Dogs belong in the cabin, not the hold. Read the guide →
Crazy Daisy TravelsLUXURY DOG TRAVEL. VERIFIED.
← All cities

Kennebunkport and York Harbor, Portland and Cape Elizabeth, Freeport, Camden and Rockland

Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Maine Coast

United States

14 dog-friendly luxury hotels.

Search with dates and filters →

Where can my dog actually go?

The Maine Coast with a dog comes down to two rules. Almost every hotel here that takes dogs says the dog can never be left alone in the room, and Maine's state park beaches are closed to pets from 1 April to 30 September. So a summer trip means the dog comes everywhere with you, and the days are built around trails, harbour towns and carriage roads, not state beaches. Fourteen hotels on our list take dogs, from York Harbor and Kennebunkport up through Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Freeport to Camden and Rockland.

What separates them is how much of the place the dog gets, and whether you get any time off. Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth welcomes dogs in the lobby, where the inn's own foster dogs meet guests, and brings treats at turndown. The Francis in Portland is the only hotel on the list that lets a dog stay alone in the room, for up to two and a half hours, which is dinner sorted. Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport spells out exactly where dogs aren't, which is the interior common areas, the pools, Tree Spa and Earth restaurant, and it allows a dog alone only if crated. Nine of the fourteen say never alone at all, including the three Camden inns, 250 Main in Rockland, Stage Neck Inn, The Press Hotel and The Longfellow. No hotel here publishes that dogs can join you in a restaurant or bar, and 250 Main and the Kennebunkport Captains Collection both keep dogs out of breakfast.

Fees run from nothing at Inn by the Sea to USD 200 a night at Hidden Pond from June to September, dropping to USD 100 in May and October, for up to two dogs. The Francis charges USD 35 a night plus a USD 250 refundable deposit, The Press Hotel USD 75 a stay for up to two dogs and The Longfellow USD 100 per pet per stay. Most of the rest sit at USD 50 per dog per night. Only four hotels publish a weight cap: 75 lbs (about 34 kg) per dog at Hidden Pond, 70 lbs (about 31.8 kg) at AWOL Kennebunkport and the Kennebunkport Captains Collection, and 50 lbs (about 22.7 kg) at Stage Neck Inn, where that figure is the total for two dogs together. For a big dog, Hidden Pond has the highest published limit. The Camden inns and the Portland hotels publish no cap, so ask before you book.

The list is short in places and we'd rather say so. We have nothing listed yet in Bar Harbor or anywhere on Mount Desert Island, in Boothbay Harbor or in Ogunquit. Bar Harbor Inn and Bar Harbor Grand Hotel don't take pets, and Cliff House Maine at Cape Neddick doesn't either. If Acadia is the point of the trip, the park's dog rules are below, but we can't yet point you to a hotel beside it.

Daisy's picks

Where Daisy would book

  1. 01
    Inn by the Sea

    Dogs are welcome in the lobby, where the inn's foster dogs meet guests, with water bowls, beach towels, blankets, treats at turndown and a dog menu by advance reservation. No pet fee at all. The number of dogs and any weight limit aren't published, so ask when booking, and Crescent Beach next door is closed to dogs from 1 April to 30 September.

    Free · max Unknown kg

    View the hotel →
  2. 02
    Hidden Pond

    The clearest rules on the coast: a designated grassy dog area by the cottages, and no dogs in the interior common areas, the pools, Tree Spa or Earth restaurant. L.L.Bean beds, bowls and a collar to take home. USD 100 a night in May and October and USD 200 from June to September, for up to two dogs of 75 lbs (about 34 kg) each.

    USD 100 to 200 · max 75 lbs (about 34 kg) kg

    View the hotel →
  3. 03
    The Francis Hotel

    The one hotel on the list where a dog can stay alone in the room, for up to two and a half hours. A welcome sign with your dog's name, a bed, bowls and locally made treats. USD 35 a night plus a USD 250 refundable deposit, with no weight limit published.

