Guide to Unique Stays in Maine
Forget the chain hotels. Discover Maine's most memorable accommodations, from lighthouse keeper's houses and luxury treehouses to remote wilderness yurts.
Maine has never been big on cookie-cutter experiences, and that extends to where you sleep. While you can certainly find reliable chain hotels, the real magic of a Maine vacation often happens when you step outside the box. Imagine falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing below your lighthouse bedroom, waking up in a treehouse canopy, or skiing into a warm backcountry hut for a gourmet meal.
This guide explores the most distinctive, memorable, and unusual places to stay in the Pine Tree State.
Live the Lighthouse Life
Sleeping in a lighthouse is a bucket-list experience for many, and Maine offers several ways to do it—from luxury inns to rustic volunteer programs.
The Keeper’s House Inn (Isle au Haut) Located on a remote island roughly half of which is Acadia National Park, this is an off-grid masterpiece. The inn operates on solar power and wind, providing a true escape from the modern world. Guests stay in the historic keeper’s house or the oil house, enjoying gourmet meals by candlelight and the absolute silence of the ocean at night.
Little River Lighthouse (Cutler) For a more hands-on experience, you can stay at this island lighthouse in Downeast Maine. It’s a “rustic” stay—guests bring their own food and linens—but the reward is having an entire island to yourself (or sharing with a few other guests). The sunrise over the Atlantic is unmatched.
Seguin Island Light (Georgetown) Not a hotel, but a unique opportunity: you can apply to be a volunteer caretaker for a week or summer. Living at Maine’s highest lighthouse involves greeting visitors and maintaining the grounds, but you get to live in the keeper’s quarters on a spectacular island.
Glamping: Nature with Comfort
Maine has embraced the “glamping” (glamorous camping) trend, offering access to nature without the backaches of sleeping on the ground.
Maine Forest Yurts (Durham) Run by Survivor winner Bob Crowley and his family, these yurts are located on 100 acres of wilderness near Freeport. They are fully furnished with kitchens, woodstoves, and bunks. It’s year-round camping that feels cozy even in deep winter.
Sandy Pines Campground (Kennebunkport) This isn’t your average campground. Sandy Pines offers “camp carriages” (A-frame cabins on wheels), covered wagons, and impeccably decorated safari tents with king-sized beds and chandeliers. It’s camping for people who love high thread counts.
Terramor Outdoor Resort (Bar Harbor) Located near Acadia, Terramor takes glamping to the luxury resort level. Tents have electricity, private bathrooms, and showers. The lodge offers craft beer and locally sourced food. It’s the perfect basecamp for hikers who want a hot shower and a real bed at the end of the day.
Huttopia (Sanford) A French company that brought its “art of camping” to Southern Maine. Their wood-and-canvas tents sit on raised platforms in a pine forest, complete with a swimming pool, café, and activities. It’s incredibly family-friendly.
Treehouses and Tiny Homes
Seguin Tree Dwellings (Georgetown) Perched high in the pines on a 21-acre wooded peninsula, these treehouses offer views of the river and marsh. They are architectural gems—modern, airy, and minimalist—connected by rope bridges and wooden walkways.
Purposely Lost (Springvale) Specializes in eco-friendly tiny homes and treehouses. Their “Cliff House” and various treehouse options feature floor-to-ceiling windows, private hot tubs, and smart home technology, all tucked into the woods.
Backcountry Huts & Lodges
For those willing to earn their sleep, Maine’s backcountry lodge systems offer European-style hut-to-hut hiking and skiing.
Maine Huts & Trails (Kingfield area) A network of four eco-lodges connected by 80 miles of trails. These aren’t shacks; they are beautiful structures with radiant floor heating, hot showers, and beer on tap. You hike, bike, or ski in, and the staff serves family-style dinners. Note: Check current operating status as services vary by season.
Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Lodges Located in the 100-Mile Wilderness region, Little Lyford, Gorman Chairback, and Medawisla lodges offer rustic luxury in the deep woods. Think private cabins with woodstoves, a main lodge with fantastic meals, and a sauna by the lake. In winter, they are premier destinations for cross-country skiing.
Historic & Haunted
The Herbert Grand Hotel (Kingfield) Built in 1918, “The Herbert” was once the destination for politicians and bootleggers. It retains its speakeasy vibe with original fixtures and a moody atmosphere. It’s also reputedly haunted—ask the staff for stories if you dare.
The Norumbega (Camden) If you’ve ever wanted to sleep in a castle, this is your chance. This stone mansion overlooks Penobscot Bay and is one of Maine’s most distinguished B&Bs. The woodwork, turret rooms, and ocean views are fit for royalty.
Planning Your Unique Stay
Book Early: These unique spots often have very limited capacity (one lighthouse, three treehouses, etc.). For peak summer, you often need to book 6–12 months in advance.
Understand “Off-Grid”: Many island and deep-woods stays operate off-grid. This might mean limited electricity (solar), composting toilets, and definitely no Wi-Fi. Embrace the digital detox.
Getting There: Some of these locations require a ferry, a private boat charter, or a miles-long hike to access. Read the arrival instructions carefully.
Seasonal Availability: While yurts and huts are often open year-round, many glamping resorts and island stays are seasonal, operating only from May to October.
Staying in a unique accommodation turns the “place you sleep” into a highlight of your trip. It connects you more deeply to Maine’s landscape, whether that’s the rock-bound coast, the deep pine woods, or the quiet solitude of an island.