Sable Lodge Retirement Community

    74 Running Hill Rd, South Portland, ME, 04106
    4.5 · 42 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    5.0

    Gorgeous building excellent staff expensive

    I toured and loved it - a gorgeous, spotlessly kept building with spacious, condo-style one-bedrooms (full kitchens, washer/dryer hookups) and hotel-quality amenities: theater, gym, billiards, salon, bank and on-site services. The staff are warm, professional and attentive (management lives on site, valet/concierge, great help with mobility), and the three chef-prepared meals are excellent - dining room and room service are lovely. There's a full activity calendar, frequent outings and lots of resident-led events, so it never feels dull. Downsides: it's expensive, feels a bit cruise-ship/formal rather than homey, the location is strip-mall with no real grounds or view, and meal variety can be limited. Overall I'm very happy and excited to move in.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.45 · 42 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.4
    • Staff

      4.7
    • Meals

      4.2
    • Amenities

      4.5
    • Value

      3.6

    Pros

    • Excellent and often chef-prepared meals
    • Meals included in monthly fee (three meals/day) and complimentary room service
    • Flexible dining pace and dining freedom
    • Wide range of amenities (theater, billiards, salon, bank branch, Main Street store)
    • 100-seat movie theater on-site
    • Full-equipment fitness center and sauna
    • On-site concierge 24/7 and on-site/live-in management
    • Valet parking and optional garage parking
    • Spacious, well-appointed apartments with full kitchens
    • Washer/dryer hookups in units and on-floor laundry
    • Weekly housekeeping/cleaning services
    • Extensive activities program (daily events, outings, clubs, performances)
    • Active resident community and resident-led activities
    • Regular transportation/van service for appointments and outings
    • On-site physical therapy and some assistance options available
    • New, modern, clean, and well-maintained building
    • Thoughtfully designed common areas with a hotel/cruise-ship feel
    • Helpful, friendly, attentive, and professional staff
    • Move-in assistance and low-pressure sales approach
    • Many conveniences on-site (store, bank, beauty parlor, snack room)
    • Laundry and housekeeping included/available
    • Good safety/health practices noted (temperature checks, sanitizers)
    • Billiard room, library, lounge and other social spaces
    • Regular social programming (happy hours, card groups, church services)
    • Positive first impressions and recommendations from many reviewers

    Cons

    • Relatively high cost / described as upscale and expensive
    • Inconsistent or limited meal variety; some critics note poor or pork-heavy options
    • Some reviewers reported occasional poor food quality despite many praises
    • Limited availability of studio units
    • Location described as a strip-mall / busy area with limited grounds or views
    • Not-homey or too much of a 'cruise-ship' / hotel vibe for some residents
    • Extra fees for garage parking and some services (car cleaning)
    • COVID-era cafeteria-style service noted by some (temporary downgrade)
    • A few residents did not engage with activities or felt less involved
    • Perception differences about value (some call reasonable, others very costly)

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment: Reviews for Sable Lodge Retirement Community are strongly positive on balance, with repeated praise for the facility’s modern construction, wide-ranging amenities, attentive staff, and an active social life. Many reviewers emphasize the high quality of the physical plant — brand-new, clean, well-appointed apartments and common areas — calling the community beautiful, gorgeous, or first-class. The property projects an upscale, hotel- or cruise-ship–style atmosphere that appeals to residents seeking convenience, polish, and a robust on-site offering.

    Facilities and accommodations: The community’s physical amenities are a frequent highlight. Reviewers cite large one-bedroom apartments (and some two- and three-bedroom options), full kitchens, washer/dryer hookups, on-floor laundry, ample closets, and thoughtful interior features. Common spaces receive favorable comments including a 100-seat movie theater, billiard room, library, salon, Main Street–style store, bank branch, snack room, and multiple lounging/dining areas. Fitness options are comprehensive (full gym and sauna), and several reviewers mentioned on-site physical therapy and valet parking. The building is described as very clean and well maintained, with live-in managers and 24/7 concierge adding to a sense of safety and support.

    Staff and management: Staff performance is one of the strongest consistent themes. Nearly every review that mentions staff uses adjectives like friendly, helpful, professional, and caring. Management is noted as informative and personable, with several comments about managers living on-site and providing move-in assistance. The concierge and staff support (including help with mobility or avoiding assisted living) are repeatedly praised. Reviewers frequently note that the staff make residents feel welcomed and well looked after, and the absence of high-pressure sales during touring was singled out positively.

    Dining: Dining receives mixed but generally favorable feedback. Many residents praise the food — describing it as excellent, chef-prepared, and a standout compared to other local options — and they appreciate that meals are included and that room service is provided at no additional charge. Flexible dining pace and variety of meals are appreciated by many. However, a notable minority raise concerns about limited menu variety (including a tendency toward pork-heavy menus), limited healthy/grilled options, and occasional reports of poor meals. Some of the critical comments reference temporary cafeteria-style service during COVID protocols; overall the tone suggests that while the dining is often excellent, consistency and healthy-option variety could be improved.

