The Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse has been named one of the top four most Incredible Lighthouse Hotels in the United States, according to the website, themanual.com. This most recent accolade follows a long list of notable recognition for the Inn which has become an internationally renowned travel destination.

Here’s what travel writer, Mike Richard, had to say about the Inn:

“Coastal Maine is one of the most beautiful destinations on the eastern seaboard. Few places in the world boast the variety and history of lighthouses like coastal Maine. The Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse, situated off the coast of Boothbay Harbor, is a uniquely beautiful, gorgeously restored lighthouse.”

Here’s a link to the full list: https://www.themanual.com/travel/best-lighthousehotels/

The Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse has been featured in numerous prominent publications, bringing national media attention and visitors from all over the world to our region. The list of prestigious publications that have chosen to recognize our beloved lighthouse includes Condé Nast Traveler, Coastal Living, The Rob Report, Boston Globe, New York Times, and Food + Wine to name a few. Coastal Living chose the Inn as one of the Best Lighthouse Getaways in the country. The Inn was also #1 on Fodor’s Travel List of the 15 Most Picturesque Lighthouse Hotels Around the World.

Lighthouses that dot the coast of Maine are in integral part of Maine’s identity. Cuckolds Lighthouse, which is visible from the Southport Town Landing, has guided mariners for generations and made it possible for commerce to come this region. The fate of this historically important and iconic Lighthouse could have been very different as it was slated for demolition. Today, we would not have this beautiful lighthouse gracing the entrance of our harbor had it not been for the tremendous efforts of a group of concerned citizens led by Paul Coulombe as president of the rescue group, The Cuckolds Fog Signal & Lighthouse Station Council, who raised the funds and led the efforts to lovingly restore this historic landmark and preserve our maritime heritage and character.

History of Cuckolds Lighthouse

Back in 2004, the U.S. Coast Guard deemed the Cuckolds Fog Signal and Light Station “excess property,” and if no one stepped forward to rescue the Lighthouse, the remaining derelict Light Tower was to be torn down and replaced by a fiberglass pole with a light on top. As we all know, more people come down our peninsula for “Lighthouses and Lobsters” than for any other reason, so we believed it was essential to rescue this historic iconic Light Station. It took two years to acquire the Lighthouse from the government, and 10 years to raise the friends and funds, leaders, volunteers and skilled labor to make this happen.

“We wish to thank them all, most notably Paul Coulombe, who stepped up as president of our nonprofit Council, and continues to contribute generously to this and so many other initiatives aimed to enhance Boothbay Harbor’s economic prosperity,” said Janet Reingold of the Cuckolds Rescue team. “Demographically, Boothbay Harbor is the oldest town in the oldest county in the oldest state in the nation. Tourism, construction, marine attractions, and hospitality are the backbone of our increasingly vibrant community. The restored Cuckolds Lighthouse has garnered national and international interest as an historic asset and a unique offshore Inn.”

Notably, Cuckolds Lighthouse was the first lighthouse in America to be transferred under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. One of the contingencies of the transfer, was a federal mandate that the lighthouse be self-sustaining – it had to generate revenue. To meet the government’s requirement, the Inn offers two gorgeously appointed suites available for guests to rent separately or together for a truly, unique coastal Maine experience.