Things to do / Travel Guide
Kennebunkport. Bar Harbor. Penobscot Bay. Portland. The names evoke luxury, almost royalty. Indeed, the presidential Bush family's summer compound is in Kennebunkport, while the Astors, the Vanderbilts, and the Rockefellers all set up house in Bar Harbor. Actors Chris O'Donnell, Kirstie Alley, and John Travolta each have homes in Penobscot Bay. What are they all seeking on the Maine Coast, and is it something in which you can partake?
The truth is, yes, as the Maine Coast has been a hotspot for the affluent for over 150 years, attractive for the myriad of scattered islands and yachting routes, the rocky, verdant shoreline, and the generous smattering of fishing villages and lumber ports. The region contains some of the most luxurious and charming hotels, bed and breakfasts, and resorts - some going back to the mid-18th century. It's the relaxed atmosphere with the mixture of sea breeze that makes it all work, while the fantastic maritime cuisine and the beautiful coastal architecture enhances your stay to the nth degree.
Luxurious Accommodation on the Maine Coast
The start to a luxurious Maine Coast vacation is the accommodation you choose. The Maine Coast shines in this regard, with several centers for finding top-rated lodgings. The white-sand beaches of the Kennebunks or Ogunquit, the New England charm of Portland, the harbors and lighthouses of Penobscot Bay, the scenic islands and coastline of Bar Harbor - you have your work cut out for you!
Let's give you a taste of what's in store, perhaps the region's best lodging, in Kennebunkport. This is the White Barn Inn, just a hop, skip, and exclusive yacht-ride away from the Bush compound. The rooms and suites, located in the property's converted barns, are decked with wood fireplaces, whirlpool paths, and are all individually decorated. Have the butler personally draw the bath for you or prepare a glowing fire in the log fireplace, in one of the cozy waterfront cottages or the expansive loft suite. You'll also have the exclusive opportunity of pampering yourself at the inn's spa. The key words are energize and beautify, and through an assortment of body wraps, massages, and beauty treatments, your body and soul are transported to a new level of symbiosis with each other and equilibrium with the outside world.
The other more-northerly areas of the Maine Coast offer additional unforgettable experiences in the annals of luxury. Take Bar Harbor, for instance. Rent a gorgeous suite at the historic Ullikana Bed and Breakfast, an English Tudor-style house overlooking the bay. You'll have access to all of the attractions that have made Bar Harbor one of New England's most celebrated resort towns. Plus the food is to die for, featuring one Maine staple, cod, and many other prix fixe menu selections.
Luxurious Dining on the Maine Coast
The White Barn Inn's celebration of Maine luxury doesn't end with lodging and service. Its Inn Restaurant is in a class all its own, as you have the opportunity to dine in the only Mobil Five Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant north of New York City. The chef's worthy menu is updated every week in accordance with the procession of the season, but you should always expect the best of Maine game, the best fruits of the sea drawn from Maine's cold waters, prepared in a fashion in which East meets West.
Luxurious Activities on the Maine Coast
Your stay in Kennebunkport is that much more special on account of all the art galleries crowding its town center. Do you want a piece of the Maine Coast to bring back with you? The artist's eye has never been more discerning in capturing just those elements that make this strip of land so beautiful to begin with. You'll want to pay a visit to the Maine Art Gallery, featuring the best offerings of the region, of farmhouses and cottages by the sea, or the looming Maine mountains, or magical Maine winters from a cozy window.
Venturing out from your lodgings, meander down to the marinas along the Kennebunk River or head to the beach just down the road. It's from these waters that you'll be able to charter a yacht to take you all along the coast. Visit the nearby harbors, travel all the way to Old Orchard Beach and explore the shopping opportunities.
A nice yacht ride away from Bar Harbor will take you to the acclaimed Samoset Resort Golf Course. Samoset Resort is nothing to shrug at, and their golf course is top-notch. It's been called the top-ranked golf course in New England by Golf Digest, and over sand dunes framed by the native fescue, you'll find this to be a luxurious course par excellence.
If the Maine terrain has really impressed you, you might want to consider a sweeping helicopter ride. From above the fray you can see the rugged coast, the many islands of Penobscot Bay or Casco Bay, the wildlife, and many of the famous and picturesque lighthouses that pepper the coastline. It's a great way to finish off any trip, but especially a trip of such a beautifully wild region. Up in the air, you can reminisce about all the fantastic service, the beautiful suites in old barns, and the great crab-eating experiences, all against the backdrop of the wonderful scenery.
Luxury Vacation Ideas in Portland, Bangor, Acadia, Bar Harbor and the Maine Coast
Luxury-Vacations
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