Squire Tarbox Inn

Excellent visit to Maine and the Squire Tarbox. New owners have made major design improvements and restored the property.

Located near scenic rivers, creeks and marshes, this inn is situated on laid-back Westport Island. It's close to charming towns such as Wiscasset and Damariscotta. That said, the inn seemed to offer little for its steep price. The buffet breakfast was tasty but very limited; definitely not a full breakfast. Samantha was quite friendly. The Mario Room was simple and comfortable, with a small, broken table for a nightstand, peeling paint and a cramped bathroom, but also pretty views of a meadow and pond. Relaxing, but not worth the price.

This is a very charming inn. A lot of effort has gone into making it a great combination of old charm and modern design. My daughter particularly liked the rawhide cow dresser! The breakfast was delicious and the morning staff very friendly and accommodating. Things to know: If you are looking for a personal welcoming and chat from the owners, as you find in many B&Bs, this is not that. It is more like a vrbo experience. We were given directions and a guide and our key was left in the door. The owners have done a wonderful job of making the guide comprehensive and we did not mind, but I know some people look for that specifically so just be aware. Also, pick your room carefully. We were two adults and two children, unusual for a B&B, so we chose the only room that could accommodate 4, the Mary Margret, which has a loft. The day we arrived the temperatures reached the high 70s, maybe low 80s. Our room faces south. It was very hot! We arrived at 7pm but the in room air conditioners had not been turned on. We turned them both on and went downstairs to read while the rooms cooled. The lift cooled nicely. Unfortunately the main bedroom really didn’t cool to a reasonable temperature until 4am. It was a fitful night’s sleep. The machine also made a club king sound periodically so I think it might be broken. I did let them know when I checked out but I would definitely recommend double checking on this before booking. I suspect this room is probably the worst for solar heat given it’s location. The pond was lovely to look at from the window but all the mosquitoes prohibited enjoying it from outside. I’ve included these details to help travelers who have specific tastes and needs. Overall we were very pleased with the inn, it was charming and just the kind of non-hotel-chain lodging we were looking for. We would book again!

What an incredible place! It’s clear that it’s been renovated with every thought to creature comforts as well as design. The bedding was perfect, the furniture gorgeous AND comfy cozy, the decor a perfect marriage of modern and antique. The “quick breakfasts” turned out to be a French toast apple bake with bacon one morning and cheesy eggs on toast with coffee cake the next morning. Coffee and tea available all the time, as well as for purchase wine, beer and snacks. Wine/cocktail/water glasses and carafes were a great touch. No plastic waste in the rooms - hand soap and shower toiletries were in refillable glass pump bottles. And everything was absolutely spotless. The land is gorg - we took a walk after breakfast through the woods, down to the water and saw 4! bald eagles. Truly can’t say enough good things about the Tarbox!!

We met family members here and paid for over 8 nights’ lodging. All are well-traveled and we conveyed our disappointment about our stay to the “innkeeper”’who was rarely seen during our stay. Rooms are very small, there is nothing done to express a warm or personal welcome. Prices are exorbitant when one considers the mediocre do-it-yourself breakfast without fruit or juice, but Smucker’s jam and Thomas English muffins, perhaps plain eggs. No hangers, such small bathrooms that one bumps his/her head and a powder room off living room was better for shaving. Not every “luxury” room even has a chair, and the emphasis of absentee owner was clearly on decor but not on training staff or managing fact that they are understaffed. We have reached out to owner THREE TIMES AND SPENT ALMOST AN HOUR ON THE PHONE WITH HER, who assured us a MONTH AGO that she would address our grievances with co-owner. We have never heard from her again. This is an inconvenient, overpriced place one should AVOID. FYI, prior to staying here we enjoyed a fabulous five nights at The Hartwell House in Perkins Cove, Maine, where for a comparable price we had a large room with balcony, nice sitting area in our room, spacious bath, two-course homemade breakfasts that changed daily and an afternoon homemade snack. The differences could not have been more striking. We also met both owners and enjoyed the warmth of innkeeper Christina, who checked with us daily about dietary concerns and whether there was anything we needed. We love staying at inns where guests are made to feel welcomed and there is a distinct difference from being in a hotel chain.