Portland vs Kennebunkport lodging
 

We are looking to fly into Portland to spend a week in Maine. I have found most of the accommodations I need but am wondering if we should stay in Portland or try a few nights in Kennebunkport area. I really would like to keep the rate around $225 if possible but still want nice accommodations. The places I have looked at in Kennebunkport all seem higher like the White Barn Inn, Cape Arundel etc. Have considered Yachtsman Lodge. Does anyone have any suggestions for accommodations or should one just stay in Portland and do a day trip South. Please Help!!

K-Port is about a 40 minute ride from Portland, I would just do a day trip.
I know I could easily take in most things there in one day.

Thanks for your reply. Having never been to Maine I really appreciate the input. If we stay in Portland for 2 nights we are looking at Portland Harbor, Eastland Park, Regency, or possibly the Pomengranate Inn. Any recommendations or opinions?

I agree with previous poster that Kennebunkport is an easy day trip from Portland. This should be OK unless you really want to be on the beach.

The hotels in Portland are mostly on/near the harbor. Of the ones you mentioned, the Regency is one of my favorites and provides easy access to the Old Port area (great places to eat and shop).
You might also want to consider the Black Point Inn (just outside of Portland and with wonderful ocean views and beach)

http://www.blackpointinn.com/
(not sure about rates)

and Inn by the Sea in beautiful Cape Elizabeth

http://www.innbythesea.com/

(also not sure of rates).

Both of these hotels are a 15-20 minute drive from Portland and perhaps 45 minutes from Kbport...but might provide more local flavor and charm than the hotels right in Portland itself...

Do have dinner in the Old Port...Hugo's (fairly new but getting great reviews), Street and Company, and Fore Street (established, trendy and highly rated)...all excellent food and atmosphere.

Maine is wonderful. You will enjoy!

Just have to say (as a humble Brit) we stayed both in Portland (Regency) and also White Barn Inn kennebunkeport last year. I would not have missed either as both wonderful, but different of course. Can you really do both destinations in one day?
Charmian

Charmianrussel -

I don't think one can do both in a single day...but I do think you can drive from Portland to Kbport, see it, and return in one day. If money is no object, then, by all means, the White Barn Inn is the way to go!

Thanks once again for your input. I checked the White Barn Inn. Would love to stay there but it is more than what we want to spend. Think we'll end up at the Regency or Black Point Inn. I really had hoped to spend a night in Kennebunkport but everything seems to be more than $225-250/ night.

Did you try the Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport? Or the Ocean View? or the Kennebunkport Inn? or the Colony? If you do stay in Portland, we love the Regency. And both the Inn by the Sea and the Black Point Inn are wonderful (they're very close to one another).

Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth

It's been over a year, but loved The Yachtsman, if that helps!

Thank you for all the input. I now have checked out the Captain Lord Mansion, Ocean View and Kennebunkport Inn and all would be possibilities. The Inn by the Sea was a little more than what we wanted to pay but is still a possibility. Guess We have to make a decsion between Portland or Kport. Is there much to do around Kennebunkport and is it a town that shuts down at night?

Definitely the Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport - wonderful!!!

Personally I would would much rather be in Portland in the evening. It is a small city,easy to walk around in.
There is a new Hilton Garden right in the Old Port that you might want to check out.

I'm not sure what your interests are, but Portland definately has a lot more to do. You could take a day trip to Kennebunkport, just take a lazy drive down Route 1 south. IT's not too far. The newest places to stay in the Old Port of Portland are the brand new Hilton, right on the water; the Portland Harbor Hotel and of course the old standby, The Regency. All are really nice. Another idea is taking a ferry ride, right across from the Hilton and go out to Peaks Island for the day, maybe do a sunset cruise. It's just so much fun out on the islands.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We made the decision to say in Portland and spend a day in Kennebunkport. Would have loved to stay in the White Barn Inn but it was more than what we wanted to spend. Same goes for the Inn by the Sea. We made reservations at the new Hilton and hope we won't be disappointed.

We very recently stayed at the Hilton near the waterfront and were at the Regency last yr. We preferred the Regency. While the Hilton's location is great and it is new with competitive rates we found the sound-proofing poor. We could hear everyone in the hallways both day and night. Also the chambermaids knocked on our door at 8am to see if they could clean. We love Portland and there is a lot to see. It is a great small city for walking and browsing. Someone told me that the best place to stay with character is the Pomegranate Inn. Good luck and enjoy your visit. We also loved Walter's Cafe and found Fore Street overrated. Also Hugo's and Back Bay Grill are great restaurants.