Grand Hotel//Kennebunkport Travel Diary

The final hotel on our Maine coastal fall road-trip proved to be quite something!

T H E P L A C E T O S T A Y

The Grand Hotel in Kennebunk, Maine, sits prominently on Chase Hill, just steps away from bustling, downtown Kennebunkport. Featuring classic New England architecture and elegantly appointed decor, the hotel offers views of lively Dock Square and Lower Village. It’s the most perfect ideal spot to enjoy everything the town has to offer. There’s just no denying it! Grand Hotel has that warm beautiful boutique feel and the location is just superb!

We arrived late afternoon to be greeted by the loveliest girl (also named Samantha) with champagne awaiting us and an old school key!!! (YASSSSSSS) We checked into the luxe spacious Chase Hill Suites which offers a large, private veranda that overlooks Lower Village as well as Kennebunkport’s charming Dock Square.We had a lovely king-sized bed made up with Matouk and Cuddledown bedding which was incredibly hard to not steal! (kidding, totally kidding) Our wet bar offered a mini-fridge and Nespresso coffeemaker, while the sitting area featured a pull-out sofa and a beautiful marble bathroom! Lin really appreciates a nice seating area so he was one happy man! And of course my lovely hosts left me a goody bag full of rosé and delicious snacks! How did they know I love Pringles?!

Another fantastic feature is the art! A collection of the most collectible works from Maine Artists has been integrated throughout the hotel. The onsite art curator frequently rotates the art, ensuring the most exciting new artists are featured. And the complimentary cruiser bikes are a plus too! I am such a sucker for a good hotel bicycle because there is nothing better than exploring a new city on two wheels or on foot! Don’t you agree?

If you’re looking for a reasonably priced, boutique hotel in a good lively area then can I suggest Grand Hotel! I really loved it and would return in a heartbeat.

And I love it so much that I have partnered with them to give you some savings to experience Kennebunkport for yourself! Use promo code FRENCH at checkout! This will reveal a special rate saving you 15% off the standard daily rate for mid-week visits (Sunday-Thursday), now through December 30th 2018. (excludes Christmas Prelude, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Book here!

A F E W P L A C E S T O K N O W AND CHECK OUT

EAT/DRINK

Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant: Now I know what you are thinking..Mexican Food in Maine!? But ya’ll my Texas heart was yearning for it on Day 8 and It was delicious. Ask for the seasonal margarita!

The Clam Shack: All though closed for the season so we could not go, I wanted to include it for you! Everyone raves about this place, including all the locals.

The Kennebunk Inn Bar: We enjoyed some fabulous Maine beers on the patio watching the sunset with local. Highly recommend. The food looked incredible too.

Mornings in Paris: You know I am a sucker for a French inspired bakery so breakfast here was a must! The pastries were delicious! And the maple latte was something from heaven!

The Boathouse: The Boathouse is a waterfront hotel and restaurant located on the banks of the Kennebunk River. Surrounded by working marinas, The Boathouse epitomizes its chic, coastal locale in Kennebunkport: The newly designed space is bright and sunny with nautical influences. Splashes of red & golden yellow create a welcoming and energetic space, making it the place to be seen in KPT this summer. Chef John Shaw’s “classic Maine” menu focuses on fresh seafood with a sprinkling of Asian influences with a full Lobster Bar serving Maine oysters, Little Neck clams, and scallop crudo. Highly recommend the Maine crab cakes, the grilled shishitos, seared shrimp and scallops, and the buttermilk fried chicken. We had the best time here and are so appreciative to the team for hosting us for dinner!

SEE

Wedding Cake House: Do it for the gram!

SHOP

Minka: Minka is a modern, handmade boutique - inspired by the beauty of natural materials and the art of design.The owners Michelle Rose & Chris Larochelle are partners in life and in work; a passionate team committed to creating modern art and home goods that are timeless in design and useful in their purpose. Minka started over a decade ago as a boutique artisan gallery out of the couple’s home. It grew to become a sustainable lifestyle brand, based on the coast of Maine. And I want one of everything please!

We spent the next day on our way out of town to Boston exploring Cape Porpoise! It is so lovely and worth the ten minute drive from Grand Hotel.

Definitely stop in Farm + Table—Located in a quintessential New England red barn, farm + table offers a unique shopping experience where stories of emerging artisans and apprentices are celebrated. Choose from a specially curated selection of small batch makers of goods and edible treats from across the country. Browse the shelves for goods supporting the ease of entertaining and hospitality. Lin and I stocked up on so many things and they were so kind to ship everything! It was so nice to come home to a box full of Christmas goodies.