Review of the Senator Inn & Spa, Augusta: Peaceful Spa Escape in the City

Whether you’re coming to Augusta, Maine because you work in government or if you’re visiting to explore the town, the Senator Inn is a great choice for where to stay. Located just a few minutes from both the Augusta airport (AUG) and the capitol building, the Senator Inn and Spa is a wonderful homebase or a destination in itself. We actually checked in to enjoy some relaxation and a full spa day following a week of winter sports and loved it.

From the outside you might not think the Senator Inn and Spa is a destination, as it does look like a conference-centered hotel, but its rooms are wonderful for escaping the busy travel days of exploring Maine. We’ve got the full scoop on what to expect with staying at the Senator Inn and Spa, as well as tips for things to do in Augusta and how to have a great spa visit. If you have any questions about the hotel stay or spa experiences, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a memorable trip to Maine.

What We Love about the Senator Inn & Spa

Augusta has plenty of hotels to choose from, but the Senator Inn & Spa is quite different with both its onsite offerings and its unique room types. We stayed at the Senator Inn because we had a whole spa day and recovery plan after a week of winter sports and skiing, but not everyone coming to Augusta is going to be looking for that rejuvenation. Whether you’re here for fun, work or a staycation, the large rooms and amenities make the Senator unique for both short and longer stays.

While from the outside the Senator Inn may not look like it’s going to be one of the best places to stay in Augusta, as it seems very much like a standard Maine hotel, but larger, maybe because it has meeting rooms. Once you’re inside though and enjoying your in-room fireplace or having a nice morning swim after your fitness class (more on all that below), you’ll see that staying at the Senator is a very different sort of experience.

We always have a plan for sightseeing and dinking around whatever city we’re in, but after we checked into the Senator we actually didn’t leave for nearly two days because we didn’t need to. It was so nice to have dining, activities and comfort all around us and not have to rush anywhere. We were able to actually have intentional relaxation time and after a few days were genuinely refreshed and ready to get back to the real world and our jobs.

Book the Senator Inn here!

Senator Inn Hotel Room Options

There are several different room types at the Senator Inn, so depending on what your plans are for when you’re in Augusta or if you are just planning a weekend of staying in and relaxing, you can choose what suits your needs best. Because the Senator Inn is so large you’ll find all sorts of room types, from standards to suites, and they even have a cabin that’s a part of the property. The standard and deluxe rooms are very nice with some having indoor access only and some having drive-up (exterior access). You can book rooms that have a king bed, two queens, two doubles, and even one queen.

Something unique about the deluxe rooms is that they have a selection of pet-friendly hotel rooms here at the Senator Inn that actually have hardwood/vinyl flooring instead of carpet, which is great for both maintaining a clean and odor free pet-friendly experience.

Senator Inn Best Hotel Rooms: Spa Suites

Even if you’re not somebody that will use a jetted tub in your hotel room, the spa suites at the Senator Inn are wonderful for having lots of spa and all the comforts you could want. These large rooms come with either a king or two queen beds, have a jetted tub, a separate vanity space and large closest, and a sitting area / office space. These rooms are wonderful if you’re going to be in Augusta for several days, particularly if you need to do work from your hotel room or if you are having a quiet weekend in. The best part of the spa suites though is the fireplace. Yes, I’m a sucker for an in-room fireplace and for me, visiting in the dead of winter, the comfort and peace of turning on the fire and relaxing was the icing on my stay at the Senator Inn.

Amenities at the Senator Inn & Spa

The Senator Spa is a part of the Senator Inn and it’s the main attraction for many guests staying here. The spa area includes the day spa level where you can get your treatments (massages, facials, pedicures…), the fitness center and group fitness room, and the indoor pool and hot tub level. The fitness center is well equipped with free weights and a large variety of weight training machines, there is plenty of cardio equipment and plenty of floor space for stretching and body weight fitness. There are also group classes available to guests, which is truly unique among hotels.

The salt water pool is very large and is ideal for lap swimming or hanging out. There are also aquafit classes offered if you want to join one. The hot tub is located here as well. There is a seasonal outdoor pool that’s open May – October. Another hotel / spa amenity that I love is having a sauna available. The fitness center within the Senator Spa space has both a coed steam room and men’s and women’s dry saunas (located in their respective locker rooms). It’s such a wonderful setup and even if you’re not planning any spa treatments, taking full advantage of the fitness center and facilities is highly recommended. I loved it all.

