Business Details
Experience Historic Elegance at Captain Nickels Inn
Captain Nickels Inn, established in 1874 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers an elegant retreat on Penobscot Bay in Searsport, Maine. Our historic property, once the home of Captain Albert V. Nickels, combines maritime heritage with modern amenities, featuring ten uniquely designed guest rooms and suites with ocean views. We specialize in romantic getaways, weddings, and small events, providing personalized service, gourmet breakfasts, and curated experiences like sailing packages and seasonal specials. Our commitment to preserving the inn's historic charm while offering contemporary comforts ensures a memorable stay for discerning travelers.The innkeepers, Dawn and Cassidy Gintz, bring decades of hospitality experience, having transformed their passion for historic inns into this coastal sanctuary. With six acres of waterfront grounds, guests enjoy Adirondack chairs, fire pits, and lawn games against a backdrop of MidCoast Maine's natural beauty. We adhere to strict accessibility policies while maintaining the property's historic integrity, ensuring a seamless blend of tradition and modernity.
Services
Oceanfront Accommodations
Wedding Ceremonies
Corporate Retreats
Gourmet Breakfast
Sailing Packages
Historic Tours
Event Hosting
Romantic Getaways
Seasonal Specials
Gift Certificates
Highlights and features
- Historic 1874 property with 180-degree ocean views
- Personalized service from multi-generational innkeepers
- Award-winning gourmet breakfasts daily
- Exclusive waterfront access with private decks and firepits
- Custom wedding and event planning expertise
Associations and certifications
- National Register of Historic Places
What people say
Stunning ocean views
Exceptional breakfasts
Personalized service
Romantic ambiance
Memorable weddings
Services
Oceanfront Accommodations
Captain Nickels Inn offers ten uniquely designed guest rooms and suites with panoramic Penobscot Bay views. Each room features luxury amenities like king/queen beds, private balconies, soaking tubs, and smart TVs. Guests enjoy exclusive access to waterfront decks, fire pits, and historic common areas while experiencing the inn's 1874 maritime heritage preserved with modern comforts.
Wedding Ceremonies
The inn specializes in intimate weddings and elopements with packages ranging from $1,625 to $4,475. Services include officiants, floral arrangements, champagne toasts, and reception spaces for 2-48 guests. The property offers multiple ceremony locations including oceanfront lawns, gardens, and historic ballrooms, with customization options for personalized celebrations.
Corporate Retreats
Host productive corporate gatherings in our historic ballroom and parlors with packages starting at $4,750. Accommodate 10-20 guests across two nights with full gourmet breakfasts, conference spaces, and team-building activities like croquet and sailing. The inn provides light refreshments, AV equipment, and customized itineraries for business groups November-April.
Gourmet Breakfast
Daily chef-prepared breakfasts feature multi-course meals with local ingredients. Menus include made-to-order omelets, fresh-baked pastries, and seasonal specialties served in the dining room overlooking Penobscot Bay. Special dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice, and guests receive afternoon sweet treats as part of their stay.
Sailing Packages
Enhance your stay with two-hour sailing excursions on Penobscot Bay aboard historic vessels. Choose between the 1941 Cutter Owl ($180/couple) or 1927 Schooner Olad ($138/couple), both including wine service. Packages combine maritime history with coastal exploration, departing from the inn's private dock area.
People
Dawn Gintz
Innkeeper & Co-Owner
Dawn Gintz co-owns Captain Nickels Inn with her daughter Cassidy. With a background in medical dosimetry and a lifelong passion for historic inns, she transitioned to hospitality in 2019. Dawn oversees daily operations and guest experiences, combining her organizational skills with a warm, personal touch that makes visitors feel at home.
Cassidy Gintz
Innkeeper & Co-Owner
Cassidy Gintz, a former valedictorian, co-owns the inn with her mother Dawn. She started her entrepreneurial journey with a pet-sitting business before pursuing innkeeping. Now managing special events and guest relations, Cassidy brings youthful energy and modern hospitality insights to the historic property while maintaining its traditional charm.
Questions
What makes Captain Nickels Inn unique?
We're a National Register-listed 1874 inn with 180-degree ocean views, offering historic charm combined with modern amenities. Our personalized service, gourmet breakfasts, and waterfront access create a distinctive coastal experience.
Do you allow children or pets?
As a romantic inn, we don't accommodate children under 10. We welcome service animals with advance notice but cannot host pets due to our resident dogs and historic property constraints.
What wedding packages are available?
We offer elopement packages from $1,625 and wedding packages up to $27,775, accommodating 2-48 guests. All include customized ceremony spaces, officiants, and reception options with floral arrangements and photography services.
Are there dining options on-site?
Our 1874 Tavern serves wine, cider, and craft beer. We provide full gourmet breakfasts daily and can arrange charcuterie boards. Nearby Young's Lobster Pound offers fresh seafood with our complimentary picnic setup.
What activities are available nearby?
Explore Penobscot Marine Museum, take walking tours of historic Searsport, or visit Moose Point State Park. We offer sailing packages on vintage vessels and have lawn games, croquet, and fire pits on-site.
What is your cancellation policy?
Reservations canceled 15+ days prior receive refunds minus $50 fee. Cancellations within 14 days are non-refundable. We recommend trip insurance due to our strict policy protecting reserved rooms for confirmed guests.
