Be sure to check out or new porch dining sets!

months.  Each year around this time, we hang the spherical planters of coral impatiens.  They start the size of basketballs and with tender, loving care from innkeepers and staff (okay, mostly Walter), they nearly fill the entire space between the support columns.  They’re finally up and don’t provide an ounce of shade, but the bright flowers give off such cheer that their dinky-ness isn’t quite so noticeable!

At the end of last year, we decided to retire the porch furniture, in favor of sturdier and infinitely more comfortable dining sets.  And although the dining tables are just slightly larger, they now can comfortably seat a group of three.  They arrived a short while later, but until the weather warmed, they stayed right in their boxes.  Finally the time has come!  We unboxed the order in April, but had to wait for warm enough mornings to ensure that no one would be chilled. So we waited.  And waited.  And waited.

And this week the morning temps were finally warm enough, so we cleaned and prepped, making sure that visitors to our Kennebunkport Hotel would enjoy a clean and comfortable dining experience.  So it’s official  - the Maine Stay Inn porch is finally open for breakfast!

A view from MC Perkins Cove

Perkins Cove is a part of Ogunquit, Maine, that is often visited by guests of the Maine Stay Inn, and although it’s just 13 miles south of here, it’s a part of the Southern Maine coastline that I had never seen before.  So on a gorgeous evening recently, we decided to check it out.  Separated by just a few miles, Kennebunkport and Ogunquit feel light years apart.  Frankly, the approach to Ogunquit is anything but scenic, with strip motels, mini-golf courses, and countless nicknack shops lining the road, but as you turn off Route 1 onto Shore Road, the scene begins to change.  The establishments get smaller and a bit more charming, and private homes begin to crop up.  We continued past the entrance to the Marginal Way (a great spot for a coastal walk, if you ask me) and found ourselves on a cul-de-sac filled with shops and restaurants.  Even in mid-May, the place was teeming with people and cars hunting for parking (especially the very limited free spots), but we scored one just around the corner from the restaurant we had chosen for the evening.  MC Perkins Cove is owned by the folk who also own Arrows Restaurant, regularly listed as one of the top 50 restaurants in America, and boasts a much less formal ambience.  The facade is unimpressive – a narrow cape with weathered grey shingles – and the decor is kept understated so patrons won’t be distracted by the view.  It’s situated on a craggy outcropping, and the oversized, undraped windows allow for panoramic views, with Kennebunkport visible in the distance.  Once inside, the hustle and bustle outside faded away.

The entire menu is built around the “farm to table” concept – with local seasonal products utilized throughout.  My roasted summer squash and zucchini salad was an absolute stand out, with the fresh basil vinaigrette perfectly coating the fresh baby greens, and the Caesar salad followed suit.  Despite being initially turned off by the fact that a helping of veggies would cost you a whopping $8 more, I quickly realized that the generous portion sizes meant that adding to your order was either unnecessary or the ideal way to make sure you’ve got leftovers for lunch.  But everything about the main courses was fantastic!  And the fact that you could choose your own “evil carbo” (read: starch) and your own sauce meant that the small menu had infinite possibilities!

The only disappointment of the evening was that it had to end, as the view eventually faded into darkness.  For that very reason, I will definitely encourage guests of our Kennebunkport hotel to try MC Perkins Cove in Ogunquit for lunch and enjoy a stroll along the Marginal Way.

Relax and lean back - our lawn loungers will help you soak up the sunshine!

remember going into high end shops, galleries, and the like as a child and was warned to keep my hands to myself, which just filled me with anxiety.  And that feeling comes right back the instant I set foot in a “fancy” and oh-so-stiff setting.  But since our entire purpose is to ensure that visitors to Kennebunkport and the Maine Stay Inn enjoy their experience to the fullest and depart feeling renewed and refreshed, every change is made with your comfort in mind.

Upgrades and renovations over the last four years, in guest rooms and all across the property, have planted the Maine Stay firmly in the Kennebunkport Luxury Hotels category, with things like fine linens, gourmet cuisine, and lavish bathrooms.  But because we believe that sophisticated does not have to mean stuffy, every change has been aimed to help you relax just a bit more.  We’ve swapped out perfectly good mattresses for something thicker, larger, and more plush (though that doesn’t mean squishy – we’ve got your backs in mind too!).  We added bathrobes, then changed them to ones you’ll slide into one with a sigh.  Yes, we want you to sprawl out and unwind, whether that’s in your room, in the lounge or dining room, or even in our expansive backyard.  So lay back in our zero-gravity loungers, soak up the sunshine, and listen to the birds chirping, because at the Maine Stay you can.  But if there is something we can do to make your Maine vacation even better, let us know, because your comfort is our top priority!