Spa Day at the Senator Spa

I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t love having a spa day here at the Senator Spa. Whether you’re planning a whole day or just one treatment, it’s a great experience. They offer a variety of massages, body scrubs and wraps, manicures and pedicures, facials… It’s so calm and relaxing. You can also order lunch in the spa so you never have to change out of your bathrobe, adding to the overall peace and relaxation of a stay at the Senator Inn and Spa. For us, spending several days skiing at Sugarloaf and enjoying the cold winter activities at NEOC up in Millinocket, getting the chance to recover at the Senator Spa was pure delight.

Dining at Cloud 9 Restaurant at the Senator Inn

The restaurant onsite at the Senator Inn & Spa is called Cloud 9. It may look quirky because of the cloud covered ceilings and unique tilework, but the food is really good. A little Italian influence and a little Maine influence make the menu diverse and interesting. Breakfast isn’t included in your stay unless you’ve booked a room rate that specifically includes it, but it’s not a wildly expensive restaurant. Cloud 9 has quite the selection of Benedicts and hashes available, and it’s all done as a menu vs buffet.

For lunch and dinner, the menu leans Italian with a variety of seafood and pasta dishes, including some really wonderful woodfired pizzas. And yes, they know how to be gluten free / sensitive. Attached to the Cloud 9 restaurant is a quite bar/lounge. They have seasonal cocktails as well as plenty of local drafts on tap. It’s a nice place to grab a quiet drink alone or with a friend.

Note: if you’re dining in the spa while here, the Cloud 9 kitchen does the lunch menu there too. They’re sandwiches and spa lunch service is delightful.

Parking at the Senator Inn & Spa, August ME

Getting to the Senator Inn & Spa is easy as it’s not too far from either the freeway or downtown. There is parking all around the hotel in its own lot, and if you’ve booked a room with exterior access, you can easily park right in front of your door. Parking is included with your stay, so that’s a nice non-cost. Spa visitors have their own entrance with their own parking area, so if you’re a hotel guest you don’t have to vie for a space.

Senator Inn & Spa Operating Info

If you’d like to go ahead and book a stay here at the Senator Inn, below you’ll find all the info for reaching the property, if you want to inquire for more information or group stays, and booking links if you want to secure your accommodations now. [affiliate]

• Operating Dates/Season: year round, check in after 3:00 pm, check out by 11:00 am
  • Spa Hours:  Monday-Friday 5am-9pm; Saturday & Sunday 7am-9pm
  • Spa Service Hours:  Monday – Saturday 8am to 9pm; Sunday 8am to 4pm
• Spa phone number: 207-622-3138
• Company website: SenatorInn.com
• Booking link: Book the Senator Inn here!

More Things to do in the Highlands of Maine

The Highlands of Maine stretch from Bangor and sprawl to the north and west following the rise of the Appalachians. There are lots of small towns and state parks, and some of the most beautiful sights in Maine. I know that most people think of coastal Maine and its lighthouses when they think of what they’ll see when they come for a visit, but the Highlands are really the playground of Mainers. This region is why Maine is called “Vacationland” and you’ll see why when you come for a visit.

And you cannot forget that the Highlands is an epic winter playground too, with destinations like Sunday River, Saddleback and Sugarloaf. In winter you’ve got downhill and Nordic skiing, and in summer it’s all about hiking and fishing. During fall this is where you come for leaf peeping and to look for moose and other Maine wildlife.

Here are some great ideas for ways to enjoy the Highlands of Maine.

Where to Stay in the Highlands

Depending on the season you’re visiting the Highlands, you will have different options for where to stay. If you’re planning on climbing Mount Katahdin or doing a portion of the Appalachian Trail, Millinocket is a great place to be based. For other Appalachian Trail launch points you can find fun places to stay in Eustace, the Carrabassett Valley, and Rangely. Another amazing summertime destination is Greenville and Moosehead Lake.

For skiing you can stay in Newry or Hanover (for Sunday River), Rangely or Phillips (for Saddleback), or Carrabassett Valley for Sugarloaf. You’ll find lots of cross country / Nordic skiing all over, but the Katahdin Area Trails are great for it!