Maine Stay Inn ~ An Insider's Guide to Kennebunkport

Downeast magazine identified Kennebunkport as the perfect place to celebrate the romance of Valentine's Day. The article went on to proclaim, "The rooms inside the gracious Maine Stay provide a taste of the way life was back when the shipyards and sailors ruled the Kennebunks."

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, let us at The Maine Stay Inn craft the perfect romantic getaway for you and your sweetie.

The Maine Stay Inn has romantic Valentine Specials. With any two night stay, guests will enjoy:

~ Two nights luxurious lodging in your choice of rooms or suites,

~ A bottle of sparkling cider and two Maine Stay Inn signature champagne flutes in your room upon arrival,

~ Valentine "sweetheart" chocolates,

~ A horse-drawn sleighride (weather permitting),

~ Scrumptious New England breakfast for two each morning, and

~ Afternoon tea with chocolate desserts.

Surprise that special someone with a romantic getaway and see for yourself why Kennebunkport has the reputation of being "the perfect place to celebrate the romance of Valentine's Day"

Choose one of The Maine Stay's cottage suites with a fireplace and double whirlpool tub and you'll have a weekend to remember.

At The (gracious) Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

The serenity season in Kennebunkport means some irresistable weekend specials at The Maine Stay Inn.

Whether you are seeking a Romantic Getaway Package, a relaxing Spa Package or maybe a Girlfriends Getaway Package, Kennebunkport is the place to go and The Maine Stay has a special package and the perfect room or suite to fit your desires.

Make your two-night reservation and tell us you saw the specials on the BLOG, we'll include two tickets for a romantic, horse-drawn sleighride.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

A girlfriends getaway to The Maine Stay Inn, located in the quaint seaside village of Kennebunkport, makes a great bachelorette or bride-to-be gift.

We will design a package just for you and your girlfriends which will include a spa treatment for everyone. Each of you have your choice of a 50 minute relax massage, a 50 minute classic facial, a classic manicure and signature pedicure or, exclusively for guests of the Maine Stay Inn, a custom Maine Stay lavender and lemongrass salt scrub.

Select one of The Maine Stay's English Country Cottage Suites (Cottage Suites 4, 5 and 6, or 8 through 11), each of which can accommodate up to 3 or 4 adults. Select two adjoining Cottage Suites and there's room for up to eight of you. Now you have enough for a great party.

You and your girlfriends can sleep late and arise to a scrumptious hot New England breakfast, which we can deliver right to your door in a delightful wicker basket. Revitalize with a relaxing spa treatment. Return to The Maine Stay in time to enjoy afternoon tea and sweets. For dinner select one of our wonderful area restaurants, we will be happy to make your reservations..

Don't forget to leave time for shopping as the Maine Stay is located nearly equidistant from the outlets of Kittery to the south and Freeport to the north. However, before you travel in either direction, be sure to visit the wonderful shops and galleries of Dock Square, a brief stroll from The Maine Stay.

You and your girlfriends will enjoy a weekend to remember and you will want to make it an annual event.

Remember, at The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Summer is around the corner and Kennebunkport is a great place to enjoy this year's vacation.

You and your family will enjoy our beautiful beaches, our quaint village and a diverse selection of wonderful restaurants. Fill your day with a whale-watching excursion, a lobster boat trip, or a scenic schooner cruise.

Explore our nature trails, ocean cliff walks, visit the Trolley Museum or one of the nearby amusement parks. You may choose to rent bicycles or take a horse-drawn carriage ride. But, don't forget why you came to Kennebunkport...the beaches and the lobster.

You can choose your favorite activities and custom tailor a summer vacation just for you and your family. Check the Summer Vacation Packages at The Maine Stay Inn and read what Family Fun Magazine says about The Maine Stay.

At the Maine Stay, "we have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

The Maine Stay Inn has received top recognition as having the "Prettiest Mothers' Day Web Page" by American Historic Inns, the industry leader in publishing country inn and bed & breakfast guidebooks. American Historic Inns also owns and runs iLoveInns.com, a top bed & breakfast and country inns website. iLoveInns.com contains over 19,000 bed & breakfasts and also features unique stories on exceptional properties.

iLoveInns.com summarized The Maine Stay Inn's Mothers' Day page; "Afternoon Tea with Sweets, Scrumptious New England Breakfast each morning and complimentary concierge services, of course!"

