Hillcrest Condos, Ogunquit, on hold, need advice

[Avery]

Anyone been recently? I am interested in the condition of the units -- noisy, quiet? comfy beds? I am holding a 2 bedroom 6/4. I am aware there may be a lot of stairs involved, not a problem for us.

The area looks great. It would be prime summer. Will it be overly busy/crowded? How is the beach access?

Tia.

[Craig]

We stayed at Hillcrest in December a couple years ago, in a 2 BR. The unit was small, and needed updating, but we loved the area. The indoor pool is small but kept up nicely. It is not a fancy place, more quaint. We drove up to Kennybunkport...a beautiful part of the Maine coast. In fact I recently confirmed an exchange at Hillcrest for New Year's week and look forward to going back. The Christmas decorations at the resort, and Ogunquit town were nice. I would not hesitate taking a unit there for prime summer in Ogunquit. The Marginal Way is a wonderful coastal walkway nearby to the condos. Not sure how bad traffic is in summertime...

[Kenrabs]

Early June should be right before the summer rush. The weekends might be busy but midweek should be fine.

[Avery]

Originally Posted by Kenrabs

Early June should be right before the summer rush. The weekends might be busy but midweek should be fine.

Thanks, Ken. When I said 6/4, I meant sleeps 6/4. The checkin is actually July, prime season. My bad.

[mopsy]

I own at Seacastles, a mile down the street from Hillcrest.

July in Ogunquit is busy so if you don't want to take your car, you can probably get around by trolley that will take you the mile and a half to the nearest beach. Hillcrest is close to Perkins Cove, a very popular artsy/shopping/restaurant area overlooking the ocean. Here you'll find the Marginal Way, a beautiful mile-long walk that takes you right along the ocean...do this in the AM before it gets really warm and it'll work up your appetite for breakfast.

Downtown Ogunquit is really cute...Bread and Roses Bakery, Harbor Chocolates, Ben and Jerry's & the usual pizza/sandwich places. For upscale dining,make a rez at Arrows...one of the top gourmet restaurants in the East. If you want lobsters or really really fresh fish to cook yourself , check out Finestkind fish market on Rt 1 in York. Pick out your lobsters, tell them what time you'll be back to pick them up and they'll have them steamed and ready for you to take back to your timeshare. Just add butter!

There's mini-golf and movie theaters a few miles north in Wells and an amusement park/arcade and more beaches a few miles south in the York area.

Have FUN!

[Kenrabs]

Originally Posted by Avery

Thanks, Ken. When I said 6/4, I meant sleeps 6/4. The checkin is actually July, prime season. My bad.

In July there will be a lot of traffic on rt1 and gets congested at the intersection to the beach and Perkins Cove. Beach parking is a premium. We usually go to footbridge beach and after dropping the family off I park at The Falls at Ogunquit where being owners we get day use and can park for free. From there it's a 5-10 min walk for me. I don't know exactly where Hillcrest is on Shore Rd, but you can walk to Perkins Cove and the center of town easily on Shore Rd. I would think the main beach would be a long walk. You might want to take the trolley to the beach. The Maine coast is great. We take a lot of day trips up the coast all year long. Rt 1 is great to drive during off season. Be sure to drive south to Portsmouth NH and North to Portland ME as well as the usual tourist towns Restaurants we've dined at are in Perkin's Cove Oarweed great view, the Lobster Shack, Jackie's Too which is mediocre, Barnicle Billys which is over priced but good. We haven't dined at MC Perkins Cove but it's a good high end restaurant. For Pizza we like La Pizzeria in center of town better than Vinny's East Coast Grill which was just ok. Bessies's in town center is ok. We enjoy Angelina's for Italian, but they don't have a kids menu. The Beach Plum Lobster Farm will steam your purchase for lobster in the ruff. For breakfast Amore's is very good but a bit pricey and The Omelette factory is a good diner type breakfast spot. One's we haven't tried that get high ratings are 98 Province, Arrows, Jonathan's and Cafe Prego. In Wells we like Mike's Clam Shack for reasonable priced seafood. maybe the best fried clams in the area. Wells Steak House is very good and always busy. Maine Dinner is a common tourist stop that doesn't disappoint. Bull n' Claw and Mainiax were mediocre. For donuts try Congdon's in Wells. Bread and Roses for sweats and coffee.

[GrayFal]

Sounds like a keeper, Avery!

[DianeG01]

We own at Hillcrest and love it. Beach access in Ogunquit is a bit of a challenge where ever you are staying and traffic in July will be heavy. Hillcrest is about a 5 minute walk from Perkins Cove -- you just have to cross the street and walk down the small road directly across from Hillcrest and walk over the footbridge to Perkins Cove. There you can pick up a trolley to Main Beach, or our preference, walk along the Marginal Way to the few beaches tucked in along the Marginal Way. The largest one is probably where Israel Head Rd meets the Marginal Way. An alternative to crowded Main Beach is to drive along Shore Road south toward York (a BEAUTIFUL drive) to Cape Neddick Beach, which is lovely as well. The Cape Neddick Lobster Pound across the street usually offers parking for $5 day -- you might want to call to confirm, or check with the front desk at Hillcrest regarding parking at Cape Neddick. Just be sure to time any beach visit at low tide, otherwise there is very little beach at high tide anywhere in Ogunquit!
Also, since traffic can be so bad in Ogunquit in the summer, you can get to Hillcrest via the "back way" -- from Rte. 1, turn right onto Pine Hill Road and follow it to Hillcrest. It's a great way to get in and out of town if you're heading south to York or Portsmouth NH, for instance, without having to deal with the terrible traffic in the center of town. (However, if you're heading north to Kennebunkport or Portland, your best bet is still to go through the center of town.)
Enjoy!
Diane

[Avery]

Thanks, everyone for all your help, but we've decided to let it go...

[Chrisss]

The comments I've read here have been so helpful b/c we have never been to Maine before... We are deciding between a stay at the Hillcrest or at The Falls (in September), and there seem to be pro's and con's for each location - so we would like to know if the beds at each of them are comfortable and firm! (We are so used to our Select Comfort that it is difficult to sleep well in poorer quality beds when we stay in hotels...)

Thanks for your help!