B&B at Former Sea Captain’s Home near Ocean

When longtime Bostonians Judi and Walter Hauer decided to become innkeepers, they had only one requirement: the inn had to be in New England. Before long, the couple stumbled on the Maine Stay Inn and Cottages, and they restored 19th-century property that once belonged to a merchant sea captain. Located just a block from the water and a 5-minute walk from Dock Square in Kennebunkport, the bed and breakfast met the Hauers’ requirement. In fact, it’s hard to improve on Kennebunkport when it comes to New England charm. “It’s a bed-and-breakfast town,” Judi says. “There are no chain stores. No hotel chains. That’s why people come here.”

The main house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is set on 2 acres of manicured grounds dotted with 11 cottage suites.

The cottage suites provide ample space with a warm and inviting style. Suite 4 features an oversized walk-in shower with a glass wall, along with a personalized heating and cooling system. There’s also suite 2, with a fireplace and jetted tub that allows guests to relax.

Inside the house, you’ll see Queen Anne touches including a spiral staircase and ornate mantels. Outside, the wraparound porch overlooks a quiet, tree-lined street. On warmer mornings, this is where lodgers enjoy the gourmet breakfast.

That’s where Judi really shines. At the beginning of each week, she plans out creative meals with fresh ingredients. There’s always fruit, coffee, tea, and a hot entree that changes with the seasons. With this getaway, you’ll also get a charcuterie and chocolate platter as well as blueberry sodas for two.

Main-house rooms and cottage suites are similar, though the latter are larger and more private. Suite 16 boasts a carved mahogany king bed with a gas fireplace at its foot; suite 12 has stained glass windows and a rainforest shower. Additional descriptions and photos of available room types can be found here.

Kennebunkport, Maine: Coastal Village Lined with Centuries-Old Homes

Situated on the southern coast of Maine, Kennebunkport is more than 300 years old, with many homes dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the town is notable for being a summer destination for the well-heeled, including former president George H. W. Bush. Take a trolley ride to get a nice view of both Kennebunkport and its neighbor Kennebunk, as well as the coastline and a handful of beaches.

Kennebunkport’s Dock Square is lined with art galleries, bookstores, and restaurants housed in classic New England clapboard buildings. Nearby, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge stretches along 50 miles of coastline and acts as a sanctuary for migratory birds and runaway teen marine biologists. The refuge features nature trails that wind past a variety of habitats, including estuaries, salt marshes, and boreal forest.