Bluebird Ocean Point Inn To Open In Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Lodging on the coast of Maine has been undergoing a transformation during the past few years, an ongoing story that I’ve been covering here at Forbes. Vintage hotels like The Claremont in Southwest Harbor have been reborn as upscale properties. At the same time, former mom-and-pop cottage compounds like The Wanderer in Kennebunk have been given a serious makeover and a fresh appeal to millennial travelers. The same thing has happened at classic inns like the Squire Tarbox on Westport Island, which has been carefully and tastefully designed while staying true to its origins.

Now another reborn Maine property is scheduled to open in early June. The Bluebird Ocean Point Inn is located in Boothbay Harbor’s Ocean Point community overlooking Card Cove. The former Ocean Point Inn, this seaside hotel had been a mainstay of the resort community for 124 years when it was bought in 2022 by Lark Hotels.

The new hotel is part of the growing portfolio of Bluebird by Lark properties, a collection of redesigned hotels, motels, and ski lodges for contemporary travelers. The parent company, Lark Hotels, already has a footprint in Maine, with properties like Blind Tiger, Whitehall, and Kennebunkport Captains Collection.

Bluebird by Lark Hotels launched in 2021 and has since opened across New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The opening of Bluebird Ocean Point Inn marks the first Bluebird by Lark in Maine.

Boothbay is the essence of the Maine coast and the heart of the Midcoast Region, a long-time haven for boating enthusiasts and the gateway to some of the thousands of islands beloved by visitors, including Monhegan Island, which lies about 10 miles offshore. It is a town filled with shops, boutiques, restaurants, the Maine State Aquarium, and the nationally acclaimed Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

Boothbay Harbor is more laid back than Kennebunkport, decidedly family-friendly and has a small-town vibe. The sheltered waters make it a terrific place to spend time on the ocean, exploring the bays and coves by kayak, or heading out on a vintage schooner for an offshore excursion. Boothbay has long been a favored resort destination for generations of vacationers who come back year after year to experience the best of the Maine coast.

The Bluebird Ocean Point Inn interiors have been designed by Elder & Ash, known for their tasteful and sensitive work in hotels like the William Jefferds House and The Nathaniel Lord Inn, both in Kennebunkport. In Boothbay, they’ve used neutral tones and light wood, a reimagined version of idyllic days on the Maine coast. The accommodations include king and double queen rooms in the nine cottages, suites, and multi-bedroom suites. Accessible rooms will also be available. The rooms have been updated with plush beds and clever storage. The overall look is clean and minimal, with a handful of design touches like area rugs, patterned headboards, and small pieces of artwork. The views of the water are arguably the best design touch of all.

Ocean Point Kitchen and OPK Bar will be the restaurant offerings on site when the property opens, offering farm-to-table fare and commanding water views.

Rates at Bluebird Ocean Point Inn will start at $249 in June 2023.