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Posts Tagged ‘Maine Bed and Breakfast’

Seek Serenity

April 30th, 2013 by Eric Brodar

The Serenity SuiteWe are excited to unveil our newest room – the Serenity Suite. Over the winter we added an addition to the Inn to house a new apartment for us and simultaneously renovated the previous living space into a lovely suite. The Serenity Suite is unique because it is the only suite in the Inn with two rooms and two bathrooms. The bedroom features a King size bed dressed in luxurious FRETTE sheets, a cozy gas fireplace and a bathroom with a double sink vanity and an over-sized shower.

Serenity Suite sitting roomThe sitting room has a queen size pull out sofa and a second bathroom with a radiant heated floor and an indulgent soaking tub. Other amenities include: flat screen TVs in both rooms, a refrigerator stocked with soft drinks and bottled water, and a Nespresso machine. We have carried our signature chic, modern style through the furnishings and decorations, pairing clean lines with finishes and fabrics that are delightfully soft and comfortable. The Serenity Suite is located on the second floor of the main house and has a private entrance, promising a peaceful oasis for a romantic getaway. We invite you to come seek serenity on the beautiful coast of Maine.

Martin Luther King Day

January 5th, 2013 by Eric Brodar

The Martin Luther King Memorial

The Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington, DC

The Martin Luther King memorial in Washington, DC celebrates a man of conscience; the freedom movement of which he was a beacon; and his message of freedom, equality, justice and love. Liz and I were very moved and inspired by our visit to the memorial last year. In honor of the upcoming Martin Luther King Day holiday we should all remember that freedom and liberty are priceless gifts.

Martin Luther King Day Special

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day weekend with a relaxing getaway in our luxurious and cozy inn. Stay with us January 18th and 19th and receive the 20th for free! Escape the winter doldrums. Visit our quaint waterfront village. Slip off to snowshoe, cross country ski, or ice skate. Walk the dramatic shoreline. Attend a wine tasting on January 18th at Bel Cibo da Cherie. Or maybe just snuggle into one of our plush robes and read by your in-room fireplace. Maine is spectacular any time of the year no matter where your interests lie. Take advantage of our three nights for the price of two offer over Martin Luther King Day weekend by calling us today!

The cozy Sunset Room

The cozy Sunset Room

Winter Wonder In Maine

November 20th, 2012 by Eric Brodar

Maine is a true winter playground, offering myriad ways to get out and explore the beautiful landscape, but also packs plenty of indoor ways to enjoy the season. The Inn at English Meadows is the perfect place to use as a base for your winter adventures, whether they involve sliding through wooded glades on cross-country skis or learning new cooking techniques in a cooking class. Afterwards, return to the Inn to relax by the fire with a mug of hot cocoa or a glass of wine. We have compiled a sampling of some of the many ways to enjoy Maine in the winter below:

Cross-country skiing in Maine image

Cross Country Skiing – In southern Maine you can cross-country ski alongside the ocean, across golf courses and through scented pine forests. Check out the trails at Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm or the lovely Bridal Path. L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools offer inexpensive “Walk-On Adventures” in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing right from their retail store in Freeport. Some other resources for cross-country skiing include:

  • Harris Farm XC Ski Center - Dayton, (207) 499-2678, www.harrisfarm.com - This 1,000-acre center has 40 kilometers of trails for novice, intermediate and advanced skiers, with skating lines. Snowshoeing also available. Amenities include a day lodge with woodstove, snack bar, rentals, and ski shop.
  • Smiling Hill Farm - Westbrook, www.smilinghill.com – 34 kilometers of trails for novice, intermediate and advanced Nordic skiers and snowshoers, as well as marked nature trails. Amenities include rentals, a farm building with snack bar, woodstove, changing area, gift shop and dairy store.
  • Five Fields Farm - Bridgton, (207) 647-2425, www.fivefieldsski.com – This 70-acre orchard offers 27 kilometers of trails for novice, intermediate and advanced skiers and snowshoers. Of special note is the unlimited backcountry terrain to the top of scenic Bald Pate Mountain and the surrounding 450-acre land preserve. Other amenities include a warming house and rentals.

Ice skating in Maine image

Ice Skating – Close by, the Park at Crow Hill in Kennebunkport offers a skating pond and a former gas station in downtown Kennebunk has been transformed into an outdoor community ice skating rink. West Brook Ice Rink in Biddeford is also a popular outdoor skating destination. When the conditions are right, the pond in the middle of the beautiful 52-acre Deering Oaks Park in Portland is considered by many to be one of the best ice skating spots in Maine. City crews make a special effort to keep the ice cleared and its surface well groomed for skating. Up for a bigger challenge? The ice goes on for miles at Sebago Lake and other lakes of the nearby Lakes Region.

