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The Edgewater in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, sits on the sparkling Atlantic in the center of seven miles of gently sloping sand beach, central to all attractions.
Our guests are pampered with distinctively appointed well-equipped rooms and a level of personalized attentive service that comes from three generations of inn keeping.
Lucien Begin was a man of simple roots and smart ideas. The Lewiston, Maine grocer enjoyed dabbling in real estate, and when he heard there was a new Old Orchard Beach exit planned off the turnpike back in 1953, he knew nearby oceanfront hotels would benefit. I’m not sure if he envisioned a quick turnover on the property at the time, but I’m sure he didn’t know it was the beginning of a three-generation legacy building for 70 years.
Lucien’s newly married daughter Simonne and husband Gerry had never even stayed in a hotel themselves when Lucien asked if they’d like to give Innkeeping a try. He had purchased The Edgewater, a 50-room hotel on the ocean with restaurant, lounge and lots of regulars who arrived with packed trunks to stay the summer. Simonne and Gerry learned the ins and outs of the business hands-on, and the hard way. Somehow they still found time to become active members of the Maine Innkeepers Association, and the OOB Chamber of Commerce. They developed innovations of their own along the way, such as a summer visit each year from the Quebec Winter Carnival and Labor Day lobster bakes. In their desire to modernize the property they moved a cottage off the site (along the beach at low tide!) and added 10 modern motel units in 1959. In 1966 they were forced into a difficult decision by changing fire codes and travelers’ needs and tore down the old hotel to replace it with the 36-unit inn that exists today.
In 1984 as my parents were considering selling the property, I was graduating from college and discovering a strong urge to continue the family business, and after managing the property on a trial basis, entered into a purchase agreement in 1987. From there, along with the help of my wife Katy, we’ve made many changes and expanded the legacy to several other ventures.
My grandfather Lucien died in 1962, too early for me to have any memories of him. But I would love to have the opportunity to have him pull up a chair by the fire in the lobby, and chat with him about the changes in Old Orchard and in our family business over the last 70 years. And I’d love to hear where he thought we should go in the next 65 years. Of course I have a few ideas of my own in that area…
Thanks for being a part of my family’s tradition.
Pierre
The staff and management of The Edgewater are genuinely dedicated to a greener and more environmentally responsible work and operating ethic. At the heart of this commitment is a desire to raise awareness about the environment, as we strive go operate in a manner that conserves natural resources, reduces waste and pollution while supporting a healthy planet. We believe in doing so we will positively impact our guests, our employees and our community.