A Retro-Chic Maine Hotel Has A Tiki Bar, Ocean Views, And Vintage Charm

When you think of picturesque towns in New England, images of shingle-style cottages, crisp white lighthouses, and delectable lobster rolls in Maine or Connecticut may be the first things that come to mind. That's why The Nevada Hotel is so delightfully unexpected. Since 1956, this unique seaside establishment has been a fixture on Long Sands Beach in the little town of York on Maine's southern tip. But after falling into disrepair and undergoing a serious facelift, it's back and better than ever.

After purchasing the property from the family of the original owner in 2021, local husband-and-wife hoteliers Joe Lipton and Michelle Friar spent two years carefully renovating and upgrading the beloved landmark. When the hotel reopened in July of 2024, it added a third story making the rooms more spacious, included a chic Art Deco lobby, created more outdoor spaces, and put in a swanky, upscale tiki bar that looks more at home in 1950s Hawaii than present-day Maine.

You may wonder how such a distinct structure with another state's name ended up in Maine in the first place. The original owner, Henry de la Pena, decided to open one of the state's first motels after his sister opened one in Florida. He designed the building to mimic the curves of the flybridge of the battleship he served on in World War II: the USS Nevada.

When Lipton and Friar, who already owned the nearby Viewpoint Hotel and Stones Throw Hotel, learned that potential buyers for The Nevada were planning to level it and put up condominiums, they knew they had to act. Together with their business partners, they made an offer with a promise to restore the place and bought it. What followed was an intense $2.5 million, down-to-the-bones renovation. Due to Maine's recent rising temperatures, the property had become a flood zone, so the most drastic decision they made was to raise the frame of the building by 3.5 feet. Then, Friar collaborated with architecture firm CR Design out of New York City to convert the motel into a boutique hotel while maintaining the mid-century aesthetic. Local artists Kyle Nelson and Daniel Dellapasqua were commissioned to create original artwork to adorn the hallways.

There are 21 spacious rooms with plenty of natural light and cozy luxuries like Samsung Frame TVs, king-sized beds, and pour-over coffee and tea. Rooms either face the ocean or the garden, but the lovely glass corner rooms are the most coveted with panoramic sea views and a private terrace. Guests can also borrow complimentary beach umbrellas and chairs for their walk to the beach across the street. Rooms start at around $149 per night in the low season.

The on-site Lulu's Tiki Bar and Restaurant gives guests an unexpected dose of the Pacific Islands, offering craft tiki cocktails like the Rosalía, a delightful twist of jalapeño-infused tequila, cinnamon, pineapple, and lemon, and dishes like fried rice or pulled jackfruit tacos with Kahlúa barbecue sauce. While The Nevada doesn't have a pool or spa, the hotel offers van service to The Viewpoint Hotel, one of the hotel's sister properties, where Nevada guests can use the fitness center, heated saltwater pool, and full-service spa. This quaint town of York is roughly 65 miles north of Boston Logan International Airport and just 40 miles from International Jetport in Portland — a charming East Coast town with London vibes.