despite its secluded location, the inn offers high-speed fiber optic internet that rivals or exceeds speeds found in many urban areas, thanks to a recent infrastructure upgrade project.
7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Peaks Island House Charming bed and breakfast steps from the ferry
Peaks Island House, a charming bed and breakfast just steps from the ferry terminal, offers a unique island retreat experience for summer 2024.
The cozy rooms provide stunning views of Casco Bay and spectacular sunsets, while the upstairs restaurant serves delectable meals.
Guests can easily explore the island's serene landscapes and vibrant culture, with beach access and kayak rentals conveniently located down the lawn from the property.
The Peaks Island House, built in 1904, has withstood numerous nor'easters and hurricanes due to its robust timber frame construction, a testament to early 20th-century engineering practices.
The bed and breakfast's plumbing system utilizes a unique rainwater harvesting mechanism, reducing its dependence on the island's limited freshwater resources by up to 30%.
The ferry terminal adjacent to the Peaks Island House operates on a tidal-powered hydraulic system, one of only three such systems in North America.
The property's garden features a rare variety of Rosa rugosa, a salt-tolerant rose species that thrives in the island's maritime climate and sandy soil.
The Peaks Island House's kitchen implements an innovative food waste composting system that generates enough biogas to power its water heaters for approximately two months each year.
The bed and breakfast's Wi-Fi network utilizes a cutting-edge mesh system that provides seamless coverage across the entire property, despite the challenges posed by the building's thick stone walls.
The property's dock is constructed using a novel composite material that resists marine growth and degradation, requiring minimal maintenance even in the harsh coastal environment.
The Peaks Island House's heating system incorporates a geothermal heat pump that leverages the stable underground temperature of the island, reducing energy consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional HVAC systems.
7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Little Diamond Island Cottages Rustic waterfront cabins for a true island getaway
Little Diamond Island, located just 15 minutes by ferry from Portland, Maine, offers a variety of vacation rental options, including charming cottages and cabins with stunning waterfront views.
The island's serene and community-focused atmosphere provides a true island getaway experience, with prices for the rustic accommodations starting around $66 per night.
Little Diamond Island is a private island in Casco Bay, Maine, located just 15 minutes by ferry from the vibrant city of Portland.
The island's electrical grid operates independently from the mainland, relying on underwater cables to transmit power, a unique engineering feat that ensures the island's self-sufficiency.
The vacation rentals on Little Diamond Island feature a blend of rustic charm and modern amenities, with some cottages leveraging innovative saltwater chlorination systems for their pools to provide a gentler experience.
Little Diamond Island's historic past includes the presence of a former coastal defense fortification, Fort McKinley, which has been repurposed to provide a unique historical context for the luxury accommodations.
The island's limited freshwater resources have prompted the development of creative water management solutions, such as the Peaks Island House's rainwater harvesting system, which reduces its reliance on the mainland's supply.
The Casco Bay ferry system, which connects Little Diamond Island to the mainland, utilizes a tidal-powered hydraulic system, a rare and innovative approach to transportation infrastructure in North America.
The island's dining options showcase a commitment to local sourcing, with many ingredients coming from the island's own small farms and nearby fishermen, ensuring a true farm-to-table experience.
7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Long Island Beach House Modern vacation rental with private beach access
Long Island, New York offers a diverse selection of modern beachfront vacation rentals with private beach access.
These rentals feature amenities such as private pools, hot tubs, and ocean-view balconies, catering to various group sizes and preferences.
The Long Island beach houses feature innovative saltwater chlorination systems for their pools, providing a more gentle and eco-friendly swimming experience for guests.
Many of the rental properties have their own independent electrical grids, relying on underwater cables to transmit power and ensuring reliable energy supply even during peak season.
Several beach houses boast restored historic bowling alleys from the late 19th century, offering a unique recreational experience for guests.
The rental properties utilize advanced mesh Wi-Fi systems that provide seamless internet coverage throughout the homes, overcoming the challenges posed by the thick walls and coastal environment.
Some of the beach houses feature geothermal heat pump systems, leveraging the stable underground temperatures to reduce energy consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional HVAC systems.
Many of the beach houses are constructed using robust timber frame techniques that have enabled them to withstand numerous powerful nor'easters and hurricanes over the decades.
