Review: The Cliff House Resort & Spa, Ogunquit, Maine

Name: The Cliff House Resort & Spa, Ogunquit, Maine

The Cliff House Resort & Spa is perched on the edge of cliff, giving it a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a relatively affordable resort spa convenient to Boston.

The Setting for The Cliff House Resort & Spa: The Cliff House is an unusual property -- privately owned by the same family since it opened in 1872. That’s why it has 70 irreplaceable oceanfront acres that the big corporate owners can only drool over. The original Cliff House is long gone, but new modern buildings are laid out near the cliff’s edge. You can walk down to the water and watch the waves crash, or bask by the pools all day – as many people do in summer. Shopping and restaurants in the village of Ogunquit is a trolley ride away.

Accommodations at The Cliff House Resort & Spa: The new adults-only Spa Wing opened has 32 oversized rooms decorated in a casual country style, including gas-fired “wood” stoves and a wet bar. All the rooms in the Spa Wing have terraces and ocean views, but you’ll have expansive ocean views worthy of a cruise ship if you’re on the southern side. Kids under 18 are banned from this part of the resort to keep the Spa Wing serene, but you can take your family and stay in other buildings.

The Spa at The Cliff House Resort & Spa: The 20,000 square foot spa was built in 2002 on the site of the original Cliff House Inn. It’s not super-luxurious – no imported marble and expensive woods – but it has a clean, country feel. There are ten treatment rooms, and a manicure room with ocean views. The adults-only fitness room overlooks the ocean too. (This place has more views than the Empire State Building.) Another nice touch – there’s a labyrinth outside the room where you are picked up for treatments.

Signature Treatments at The Cliff House Resort & Spa: I tried the signature Blueberry Body Wrap ($90 for 50 minutes), which began with me laying down on Mylar and while the therapist gave me a gentle body brush to exfoliate my skin. Then she placed a warm rolled towel beneath my neck and covered me with “Blueberry Smoothie,” a mixture of algae and wild Maine blueberries in a body cream to nourish my skin and detoxify my system. While wrapped in Mylar, I was treated to a head massage and left to relax for about 10 minutes. Then I stepped into a shower with nozzles shooting water at me from three sides to rinse off. Next up, a 50-minute hot stone massage with local stones worn smooth from the sea, harvested from Bald Head Cliff.

The Food at The Cliff House Resort & Spa: The dining room is a little plain in its décor but has great views (what else is new?). Lobster is the star of the dinner menu – baked, stuffed, steamed or roasted. The spa selections are unusually good and filling, including the grilled Maine salmon with herbed purple potato and garlic saffron nage ($23) and the seared blueberry Halibut with sushi rice and blueberry fruit compote ($25). But it’s worth breaking your diet to try the Indian bread pudding dessert.

Rates at The Cliff House Resort & Spa: A three-night Spa Sampler with rooms in the Spa Wing includes breakfast, one dinner, a $200 spa credit and $25 in Cliff House per person and ranges from $672 to $826 (per person, double-occupancy). Rates are even lower if you stay in other buildings.

What’s Special at The Cliff House Resort & Spa: : The fabulous ocean views at the relatively affordable price.

What Could Be Better: Right now there’s not a big demand for classes, which cost $17. If you show up you might be alone.

Bottom Line: This spa is for you if you’re looking for an affordable, ocean-front getaway convenient from Boston, New York City, Westchester, or New Jersey.

This spa is not for you if you like a lot structured classes and activities.

Contact Info for The Cliff House Resort & Spa: The Cliff House Resort & Spa , Shore Road between York and Ogunquit, Maine, Phone: 1-207-361-1037.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodations and treatments for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.