Review of The Viewpoint in York, Maine

On a recent trip to Maine, I had the pleasure of staying at a new(ish) property in York: The Viewpoint. Recently renovated with new room selections and amenities, and quickly becoming a favorite wedding venue, the property offers unbeatable views of the iconic Nubble Lighthouse.

I stayed in a deluxe shoreside room, which offered a sleek, modern aesthetic and plenty of space. With wall-to-wall windows along one side of the guestroom, one could wake up and immediately be greeted by views of the lighthouse and ocean. Beyond the windows, a private patio offered seclusion and a spot to enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening. Similarly, the bathroom also featured one glass wall for enjoying the views at all times.

The guestroom was also large enough to feature a small wet bar, fireplace and seating area, and the bed was one of the more comfortable I’ve experienced in a luxury hotel as of late.

© Holly Riddle

Though small, the broader property offers a terrace and lawn from which to further take in the views, as well as a pool area and an on-site restaurant and bar, A Little Auk. The restaurant offered all-outdoor seating, with cocktails served from a 1969 Airstream trailer. While the menu was limited, I still had some of the best lobster there that I had during my entire Maine trip (served as lobster sliders rather than a roll), and the cheese and charcuterie board offered generous portions. After dinner, siding up to the Airstream bar for drinks was a fun touch.

However, as enchanted as I was by the guestroom and restaurant, this hotel does not come without its faults. The location is rather removed from the actual town of York. One other restaurant was within walking distance, but otherwise, getting anywhere else required driving. Additionally, the hotel is not staffed in the evening; this proved frustrating when there was a malfunction in the guestroom, and no one could be reached, even by phone, to address it until morning.

While the location can’t be remedied and one certainly wouldn’t enjoy the same views if the location were any different, for a hotel that brands itself as luxury, the lack of service is a sad oversight.