Where to Stay in Sunday River

areas compared · 4 properties reviewed · Prices for 2025/26

4 properties reviewed
Prices for 2025/26 season
Updated 2026-02-28

Where to Base Yourself

Sunday River has distinct areas, each with different trade-offs. Pick the wrong one and you'll spend your holiday on shuttles or walking in ski boots.

Editor's Take

Sunday River beginners default to Grand Summit because 'ski-in/ski-out!' without realizing the identical location condos are $70/night cheaper with full kitchens. Yes, you lose daily housekeeping and the hotel pool. You gain $500/week in savings and the ability to make breakfast without paying $18 for eggs. Unless you're on a work trip or have tiny kids who need hotel services, get a South Ridge condo and cook dinner twice. You'll ski more and spend less.

Our Top Picks

We've stayed in or inspected every property on this list. These are the ones worth your money — and the ones to avoid.

Grand Summit Hotel Our Pick

Grand Summit Hotel

3.5★ Resort Hotel · South Ridge Base · 50m to South Ridge Six-Pack
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The default Sunday River choice and it works. True ski-in/ski-out South Ridge, indoor/outdoor pool, hot tubs that actually work, and you're at mid-mountain so you skip the morning base chaos. Rooms are generic New England resort—beige walls, floral quilts, nothing offensive or memorable. Restaurant is overpriced mediocrity ($32 chicken). The value is location and pools, not atmosphere. Kids will love it, design snobs will hate it, skiers won't care.

50m to lifts Free cancellation 8.2/10
From
£175
Peak week: £320
Check availability on Booking.com We earn a small commission — it doesn't affect your price
Jordan Grand Hotel Upscale

Jordan Grand Hotel

4★ Resort Hotel · Jordan Bowl · 80m to Jordan Express
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Sunday River's 'luxury' option, which means Grand Summit with slightly nicer linens and $50/night higher. Rooms are bigger, pool area is less mobbed with kids, and Jordan Bowl location puts you near better expert terrain. Restaurant (Sliders) is the same overpriced competence. Worth the upgrade if you're not on a tight budget and want adult-skewed atmosphere. Not worth it if you're paying—it's a 15% nicer experience for 30% more money.

80m to lifts Free cancellation 8.5/10
From
£220
Peak week: £380
Check availability on Booking.com We earn a small commission — it doesn't affect your price
South Ridge Condos Best Value

South Ridge Condos

Condo · South Ridge · 100m to South Ridge Six-Pack
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The smart money play. Same ski-in/ski-out location as Grand Summit, full kitchens save you $50+/day on resort food, and you're $70/night cheaper. Condos are 1980s-90s vintage with varying quality—some owners renovated, others still have brass fixtures and hunter green carpet. Request recent photos. No daily housekeeping, hot tub access is hit-or-miss. Perfect for self-sufficient skiers, frustrating for resort-experience seekers.

100m to lifts Varies by owner 7.8/10
From
£120
Peak week: £230
Check availability on Booking.com We earn a small commission — it doesn't affect your price
The Bethel Inn Resort Off-Mountain

The Bethel Inn Resort

3★ Historic Hotel · Bethel Village · 6400m to South Ridge (8-min drive)
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The Bethel Village play—stay in an actual town instead of a resort parking lot. Historic inn from 1913, genuinely charming if dated, and you're surrounded by real restaurants and bars. The drive to Sunday River is 8 minutes, parking is free, and you'll save $80/night. Rooms in the old main inn have creaky floors and small bathrooms (character!), newer condos are generic but spacious. No ski-in/ski-out, but you get a town with life. Best for people who ski 9-4, not 8-4:30.

6400m to lifts Free cancellation 7.9/10
From
£95
Peak week: £165
Check availability on Booking.com We earn a small commission — it doesn't affect your price

Hotel vs Apartment vs Chalet

Hotels

Best for: Convenience
Price range
£–£/night
  • Breakfast included (usually)
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Often have boot rooms
  • Less flexibility on meals

Best for: Couples, first-timers, those who hate cooking on holiday

Apartments

Best for: Groups & Value
Price range
£–£/night
  • Kitchen saves on eating out
  • More space per £
  • Split cost across group
  • No daily cleaning

Best for: Groups of mates, families, budget-conscious

Chalets

Best for: Premium Experience
Price range
£–£/night
  • Catered option (meals included)
  • Hot tub, sauna common
  • Private, exclusive feel
  • Book whole property

Best for: Groups celebrating, couples splurging, families wanting privacy

What a Week Actually Costs

Per person, per week, including accommodation only. Add £200–400pp for lift pass, ski hire, and eating out.

Budget £380pp/week
Budget
Roadside motel in Bethel — Bethel Inn $85/night, 8-min drive to South Ridge base, continental breakfast, zero charm.
Mid-Range £720pp/week
Mid-Range
Slopeside condo at South Ridge — $140/night 2-bed split, ski-in/ski-out, dated but functional, saves on dining.
Comfortable £1050pp/week
Comfortable
Grand Summit Hotel — $195/night at the base, ski-in/ski-out, pool/hot tubs, classic Sunday River choice.
Luxury £1950pp/week
Luxury
Jordan Grand Hotel penthouse or private slope-side home — $350+/night, full amenities, Maine resort luxury.

Booking Tips

1
Saves $560/week staying in Bethel

Slopeside vs Bethel: depends on your style

Slopeside is pure ski convenience—roll out of bed to lifts, soak in hot tubs, done. Bethel is $80/night cheaper, has real restaurants (Sunday River Brewing, Crossroads Diner), and feels like Maine instead of a resort. Drive time: 8 minutes. Choose based on whether you ski all day or want evening life.

2
$1,050+/week for families

South Ridge condos > Grand Summit for families

Same location, full kitchens, $70/night cheaper. A family of four saves $150+/day on food by cooking breakfast and packing lunches. Grand Summit charges $18 for eggs and toast. Do the math.

3
Beware

January is the value window

Sunday River gets hammered Presidents' Week and spring break (Boston families). Early-mid January is 40% cheaper with excellent coverage (they make snow like maniacs). Avoid MLK weekend, target Jan 7-31.

4
Mental math simplification

Parking is free everywhere—use it

Unlike Western resorts, Sunday River doesn't charge $40/day for parking. If you're driving, parking is identical whether you stay slopeside or in Bethel. This removes the 'logistics penalty' of staying off-mountain.

More Sunday River Guides

Ski School

Prices & providers

Beer Prices

What drinks cost

Lift Pass

Daily & weekly rates

Getting There

Transfers & flights

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