A bold blue replaces toile wallpaper in this dramatic renovation

gracing private homes, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and even schools.  But the most prolific of all have to be the fields and gardens at Patten’s Berry Farm, although it will likely be another few months before we get to enjoy their crops.

At the Maine Stay, though, we are just getting to our gardens (unlike some other small Kennebunkport hotels), because we have been busy finishing up the renovations throughout the property.  The classic cottage suites got new bathrooms, and iPad docks have cropped up all across the inn.  Our impossibly tiny kitchen has even gotten a facelift.  Romantic Cottage Suite #1 has been experiencing a transformation, with new furniture, bold paint colors, and soft, white linens and draperies.  And while our largest and most time consuming project happened in Romantic Cottage Suite 5, it was not, in fact, our most noticeable change.  Yes, this suite bears no resemblance to its former self – the two beds are gone, as is the kitchen.  But you’ll have to wait for pictures of our most striking update – partially because we don’t yet have great photos (see you soon, Christian Giannelli!) and partially because we’re not quite finished yet!  Some of the new furniture arrives arrives tomorrow, but some is still a little ways out.  It was a sudden decision to change our small Kennebunkport hotels entire entry, but it has been unquestionably correct, bringing a light and airy feeling to the inn.  We can’t wait to show you!

Now Open - the Galleries at Morning Walk!

some kind of house? Nah, they’re too small for that.  How about storage?  Nope, the beautiful french doors on each one killed that idea.  Finally, though, a sign was posted for “The Galleries at Morning Walk.”  This collection of art galleries and retail spaces are a perfect way to greet visitors to town, as the unique, elegant, and still charming vibe perfectly represents all that Kennebunkport offers.

So about a week ago, we decided to venture out of our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast on a rainy evening to check out the grand opening of this great collection.  We were all pleased to see that the community had come out in droves to support these groundbreaking merchants.  As we strolled from cottage to cottage, we enjoyed a great assortment of wares, from photography and paintings to housewares and jewelry.  But we were never so pleased as when we stepped into one, tucked into the far corner.  A new branch of Calluna Fine Flowers!  This unique floral design, gift, and clothing shop has become a staple for us, and a place we turn to for inventive and stunning floral arrangements.  And while guests ask often where they can find these great products, a trip to Ogunquit (while just 12 miles away) is sometimes just not in the cards.  So now, guests of our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast can just stroll across the bridge (or drive – there is parking) and check out all of the amazing things she has to offer.  We are all so excited about the Galleries at Morning Walk, and can’t wait to go back and explore, this time when it’s not raining!

Judi's favorite sticky cinnamon buns are on the menu just for Mother's Day!

In Kennebunkport Maine, as with anywhere else in the nation, tomorrow is a big day – it’s Mother’s Day!  And for that reason, we have the pleasure of getting to know some amazing moms at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.  Some are being treated to a weekend away from the little tykes with a real breakfast in bed (not just a five-year-old’s version of pancakes), while others are being honored for doing such a good job raising their children years ago.  A few more are sporting large baby bumps and taking advantage of the opportunity to combine their babymoon with soon-to-be Mother’s Day Weekend.  But the most heartwarming of all are the guests being sent for a relaxing getaway in Kennebunkport Maine by their children as a special “thank you” to Mom for all of her hard work and dedication.  So while it might be a teeny bit to late to surprise that special mom in your life by spending Mother’s Day Weekend away, it certainly isn’t too late to show her just how much you care by planning a future getaway.  Seriously, though, what better way is there to show her how much you care than to give her the opportunity to rest, recharge and be pampered?!  Plus, with the wide assortment of excellent Kennebunkport restaurants, she won’t have to lift a finger for her entire stay.  From everyone at the Maine Stay, we wish all moms out there a happy Mother’s Day and hope to see you in Kennebunkport Maine!

• Size does matter!  The Maine Stay would definitely be on the larger end of the spectrum with 17 guest rooms, but that pales in
  

  Start off the day with a hearty gourmet meal!

  comparison to the hundreds of rooms at Kennebunkport Hotels.  With fewer rooms comes fewer staff members, which means that guests at B&Bs have the opportunity to build rapport with staff.  Chances are that you won’t hear “Good morning, Jim” at the Hilton, but that would be very common at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.

