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    The Emerson Inn

    3.9 (56 reviews)
    PriceyHotels
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Mary Ann C.

    Just stay at the Emerson Inn. The staff were efficient. The room was small but clean and updated. The view was amazing. The coffee was perfect and we enjoyed sitting downstairs and enjoying the view.

    Ocean view
    Christina H.

    We just returned from a four day/ 3 night stay and wanted to provide a realistic review of our experience and why we chose the rating we did. First, the not so good, the room and bathroom we had was TINY. I can't speak for all the rooms but the neighborhood queen was small and there's not really any place (Dresser) to unpack so we just sort of lived out of our suitcase at the foot of the bed. You're also going to want to be on very comfortable terms with your partner because the (minuscule) bathroom feels like it's pretty much in the room with you. I've stayed in "micro hotels" in NYC-this was smaller. There's nowhere to plug in things in in the bathroom and the only storage was over the toilet-not ideal as when I pulled a washcloth down, a tube of body wash fell in the toilet. The bed was hard and canted to one side so it wasn't the best nights sleep. I don't know if it was COVID related or due to the change in ownership but there was a new chef who started on our first breakfast day so it took about 1.5 hours between when we were seated to when we got breakfast and, in all honesty, it was bad. The special was lemon blueberry pancakes and they were dense, grainy and had bits of onion in them. We chose to eat offsite for the second day of our stay. Finally, for the not so good, the front desk staff was really inconsistent. The woman who was working on the day we checked in wasn't super hospitable-I was telling her about how this was a getaway for not only my husbands 50th but also our wedding anniversary as the dates fell between both and she gave a vague "that's nice" and just handed us the key. At the end of the night, after we had a few drinks on the porch, we brought in our glasses to try to make things easier for her and she sighed and seemed fairly annoyed. The good, the views are AMAZING. You cannot ask for a better view anywhere; it's honestly breathtaking, I can't say enough about how absolutely gorgeous it was. The pool was pretty and neat but too cool to use-not sure what type of heating they use but it couldn't have been more than 70 degrees at most. The inn and rooms were extremely clean and well kept. Aside from the first day, the remainder of the staff was super great, friendly and helpful. Cameron (I think was his name) was great and his mom who works the desk had him prep us a little to go breakfast bag before we left to pick up our kids from camp early sat morning which was really thoughtful and I wish she had been there when we checked in. The hotel is located about a mile or so from halibut point state park and that's a beautiful hike (I'd suggest walking if you're able as parking there was $20). The bartender who was there thurs and Friday night was really friendly and we enjoyed talking with her. There's always lemon water out And coffee and pastries were put out in the early am which was nice. There are some lawn games but one of the biggest highlights was just sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch overlooking the ocean. I think with better training this place could be even better; the potential is definitely there but there are a few tweaks that need ironed out. All in all we loved the area and would absolutely return.

    Wine with a view from the porch
    Sarah M.

    Have stayed a few times and it's pure relaxation. Staff are so kind and accommodating. My go to place by the sea for some rest. ‍‍

    The large veranda for cocktails, dinner or breakfast.

    We just returned from our stay at The Emerson Inn by the Sea. I couldn't wait to share some of the highlights. This inn is under new ownership and has gone through a wonderful renovation and has vibes of the roaring twenties. Very tastefully decorated with lots of different areas for gathering. There is a very cozy bar area that opens at 4 pm. You can choose to sit on the veranda or inside. There is a wonderful complimentary breakfast buffet in the morning with one hot item and all the usual breakfast items like, cereals, yogurt, hard boiled eggs and delicious fruit. Dinner is also available with a small but varied menu. Their clam chowder is amazing!, The chips and dip is a lot more than the title. We're talking about homemade chips and the best onion dip that was explained to us that the chef cooks the onions for hours to make this so delicious. Rooms vary in size and offerings. But the bedding is especially good. Very high end and so comfy. The entire staff was so accommodating. The owner, Kimberly is seen everywhere, making sure everything is just right. She loves to chat with her guests welcomes comments to help her to be attentive and make changes if needed. If you have the opportunity to stay here keep in mind this is a 150 year old inn.....lovingly upgraded but still has some things you might take for granted....like an elevator. We had a very enjoyable time and hope to return real soon.

    Kate M.

