Cliff House Maine: The Ultimate Family Guide & Honest Review
If you’ve been following Big Boy Travel for a while, you know our absolute favorite family resort in the U.S. is Grandview Lodge in Minnesota. But after our recent three-night stay, Cliff House Maine might just be giving it a serious run for its money!
We visited this iconic Cape Neddick property in early October. We were coming off an incredible Halloween weekend down in Salem, Massachusetts, where we actually got to tour around with the original cast of Hocus Pocus! Since Cliff House is only a scenic 90-minute drive from Boston and Salem, it was the absolute perfect add-on to wrap up our New England trip.
In the past, we’ve explored Cape Ann—including Hammond Castle, Long Beach, and Rockport Village for fresh lobster—but this time, we wanted the true Maine experience. Set on 70 scenic acres of dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, this historic property (which originally opened in 1872) delivers incredible oceanfront sunrises and a refined coastal vibe that is completely relaxing.
Here is our complete guide to experiencing Cliff House Maine with kids, including the unforgettable day trips, the best resort amenities, and a completely honest look at the drawbacks.
🌊 The Resort Experience: Coastal Luxury
The primary appeal of Cliff House is its breathtaking, panoramic setting. You are perched directly on the cliffs with expansive windows everywhere you look.
The Rooms: We stayed in the Cliffscape building, and the modern, coastal-inspired decor was spot on. Our room featured a private balcony overlooking the ocean and high-end touches like an in-room steamer. But the absolute showstopper? The robust, heavy bathrobes. They were so incredibly soft to the touch that we actually bought one to take home! (Note: The resort also offers bunkbed rooms if you need extra space for the kids).
Family Fun on the Property
While it caters heavily to luxury-seeking adults, Cliff House is packed with amenities that kids will love:
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The Pools: The resort has an incredible year-round outdoor heated pool and hot tub perched right over the ocean, plus a massive indoor pool. A quick warning for parents: the deck surface around the indoor pool gets very slippery, but our kids absolutely loved swimming there.
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Poolside Service: We practically lived in the lounge chairs! We relied heavily on the pool waitstaff for drinks and cocktails, and grabbed easy takeout food right down the hallway at Nubb’s Lobster Shack.
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Movie Nights & S’mores: The resort has a cinema room for movie screenings, a game library, and nightly s’mores at the outdoor fire pits overlooking the ocean.
Let’s Be Real: The Drawbacks
At Big Boy Travel, we always shoot straight. While we loved our stay, you are paying luxury prices, and there are a few pitfalls you need to know about before booking:
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Cost vs. Value & Service: The resort is expensive, and you may find that the service doesn’t always match the 4-star price tag. Like many seasonal resorts, they rely on seasonal staff, which can lead to slower service or inconsistencies during peak times.
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Pool Restrictions: There are no waterslides here. Also, if you visit during the core summer months, the main outdoor infinity pool is strictly 13+ only to keep things quiet. Families are directed to the Cove Pool (kids’ splash area) or the indoor pool. Since we went in October, this wasn’t an issue for us!
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Property Quirks: The hotel layout can feel like a bit of a confusing “maze” between the different wings. We also noticed that common area seating (like around the fireplaces) is pretty limited given the volume of guests.
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Room Noise: Some rooms have loud mechanical HVAC heating/cooling units that might bother light sleepers.
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No Direct Beach Access: You are on dramatic, rocky cliffs. If your kids want to build sandcastles, you’ll have to drive off-property.
🦞 Dining at the Resort
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The Tiller Restaurant: This is the resort’s high-end, locally sourced oceanfront dining option. It’s fantastic for a scenic meal (often with live music on weekends), but it is pricey.
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Nubb’s Lobster Shack: Great for a casual, quintessential Maine meal. As mentioned, grabbing takeout from here to eat by the pool is a major parental win.
Pro-Tip: Because on-site dining is expensive and can feel a bit overhyped for the price, we highly recommend venturing into nearby towns for some of your meals!
🚗 Epic Day Trips Just Down the Road
Because Cliff House Maine is perfectly secluded but centrally located, we used it as a launchpad for exploring. Make sure to stop by the famous Cape Neddick Lighthouse (“Nubble Lighthouse”) on your way to or from Massachusetts—it’s a classic photo op!
Our absolute favorite day trip was a multi-stop adventure that gave our kids “one of their best days ever”:
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Morning in Perkins Cove (Ogunquit): We explored the charming shops, walked the famous bridge, and hit up a local lobster stand where we scored two fresh lobsters for only $20! 2. Midday in Kennebunkport: We headed north to Kennebunkport to walk the shops and grab some sweet treats. The highlight for us adults? Finding a fantastic bar built entirely inside an old ship!
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Afternoon at Ogunquit Beach: Because the resort doesn’t have a sandy beach, this was our beach time. Our kids spent literally hours gathering dozens of hermit crabs in the sand and creating a massive hermit crab habitat. It was free, simple, and the absolute highlight of their trip.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a breathtaking coastal escape that balances high-end amenities (and an incredible 9,000-square-foot luxury spa for mom and dad) with fun, accessible memories for the kids, Cliff House Maine is absolutely worth the trip. Just manage your expectations regarding the resort fees and seasonal service, plan to eat a few meals off-site, and you’ll have an unforgettable New England family vacation!
