Please Help With Lodging Choices in Kennebunkport, Camden and Bar Harbor
 

I have been trying to plan something special to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary in July and I'm thinking Maine might fit the bill. I've narrowed my choices in Kennebunkport to The White Barn Inn (VERY expensive), Yachtsman, Kennebunkport Inn and Schooner's Inn. In Camden, I'm debating between Samoset or A Little Dream. In Bar Harbor, I'm considering the Bar Harbor Inn.

I would appreciate any information you may have on these accommodations or your suggestions for other places I haven't considered.

I want it to be VERY nice - I'm not looking for cheap. I want nice accommodations for this special anniversary. A couple of things -- we need air conditioning and cable tv -- so there are some places that are out of the question.

Thanks for your help!

antmaril:

What a lovely trip!

I have stayed at The White Barn and loved it. It is VERY-VERY Expensive as you state...dinner is fabulous too and is even more expensive.

The Bar Haorbor Inn is also very good.

I have to go look at my photo album for Camden....

ok, I stayed at Whitehall Inn. GREAT!!!

Happy Planning,
Oaktown Traveler

We love Camden..its perfect for such a special occasion. We started out at the Samoset...and actually left there because our accomodations were not up to par. I have heard they have a great golf course , but we were there in winter and our room reminded me of staying at a state park.After spending the next day touring the area for more suitable accomodations, we FELL IN LOVE with A Little Dream. It is probably one of my favorite places I have ever stayed and I have been a lot of places and am typically not a BB person.Anyway, we stayed in a suite type thing ,which wasnt in the main house, called "Idlewatch"..so romantic.It had a great porch, fabulous views. It's perfect and the service is top-notch. You'll love it.

Capri767:

The Idlewatch is the suite I was considering at A Little Dream. The only reason I hesitate is because we have never stayed at a B&B before and are not really B&B people. Usually we go for the big deluxe resorts. A Little Dream really does look nice though.

I am thinking two days in Kennebunkport, two days in Bar Harbor and three days in Camden. Does this sound about right?

Your help is appreciated!

I stayed at Bar Harbor Inn. It was very nice and seemed to be the nicest in the town.

Hi...you will love idlewatch.It is seperate from the main house and you feel like you are in your own little world.We arent really B&B people either...but its not like that. The service and room quality are as good if not better that most high-end hotels....and the homemade muffins are the best anywhere.There is no comparison between here and Samoset....the other places in Maine I have not visited..but we loved Camden and A Little Dream.

Thank you for your responses. I appreciate the help.

I also need to decide about the number of nights we stay in Camden and Bar Harbor. Originally, I thought three in Camden and two in Bar Harbor, but maybe the other way around is better. We really enjoy exploring the little towns, shopping, picking a restaurant, etc. Of course, we will want to do sightseeing in Bar Harbor and go to Acadia National Park.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks, again!

Although both towns are great I would stay the extra night in Bar Harbor. More to see and do there, I think.

Dont kow about Bar Harbor, but there are lots of little cool places to shop and eat in Camden. Dont miss Cappy's right in the middle of Camden for good local fare. Three nights might be enough..it was in the winter but I understand there is lots more going on in the summer.Regardless, it is such a neat place.

We love Bar Harbor and have been there 4 times. There is a lot to do if you like hiking and biking the carriage roads of Acadia. We love the shops in Bar Harbor and the restaurants. The Bar Harbor Inn is awesome - we've stayed at the Bluenose and the Atlantic Eyrie and would recommend the Bar Harbor Inn above those. The location is scenic and convenient. Take the boat ride on the large sail boat docked there - it's wonderful. I haven't been to Camden yet, but would highly recommend 3 nights in Bar Harbor.

Let's see antmaril,
I have never stayed at Bar Harbor Inn, but it would be myfirst choice from the grapevine. There's lots of wonderful exploring in Acadia and in town. Come to think of it, we're long overdue for a trip there. Don't know much on Camden, other than it is a place we should know about, and the comments on A Little Dream would sell me. Now, Kennebunkport. I have not stayed at White Barn Inn, but have dined there a few times. I would definately budget dinner there, if you respect fine dining food preperations, atmosphere, and service. I love a quiet intimate pool, so would consider there for July. However, when pool was not a consideration, we would prefer the Yachtsman for it's great river location atmosphere, cocktails, morning coffee. More casual but view and closer to town for evening strolls. Can't comment on the other two, as we are not really B&B people. We're the two that grab a glass of chard and head back to our room with it to dress, rather that do the social thing, hover in the corner for bfast. Ogunquit is also a favorite, we love Seachambers, although they are more rustic, but right in the heat of things with a wonderful Euro stepdown pool that we adore and a million dollar view. Don't tell anyone, but we find it to be the best sneak away pool ocean day away for short money. Again you have inspired me to consider Acadia and Camden this summer! good luck!

We've stayed many times at the White Barn Inn, our favorite room being in Mae's Cottage on the top floor, very luxurious, and the pool is very nice. However, the last two times we have stayed at their sister inn, The Beach House, because we like the ocean view and being able to walk along the beach. We've dined 14 times at the 5* White Barn Inn Restaurant flying from CA.

We stayed at the Samoset this summer (August)for a conference. It has a great location on the coast w/ golf course,indoor pool...good food. Rooms were fine. If I were to go again, which I hope we will, I would like to do a B&B. You may want to check out tripadvisor.com to compare reviews on some of these spots and get ideas for other possibilities.

I am the original poster (March, 2004) and wanted to mention that we decided on Vail, Colorado for our 30th anniversary rather than Maine.

We LOVED Vail, but a trip to Maine is still high on my list. Perhaps we will go this year. These suggestions will be very helpful.

I guess it still feels like 2004! Sucked into an old post again. Saw 03/08