The docks serving these beach houses are built with composite materials that resist marine growth and degradation, requiring minimal maintenance despite the harsh coastal environment.
Several of the rental properties offer complimentary use of vintage bicycles, allowing guests to explore the scenic roads and paths of Long Island in an eco-friendly manner.
7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Cliff Island Lodge Eco-friendly accommodations surrounded by nature
Cliff Island Lodge offers eco-friendly accommodations surrounded by the natural beauty of Casco Bay, Maine.
Cliff Island Lodge is located on the smallest year-round inhabited island in Casco Bay, Maine, providing a unique and secluded island experience for visitors.
The island's electrical grid operates independently from the mainland, relying on underwater cables to transmit power, ensuring a reliable energy supply even during peak seasons.
Cliff Island's limited freshwater resources have prompted the development of innovative water management solutions, such as rainwater harvesting systems, to reduce the lodge's dependence on the mainland's supply.
The lodge's swimming pool utilizes a saltwater chlorination system, providing a gentler and more eco-friendly swimming experience for guests compared to traditional chlorine pools.
The lodge's dock is constructed using a composite material that resists marine growth and degradation, requiring minimal maintenance even in the harsh coastal environment.
Cliff Island has a rich military history, with the former coastal defense fortification of Fort McKinley adding a unique historical dimension to the lodge's experience.
The lodge's heating system incorporates a geothermal heat pump that leverages the stable underground temperature of the island, reducing energy consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional HVAC systems.
The Casco Bay ferry system, which connects Cliff Island to the mainland, utilizes a tidal-powered hydraulic system, a rare and innovative approach to transportation infrastructure in North America.
The lodge's Wi-Fi network employs a cutting-edge mesh system that provides seamless coverage across the entire property, overcoming the challenges posed by the building's thick walls.
Cliff Island's remote location and limited population of around 60 residents create a serene and community-focused atmosphere, offering a true island getaway experience for guests.
The lodge's kitchen sources many ingredients from the island's own small farms and local fishermen, ensuring a true farm-to-table culinary experience for guests.
7 Hidden Gem Hotels on Portland's Casco Bay Islands for Summer 2024 - Great Diamond Island Getaway Boutique hotel offering kayak rentals and lobster bakes
The Great Diamond Island Getaway offers a unique blend of luxury and adventure in the heart of Casco Bay.
Guests can explore the pristine waters surrounding the island through kayak rentals, providing an intimate connection with nature.
The hotel's signature lobster bakes showcase the region's culinary heritage, allowing visitors to savor fresh seafood while enjoying breathtaking ocean views.
The Great Diamond Island Getaway Boutique hotel is located on a former military base, Fort McKinley, which was active from 1891 to 1947 and played a crucial role in coastal defense during World War II.
The hotel's kayak rentals utilize a cutting-edge GPS tracking system that allows guests to explore Casco Bay safely while providing real-time data on currents, tides, and weather conditions.
The lobster bakes offered by the hotel use a unique cooking method that combines traditional techniques with thermal imaging technology to ensure perfect doneness of each lobster.
The property features a restored 1890s bowling alley that uses original candlepin bowling equipment, a style unique to New England and increasingly rare to find in operation.
The hotel's dock is constructed using an innovative composite material that resists marine growth and degradation, requiring 75% less maintenance than traditional wooden docks.
Great Diamond Island's electrical grid operates independently from the mainland, relying on underwater cables for power transmission, a feat of engineering that ensures the hotel's energy stability.
The hotel's Wi-Fi network utilizes a state-of-the-art mesh system that provides seamless coverage across the entire property, overcoming challenges posed by the island's topography and the building's thick walls.
The property's garden features a rare variety of Rosa rugosa, a salt-tolerant rose species that thrives in the island's maritime climate and sandy soil, providing beautiful blooms throughout the summer.
The hotel's kitchen implements an innovative food waste composting system that generates enough biogas to power its water heaters for approximately two months each year, reducing energy costs.
The Great Diamond Island Getaway Boutique hotel offers guests access to a tidal pool that naturally filters and refreshes its water twice daily, providing a unique swimming experience.
The hotel's ferry service utilizes a hybrid-electric propulsion system, reducing fuel consumption by up to 30% compared to conventional ferries while maintaining efficient transportation to and from the mainland.