The McKernan Inn puts you within a 15-minute drive of Thompson's Point and Maine Mall. Free perks include WiFi, self parking, and continental breakfast daily between 7:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal - 7 min drive - 6.1 km
Thompson's Point - 10 min drive - 8.3 km
Getting around
Portland Intl. Jetport Airport (PWM) - 28 min drive
Auburn, ME (LEW-Auburn - Lewiston Municipal) - 53 min drive
Sanford, ME (SFM-Sanford Seacoast Regional) - 55 min drive
Portland Transportation Center - 19 min drive
Saco Transportation Center - 36 min drive
Old Orchard Beach Station - 37 min drive
Restaurants
North43Bistro - 9 min walk
Luke’s Lobster - 7 min drive
Twelve - 8 min drive
DiMillo's On the Water - 7 min drive
The Porthole - 7 min drive
About this property
The McKernan Inn
The McKernan Inn puts you within a 15-minute drive of Thompson's Point and Maine Mall. Free perks include WiFi, self parking, and continental breakfast daily between 7:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
At a glance
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Hotel size
8 rooms
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Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 7:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out time is 11:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
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Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Guests will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
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Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 21
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Pets
Pets not allowed
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free uncovered onsite self parking
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Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Free continental breakfast each morning 7:00 AM–9:30 AM
Private picnics
What to do
On the beach
Working away
Meeting rooms
Coworking spaces
Conference space (700 square feet)
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Concierge services
Tour/ticket assistance
Luggage storage
Facilities
Garden
Picnic area
Dock
Outdoor furniture
Walkway to water
Accessibility
Elevator
Elevator door width (inches): 35
Handrails in stairways
Stairway handrail height (inches): 36
Lever door handles
Well-lit path to entrance
Thin carpet in room
Room amenities
Be entertained
Plasma television
Cable TV channels
Home comfort
Portable fan
Iron/ironing board
Window screens
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
What to enjoy
Individually furnished and decorated
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower/tub combination
Free toiletries
Towels
Toilet paper
Stay connected
Free WiFi
More
Daily housekeeping
Guidebooks/recommendations
Local maps
Restaurant dining guide
Fees & policies
Refundable deposits
Deposit: USD 25.00 per accommodation, per stay
Renovations and closures
The following facilities or services will be unavailable from November 26 2025 to November 30 2025 (dates subject to change):
Beach
Breakfast
Daily housekeeping
Meeting facilities
The following facilities are closed seasonally each year. They will be closed from November 26 to November 30:
Beach
Meeting facilities
Parking area
Policies
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Discover
Also known as
The McKernan Inn Inn
The McKernan Inn South Portland
The McKernan Inn Inn South Portland
Frequently asked questions
Does The McKernan Inn offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, The McKernan Inn does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at The McKernan Inn?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at The McKernan Inn?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The McKernan Inn?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 7:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.
What is there to do at The McKernan Inn and nearby?
The McKernan Inn has a picnic area and a garden.
What's the area around The McKernan Inn like?
The McKernan Inn is a short 1-minute walk from Casco Bay and 3 minutes' walk from Willard Beach.
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The McKernan Inn Reviews
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
9.6/10
Cleanliness
9.8/10
Staff & service
8.4/10
Amenities
9.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.0/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 4, 2025
EXCELLENT place to stay!
Excellent place to stay. Old historic property, spacious and clean rooms, fabulous staff, and steps away from the beach and lighthouse. And on another note, AC in the rooms and really good water pressure in the showers :) We really had a great trip here.
Kristen
Kristen, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jul 22, 2025
The staff and accommodations werre great! The location was top-notch for us.
shannon
shannon, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 12, 2025
It was a great experience. The students were a joy!
suzanne
suzanne, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 21, 2025
Top notch establishment!
The place was fabulous and we plan on going back! Awesome staff, clean rooms, good location and overall excellent! Breakfast was very delightful and so yummy! My experience was wonderful!
Mark
Mark, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 27, 2025
Excellent and highly recommend!