    USD 35 · max Unknown kg

    View the hotel →

Before you go

What happens when you get there

Never left alone
Nine of the fourteen hotels say a dog can never be left alone in the room. Hidden Pond allows it only if the dog is crated, and The Francis in Portland allows up to two and a half hours. Inn by the Sea, Harraseeket Inn and the Yachtsman don't publish a rule, so ask. Plan meals around takeaway, outdoor tables you've checked yourself, or one of you staying back.
Beaches
Maine state park beaches don't allow pets between 1 April and 30 September. That covers state park beaches only, including Crescent Beach beside Inn by the Sea, which is open to dogs from 1 October to 31 March. Town beaches set their own rules. Kennebunk and Kennebunkport both have town rules on when dogs can use the beach, and we couldn't confirm the hours, so check with the town before you go.
Acadia National Park
Dogs are allowed on 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads, on a lead no longer than 6 feet (2 m) at all times. They can't be left unattended, including in a vehicle or at a campsite, and the park says to avoid ladder and rung trails with a dog. The park also keeps a list of areas and trails closed to pets, so read its pets page before you choose a route. Whether dogs can ride the Island Explorer bus is not confirmed.
Fees
Free at Inn by the Sea. USD 35 a night at The Francis plus a USD 250 refundable deposit, USD 75 a stay at The Press Hotel, USD 100 per pet per stay at The Longfellow. USD 50 per dog per night at AWOL, the Captains Collection, Stage Neck Inn, 250 Main and the three Camden inns, and USD 50 a night covering up to two dogs at the Yachtsman. Hidden Pond is USD 100 to USD 200 a night. Confirm the basis with Lord Camden Inn and Harraseeket Inn when booking, as per night, per stay and per pet are not all spelled out.
Weight limits
Hidden Pond takes dogs up to 75 lbs (about 34 kg) each. AWOL Kennebunkport and the Kennebunkport Captains Collection cap at 70 lbs (about 31.8 kg). Stage Neck Inn allows 50 lbs (about 22.7 kg) in total, so two dogs share that figure. The other ten publish no limit, which is not the same as having none.
Two dogs
Two per room at the three Camden inns, 250 Main, AWOL, Hidden Pond, Stage Neck Inn, The Press Hotel and the Yachtsman. The Captains Collection gives both one and two in its own terms, so confirm. The Francis asks you to tell them if you're bringing more than one, and Inn by the Sea, Harraseeket Inn and The Longfellow don't publish a number.
Trains and ferries
Amtrak's national pet policy takes small dogs in a carrier, 20 lbs combined, carrier up to 19 x 14 x 10.5 inches, on trips of up to seven hours on most routes. Whether that applies on the Downeaster is not confirmed, so check with Amtrak before booking. Casco Bay Lines in Portland requires a separate ticket for animals. The fare and any lead rule aren't confirmed, so ask at the terminal.
Ticks
Maine CDC advises daily tick checks, pets included, staying in the middle of trails and using an EPA-approved repellent. Acadia says the same about checking your dog after a visit. Bring a tick remover and make the check part of the evening routine.
Best walks
Acadia National Park has 45 miles of carriage roads and 100 miles of hiking trails open to dogs on a 6 foot lead, though we have no hotel listed beside it yet. Camden Hills State Park sits above Camden, and Maine state parks take dogs on a lead. Camden harbour and the town streets are on foot from Lord Camden Inn, 16 Bay View and Grand Harbor Inn. In Kennebunkport, walking paths lead from the Yachtsman into town. Crescent Beach at Cape Elizabeth is open to dogs from 1 October to 31 March, and Portland's streets start at the door of The Press Hotel, The Francis and The Longfellow.
When to go
October to March is when the state park beaches, Crescent Beach included, are open to dogs, so the shoulder months give you the sand that summer doesn't. From 1 April to 30 September plan on trails, carriage roads and town walks. Hidden Pond prices the season plainly, at USD 100 a night for dogs in May and October against USD 200 from June to September. Whenever you go, check for ticks daily.

Dog-friendly hotels in Maine Coast

Questions we get asked

Dogs in Maine Coast

Is the Maine Coast dog friendly?+

Yes, with two conditions. Fourteen hotels on our list take dogs between York Harbor and Rockland, but most say the dog can never be left alone in the room, and state park beaches are closed to pets from 1 April to 30 September. Come expecting to take the dog everywhere and to walk trails and towns in summer.

How much do Maine Coast hotels charge for dogs?+

Nothing at Inn by the Sea. USD 35 a night at The Francis, USD 75 a stay at The Press Hotel and USD 100 per pet per stay at The Longfellow. Most others charge USD 50 per dog per night, and Hidden Pond charges USD 100 a night in May and October and USD 200 from June to September.

Can I leave my dog alone in a Maine hotel room?+

At most hotels, no. Nine of the fourteen on our list say never. The Francis in Portland allows up to two and a half hours, and Hidden Pond allows it if the dog is crated.

Are dogs allowed on Maine beaches in summer?+

Not on state park beaches. Pets are not allowed on them between 1 April and 30 September, and that includes Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth. Town beaches set their own rules. Kennebunk and Kennebunkport have town rules on dog hours, which we couldn't confirm, so check with the town.

Are dogs allowed in Acadia National Park?+

Yes, on 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads, on a lead no longer than 6 feet. Dogs can't be left unattended, including in a car, and the park advises against ladder and rung trails. Some areas and trails are closed to pets, so check the park's pets page for the current list.

Where should I stay on the Maine Coast with a big dog?+

Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport has the highest published limit, at 75 lbs (about 34 kg) per dog. AWOL Kennebunkport and the Kennebunkport Captains Collection take dogs to 70 lbs. Avoid Stage Neck Inn with a large dog, as its 50 lbs is a combined limit. The Camden and Portland hotels publish no cap, so confirm with the hotel when booking.

Are there dog-friendly hotels in Bar Harbor?+

We have none listed yet in Bar Harbor or on Mount Desert Island. Bar Harbor Inn takes ADA service dogs only and Bar Harbor Grand Hotel doesn't allow pets on the property. We also have nothing listed in Boothbay Harbor, where Topside Inn takes service animals only, or in Ogunquit.

Which Kennebunkport hotels take dogs?+

Four on our list. Hidden Pond in two cottage types, the Kennebunkport Captains Collection in three rooms of the William Jefferds House, AWOL Kennebunkport in certain Cabin Studios booked by phone, and the Yachtsman in select bungalows. The Tides Beach Club can't accommodate pets, and White Barn Inn doesn't permit pets in its Main Inn.

Can I take my dog on the Amtrak Downeaster?+

Not confirmed. Amtrak's national policy allows small dogs in a carrier with a 20 lb combined limit on most routes of up to seven hours, but we couldn't confirm that it applies on the Downeaster. Check with Amtrak before you book a ticket.

Research updated 2026-10-04. Policies change, always confirm with the hotel.