The family owned Meadowmere Resort puts the best of Ogunquit within footsteps. That’s not the only reason to stay here. The Meadowmere’s facilities make it as enticing for a family vacation as for a romantic escape. Not many accommodations can pull that off, but it does, and does so quite well.
The Meadowmere sold out of family ownership so expect different experience than mine.
Another plus: The resort is especially green. It was Ogunquit’s’s first certified eco-friendly green hotel. Among its programs: ozone laundry system, solar hot-water system, and 100-percent environmentally friendly cleaning products. Learn more about the resort’s green policies, here.
Park the car and forget it
The resort is sited on Route 1, between Obeds Lane and Bourne Lane, about two blocks from Shore Road. The location allows you to park your car and forget it; no need to deal with permits or traffic congestion. From here, it’s an easy walk 5- to 20-minute to Ogunquit’s restaurants and shops, the Ogunquit Playhouse, Perkins Cove, the beach, and the Marginal Way cliff-hugging footpath. Even better for families heading to the beach: The hotel offers wagons for toting beach gear. Don’t want to walk? Catch the seasonal trolley that connects with other trolley routes from York to Old Orchard Beach.
Another location plus: Jonathan’s Restaurant is next door. Go for dinner or better yet, dinner and a show in the intimate upstairs theater.
Choose the right room
Accommodations are spread among five buildings on a nicely landscaped campus. Room categories include resort rooms, various luxury suites, honeymoon suites, family suites, and, of course, ADA rooms. I’ve experienced two different accommodations: a luxury fireplace suite in the West Meadow building, and a Resort Room in the East Meadow building.
The luxury fireplace suite was, of course, more spacious and included a nice sitting area as well as a balcony overlooking the outdoor pool. The Resort Room, was perfect to share with a friend and it also had a small balcony. Both rooms had large TVs, individual temperature control, Wifi, and a refrigerator.
Enjoy Meadowmere’s resort amenities
The Meadowmere’s campus offers a full range of resort amenities, and it doesn’t charge those ridiculous resort fees. Enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor hot tub, an indoor Roman spa, a barbecue area, nicely tended gardens, a well-equipped fitness club, sauna and steam rooms, massage rooms, a theater-style TV room, a games room/arcade, a library, and more. In short, even when the resort is fully booked, you usually can slip away to a quiet spot, either inside or outdoors.
The Meadowmere’s West Meadow Pub, with a fireplace, TVs, and full bar, is open year round. I popped in with a friend for a glass of wine, and found it quite comfy. During summer season, a complimentary continental breakfast buffet is offered every morning. There’s also a full menu for lunch and dinner. Year round, it’s open late afternoon and evenings, offering drinks and a light menu. There’s live entertainment in the pub most weekends.
What to know: The Meadowmere Resort is open year round. It is not pet friendly (except for certified service dogs), but the friendly, helpful staff can recommend area boarding facilities (do make plans well in advance during summer and vacation weeks). Rates (2018) begin at $99 off season, $219 peak season.