    Activities and community life: Activity programming is robust and diverse. Numerous reviewers list daily events, weekly outings, monthly schedules full of varied offerings, resident-led clubs (walking stick club, card groups, bingo, poker), happy hours, performances, church services, and other social events. Many reviewers describe an engaged and creative resident population, with art exhibits and special events (car shows, music nights) contributing to a lively community. That said, a few reviews mention residents who do not participate much in activities, indicating some variance in engagement by individual preference or health/interest.

    Value and cost considerations: Perceptions of cost are mixed and constitute a recurring theme to weigh carefully. Multiple reviewers describe Sable Lodge as upscale and expensive — worth it if affordable — and one or two explicitly call it “extremely expensive.” Conversely, several reviews describe rent as reasonable or very reasonable given the extensive inclusions (meals, housekeeping, many amenities). Reviewers also point out extra fees for garage parking or optional services (car cleaning), so total cost of living may be higher than base rent. The consensus is that Sable Lodge occupies a higher-price tier, but many residents feel the amenities and services justify the expense.

    Location and environment: The physical setting draws mixed comments. While the interior and common spaces are praised, some reviewers note the location feels like a strip-mall and that the property lacks extensive grounds or scenic views. For prospective residents who prioritize outdoor green space or tranquil surroundings, this could be a downside. The community’s central and convenient location (near family, services, and medical transport) is also cited as a positive by others.

    Notable caveats and final impression: There are a few recurring caveats to consider. Studio apartments are reported as limited in availability, which could be an issue for prospective movers seeking smaller units. Dining variety and consistency show some divergence in experience across residents. There are extra charges for certain conveniences (garage), and some residents feel the overall vibe is too hotel-like rather than homey. Despite these concerns, the dominant themes across reviews are high marks for staff quality, extensive amenities, strong activity programming, modern and clean facilities, and an overall sense that residents are well cared for. For those seeking an upscale independent-living community with many on-site services and a lively social calendar, reviewers overwhelmingly recommend Sable Lodge; for budget-conscious seekers or those prioritizing expansive outdoor grounds and a homier aesthetic, the community may be less ideal.

    Location

    Map showing location of Sable Lodge Retirement Community

    About Sable Lodge Retirement Community

    Sable Lodge Retirement Community sits in South Portland, Maine, where lighthouse views and harbor scenery create a calm setting for folks 55 or older who want comfort and safety as they age, and you'll notice right away that the staff and residents like to greet each other and keep things friendly. This all-inclusive, resort-style place gives seniors a chance to enjoy independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, all under one roof, with help available when needed and as care needs change. Apartments come in studio, one, two, or three-bedroom floor plans, and every unit's got climate control, window coverings, full kitchens with real appliances, cable, phone, and internet included, and there's no extra fee for pets-so furry friends are welcome, and that always brightens things up.

    Sable Lodge covers housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance, and staff and live-in managers stay on-site 24/7 with an Emergency Alert System and round-the-clock concierge services, which makes things less stressful for everyone. Folks have a lot to do, like billiards, games in the arcade, group activities, and regular outings thanks to a Lifestyle Director who creates a busy calendar full of social events, health programs, educational talks, exercise classes, and devotional services both onsite and offsite. The building's got indoor and outdoor common spaces, a three-mile greenbelt walkway with views of the harbor, a library, theater with stadium seating, spa, fitness center, lounge with a bar, beauty salon, pharmacy, and even a small bank on Main Street, so just about everything's within easy reach.

    Dining uses the Signature Freedom Dining Program, which brings chef-prepared meals three times a day with all sorts of fresh choices for different diets, and if someone isn't feeling up to joining in the dining hall, a meal delivery service brings food right to the apartment door. For people who love to travel, residents can visit other Resort Lifestyle Communities around the country without extra costs, and for folks who need more support, there's skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care with services for Alzheimer's and dementia, so families know loved ones can stay in one place even as needs change. Utilities and most services are covered in the monthly rate, the staff focuses on giving everyone a helping hand when needed, and there's always a sense that it's easy to find a friend or something meaningful to do. Pet-friendly, maintenance-free living, and a steady schedule of things to learn and enjoy make Sable Lodge a solid choice for those seeking a safe, social, and comfortable retirement community with flexible living and care options.

    About Resort Lifestyle Communities

    Sable Lodge Retirement Community is managed by Resort Lifestyle Communities.

    Resort Lifestyle Communities (founded 1992) is a family-owned company headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, operating around 30 all-inclusive senior living communities across multiple states. They provide 55+ residents with comprehensive services including 24/7 emergency systems, gourmet dining, housekeeping, and concierge service.

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