Staying in Old Orchard Beach
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
Nestled on the protected shores of Saco Bay along South Coast Maine, the historic seashore town of Old Orchard Beach, known locally as OOB, is one of Maine's most visited and beloved beach destinations. Named for an "old" apple orchard that stood as a landmark to passing sailors, the town began to accommodate for visitors following the arrival of the Grand Trunk Railroad in the mid 19th- century.
Today, visitors flock here for its iconic and authentic seaside experiences, complete with its wooden 1898 pier, vast stretches of white-sand beach and a bustling town core filled with concessions, family amusements and entertainment. Beach lovers of all ages will delight in the accommodation choices available in the town, primarily situated oceanfront (or within short walking distance) and offering the best of all worlds. Read on for a comprehensive overview of Old Orchard Beach's hotel and motel scene, sure to satisfy an array of travelling preferences and needs.
EAST GRAND AVENUE
Running east of the pier from the town center at Old Orchard Street, East Grand Avenue is chock full of beachfront properties to choose from, including condo hotel units with panoramic ocean views, low-lying motels with extended family amenities (pools, kitchen suites, continental breakfast and playgrounds) and quaint inn-style rooms ideal for romantic getaways. As is the case for most of Old Orchard Beach accommodations, properties along this corridor are independently run and are often booked well in advance of the summer season, so early reservations are recommended.
The avenue, which runs parallel to the beach, offers many motel and hotel offerings on both of its sides, including the aforementioned beachfront spots and street-side options. Street-front properties offer many of the same amenities as their beachfront counterparts while being less than 350 ft (106 m) from the beach's edge, easily accessible from an array of public thruways along the avenue. The amenities and services of town are convenient to any property along this route, on foot, by bicycle or by car, but parking can be limited so walking is highly recommended.
WEST GRAND AVENUE
Extending west of the iconic pier and situated closest to Palace Playland beachfront amusement park and the Old Orchard Beach Amtrak station, the area along West Grand features a good mix of small- and mid-scale motel style properties, casual restaurants and other family attractions. Accommodations here feature basic to above-standard amenities and services, including outdoor pools, restaurants, family suites, kitchen units and rooms with ocean views. This corridor also features properties along both sides of the avenue, all offering convenient access to the beach and the nearby services and attractions of the town center.
SACO AVENUE
One of the main entries into town, Saco Avenue (Highway 5) is dotted with an assortment of independent, budget-friendly motels and hotels, catering to an array of traveling needs, whether traveling on business or with the entire family. Properties here are a short drive to the beach and downtown attractions, as well as the nearby towns of Saco and Biddeford, where services, shops and restaurants are plentiful.
Today, visitors flock here for its iconic and authentic seaside experiences, complete with its wooden 1898 pier, vast stretches of white-sand beach and a bustling town core filled with concessions, family amusements and entertainment. Beach lovers of all ages will delight in the accommodation choices available in the town, primarily situated oceanfront (or within short walking distance) and offering the best of all worlds. Read on for a comprehensive overview of Old Orchard Beach's hotel and motel scene, sure to satisfy an array of travelling preferences and needs.
EAST GRAND AVENUE
Running east of the pier from the town center at Old Orchard Street, East Grand Avenue is chock full of beachfront properties to choose from, including condo hotel units with panoramic ocean views, low-lying motels with extended family amenities (pools, kitchen suites, continental breakfast and playgrounds) and quaint inn-style rooms ideal for romantic getaways. As is the case for most of Old Orchard Beach accommodations, properties along this corridor are independently run and are often booked well in advance of the summer season, so early reservations are recommended.
The avenue, which runs parallel to the beach, offers many motel and hotel offerings on both of its sides, including the aforementioned beachfront spots and street-side options. Street-front properties offer many of the same amenities as their beachfront counterparts while being less than 350 ft (106 m) from the beach's edge, easily accessible from an array of public thruways along the avenue. The amenities and services of town are convenient to any property along this route, on foot, by bicycle or by car, but parking can be limited so walking is highly recommended.
WEST GRAND AVENUE
Extending west of the iconic pier and situated closest to Palace Playland beachfront amusement park and the Old Orchard Beach Amtrak station, the area along West Grand features a good mix of small- and mid-scale motel style properties, casual restaurants and other family attractions. Accommodations here feature basic to above-standard amenities and services, including outdoor pools, restaurants, family suites, kitchen units and rooms with ocean views. This corridor also features properties along both sides of the avenue, all offering convenient access to the beach and the nearby services and attractions of the town center.
SACO AVENUE
One of the main entries into town, Saco Avenue (Highway 5) is dotted with an assortment of independent, budget-friendly motels and hotels, catering to an array of traveling needs, whether traveling on business or with the entire family. Properties here are a short drive to the beach and downtown attractions, as well as the nearby towns of Saco and Biddeford, where services, shops and restaurants are plentiful.
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