The Maine Stay Inn is a great place to take that special "Mom" where she will enjoy a pampered bed and breakfast weekend getaway in Kennebunkport. Our popular Maine Stay Inn cookbook, filled with many of our signature recipes, is just one of the "little extras" included in our Mothers' Day package. Give your Mom that special gift that only you can give her...time together and a warm Maine Stay Inn memory that will last forever.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "We have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Specials at The Maine Stay

After cooling the fudge on the stone slab,
Mike cut's it into individual portions.
If you have a sweet tooth, mark your calendar. Plan an escape to Kennebunkport for the weekend of April 20-22 and enjoy this first time event in our quaint village.

As part of your weekend stay, you can participate in a tour through each of the seven Historic Inns of Kennebunkport and sample a different flavor of Roly's English Fudge at each stop. (I'm hoping that the Maine Stay's flavor is Roly's original fudge. The leftovers will be put to good use.)

At the end of the tour, head on down to Roly's English Fudge Shop (or Shoppe...hey it's English ), located right in Dock Square. Mike and Peggy will be making fudge and you'll receive a gift of a half pound of your favorite flavor to take with you.

This will be a great weekend and, if you stay at The Maine Stay Inn, we'll give you some great ideas of where to walk off all that fudge. We will also have a drawing for a $100 Maine Stay Gift Certificate. Anyone who makes it to all seven inns on the tour is eligible.

Labels: Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Today was a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon. As we learned, it was a perfect day for the sap to flow and therefore, the Sugar House at Gile's Family Farm was in high gear.


We entered the Sugar House and were pleasantly greeted with samples of maple butter, maple nuts and chewy maple cookies.

We learned about the modern advantages of reverse osmosis and of oil fired burners.

The gift shop was an opportunity for everyone to purchase some of the "liquid gold" that was probably made just the day before.

Of course, I bought maple candy. You know, those little maple leaf shaped candies, because I really love them and, a moose shaped maple lollipop (for Janice) because I liked the looks of it.

If you missed this great opportunity, we'll do it again next year. The 4th Saturday of March every year is Maple Sugar Saturday at The Maine Stay Inn. Mark it down on your calendar or, better yet, call us and we will mark you down on our calendar.

"We have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Maine Stay Inn visitors on Saturday, March 31, 2007 will have an opportunity to join us for a wonderful Tuscan Italian meal paired with complementary wines at Grissini Italian Bistro.

Come join us at one of the region's most celebrated restaurants, for an evening of fireside dining with wine tasting and decadent chocolate.

The wine dinner is priced at $65.00 per person, which includes tax and gratuity. Advance reservations are required.

This should be a wonderful evening for "foodies" like me.

If you are a real foodie, you might want to consider a visit to the Maine Stay Inn on the weekend of April 20 and 21. Boy, do we have a treat in store for you.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests."

Labels: Kennebunkport Restaurants, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

"Wooden Ships on the Water Very Free"
David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Paul Kantner
The history of shipbuilding in Kennebunkport is rich but, that's not what this article is about. Rather than focusing on the economic boom of 1775 to 1870, when Kennebunkport was one of the wealthiest areas on the east coast, the shipbuilding (actually, boatbuilding) I write about today is taking place just down the street from The Maine Stay Inn.

The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design was first established in 1978 to provide a high quality education in boatbuilding. In 1979, the Design program was added and in 1999, the Marine Systems Technician Program was created.

The Landing School takes its name from the area of town in which it is located. The Kennebunk Landing area was a major shipbuilding area for nearly 100 years. However, by the 1880's, the large shipyards along the Kennebunk River had been dismantled and the only boats built since then have been small boats.

So why am I telling you all this? This coming weekend, our guests will be treated to a personalized tour of the Landing School. You will see the inner workings of this hands-on trade school devoted to teaching a craft that would otherwise be lost.

True boats lovers might also want to attend The Maine Boatbuilders Show which runs from Thursday, March 16th through Sunday, the 18th.

Upon return to The Maine Stay, you will enjoy a gift of delicious chocolate sweet sloops.