• With a larger size comes amenities like vending machines and swimming pools at hotels, but smaller properties also offer a different set of perks.  Many bed and breakfasts, like the Maine Stay, keep libraries of books and movies for their guests to use.  At no charge.  When was the last time a hotel gave you something for free – other than the soap?  We also make sure to provide things like fresh beach towels daily, chairs, and umbrellas to make their days on the sand extra enjoyable.  And for the kiddos, we’ve got boogie boards and sand toys.  Plus, you won’t have to worry about parking – we’ll provide complimentary parking passes!
• Now, you certainly can’t have a bed and breakfast without the morning meal, and while some places are catching on that breakfast really is an important aspect of any day, Kennebunkport hotels are definitely behind the times.  At the Maine Stay, you’ll enjoy a two or three course gourmet breakfast, served either in the dining room or delivered to your cottage suite.  Plus, since our hearty breakfasts often lead to passing on lunch, we’ll have an ample supply of freshly baked cookies every afternoon.
• But if there’s just one thing to say about the difference between Kennebunkport hotels and B&Bs, it’s that you’ll receive a level of personal attention that you just won’t find at a hotel.  That might mean someone to help you figure out what kind of restaurant works for you or help you pick the perfect spot to watch the sun set or even where to find blueberry pie to ship home.  Whatever it is, we’ll help make your stay extraordinary.

Now, I wouldn’t dare say that these things hold true 100% of the time, but you can decide for yourself when you choose to stay at a Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast for your next getaway!

Garden Party joins Kennebunkport Festival 2012 itinerary!

For many, the Kennebunkport Festival serves as the area’s official kick-off to summer, and this year instead of sponsoring an event, several small Kennebunkport hotels and inns have teamed up to host a progressive Garden Party.  Much like a “round robin” or progressive dinner, guests of the Historic Inns of Kennebunkport can enjoy a chauffeured tour of each of the unique gardens and lush lawns, and in a limo, no less!  Yes, a limo!  But while most of the inns are within close proximity, but a few require hopping in a car or on a bike, and these Kennebunkport hotels know that after a glass of wine or two, that might not be such a good idea.  So instead, we’re making sure you end up at your destination safely!

Because this great event will be held on the afternoon of June 9, 2012 (from about 3 to 6 for all of you planners out there), the gardens should be rich with flowers and foliage and temperatures ideal for lounging about.  Some of the inns will be serving complimentary wines and nibbles, while others, like the Maine Stay, will 0ffer a tea-tasting.  With warm and iced varieties of different blends and tea time treats (and not just our famous cookies!), the assortment will be ideal for a summer afternoon.  So mingle with visitors and innkeepers alike while resting up for an evening of Kennebunkport Festival activities at each of the participating Kennebunkport hotels and inns – it’s sure to be fun and worry-free!

Even the rooster outside Pedro's celebrated Cinco de Mayo in Kennebunkport!

today.  Don’t worry, we explained to a group of wonderful guests that “quattro” de Mayo should be just as good!  Nevertheless, the morning started with the 14th Annual May Day celebration, held in downtown Kennebunk.  Complete with fun activities, great artisan displays, and a parade, it was loads of fun, but proved to be no match for beautiful sunny weather and our great beaches.  Yes, we even had to break out the beach chairs for a few guests.  They did pass on the towels, though – the water’s still just a bit too cold for that!  And while quite a few decided to drink in the outdoors, others went the cultural route, enjoying an exhibit by Maine Women in the Arts and a musical performance by Zemya!, hosted by River Tree Arts.

By dinner time, however, the reality that Cinco de Mayo was coming to a close seemed to sink in, and quite a few visitors left our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast for dinner at Pedro’s, our local Mexican restaurant.  And, boy, was it ever hopping!  Serving killer margaritas with house-made syrups and zesty tacos (along with other entrees), it’s always a favorite, but this Mexican holiday definitely inspired some more traffic.  Plus, their outdoor fire pit definitely calls on a chilly night.  But whether they enjoyed a relaxing Maycation or a margarita-fueled fiesta, everyone enjoyed a great Cinco de Mayo in Kennebunkport!

Passport to New England Bed and Breakfasts meet to revamp their rewards program for tours of New England

love, we all feel more than comfortable passing on our guests (and new friends) to their next destination.  But unlike many associations, we all meet twice a year to make sure we are very familiar with these spots and to discuss how to better assist travelers on their New England tours.

Having just returned from our latest gathering, we are excited about a new “Rewards Program” set to launch in the next few weeks.  However, we haven’t been given the green light to unveil the specifics about the program, but we can say that it’s going to be a phenomenal addition to any New England tour.  Plus, great savings at these New England Bed and Breakfasts are certainly nothing to sneer at!  Now, despite the fact we haven’t dotted every I or crossed each T, it is time to start planning that scenic tour of New England.  But take my word for it – making sure to visit every participating inn will definitely pay off, and, of course, add to your enjoyment of the region.