Spa at Inn by the Sea

Overall Impression At the beginning of our trip to Maine while we were in Portland, I searched high and low for a massage. Some windows announced treatments, but most of the time on close viewing the listing was unrelated to the shop where it was posted. One shop had a single masseuse and she was unavailable for several days. Others were less desirable. Frustrated, I gave up following several unsuccessful attempts at booking a massage.

At the end of our visit to Maine, we stayed at the Inn by the Sea in a picturesque setting in Cape Elizabeth, a few miles and a short drive from Portland. I liked the Inn’s serene ambiance, its private boardwalk leading to an unspoiled sand beach surrounded by five acres of indigenous landscape, and was excited when I found out there was an onsite spa. The spa’s lower level location below reception, adjacent to the inn’s fitness area, made it convenient to reach even from our building which was a two minute walk from the main building.

During our stay at the Inn, we had outstanding facial and massage treatments. The common areas of the spa were attractive and inviting, offering plentiful amenities such as shampoo, single use deodorant packs and snacks. Staff members were professional and friendly. The property’s environmental consciousness was a bonus. Had I known how nice the spa was when I arrived in Portland I would have gladly driven to Cape Elizabeth for some spa indulgence. The spa at the Inn by the Sea will be at the top of my list the next time I’m in the area.

Handicapped Access Yes, according to a staff representative all treatment rooms and the Sanctuary were wheelchair accessible.

Location In the lower level of the inn

Manager Rebecca Avery

Number Of Staff 12

Owned Inn by the Sea LLC

Size 4,000 square feet

Special Training Most therapists were local graduates of Spa Tech in Westbrook, Maine. They also received in house training for their own protocols and coastal inspired treatments.

Treatment Rooms There were six treatment rooms and two Relaxing Sanctuaries (one for men, one for women). The Suite for Two had a deep soaking tub and two side by side massage beds for dual treatments.

Year Opened-Renovated 2008

Common Areas On exiting the elevator from the inn’s ground floor I found myself in the spa reception. There was a cushioned seating area to the left side of a central tile feature. The reception desk was directly across from the elevator. On either side of the desk against the wall built in shelves displayed spa products for sale, including beauty creams and branded clothing from the inn.

Amenities The Sanctuaries had kindles loaded with poetry or short stories (neither of us saw them during our visit), magazines, art books, hot tea, cucumber water and variety of snacks (dried apricots, dried cherries and smoked almonds during my visit), experience showers, and steam rooms. Individual lockers had rubber sandals and robes (my robe had a slight stale oil odor) for guest use.

Facilities The Fitness Center, open to all guests, had two incumbent bikes, two treadmills, two elliptical machines, three yoga balls, yoga mats for scheduled morning yoga sessions, (held on the lawn in good weather and inside during inclement weather), chin up bar, kettle bells, weight bench, and Bosu balls.

Pool There was an outdoor gated swimming pool with a salinated system at the inn. It was heated with solar panels. Despite the chill in the air during our autumn visit, several guests took advantage of the heated pool.

Lockers And Bathrooms There were thirteen lockers in the women’s area and eight in the men’s area. There was a multi jet shower and a steam room in the men’s and women’s locker rooms. The women’s section had a relaxation area with three seats, each with a footstool and magazines. There was an end table with self service chilled cucumber water, hot tea, and snacks.

Other I liked the property’s environmental consciousness. The Spa had a LEED (R) Silver certification. It had air to air heat exchangers to ensure fresh air and energy efficiency. The walls, coverings and carpets were made from low or no volatile organic compounds, the sheet rock and studs were recycled, the flooring in the cardio room of the fitness area was made from recycled rubber, the flooring in the treatment rooms was made from recycled cork, the marble and stone work was regionally sourced, and the towels were made from bamboo. The OSEA product line used in the Spa (and at the Inn) was made from 100 percent “naturally derived ingredients” and made with United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) certified algae. They were harvested responsibly, Certified Vegan and Biodegradable.

Cleanliness Very good

Date Of Review October 2014

Number Of Treatments Four

Reviewers Article by Elena del Valle

Photos by Gary Cox

Treatments Experienced We each had a facial with Irina, whose charming accent, warm welcome and porcelain skin I remember well. She used OSEA (for Ocean, Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere) products. She applied Ocean Cleansing Milk, Sea Minerals to tone, Essential Hydrating Oil, and Atmosphere Protection Cream to moisturize on my male travel partner’s face; and Ocean Cleansing Milk, Sea Vitamin Boost to tone, Essential Hydrating Oil, White Algae Mask, and Atmosphere Protection Cream on mine.

Would You Return? Yes