This should be really fun and informative. Give us a call, (800) 950-2117. If you really want to feel a part of this rich history, consider our Captains Suite. We would love to welcome you to the inn.

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

The Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm is having a wonderful and informative event this Saturday, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Eileen Willard, an experienced naturalist and a teaching assistant at the University of New Hampshire will conduct a winter tree walk. Ms. Willard will guide a group through the winter wonderland of Laudholm Farm showing us how to identify the various species of Southern Maine trees.

It's not as easy as it sounds, remember there are no leaves on them at this time of year.

Reservations are required and we will be happy to help you with that. Also, while the trees have no leaves, they do have snow on them (that's a hint, dress warm or warmly , math was my subject).

If you have never visited Laudholm Farm, this is a great reason to discover this special treasure.

When you complete your nature fix, return to The Maine Stay Inn and it's time to work on your cookie fix (now your talkin'). Tour each of the seven Historic Inns of Kennebunkport and sample each inns' signature cookie. Take home the signature cookie recipes and vote for the inn with the best chocolate chip cookie (a vote for The Maine Stay could mean extra cookies for you).

Nature and cookies, a great weekend combination.

Labels: Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

This evening, guests of The Maine Stay Inn and the other Historic Inns joined their innkeepers for a reception and tour of the Kennebunkport Historical Society's Nott House. Entertainment was provided by our local harpist, Emily who shared her heavenly sounds with the group.




Each innkeeper brought their favorite hors d'oeuvres and a package of recipes was given to each guest. At the conclusion of the evening, each of the inns held a drawing and gave away a gift certificate to one of their lucky guests (congratulations Hank and Carole!).



The Nott House is similar to a time capsule. It gives us a glimpse of life as it existed in the mid-1800's when Kennebunkport's shipbuilding industry thrived and made this quaint seaside town one of the wealthiest in New England. The carpets, furnishings and wallpaper are original to the house. They reflect the four generations of the Perkins and Nott families who occupied the home from the late 1700's through to the mid-1900's.

If this sounds like fun, plan to join us next year. Better yet, think about coming to another of our activities that we are holding in the coming weeks.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests."

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

What is there to do in Kennebunkport? We're glad you asked.

Historic Maine House Party
Saturday, March 3, 2007

This Saturday evening at the Historic Nott House, the Historic Inns of Kennebunkport are hosting a house party and all of our guests are invited.

~This classic 1853 Greek Revival home is furnished with original Victorian period decor.

~Guests will enjoy a reception and special tour of the Historic Nott House, Kennebunkport Historical Society's House Museum.

~Delicious hors d'oeuvres, chocolate desserts and refreshments.

~Raffle for a $100.00 gift certificate to each of the Historic Inns.

Kennebunkport Cookie Madness
Saturday, March 10, 2007

Come discover the art of the Chocolate Chip Cookie as you participate in a tasting tour of the seven Historic Inns of Kennebunkport Inns' secret cookie recipes.

~Enjoy a tour of each of the fine Historic Inns of Kennebunkport.

~Sample each of the Inn's signature cookie and take home their secret recipes.

~Vote for your favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie (vote for the Maine Stay).

The Art of Boat Building
Saturday, March 17, 2007

Have you ever dreamed of building your own boat? How about simply owning one? This weekend's for you!

~Tour the acclaimed Landing Boat School.

~Attend the Portland Boat Building Show.

~Return to the Maine Stay Inn where a gift of delicious chocolate sweets sloops awaits.

Savor Maple Sugaring Memories
Saturday, March 24, 2007

Discover authentic Maine as you take a special guided tour of one of Maine's traditional maple sugar farms.

~See how the native maple trees are tapped and sap collected (and why Maine Maple Syrup is the best).

~View the syrup making process first hand in a genuine Shaker barn.

~Enjoy a New England lunch complete with maple sugar dessert! (with vanilla ice cream)

Wine Tasting, Fine Dining and Decadent Chocolate
Saturday, March 31, 2007

Come join us at Grissini Italian Bistro, one of the region's most celebrated restaurants, for an evening of fine dining with wine tasting and decadent chocolate.

~Indulge in an exquisite four course meal paired with complementary wines.

~Discover the art of fine chocolate dessert.

