T+L’s Evaluate of The Nevada Lodge in Maine

On its web site, The Nevada Lodge notes the property was constructed the identical yr that “Heartbreak Lodge” by Elvis Presley debuted, in 1956. Nevertheless, this L-shaped motor lodge skilled some heartbreak of its personal in latest instances and fell into disrepair. However now, after an intensive, two-year-long renovation, the property is again and sporting a brand new look that is exhausting to not fall in love with.

Located on prime waterfront alongside Lengthy Sands Seaside within the resort city of York, Maine, The Nevada Lodge has three tales and 21 rooms, every with a devoted deck providing ocean views. Earlier than it was bought for $1.6 million by husband-and-wife hotelier duo, Joe Lipton and Michelle Friar, in 2021, The Nevada was owned by the household of its authentic proprietor, Henry de la Pena, since its inception. De la Pena served on the USS Nevada, and the resort’s title, in addition to its distinctive form, had been impressed by his time on the battleship.

“After World Conflict II, Henry, traveled to Florida, the place his sister opened up a motel there and he got here again and was like, ‘I need to open up a motel in Maine,’” mentioned Lipton. “Motels weren’t massive right here but, so this was one of many first. He named it ‘The Nevada,’ after the ship that he was on, and he constructed it to appear like the flybridge.”

After an intensive down-to-the-studs, $2.5 million renovation, The Nevada reopened its doorways in July 2024. Through the transforming course of, Lipton, Friar, and the New York-based firm CR Design took care to protect the property’s nostalgic Fifties roots whereas modernizing the property. Its white exteriors now pop with aquamarine trim and the entire constructing was raised three-and-a-half ft off the bottom, to guard it from coastal flooding. Nevertheless, the property’s interiors are really the place Lipton and Friar’s design imaginative and prescient shines.

“Michelle, my spouse, designed the interiors,” Lipton mentioned. “That is all her.”

As quickly as friends step into the foyer, they may discover themselves immersed in an art-deco-meets-tiki-bar aesthetic, with issues like bubble-shaped glass chandeliers, chartreuse-colored couches, and white tiger-patterned rugs peppering the interiors. Upon check-in, I used to be greeted with a complimentary cocktail from the small, however well-stocked bar behind the foyer desk — nonetheless, that was simply the nice begin to my time on the property.

Here is the whole lot it is advisable to learn about staying at The Nevada Lodge.

The Rooms

There are three room sorts on the Nevada: Glass Nook Rooms, Ocean Going through Rooms, and Backyard Going through Rooms. All three sorts of lodging function king-sized beds, giant home windows, and the identical artwork deco-inspired nautical design. My favourite, nonetheless, is the Glass Nook Rooms, which function floor-to-ceiling home windows and a big, personal terrace — the proper amenity for sunset- and sunrise-chasers. Each room additionally has fashionable facilities comparable to Samsung Body Sensible TVs, free WiFi, and a choice of natural pour-over espresso and tea. Bogs are outfitted with beautiful walk-in showers, peacock blue tiles, and white terrazzo flooring with black accents.

Meals and Drink

The Nevada has one on-site eatery, Lulu’s Tiki Bar and Restaurant, named after Lipton and Friar’s daughter. The menu at Lulu’s attracts inspiration from Pacific Island flavors and provides dishes like fried rice, togarashi spiced tortilla chips, and pulled jackfruit tacos seasoned with Kahlúa-flavored barbecue sauce. Make sure you pair your meal with considered one of their cocktails, such because the Rosemary’s Child (a mixture of gin, rosemary, honey, and lemon) or the Late Night time at Lulu’s (a enjoyable mix of butterfly pea tequila, lychee juice, lime, and lemon topped with black lava salt and pepper flakes).

Nevertheless, if you would like another choice, take into account testing the Stones Throw Restaurant, positioned at The Nevada’s sister property, the Stones Throw Lodge. The Stones Throw Restaurant has an expansive New American menu of dishes comparable to buttermilk-fried hen sandwiches, pan-seared scallops, and, after all, lobster rolls. There’s additionally the seasonally open, all-outdoor Little Auk on the close by Viewpoint Lodge (additionally owned by Lipton and Friar), which makes a speciality of small plates, wood-fired pizza, and cocktails served from an Airstream trailer.

Actions and Experiences

One of many largest attracts of staying at The Nevada is its proximity to Lengthy Sands Seaside, and a reservation on the resort offers friends complimentary entry to seaside umbrellas and chairs on the sand. Lengthy Sands Seaside can be a well-known Atlantic surf break, and you’ll be taught to catch waves on the close by Liquid Desires Surf Store, which provides classes. Nevertheless, when you’d quite not get moist, merely posting up on a lounge chair with a tiki-inspired cocktail is a good way to move the time as effectively. There are additionally a number of notable hikes within the space together with the Fisherman’s Stroll, a 1.7-mile oceanside path that winds out and in of historic boat homes and coastal cottages.

The Spa

Whereas there isn’t a spa or pool at The Nevada, friends can request a van service to the property’s close by sister resort, The Viewpoint, which has a heated saltwater pool, a cedar sauna, a health middle with Pelotons, treadmills, and rowing machines, in addition to a full-service spa providing Maine-inspired remedies such because the Acadian Swedish Therapeutic massage and the Deep Ocean Tissue Therapeutic massage. Entry to the swimming pools, sauna, and health facility is included with the price of a keep on the Viewpoint or The Nevada.

Location

York is positioned about 45 miles south of Portland, Maine, however you may need higher luck discovering a direct flight when you select to reach at Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS), positioned 67 miles south of York (about an hour-and-a-half drive). The city of York doesn’t have a public transportation system, so you will have to hire a automotive to get round. Nevertheless, York is pretty walkable, when you do not thoughts hoofing it.

Accessibility and Sustainability

There are a number of accessible options on the Nevada Lodge, together with ramps, elevators, and two ADA-compliant rooms. The staff can be taking steps towards minimizing its environmental footprint. There are energy-efficient warmth pumps in every room in addition to on-demand scorching water heaters. The resort makes it some extent to compost any pure waste and donates a portion of income to initiatives devoted to preventing local weather change.

Methods to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Charges at The Nevada start at $240 per evening. Because it’s independently owned, it isn’t part of any main resort rewards applications.