Chris
Chris, 5-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 26, 2025
Beautiful ocean view from our room. However they could add another chair so 2 adults can sit .
Bonnie
Bonnie, 3-night trip
8/10 Very good
Sep 23, 2025
It was very quaint and with quaint sometimes comes less amenities. It was small, the shower was difficult, the Continental breakfast offered sub par. The views and proximity to the beach were amazing.
Shannon
Shannon, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 23, 2025
This inn is located on beautiful Casco Bay with a nearby beach. It is run by South Maine Community College and the friendly students studying Hospitality Management will serve you a lovely continental breakfast and make your stay very enjoyable.
Sharon
Sharon, 5-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 11, 2025
Excellent all around
Andrew
Andrew, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 10, 2025
Very big room, quiet and clean. Staff really nice.
Sabine
Sabine, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 13, 2025
Beautiful view right on the beach!
Couldn’t recommend it more. Love that the hospitality students get the real life practice as well! Also willard beach couldn’t get any closer!
Verified traveler
2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 17, 2025
Everyone that we interacted with here was so kind and accommodating. We had a wonderful stay and will be back!
Frances
10/10 Exceptional
May 20, 2025
We came early in the season to see lighthouses. This was a great location. The property has a great history and character. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Would stay here again!
Holly
Holly, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Mar 10, 2025
Beautiful views
Richard
Richard, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 11, 2025
Being right on the water brought so much tranquility after a rough week. Staff was amazing especially with restaurant recommendations.
Cynthia
Cynthia, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jun 25, 2025
Bien situé
Bien situé pour du repos. Personnel très gentil. Chambre aurait besoin d’une mise à niveau.
Gilles
Gilles, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 6, 2025
Beautiful
Beautiful building and location. The room was clean and nicely appointed. Shower curtain liner needs to be replaced (moldy), otherwise it would have been a 5 star rating. I would definitely stay here again if in the area.
William
William, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 20, 2024
What a beautiful view we had of the water and lighthouse. Staff was friendly and helpful on places to visit during our stay.
CONNIE
CONNIE, 5-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 6, 2024
Beautiful views of the harbor! beds very comfortable! staff welcoming and helpful. Would definitely stay again!
Judy
Judy, 4-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 1, 2025
Unique, quality experience
A rare gem. On the Southern Maine Community College Campus. Steps away from water. A well restored former military residence, likely for officers. A true Maine experience. The inn is staffed by students. With few exceptions, all are genuinely eager to service well, learn, and support a satisfying guest experience.
Kevin
Kevin, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 15, 2025
Top
Gustavo
Gustavo, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Sep 11, 2024
Staff is very friendly and helpful. Beautiful view. Quiet & peaceful. Faculties are dated, but overall we enjoyed our stay.
Verified traveler
3-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jul 29, 2025
Will stay again!
The reviews here are limited as there are only 8 rooms in this inn. We selected this based on the purpose and how it is managed by college undergrads. As we expected, the service was great as everyone is there because they want to! The grounds are well kept and we love the fact that this is nice and quiet. If there’s one thing to improve on, it would be the internet. But again, if you are going for a nice and quiet stay then the iffy wifi is ideal😉
Serena
Serena, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 19, 2025
I was looking for a quant boutique hotel close to Portland and found this site. You know the pictures are sometimes really generic, in tbis instance they didn't do the property justice. It is quant, and also serves sits on the campus of a community college, with hospitality students as staff. But the best thing, the views of Casco Bay.
Kalman
Kalman, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 30, 2025
Lovely Inn, Beach Front Setting, Great Service
We loved staying at the inn. The students who are working there were friendly and attentive - they obviously enjoy what they are doing as they study at the hospitality program. The setting on the bay and walking along the beach were idyllic. It’s a quick 15 min. drive to bustling downtown Portland. Waking up to the sunrise over the bay each day was inspiring. It’s a classic inn, not as modern (and sterile) as staying at one of the downtown hotels but the room was nice, the bed was very comfortable, the bathroom a little small but clean and a good shower. Thoroughly enjoyed it!