~Revel in the romantic setting of one of Kennebunkport's most enchanting establishments.

These are just some of the great things to do and this is just for March.

Come join us at The Maine Stay Inn where, "we have the nicest guests."

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Kennebunkport Inns, Kennebunkport Restaurants, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

It was cheese, cheese and more cheese at The Maine Stay Inn this evening as our guests enjoyed the opportunity to sample a variety of offerings.

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

The Maine Stay Inn is holding it's 3rd Annual Cheese Tasting next Saturday, February 24th.

Always a popular event, this year's affair will be no exception. Those choosing to join us for some good cheese and good fun will gather in the living room around the fireplace. We have selected five cheeses to enjoy and, as a finale, we have saved some chocolate from our chocolate tasting earlier this month.

The 2007 winner of our Chocolate Tasting was the Organic Dark (71% cocoa) from The Grenada Chocolate Company. This will serve as our award winning dessert.

If you would like to attend this enjoyable event, give us a call and, if you mention you read about the Cheese Tasting on the BLOG, we will include 2 tickets for a memorable sleigh ride. Of course, this is in addition to the other wonderful special amenities offered during the entire month of February.

Don't forget, at The Maine Stay Inn, we are celebrating Valentine's Day during the entire month of February.

"We have the nicest guests!"

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

Celebrate your birthday, anniversary or any special occasion at The Maine Stay Inn.

We will customize your visit to assure a memorable getaway to this wonderful seaside village.

We can help with spa appointments, dinner reservations to any one of our 1st class restaurants and we will put the special amenities in your luxurious room that will make the occasion extra special.

Give us a call.

PS. Happy Birthday Debbie! The big five-oh.

Labels: Specials at The Maine Stay

The Maine Stay Inn After the Valentine's Day Storm
The storm left us just enough snow.

Just enough to transform Kennebunkport into a picture perfect winter wonderland.

Just enough to enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Just enough to have a great time cross-country skiing and,

just enough to use your new pair of snow shoes (you don't have a pair yet? What are you waiting for, it's the latest thing).

Go to our website and sign up for our newsletter, you'll get the latest information on specials and great upcoming weekend events (like our 3rd annual cheese tasting coming up on February 24th).

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Specials at The Maine Stay

What better way to celebrate this holiday of romance than a getaway escape to a quaint seaside village.

Relax with your sweetheart in front of your cozy fireplace, sip your favorite drink (maybe some cheese and crackers or, better yet some chocolates) and once you are fully relaxed, settle into a double whirlpool tub.

The good news is...at The Maine Stay Inn we are celebrating Valentine's Day all month long.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Specials at The Maine Stay

We just wrapped up our 2nd annual Maine Stay Inn Chocolate Tasting and it was a huge success. Everyone had a great time and we crowned the 2007 Maine Stay Inn Chocolate of the Year.

Labels: Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport

~ The Cocoa Tree ~ Theobroma Cocao ~

The ancient Mayans and Aztecs praised it as the "food of the gods."

This Saturday afternoon, February 3rd, join your innkeepers and other guests around the fireplace at The Maine Stay for our 2nd annual chocolate tasting.

This year we have a special treat, an award winning sampling from the island of Grenada.

According to the Grenada Chocolate Company, "Grenada has clearly one of the strongest, richest cocoas in the world partially due to the super-rich volcanic soil here and the hot sun. Single origin cocoa bean chocolate is rare, especially when it is one of the best cocoas in the world! Along with careful, small-batch processing, Grenada's cocoa provides our chocolate with a powerful, delicious and intriguing flavor."

Escape for a Romantic Weekend Getaway to The Maine Stay Inn. We have Romantic Cottage Suites with fireplaces and double whirlpool tubs available. In addition to the chocolate tasting and your romantic suite, your weekend getaway will include a bottle of Sparkling Cider along with two Maine Stay Inn Signature Champagne flutes, a special romantic gift for your sweetheart and, of course, a scrumptious New England breakfast each morning.

Oh yeah, one other thing, there is plenty of time to enjoy the weekend, checkout Sunday morning after a great breakfast, and still make it home for the Super Bowl.

At The Maine Stay Inn, "we have the nicest guests."

Labels: Specials at The Maine Stay, Things to do in Kennebunkport