It may be white snow and grey skies now, but if you have the craving for fresh Maine lobster and all of the enjoyment that goes with eating it outside on a picnic table beside the sparkling ocean, it’s time to start planning your trip to Rockland for the 71st Maine Lobster Festival, August 1-5, 2018.
As spring approaches, hotels and motels in the area begin to fill their rooms for the summer, so making reservations now, in the midst of winter, is a smart move. Here are a few select hotels in the vicinity of Rockland, and some more lodging ideas in the area.
Right Near the Festival
Rockland’s newest boutique hotel overlooks the city’s waterfront and the Maine Lobster Festival itself. Balcony rooms and the rooftop garden afford fantastic vantage points from which to hear the Festival’s headline musical acts. Packages are available that include brewery tours.
You can’t get much closer to the ocean than the Trade Winds Inn. It is right across the street from the shore and one of the entrances to the Maine Lobster Festival. This 80-room hotel has a pool, fitness center and a fun restaurant called Eclipse.
Just a Bit Further
Hampton Inn & Suites, Rockland
Located on US 1 in Thomaston, minutes from downtown Rockland, with 85 guest rooms, this new, clean, hotel has a pool and fitness room and offers free breakfast.
The Samoset is a luxury resort on a spectacular oceanfront site that’s just minutes from Rockland’s vibrant downtown community. Features include several fine dining options, extensive spa and fitness amenities, and a beautiful oceanside golf course.
Campgrounds and Vacation Rentals
For those who prefer more affordable, more intimate, or more outdoorsy lodging options, the area has a number of campgrounds and vacation home rentals.
About a half dozen private campgrounds near Rockland can be found here.
Camden Hills State Park is a destination unto itself, offering recreational vehicle camping in an oceanside location, with hiking trails and glorious mountaintop views of Penobscot Bay.
If you prefer to stay in a privately owned house or room, here are the top 50 vacation rentals in Rockland on VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner). Another options, of course, is Airbnb, which is thriving in Midcoast Maine. In addition to Rockland, check out offerings in the nearby towns of Camden, Rockport, Thomaston, Owls Head, Tenants Harbor, and Port Clyde.
Whatever your personal preference for lodging, it’s a smart to plan early and lock down the best rates and rooms in the winter months. See you at the Maine Lobster Festival in August!
