When you stay at The McKernan Inn in South Portland, you'll be on the beach, within a 10-minute drive of State Theatre and Maine Medical Center. .This beach guesthouse is 17.8 mi (28.6 km) from Old Orchard Beach Pier and 18.1 mi (29.2 km) from Old Orchard Beach.
Southern Maine Community College - 1 min walk - 0.0 miles
Fort Preble - 1 min walk - 0.0 miles
Willard Beach - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
Portland Harbor Museum - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
Bug Light - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile
Getting around
Portland Transportation Center - 19 min drive
Portland Intl. Jetport Airport (PWM) - 28 min drive
Restaurants
Second Rodeo Coffee - 3 min drive
North43Bistro - 9 min walk
Luke’s Lobster - 7 min drive
Cumberland Farms - 3 min drive
Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company - 7 min drive
About this property
The McKernan Inn
The McKernan Inn offers 8 accommodations with irons/ironing boards and complimentary toiletries. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Plasma televisions come with cable channels.
Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Stay in one of 8 guestrooms featuring plasma televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include portable fans and irons/ironing boards, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services.
A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM.
Featured amenities include luggage storage and an elevator. Planning an event in South Portland? This guesthouse has 700 square feet (65 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and meeting rooms. Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning between 7:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free uncovered self parking on site
Food and drink
Free continental breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM
Private picnics
Conveniences
Guidebooks
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Guest services
Concierge services
Housekeeping (daily)
Tour and ticket assistance
Business services
700 square feet of conference space
Coworking space
Meeting rooms
Outdoors
Dock
Garden
On the beach
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Elevator (35 inch wide door)
Handrails in stairways (36 inches high)
Lever door handles
Thin carpet in room
Well-lit path to entrance
More
Smoking not allowed
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Private bathroom
Shampoo
Shower/bathtub combination
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Entertainment
Plasma TV with cable channels
Food and drink
Restaurant dining guides
More
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Iron/ironing board
Portable fan
Window screens
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 7:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Guests will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Renovations and closures
The following facilities are closed seasonally each year. They will be closed from November 26 to November 30:
Beach
Meeting facilities
Parking area
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Property payment types
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
Deposit: USD 25.00 per accommodation, per stay
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Property is also known as
The McKernan Inn Inn
The McKernan Inn South Portland
The McKernan Inn Inn South Portland
The McKernan Inn Reviews
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Gorgeous grounds and venue with a beautiful oceanfront view. Plenty of parking as part of SMCC campus. Short drive to downtown Portland and lots of stores around in South Portland. Very unique experience, would stay again without hesitation!
Nicole
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
KEITH
Nov 4, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Such a unique little place. The kids staffing it were all very nice and very helpful. The room was very clean and comfortable. The location and views were everything we had hoped for for this, our anniversary trip.
KEITH
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
shannon
Jul 22, 2025
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
The staff and accommodations werre great! The location was top-notch for us.
shannon
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lisa
Oct 21, 2025
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Picturesque and quiet location!
Laundry facilities!
Staff was more than accommodating and a lovely ocean view with a delicious breakfast made for a memorable stay!
Lisa
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
Vicki
Oct 22, 2025
Liked: Staff & service
Cool old inn but in need of some TLC. Location on the waterfront was the highlight of our brief time there.
Excellent place to stay. Old historic property, spacious and clean rooms, fabulous staff, and steps away from the beach and lighthouse. And on another note, AC in the rooms and really good water pressure in the showers :) We really had a great trip here.
What a lovely Inn! Beautifully decorated for the holidays. The students were capable and friendly. Our suite was warm and cozy, with a spectacular view. Coffee and breakfast on the glassed in porch were great. We were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves. What a treat!
Great, quiet place to stay in Portland. The staff were super friendly. The breakfast was nice. The view of the lighthouse was great. Access to walking the beach was easy.
The breakfast was fresh and different every morning. The sun room where it was served was quiet and had a lovely view of the bay. The room was quiet and spacious. The staff was friendly and helpful.
Lovely venue that sits by the water. The continental breakfast is delicious and set on a glass porch overlooking the bay. Close to the beach for walking, a perfect location.
Our experience at McKernan Inn was so very pleasant. The room was spacious and clean. The free coffee and tea bar was a wonderful treat. The continental breakfast surpassed my expectations. The staff was efficient and accommodating. I highly recommend!
Stayed in the Suite. Great views from bedroom and sitting area. Feels home like and quaint. Great place for long walks. Good porch in front and back of property. Room clean and bed linens and bed comfortable. Staff were nice. Young lady made us breakfast on our first morning was very professional, courteous, polite, and made us good breakfast of cut up fruits and chocolate croissants. Beach and lighthouse just a few steps.
This inn is located on beautiful Casco Bay with a nearby beach. It is run by South Maine Community College and the friendly students studying Hospitality Management will serve you a lovely continental breakfast and make your stay very enjoyable.
The place was fabulous and we plan on going back! Awesome staff, clean rooms, good location and overall excellent! Breakfast was very delightful and so yummy! My experience was wonderful!