Grasshopper Inn — Hotel in Ogunquit

I just stayed at Grasshopper Inn, and all I can say is “wow.” While I expected a high-end experience, everything exceeded my expectations. The location, the rooms, the staff, and the drive were all amazing. Their tagline is home away from away, and they’re not kidding. It is definitely a comfortable place you want to stay at.

The staff was kind, knowledgeable, and prompt. I called to say we wouldn’t be there until after 5:00, as per the email instructions, and was told that they would stay until 6:30. They quickly registered us, made sure we had everything we needed, and gave us recommendations on places to eat. As soon as you get there, they make you feel like an old friend, who is welcomed back again. Mark’s amazing ability to put you at ease and feel welcomed is rare and needs to be applauded.

Now the rooms! What can I say about these gorgeous, large (maybe giant?) rooms? We stayed in 202, and it is gorgeous. With a high privacy wall separating the living and sleeping area, it is two distinct spaces. The kitchenette and dining area also has a separate feel, making you feel like you’re staying in a condo. In fact, my daughter commented that if it were a full kitchen, this is what she would look to buy for a condo. The rooms are comfortable, exceptionally clean, and did I mention large? The shower is huge with a ton of water pressure and offers a nice hot spa experience. We find the water pressure being this good rare in hotels. The bathroom also has its own heat control, and there are two air conditioner units in the suite to make sure you’re as comfortable as you can be. And the balcony gave a gorgeous view of the sunrise.

Onto the location. Every single movie or book set in Maine looks to recreate the feel of Ogunquit. Everything is in walking – or an exceptionally short drive – from Grasshopper Inn. We were able to walk to and from our restaurant at night – two women alone – and feel safe and secure. The people were friendly and kind, and shops were adorable. We didn’t get to Marginal Way – that’s our next trip – but it was a lovely experience.

Now on to the things that most people don’t talk about. It was secure! Getting into the Inn was secured by a passcode – and each guest will have a different one. To get into your room you also need to enter a passcode. And there is a deadbolt on the door to the balcony ensuring your safety. This is great should you spend the day at the beach (or hiking, biking, shopping) because you don’t need to carry a keycard. And Grasshopper Inn is quiet! I didn’t hear any other guests until we went downstairs in the morning. There is also a closet where you can get those little things that you may have forgotten – like extra shampoo or a towel. Finally, it is clean! The smell is amazing, and the ambience is perfect.

Grasshopper Inn is your Home Away Home is their tagline. This perfectly explains your experience. Our suite felt like a condo, and I could see someone staying for a week or two at a time. It’s comfortable, with all the high-end touches you would expect, and welcoming. I’m rating this five stars but wish I could go even higher. I love Grasshopper Inn and will...

The inn is in a reasonably good location, on US1, at the top end of the town (8-10 mins walk to the centre). The inside is clean and the code system works well for entry.

The (front-side) ground floor room we were in was nice, with a comfortable bed, plenty of space and a huge TV. It was, however, overlooked from the front and side of the hotel, with no privacy glass, only blinds. That meant we had to keep the blinds down most of the time, particularly in the bathroom, which was overlooked by the neighbouring property.

The room was very clean on arrival, with the exception of a half-empty water bottle in the fridge. There was no mid-stay cleaning, as mentioned in the online policies page, which is worth reading in full.

Breakfast on day 1 was somewhat underwhelming. There was a lack of promised options (no bagels or waffles). There were options to buy other foods, like eggs, breakfast sandwiches and French press coffee. Ideally, in a hotel or inn, that wouldn't be necessary and the breakfast offered within the price would be sufficient.

On that theme, it felt like there was a persistent attempt to upsell, initially with an email about add-ons / extras and then a laminated card in the room offering the same (a dozen roses for $150, beach towels for $30 etc). It all felt somewhat grasping and not like being treated "like family", which is the Inn's professed approach. Given it's an inn in a beach resort, loaning towels to guests to use the beach (at no charge) would be the generous (family) approach.

The check-out time (and breakfast end time) are both fairly early - 10am. The policies page says that this time is not extendable. It's not especially relaxing to be required to leave a hotel room at 10am, with a stated policy of an automatic $50/h fine, even if you are able to comply (as we were). I certainly wouldn't treat my family that way, which leaves me wondering what it is that the owners think they do that amounts to treating their guests...

Well… The hotel is nice and new and clean and our room was spacious and well appointed. It’s not in the center of town, but just a 10 minute walk to the beach and 5 minutes to town center.

Breakfast was plentiful and good — not great. (Cereals and milk, and yes, giant waffles).

The reason I am giving the inn 3 stars is I found the management unreasonable /bordering on rude.

For $400 a night, with a 10 am check out, I asked for a late check out and was told no… okay fine.

Then I asked if we could leave our car in the lot for an extra hour or two and I was also told no. When I asked why (according to the website, they had 5 vacant rooms that evening — out of 9 — including my room with my designated spot), I was told sometimes guests arrive early, sometimes they have multiple cars, and there’s a chance they could need my spot. I said I’d be happy to move my car if any of that happened — they could call me (I’d be within walking distance!), but I’d love to not have to move my car to the crowded beach parking. The manager (who by this point was snippy with me) offered to let me leave my car for $50 an hour. I found that unreasonable and ungracious.

When we went by, two hours after check out, I snapped a photo of the empty lot.

Also, my partner had an injury and brought ice packs but there was no working freezer on site (and they could not direct us to one). After the snippy conversation above, room service randomly showed up with an ice bucket full of ice (I guess they were solving one problem after creating another).

I hesitated to post this review — I don’t like to harm a flourishing business (and I typically only post for businesses I adore) — but I think a little generosity could go a long way in the...