In southern Maine, you’ll find this charming coastal town that is widely known for being the summer home of the Bush family and driving past the Bush compound has become a tourist “to do.”  Kennebunkport is a year-round destination thanks to fabulous Christmas markets, fall markets and events, and summer beaches.  I’ve heard it said that no one goes to Kennebunkport just once.  With family-run ice cream shops, boutiques and fresh seafood all within the backdrop of a quaint fishing town,  I can see why.

To Do Mini Activity Guide

SHOPPING
✔️Dock Square
✔️Travel inspired goodies @daytripsociety
✔️Women’s fashion @benoitsboutique
✔️Candle Party @sealovecandles
✔️Go Antiquing at Antiques USA

ON THE WATER
✔️Gooch’s Beach
✔️Coastal Lobster Tour
✔️Kayak in the bay

DRIVE
✔️Visit the Bush Compound
✔️Amazing views @cliffhousemaine in Cape Neddick
✔️Ocean walk at sunset
✔️Afternoon in Ogunquit

Plan your trip with me for access to a full itinerary

No better way to start the day than with coffee! As soon as we arrived in Kennebunkport we drove right to Morning in Paris for a latte and a macaroon.  It’s close enough to Dock Square that we were able to just walk.  We went from shop to shop and everyone was so welcoming and chatty.  We wanted to eat on the water so The Boathouse was perfect. We had lobster rolls on the patio over the marina with the best views of the Kennebunk River. It fueled us enough to keep exploring.  We picked up bikes from our hotel so we could ride around town for the rest of the afternoon.

Gooch’s Beach is stunning and a great walking beach with 3 miles of white sand.  It’s also a great spot for swimming thanks to a barrier reef that keeps the water calm. If you’re looking for a good afternoon spot for refreshments, The Tides Beach Club has a vintage, yellow and white decor that feels like a step back in time.  Plus, how can you beat hot lobster rolls and amazing french fries?

Where to stay? White Barn Inn

White Barn Inn

I will be swooning over this 26 room Inn for quite some time.  It was full of special touches:

• Turn down service and whoopie pies on your pillow at night
• Sunrise picnic service can be arranged on the beach

• Range Rover concierge pick up and drop off service from town

• In-room fireplaces and a heated pool

• Complimentary bikes and nightly smores upon request

• Accommodations provided for babies (crib) and furbabies (dog bed, water bowl, a doggie menu, etc.)

Nothing corporate about it @whitebarnauberge is a home away from home experience.

At arrival, they will ask how you take your coffee/tea and the time you’d like it delivered. I love this because it encourages you to linger and enjoy your room while waking up slow with your first cup of coffee delivered with such detail and care.

To me, this is luxury, refined ☕️

Melted&Moved Perks:

▫️Priority for a complimentary upgrade
▫️Complimentary Full Breakfast daily for two (Incredible Menu!!)
▫️$100 credit to be utilized during stay
▫️Private kitchen tour
▫️Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
▫️Complimentary Wi-Fi

Best for: romance travelers, laid-back luxury, and high-touch service 

The loft suite pictured below received raving reviews from my honeymoon clients. The private staircase entrance, soaking tub, and poster bed are one of a kind.

Cottage Tour ✨

When you stay at a historic property, it’s even more important to know the details of the room you book. While there is a cohesive style, each room at White Barn Inn is incredibly unique.

Let’s chat if you are considering an upcoming stay to see if a room in the main inn, the annex, loft, guest houses, or cottages will suit you best.

The cottages are certainly best for those looking for a private, waterfront stay. Recently renovated by @thehuntressny, Jenny Wolf did a fabulous job making these cottages feel warm and cozy. Plus a wood-burning fireplace is certainly unique for a hotel stay.

Click the image for the video link 

Unforgettable Dining

As I  reflected on our dining experience, I can confidently say it made my top 5 list.  From Berlin to Bali, I’ve been to some incredible restaurants. Some local and some Michelin but this was close to perfect.  This Five-Star restored 1860’s barn is the perfect spot for a New England-centric meal, crafted by culinary wizard chef Matthew Padilla.

The food itself was flawlessly prepared, served, and included the best lobster roll I had in Maine.  But what made it unforgettable was that we brought our 1-year-old to a 4-course meal and about halfway through she wasn’t having it.  My husband and I were taking turns giving her breaks to walk around outside. The staff asked us if we’d like to be moved outside on the patio where she could run freely.  They said “don’t worry anymore” and picked up all our belongings to move us halfway through. We had a private dining experience where they brought us blankets to ensure we were comfortable and despite this being an area that was not currently open, the level of care we received only got better.  To make something unforgettable there have to be tangibles like perfectly baked souffle but also intangibles that shine through in a level of care that went far beyond my expectations.

While this level of service shined during our diner, I’d like to point out the Auberge properties have a stellar reputation for creating an unforgettable client experience.

Where to stay? Hidden Pond

If you choose to stay at Hidden Pond, I’d imagine the woodsy environment is what drew you in.

You get the experience of a secluded bungalow in the woods while being within 10 minutes of the beach.  The Tree Spa at Hidden Pond really exemplifies its goal of combining nature with luxury.

I spoke with a couple during our visit who were Hidden Pond loyalists down to the bungalow they prefer when staying.  They come for the freedom to build their own fire, disconnect, and have enough privacy to enjoy an outdoor shower without sacrificing the service.  Highly praised were the morning coffee and muffin deliveries at the requested time.

Luxury Hideaways

Each bungalow has a unique exterior to make walking through the property feel like a community.

It’s such a large property, you’ll get a map at check-in. It felt like glamping but instead of tents, you stay in a standalone Cottage, Treetop Lodge, or Bungalow.

In the Bungalows, expect a spacious screened-in porch that is not temperature controlled.  You can view that as a positive or negative but it gives you a chance to cozy up and stay connected to nature. Then, there was the feature that caught my eye, the outdoor shower!   The chance to shower and look up at the trees and snuggle by your stone fireplace and king-sized bed sounds pretty ideal.

There are also 2-bedroom cottages with full kitchens which are great for families and the bungalow kitchenettes are perfect for couples.

Melted&Moved Perks:

▫️Priority for room upgrades (bungalow upgrades are to our best available)
▫️Daily Farm Bar Breakfast for two
▫️$100 credit to be utilized during stay
▫️Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
▫️Complimentary Wi-Fi

Best for: seclusion and style, families, nature lovers

Earth at Hidden Pond

The ambiance at Earth is like everything else on the property, nature focus. They used natural elements as decor with a preserved apple tree strung with light bulbs and fragrant pinecones in the windows.

What I loved about the crowd here is how loud and lively it was, sometimes you want a nice dining experience that’s also fun.  We ordered cocktails and walked outside to the firepit between courses and had great conversations with guests.  You can tell Earth is a place for celebration with lots of larger groups. The food was delicious but the pace of service was slow at times.  Luckily, the environment is so enjoyable it’s not a place I minded waiting.

Click the image for the video link 

I heard a great metaphor for what it’s like traveling with an advisor (as your advocate.)  Not everyone understands why the relationships I’ve built with hotel partners are so vital but everyone can relate to status.

Essentially traveling with me is like traveling with a frequent flyer.  You may not have the status but if the person you are traveling with is a Delta Platinum member, then you get access to early boarding, free checked bags, etc. based on their status.  That’s what I can do for you with hotel partners – you get special treatment based on my preferred status.

I loved this example because it’s so simple, yet relatable.

Let’s set up a complimentary Discover Call to discuss how we can co-create the perfect trip for you.

Let’s Talk Travel