Old Orchard Beach

Beautiful hotel, great location

We chose Inn by the Sea because it was advertised as a “pet-friendly” property with beach access for pets, which was a key factor in our decision. Unfortunately, our experience didn’t quite align with those expectations. We arrived on a Sunday around noon and, as expected, our room wasn’t ready (check-in is at 4:00pm). However, unlike many hotels, we were not offered anything while we waited — no welcome drink, light refreshment, or even an early check-in estimate — despite having to wait the full four hours. Once we checked in, we were told our assigned room was not pet-friendly, and we would be charged for any accidents — despite booking under the premise that this was a pet-friendly stay. Additionally, the restaurant only allows pets in the outdoor seating area, and the pool area is not pet-friendly at all. So while the hotel does accommodate pets in some areas, it’s misleading to call it fully pet-friendly when the main guest amenities are off-limits. That said, the property is beautiful and most of the staff were friendly and professional, which we appreciated. But overall, if you’re traveling with a pet and hoping for a truly integrated experience, this may not be the best fit.

Walkable to downtown Kennebunkport shopping.