    Warning: this inn is beautiful, quaint, charming, set on a hill high above the Atlantic Ocean - all those things you look for in East Coast bed and breakfasts ... but beware weeknights in March, my friends. Upon returning from your lovely dinner in town, full with food and drowsy from wine, you will likely find yourselves the ONLY ones in the place. I mean the music from "The Shining" is pretty much playing in the background as you turn the key the concierge gave you when you checked in to "let yourselves in" later. Not kidding. Once in, the Victorian chairs seem to loom in dark corners and the stairs creak a little too loudly on the way up to your room. Once inside, you eargerly lock both locks and turn on something happy and irrelevant, like SNL. *Whew. Safe... for now. In all seriousness, there was NOTHING creepy about the actual hotel. It's gorgeous, the rates were great at the off-season time we visited, the bathroom was very modern and impeccably clean, and there was English breakfast tea and croissants downstairs in the enormous dining room when we awoke. But in the total darkness of a Massachusettes night, I was sure Jack Nicholson was waiting behind our bedroom door. 5 stars for this spellbinding getaway. Visit it... I dare you. ;)

    Bathroom in our suite
    Tracy F.

    My husband and I came here right after we were married in 2009, ever since we come back as this is one of the nicest places to stay in Rockport by far! This is a unique bed and breakfast with a lot of history. The service, bar, and food is amazing. There is a piano player at night outside of the dinning room which is really nice to hear after a long day. The pool is heated, its nice to take a dip after dinner while the sun is setting. The views are breathtaking and in an odd way it feels as if you are secluded...amazing.

    The pool at Emerson Inn by the Sea, aug 2012
    Liz R.

    This has all the pros of an old, quaint inn, but none of the cons. By that I mean the ridiculous stuffiness and "preciousness" that many old inns and B&Bs have (and strive for!) this place is cozy and even child friendly. The outdoor pool is lovely. The breakfast is delicious and plentiful and just right. We just spent 3 wonderful days at the inn and I'm already planning my next visit. I would have given a five star rating if only the Grand Cafe had more than one vegetarian dinner option. Overall, a real treat!

    The sign for the Inn
    Courtney R.

    To begin: Emerson Inn by the Sea is the ultimate choice for a traveler looking for a petite, charming and elegant historic inn. The decor in the Lobby and landings along the Grand Staircase is a delightful hodgepodge of Victorian, Edwardian and maybe a little Art Deco along the way. Expect glass book cases with old volumes of classics and wonderful photos that remind one that this location was a favorite of Ralph Waldo Emerson himself. The exterior of the Inn has a "Grand Dame" feel, slightly weathered but perfectly endearing. There are plenty of large rocking chairs to sit upon on and gaze out on the open ocean. ( Side note: The Inn sits directly on the coast and there is easy access to a public path that one can use to go down to the rocky "cliff" below. The walk is easy and you can go right down to the water without much effort. ) Upon checking in we were greeted by Mitch who was very nice and was kind enough to provide an upgrade to an Ocean View King with a jet tub - Room 213. It was located on the first level up from the lobby. The room was small, but not too cramped. There was a total of three windows that looked dead straight over the porch roof and out onto the sea. It was absolutely the highlight of the stay. The bathroom, albeit being tiny was actually quite chic with navy walls with the rest all white. The window the the bathroom had tiny shutters that you could open and close making it all the more adorable. Everything was very clean and lots of towels were provided. The toiletries were nothing special, but there was fresh lavender tucked with the towels! How nice! At first I was very excited about the jet tub - but upon being absolutely scared to death on our first morning I decided to forgo using it. I somehow accidentally pressed the button while getting into the deliciously deep tub and the whole thing rumbled and hummed extremely loud - like a old fashioned carburetor. I was so startled - I shut it off straight away. I'm not sure if it was broken or just old since it was so noisy. It did not sound or behave like any other jet tub I've encountered. I recommend trying it out during the afternoon as to not awaken the entire Inn. The bed was very cozy and warm and located right near the windows. Upon waking, you gaze out onto the open ocean. Just wondrous! Free Breakfast was included in the room downstairs in the Grand Cafe. (Side note: We ate both our breakfasts and both our dinners in the Grand Cafe. For details on dinner - please consult the specific review on the Grand Cafe itself) The full breakfast buffet was lovely. Each morning was different! On offer the first morning was: pumpkin pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, roasted potatoes with peppers and onions, blueberry muffins, assorted cereals and granola, fresh fruit, toast, bagels and juice, coffee and tea. The second morning the pancakes were blueberry, the muffins were replaced by almond croissants and there was bacon instead of sausage. Everything else remained the same. All was clearly made from scratch (save for the cereal and toast/bagels and juice) and prepared with care. Our stay couldn't have been better. I deducted a star for the small room, (but I'm sure there are larger alternatives) and for the dated jet tub. I would certainly come here again for a relaxing long weekend soon!