Skiing in Maine image

Skiing – Some of the finest skiing in the east is to be had at Maine mountains. Located less than two hours away are Shawnee Peak in Bridgton and Lost Valley in Auburn. Sunday River in Bethel is close enough for a day trip, as are numerous ski areas in the White Mountains of New Hampshire like Cranmore Mountain ResortBretton Woods, Black Mountain, Wildcat and Attitash.

Snowmobile in Maine image

Snowmobiling – Northeast Snowmobile Rentals, with locations in Gorham and Fryeburg can set you up with everything you need for an adrenaline-filled adventure over miles snow-covered trails and open fields. (800) 458-1838 or www.northeastsnowmobile.com.

Horse-Drawn sleigh image

Go for a sleigh ride – Enjoy snow sprinkled pine trees and frost tipped fields while you glide leisurely in a horse-drawn sleigh. Rockin’ Horse Stables offers horse-drawn sleigh/carriage/wagon rides. 245 Arundel Road, Kennebunkport 207-967-4288.

Bowing in Maine image

Bowling – The classic indoor sport is a favorite of young and old alike! Vacationland in Saco is a quick drive away, offering candlepin lanes and a billiard room. At Bayside Bowl in Portland’s revitalized Bayside neighborhood, you can bowl in an intimate, upscale alley and enjoy excellent food served right at the lanes.

Ice Hockey in Maine image

Catch a game – The Portland Pirates tear up the ice at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland – look for their home games all winter long as well as those of Maine’s D-league basketball team, The Maine Red Claws.

Spas in Maine image

Relax in a spa – What better way to unwind in winter than by pampering yourself at a day spa. Treat yourself to massage, a facial and aromatherapy; it’s the perfect antidote to the mid-winter blahs. Cottage Breeze Day Spa is right around the corner and numerous other spas are mere minutes away.

Cooking classes in Maine image

Take in a cooking class – Schedule a personal cooking class here at the Inn at English Meadows. Alternatively, at Stonewall Kitchen’s company headquarters in York, classes are held almost daily on such savory topics as bread making, holiday menus, ethnic specialties and seafood delights. 877.899.8363 or www.stonewallkitchen.com. Wine lovers can often find a tasting at Down East Wine Imports in Lower Village Kennebunk or at Browne Trading Company or LeRoux Kitchen in Portland’s Old Port.

Dining in the Kennebunks

March 29th, 2012 by Gail

Kennebunkport B&B with gourmet breakfasts.

Our fresh twist on the breakfast sandwich.

A vacation without great food is but a shadow of a vacation. With this thought in mind, we strive to create the best possible breakfasts and treats at our Kennebunkport/Kennebunk Bed and Breakfast. We also spend a fair amount of time “scouting” local restaurants so we can recommend them to our guests. It’s a tough job, but….

Read on for a list of some of our favorite restaurants. This list is not exhaustive, but it will give you a good idea of where to start when you’re hungry in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Maine.

  • 50 Local. If you happen to be at our Kennebunk Bed and Breakfast during the week, don’t miss their Tuesday $2 Tapas.
Maine lobster rolls

The incomparable Maine lobster roll. Is there anything better?

  • Cape Arundel Inn. All of the food is wonderful, but the Prime Rib is impossible to resist.
  • Ryan’s Corner Bar. When you’re having a pint at Ryan’s, it feels like you’ve been transported to Ireland.
  • The Clam Shack. We dream of summer lobster rolls from the Clam Shack.

Bring your appetite when you come to the Inn at English Meadows, and explore the many restaurants of the Kennebunks.

Homemade cookies at Maine B&B.

Another amazing creation by Liz: coconut macaroons dipped in dark chocolate.

Have a Culinary Adventure in the Kennebunks

January 26th, 2012 by Gail

Mixed Berry Earl Grey Cake

Have you always wanted to learn how to bake the perfect cake or prepare some other culinary delight? You can, during a Culinary Getaway at our B&B in the Kennebunks.

Some people like to escape the kitchen while on vacation. Others like to spend their vacations in the kitchen. Our Bed and Breakfast in the Kennebunks can accommodate both kinds of travelers.

