Where to Stay in Houlton, Maine: Hotels, Extended Stays & Local Lodging Guide

Whether you're visiting for Midnight Madness, the Houlton Agricultural Fair, a family vacation, a business trip, or a temporary work assignment, Houlton offers several lodging options that place you within minutes of shopping, dining, recreation, and local attractions.

Best Overall Hotel: Ivey's Motor Lodge

Located on North Street just off Interstate 95, Ivey's Motor Lodge is often the first choice for many visitors entering Maine from New Brunswick or traveling north through Aroostook County.

Guests consistently praise the clean rooms, comfortable beds, complimentary breakfast, and convenient location. The on-site restaurant and pub make it easy to grab dinner without leaving the property after a long day of travel.

Best For:
• Traveling nurses
• Business travelers
• Families
• Overnight travelers
• Canadian visitors

Best for Extended Stays & Work Crews: Shiretown Inn & Suites

Located just north of downtown, Shiretown Inn & Suites offers larger rooms and amenities popular with contractors, utility crews, construction workers, and traveling professionals.

The property includes meeting space, ample parking, and an on-site restaurant and pub. Its location provides quick access to downtown Houlton, Interstate 95, and Route 1.

Best For:
• Traveling nurses
• Contractors
• Utility crews
• Government workers
• Extended assignments

Newer Option: Wolastoq Inn & Suites

One of Houlton's newer lodging options, Wolastoq Inn & Suites has earned strong reviews for comfortable accommodations and modern updates. Visitors often mention the cleanliness and quiet atmosphere.

Best For:
• Couples
• Business travelers
• Weekend visitors

Nearby Alternatives

Vacation Rentals & Air bnbs

If you're staying in the Houlton area for a week, a month, or even an entire work assignment, vacation rentals can often provide better value and more comfort than a traditional hotel room.

Airbnb and Vrbo have become increasingly popular among traveling nurses, contractors, utility crews, hunters, snowmobilers, ATV riders, and families visiting Northern Maine because many properties offer full kitchens, laundry facilities, dedicated workspaces, multiple bedrooms, and the privacy of having an entire home to yourself.

Areas to Search

When searching Airbnb or Vrbo, don't limit yourself to Houlton alone. Expanding your search radius often reveals additional options and better pricing in nearby communities such as:

• Houlton
• Littleton
• Hodgdon
• New Limerick
• Linneus
• Island Falls
• Oakfield
• Smyrna Mills
• Bridgewater
• Monticello

Most of these communities are only a short drive from Houlton while offering a quieter country setting and larger properties.

How to Book an Airbnb

If you've never used Airbnb before, the process is fairly simple:

1. Create an account and verify your profile.
2. Enter your destination (Houlton, Maine) and travel dates.
3. Select the number of guests.
4. Use filters to narrow your search. Consider selecting:
   • Entire Place
   • Kitchen
   • Washer & Dryer
   • Wi-Fi
   • Self Check-In
   • Pet Friendly (if applicable)
5. Read the reviews carefully.
6. Review the cancellation policy before booking.
7. Contact the host if you have questions about parking, check-in, pets, ATV trailers, work trucks, or long-term stays. Airbnb encourages guests to review photos, amenities, reviews, house rules, and cancellation policies before booking.

Vacation Rental Websites

• Airbnb
  • Best for homes, cabins, apartments, and long-term stays.
  • Popular with traveling nurses, contractors, and families.
• Vrbo
  • Focuses primarily on entire homes and vacation properties.
  • Great for larger groups and family vacations.

Hotel Booking Websites

• Booking.com
  • Often shows both hotels and vacation rentals.
  • Good filtering options and flexible cancellation policies.
• Expedia
  • Hotels, vacation rentals, flights, and package deals.
• Hotels.com
  • Useful for comparing hotel rates and earning rewards.

Camping & Unique Stays

• Hipcamp
  • Camping, glamping, cabins, and private land camping.
• KOA Campgrounds
  • Easy booking for campgrounds and cabins, including the Houlton KOA.

Search Tip for Visitors

When searching, don't just enter Houlton, Maine. Expand your search to include:

📍 Houlton
📍 Littleton
📍 Hodgdon
📍 Linneus
📍 New Limerick
📍 Monticello
📍 Smyrna Mills
📍 Bridgewater
📍 Oakfield
📍 Island Falls

Many of the best cabins, lakefront cottages, and country homes are located within a 15–30 minute drive of Houlton and often offer better views, more privacy, and lower prices than properties located directly in town.

Best Tips for Traveling Workers

If you're coming to the area for work, look specifically for:

✅ Reliable Wi-Fi

✅ Dedicated workspace

✅ Laundry facilities

✅ Full kitchen

✅ Monthly stay discounts

Many hosts offer significant discounts for 28-day or longer stays, making Airbnb a cost-effective alternative to extended hotel stays.

What to Look For in Northern Maine

Unlike larger cities, Northern Maine rentals often feature amenities that visitors love: 

• Waterfront access
• Lake views
• Fire pits
• ATV trail access
• Snowmobile trail access
• Wildlife viewing
• Large yards
• Private driveways
• Quiet rural locations

Many visitors are surprised to find cabins, cottages, farmhouses, and lakeside properties available within 15 to 30 minutes of Houlton.

Airbnb vs. Hotel

A hotel is usually the easiest option for a quick overnight stay.

However, if you're staying more than a few days, need a kitchen, want extra space, or simply enjoy having a place that feels more like home, an Airbnb or vacation rental may be the better choice.