    Walk out to the rocks for this stunning view! Be cautious with small children.

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    Fantastic staff, charming accommodations, million dollar view. A jewel of Rockport. Relax and enjoy.

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    12 years ago

    Jamie at Emerson By the Sea was wonderful and made what was a difficult weekend as pleasant as humanly possible. Lovely spot.

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    12 years ago

    Beautiful and affordable inn in the perfect location. We had a a great experience here and would definitely return in the summer.

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    12 years ago

    My hubby and I enjoyed this venue, for our one year wedding anniversary. Nice and quite. The ocean view was amazing!!!!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Emerson Inn

    Review Highlights - The Emerson Inn

    My room included a $100 voucher towards The Pigeon Cove Tavern, which is the on-site restaurant.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    (18 reviews)

    Room was fine. Price is somewhat reasonable. However, I'm not thrilled with this concept of remote…read morecheck in/check out as a business model. Would it really break the balance sheet to have an on-site manager at a front desk? No, it wouldn't. Not sure if I'll ever book another room here again now that I know the owners don't hire humans.

    The best part is the location, directly across the street from Front Beach. The worst part was…read morecheck-in. When we arrived, the door was locked, directing guests to use the info in their text or email to access their room, or to call the phone number on the door for 24/7 service. I hadn't received check-in info via text or email. When I called the number, it went directly to voicemail twice. Fortunately, a current guest of the hotel let me follow him in, and a housekeeper was able to get me the information I needed to access our room. It was two hours and twenty minutes past check-in time when the text arrived with check-in information. When I replied it would have been nice to have the check-in info prior the check-in time, or the phone answered, the person who replied said they were doing laundry out back and did not get the call. Another couple was experience the same issue as I attempted to check-in, so I believe this was not a one-off problem. If they're not going to have a lobby and front desk, I think they really need to have someone actually answer the phone and/or reply quickly. Our King Oceanfront room was on the second floor, leading onto the deck that seats thirty. We were the only ones using the deck, fabulous for watching the sunrise. but I would not have loved looking out at thirty people using it, between us and our ocean view, during a busier time of the season. I'd recommend getting a room on the third floor for the view and to avoid hearing people above walking. On our second night, guests were in the adjacent room and it felt like they were in the room with us, we could hear their television and every word they said. The walls are thin. The bed was very firm and the pillows are large and extremely firm. We found it very uncomfortable. I was very excited to stay here; I grew up in Rockport, going to Front Beach with my grandmother, and looked forward to being at this location and checking out the new hotel. We'll try a different place next time we visit.

    Rockport Inn & Suites

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    A lovely hotel close to the heart of Bearskin Neck in Rockport Ma, the staff is exemplary, and we…read morelook forward to our next stay. Thank you again! Large rooms & free parking.

    It was clean! That' is always #1 with me. And the grounds…read moreare lovely and wonderfully landscaped with beautiful flowers. EDIT: I OVERLOOKED VIEWING PICTURES THAT GUESTS POSTED AND ... EWWW! I DON'T KNOW IF THEY TOOK IT UP A COUPLE NOTCHES, OR IF I JUST GOT LUCKY WITH A CLEAN ROOM. I WILL AGREE WITH ONE PICTURE THOUGH, THE INSIDE OF THE COFFEEMAKER HAD THE NORMAL RESIDUE ON IT, WHICH EVEN AT HOME GROSSES ME OUT. BUT I MYSELF WOULD NEVER USE A HOTEL ROOM COFFEE MAKER. However so many reviews state the staff is friendly ... I never saw a smile on any of them let alone any friendliness. Not a big deal. But what WAS a big deal to us was the misleading description on their website under amenities that they offer a hot breakfast. The only things that are hot are the coffees, the hot water, and the toaster. If you're thinking of the breakfasts other hotels call a hot continental breakfast ... (eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns, Belgian waffle maker), don't! So besides the hot coffee, there's juice, cold cereal, instant oatmeal packets, yogurt, fruit, bagels, English muffins, and packaged danish, muffins and cookies. At least it was something considering the room was over $300. EDIT: THERE ARE ALSO TWO PICTURES OF THE BEAUTIFUL HOT AND "YUMMY" CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST. FIRST, IT IS NOT THE ROCKPORT INN, AND SECONDLY IT WAS POSTED BY THE BUSINESS OWNER! TSK! TSK! And their Hotel market, with snacks, beverages, and convenience items. HaHaHa! It's a closet without a door. A cooler with soda, maybe water and juice, and several little baskets with snacks ... like grocery store family packs of tiny individual pouches that are usually labeled not for resale! I bought two tiny bags of cheez-itz and a coke for $10! They didn't get enough out of me for the room! So was it like $2.50 for each one gulper package of crackers and $5 for a can of coke? And I don't know what were considered convenience items, there were only the limited snacks and drinks ... forget toothpaste or Tylenol or any other toiletry or OTC item. When asked, they said sometimes they have things like that if people leave them behind! WHAT? We did love the little courtyard outside the pool area with all the patio furniture and fire pit ... but the pit should be right in the middle so more people can enjoy it. The first night our family of 10 just huddled in a corner because there were already 8 people around it who didn't seem to want to share. The second night we just grabbed some chairs and put them closer, saying "you don't mind if we join you, do you"? Of course we doubted they'd say no, but if the fire were in the middle, more people would be able to enjoy it. And there's plenty of room out there for those who don't want to sit near it, to have a quiet area elsewhere. Would I go back again? If I had a reason to go back to that area, I definitely would, but it's highly unlikely because this time we were there for a wedding being held at the Beaumont Hotel, 10 min. down the road, (which I understand was a DEFINITE ripoff)!Their standard king or 2 queen rooms were anywhere from $600 - $1,200! So I'm still going to rate the Rockport Inn a 4 ... I'm just subtracting the on star for the lack of friendliness and food!

