I love New England at every season, but there’s something particularly magical about our coastal towns during the fall and winter months. The summer crowds finally dissipate and locals swap sunscreen and lemonade for flannels and hot coffee. I find this to be a very pensive time of the year when stillness and deep thought comes easier. Last year I spent a few days enjoying the off season in Ogunquit, Maine, and it was even more magical than the summer months.
Situated on 70 stunning oceanfront acres across Bald Head Cliff on Ogunquit’s Southern Coast, Cliff House has natural beauty in spades. And inside the property they’ve accentuated that beauty with luxury.
Of the 226 rooms and suites sprawled across the Cliff House campus, each and every one has a terrace boasting unparalleled oceanfront views. To take advantage of the scenery you can dine outside overlooking the ocean, swim in the outdoor pool, toast s’mores at the large fire pit and bask in the oceanside hot tub. While rooms book up far in advance for June-August, choosing to explore the off season in Ogunquit, Maine, makes a stay at Cliff House more accessible.
The property is bursting with activity. Kids can watch family-friendly films in the retro movie theater and work out their extra energy at the family pool. Adults can center wellness at the high-end fitness center (we’re talking Pelotons overlooking the ocean) and the world-class spa. But you’ll want to book in advance. The spa services are so sought after that guests will book them first before they even secure a room.
What’s perhaps most astounding at the Cliff House is not the innovative culinary scene, the breathtaking views or the serene sculpture garden on the grounds, it’s the atmosphere. Maine is a notoriously casual and friendly state and Cliff House has maintained that in an upscale setting. The property has achieved a level of luxury without pretention that’s almost impossible to imagine in often tight-laced New England.
The oceanside hot tub is a pretty touch amenity to beat. I spent a few glorious hours in the morning with the whole place to myself. It’s moving to overlooked the ragged, fickle Maine coastline from the warmth and comfort of the hot tub.
Cliff House is also very art-centric. There’s a full gallery featuring local Maine artists off the lobby, but visitors aren’t just limited to viewing the art, they can make their own.
Ric Della Bernarda is the artist-in-residence at Cliff House and he teaches both entry level and advanced classes to visitors. Della Bernarda’s program is twofold. His Painting a Memory class is a more introductory course, running just a couple hours during which guests of any age paint an Ogunquit specific scene, often a lobster, sometimes a lighthouse. Make no mistake; this is not a paint-and-sip style experience, though I can’t blame you for lubricating the creative process. The class begins with exercises illustrating color theory and light composition. Then the group uses these tools to create a dynamic and uniquely Maine image.
Painting a Memory has been wildly successful since its implementation last year. For guests that want to learn more, Della Bernarda does one-on-one or small group plein air painting workshops. Inspired by that rocky coast, the burgeoning artists use oils to recreate the natural beauty of the coastline step by step.
If it’s conceivable to tear yourself away from your latest artistic masterpiece or the indulgent pampering of Cliff House, head into downtown Ogunquit for a bit of classic Vacationland fun. The charming main street is an experience in itself, showcasing local shops, quaint inns and walking paths to the ocean.
For dinner, The Crooked Pine and Northern Union are standouts, both built into old houses on the main drag. Here you’ll find innovative but comforting cuisine and craft cocktails to toast a perfect Maine getaway. End your night at The Front Porch piano bar, the liveliest entertainment venue in town. If you have a few too many glasses of wine the night before your painting workshop don’t fret, I’m pretty sure that’s how abstract art was invented in the first place.
If time allows, swing by The Ogunquit Museum of American Art. This seasonal art institution offers a robust sculpture collection on the grounds, a great way to enjoy the weather and ocean breeze in the warmer months. The exhibitions also provide context, showing work by the Ogunquit Art Colony that operated in town from 1922-1952.
Participating in a class in The Studio at Cliff House Maine is a delightful memory, yes, but it’s more than that. Painting requires guests to look deeply at their surroundings, to taste the salty Maine air and to observe the oceanfront rocks gleaming slick with seawater. You are able to be still and thoughtful and observant in a way that’s very rare in modern life. And that is just as valuable as the fresh-out-of-water lobster roll you have for lunch.
Happy styling!