Moby Dick Variety/Motel offers basic rooms with minifridges in Old Orchard Beach, ME, close to Palace Playland and Portland Head Light. Rated 4.3 from 63 reviews.
Recent visitors highlight the motel's prime location near Old Orchard Beach, welcoming staff, and tasty breakfast sandwiches. The straightforward rooms meet basic needs but show signs of wear, making it a practical choice for beach-focused stays rather than luxury accommodations.
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Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Located just a short stroll from the vibrant shores of Old Orchard Beach, Moby Dick Variety/Motel offers simple, no-frills accommodations with basic amenities such as minifridges and microwaves. This straightforward motel is housed in a modest building that also includes a convenience store well-regarded for its breakfast sandwiches and quick service, appealing to guests looking for easy dining options on-site. The property features air-conditioned rooms but does not accommodate pets or provide airport shuttle services.
The setting is ideal for visitors aiming to explore local attractions like Palace Playland, a beachfront amusement park less than 10 minutes away on foot, as well as nearby sights including Portland Head Light and Funtown Splashtown USA. Guests have highlighted the motel’s proximity to the beach as a major advantage, with many appreciating the convenience of being just across the street from the sand. Check-in and check-out are straightforward, at 2 PM and 10 AM respectively.
While rooms are clean and comfortable, guest reviews note that the décor and facilities could benefit from updates. Security features have improved following past concerns, with the addition of bolt locks supplementing the standard keyed doors. The motel’s modest style and limited amenities make it better suited for budget-conscious travelers or those prioritizing location over luxury. Guests should be aware that toiletries like shampoo and conditioner are not provided.
Feedback on the overall experience tends to be mixed but generally positive, with particular praise for the friendly, helpful staff and the homey atmosphere. The presence of a variety store on-site adds practical convenience, especially for those spending time at the beach or seeking quick meals. Moby Dick Variety/Motel fits well for visitors who value easy access to local attractions and the shoreline without expecting extensive hotel services.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
Nice hotel served its purpose. The location is absolutely awesome. The staff was very nice. The room was clean. Sheets were clean. The beach is right across the street within walking distance and I mean within like 2 minutes straight across the street beaches right there. Hotel rooms are in need of an update. But if you're next to the beach, I guess you're not spending all that time in the room anyways. I know all hotel rooms around this area are overpriced...... way overpriced for some of them. This is like maybe $100 a night room. If they updated the rooms this place would be totally worth every penny. It's downstairs "office" where you pick up the key from is a carryout/ restaurant too . The one negative thing that I do not like about this place is they have keys, not electronic changeable locks.. So if somebody copied the key they could probably get back into your room I'm assuming. And they also do NOT have bolt locks on the doors. Or any kind of lockout device to keep people out. Beyond a regular doorknob that takes a key. I would still stay here again though.
The BEST breakfast sandwich Beacon egg and cheese comes with 2 eggs 5 slices of bacon cheese salt and pepper for $6
We stopped by the Variety Store looking for a sandwich. We found the BEST breakfast sandwich we have had in a very long time. It was perfect. The family that runs/owns the place is so nice. 10 out 10
Check in was easy, had a small problem with my first room and they gave me another one right away, it was quaint, very clean. Bathroom was a bit small but plenty of hot water and awesome water pressure in the shower. Friendly and very helpful staff. Food was very good, and good sized portions, reasonably priced for the area. Just a short walk to the beach. Dont have shampoo and conditioner in the rooms so be sure to bring your own! If you are expecting luxury this is not your place, it's small and very quaint. I adored the homey feeling.
I've never stayed at this hotel but this review is for the convenience store because they have the most delicious breakfast sandwiches. So good that I had to find a way to leave a review. Plus, the service was fast and friendly.
Foood!!! Hanging at the beach all day and needed something! Have been coming up for over 20 years and this place has had multiple owners but the current ones deff know what they are doing had an egg breakfast sandwich and Italian sub…Delish!!! Deff recommend!
The owners are so kind and accommodating, just a 3 minute if that walk to the beach. The only fall back was no bathtub for the littles who don't like the shower.
The rooms were clean and comfortable to stay in, although I would say the decor is dated, but for the value it really does not matter. They seemed to have added the bolt locks which seemed to be in response to a previous review. There was a convenience store on the first floor with almost anything you might need. Also, be sure to check out the sandwiches downstairs in the convenience store, their breakfast sandwiches are killer.
This basic motel is a 9-minute walk from Palace Playland amusement park and the pier at Old Orchard Beach.
Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Maine. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.
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