By Rochelle Lash, Montreal Gazette
Canadians are big fans of The Kennebunks on the Atlantic coast in Southern Maine, and the town has evolved into a hotbed of stylish food and drink to welcome food-centric visitors.
Still, a mainstay of this region is family travel, and there still are bargains at simpler lodgings.
Here is a peek at what’s new:
WHITE BARN INN
The White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport is one of New England’s most distinguished and exclusive establishments, and with the opening of The Bistro, it will be more accessible to Next Generation gourmets.
A Relais & Châteaux run by Grand Chef Jonathan Cartwright, this elegant country hotel has an epicurean pedigree and a rare, refined lifestyle. It embraces 26 sumptuous rooms decorated in scads of chintz, a spa and a serene infinity swimming pool surrounded by silver birches and maples.
White Barn dining is rather formal — a Swiss maître d’hôtel, white table linens, a dress code for gentlemen and French-inspired gastronomy with local ingredients.
But with The Bistro, the White Barn is loosening up — a little. You can expect the customary fine china and silverware, attractive presentations and solicitous service, but the new menu features gourmet comfort food; steak-frites, Maine oysters, clam chowder, fish in lemon butter, piquant sides like Parmesan risotto and lobster pizza. Homespun desserts include bread pudding with white and dark chocolate. For pure folly, The Bistro offers a Bubbles and Bon Bons tasting.
KENNEBUNKPORT INN
Once the last work in Victorian formality, the landmark Kennebunkport Inn at the centre of town has developed a buzzy scene at its stylish One Dock lounge and dining room.
The new-in-2015 dining concept, One Dock Prime will open in June with a classic steak house menu of 18-ounce T-bones and 20-ounce porterhouses, sauces like Bernaise, cabernet and poivre; apps like baked clams and salmon carpaccio; and for dessert, chocolate cake and English toffee pudding cake.
Happy Hour starts at 4 p.m. with Maine oysters, crab cakes and cocktails. On weekends, musical duos add a sexy supper-club feel. In fine weather, the action moves outdoors to a beautiful patio overlooking the Kennebunk River.
Tim Harrington, the inn’s co-owner, created One Dock’s sophisticated interiors with designer Louise Hurlbutt. It’s a fresh, striking look in vivid blue and white, with studded white leather chairs and a delightful mix of bold stripes and checks. Harrington and Hurlbutt also curated the fabulous art collection that ranges from classic seascapes to an avant-garde photo-mural.
The inn’s 35 rooms and suites sprawl over two connected buildings, the traditional, antique-filled Main Mansion and Riverhouse wings. Riverhouse was modernized in 2014 with vivid colours and textured walls.
The inn is part of the Kennebunk Resort Collection (KRC), so guests also can use the Tree Spa at the deluxe resort Hidden Pond and the heated outdoor pool at Lodge on the Cove. The KRC Dinner Trolley connects its restaurants, among them Earth at Hidden Pond known for organic gastronomy; and The Tides Beach Club, a seaside-chic bistro and cocktail bar.
PORT INN RENOVATED
The newly renovated Port Inn in Kennebunk is a treasure of well-priced convenience.
The two-story hotel on Route 1 is a stop for the colourful Shoreline Explorer Trolley which travels to Kennebunkport, Wells, Ogunquit and The Yorks from June 27 to Labour Day. It’s about a $3 to ride to the Kennebunk Beach, which is seven kilometres from the Port Inn.
Besides a handy location near services and restaurants, the Port Inn is excellent value, especially for small families. All of the 46 rooms have king or double-queen beds, plus microwaves and mini-refrigerators, great for baby food or snacks. And five efficiencies, with kitchenettes and pullout sofas, can handle up to four people.
The best part is that everything has been redecorated from scratch — new bedding including triple sheeting and down pillows, mattresses, furniture, wallpaper, sea-inspired artwork, as well as updated bathrooms.
Kids love the heated pool outdoors and the movies on TV indoors.
IF YOU GO
– Maine tourism: 888-624-6345.
– White Barn Inn, Kennebunkport, Maine: 207-967-2321; rooms start at $290 U.S. per night for two; suites start at $540 U.S, with continental breakfast, afternoon tea/brandy, outdoor heated pool, Wi-Fi, fireplaces lounges, bicycles, canoes, beach chairs, evening turndown. Extra: spa treatments, cooking classes.
– Kennebunkport Inn & One Dock: 800-248-2621; Kennebunkport, Maine. Price: including breakfast, bicycles, pool, beach parking passes and fitness gear. Summer rates, approx., $169-$389 U.S. After Oct. 21, it’s $109-$229 U.S. The Eat- Sleep- Play package includes a lobster boat cruise or a ride on the Kennebunkport’s In-Town sightseeing trolley.
– Port Inn, Kennebunk, Maine: 207-985-6100; $149-$309 U.S. (May-Oct.) or $89-$159 U.S (Nov.-April) for two. Cribs and high chairs are free. Kids’ cots, $10. Dog-friendly ($35 per night); outdoor heated pool, Wi-Fi, full breakfast buffet, in-room coffee, newspaper, Show Time Movies on TV, long-distance calls. CAA discount.