Most of our guests don’t get anywhere near the kitchen, of course. All indulge in three-course gourmet breakfasts, and some opt for additional treats such as homemade cocoa, marshmallows and cookies, or artisanal cheese trays with fruit. But from time to time, we hosts guests seeking to enrich and broaden their own cooking skills through a culinary adventure at our Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.

We recently hosted a bridesmaids’ dinner with close to ten women. The bride and her friends gathered in our kitchen for a demonstration by Chef Timothy Jordan. After watching him prepare the meal, the ladies enjoyed it in our dining room. They had a delicious evening here at the inn, and departed the following day with new recipes and fond memories.

The bridesmaids’ dinner was arranged through Epitourean.com, our partner in culinary travel. Plan your own gustatory adventure in the Kennebunks of Maine through Epitourean.com, or give us a call. Many talented chefs in the area are interested in offering cooking classes and demonstrations at our Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.

Fear not! You won’t spend all of your time in the kitchen. A culinary getaway allows plenty of time for visiting Kennebunkport’s Dock Square, walking on the beach, and exploring the rocky coast of Maine. You’ll have time to visit a lighthouse, drive by the summer home of President George H.W. Bush, and sip wine by the fire back at the inn. Yet you’ll also have fun in the kitchen. For some, that’s the ideal vacation indeed.

The Christmas Prelude of Kennebunkport

November 29th, 2011 by Gail

Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude is underway. We’ve enjoyed evening strolls down the street to the heart of Kennebunkport’s Dock Square, where a Christmas tree stands tall and holiday lights glitter. In the other direction, the town of Kennebunk is also dressed in its holiday best. The atmosphere is contagiously festive.

Find warmth after the Christmas Prelude at our Kennebunkport/Kennebunk Bed and Breakfast.

Christmas Prelude, 2011, continues both next weekend and the weekend of December 9th. Since we still have some availability at our Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast on December 9 and 10, this blog will focus on activities for that weekend.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony in Dock Square takes place at 5:30 on Friday the 9th. It’s followed by fireworks, which are best viewed from the bridge and surrounding areas. By the end of the evening, you’ll be ready to curl up back in your warm room at our Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast with a glass of wine.

Anyone interested in the history and architecture of Kennebunkport, Maine should take advantage of the Christmas Prelude Historic Trolley Ride and Historic Village Walking Tour. The walking tour is through downtown Kennebunkport. The trolley, in a delightful twist on the sleigh ride, leads through the woods.

One of the best parts of Christmas Prelude is the abundance of live music. Street performers create a cheerful atmosphere in Dock Square and the Lower Village, and performances take place in a variety of churches, shops, and pubs. At every turn you’ll hear music.

From 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 9, there will be live music at Fleurant, a great shop just down the street from our Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast. At 7 p.m.,  Rock My Soul Sextet will sing “Gospelized” Christmas Carols at the Village Baptist Church.  Dave Peloquin, the Wandering Christmas Minstrel, will wander through Dock Square and Lower Village shopping areas with guitar in hand from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 10th. At noon on the same day, a Barbershop Quartet will sing favorite old tunes at Flaherty Imports and The Whimsey Shop. And when was the last time you saw a fife and drum duo? See one this year on the 10th from 1 to 3 p.m., in Dock Square and the Lower Village. Dance to a Very Cuban Christmas at the Franciscan Monastery Hall on Saturday, at 7 p.m. Or listen to the Kennebunk High School Chamber Choir perform seasonal carols and choral music  at the Village Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m.

Stop by the Fire and Ice Bar if you’re in need of refreshment between 5 and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The ice bar is a fantastic creation, and the bonfire warms even the coldest hands and feet. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres from many local restaurants and, of course, live music. Tony Boffa plays Friday, and Matt Fogg takes the stage Saturday.

It should go without saying that one of the most popular activities of the Christmas Prelude is holiday shopping. Indeed, for many people, gift shopping begins and ends with Christmas Prelude. In addition to the many shops of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk, there is also the Annual Clothesline Art Show in the the Lower Village. Here shoppers will find fine paintings, pottery, jewelry, and sculptures made by local artists. It’s a wonderful place to pick up truly one-of-a-kind gifts.

Christmas Prelude is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. And since it takes place at the beginning of December, it doesn’t interfere with other holiday plans.

Treat yourself to an early gift this year. Spend a weekend indulging in the best of Christmas, and luxuriate at our Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast.

A complete list of holiday events is available at Christmas Prelude.

 

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