    The Seafarer Inn

    The Seafarer Inn

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    Chris and the rest of the staff at The Seafarer Inn are top marks!…read moreMy person and I stayed there the week before Memorial Day weekend and it was wonderful! Unbelievable views, quaint accommodations and perfect location to the center of town! I would highly recommend a stay here! Also, Chris is a Rock Star!! We left some very important items in our room inadvertently and Chris found them. He called us immediately and then overnighted the items to us!! A total Rock Star and Rock Star service!! Thank you Chris!!

    Lovely romantic house by the sea. Wouldn't call it a hotel…read morebut a B&B. Owners are truly lovely and friendly. Pointed out a nice walk along the coastline into town in a way you can't miss it. We slept in the pebble beach room. What a view!!! Nice sunset, looking over the ocean. In the morning they prepare a nice breakfast with fresh fruit, greek yoghurt, cake, bread and eggs, and pancakes. Coffee is per machine which gives everybody a wide variety of flavors and let you decide how strong you'd like your coffee. Then when you're set and prepared for breakfast you can sit outside on the porch (I love porches!!!) or in the garden at the pond. Then again start enjoying. The sunrise, the nice environment and stroll a bit up and down the street afterwards... It's so lovely here. The room itself was nice and comfortable but still a star is missing as we had to shower in the bathtub. Normally that's not a big problem, but as we sere standing in the tub under the roof you have to lean sideways not to bump your head and there is no place to put the shower head. So have to keep it in your hands. So while your standing in the tub, holding the shower head, leaning sideways you also have to wash yourself. I think this is a big minus for everybody taller then 5 ft ;)

    Beauport Hotel

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    Nate at the Birdseye bar is an outstanding bartender and staff member. Very friendly, attentive and…read moreknowledgeable. We had such a great experience at the roof bar, mostly because of him. Above and beyond!

    Hotel Review: The Beauport Hotel is absolutely breathtaking…read moreand such a wonderful place to stay north of Boston, especially if you love the ocean. The ocean facing rooms are luxurious and beautiful. It is definitely expensive but its truly beautiful and such special place. Wedding Venue Review: We saw so many venues at the start of planning and the Beauport was the only one that made a lasting impression. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to host our wedding there. It was so stunning, beautiful and perfect. We were truly proud to invite our friends and family to such a breathtaking place. The food was absolutely to die for, the waitstaff and hotel staff were so sweet, and our coordinator Jacey was attentive in the months leading up to our event. We did have some critiques. The communication with our coordinator was not 100% on the day of our wedding. There were small things here and there, but the biggest one was that a row was meant to be reserved for our bridesmaids, groomsmen and flower girl, but it was not so they ended up having to stand up with us. We discussed this many times during planning, and emphasized the importance of only having our man of honor and our best man standing up with us. There was no apology for this pretty considerable error until I brought it up myself a week after the wedding. The other critique was that my parents were in city facing rooms and had a very hard time sleeping due to excessive noise from the street. Other people in the room block had much better rooms which we felt should have been given to our parents. Other than that, everything was amazing. It was truly so special and we will never ever forget it. We couldn't be more grateful to have had the most perfect sunny day on the water in Gloucester, a place that has been special to my heart since I was a kid. Thank you Beauport Hotel! We will never ever forget our wedding day.

    The Emerson Inn - hotels - Updated July 2026

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