A Nautical Visit to Nonantum Resort

We recently stayed at Nonantum Resort, a luxurious hotel in the heart of Kennebunkport, Maine. What was unique about the experience was that we were in the midst of a beautiful seaside village, complete with rocky beaches, waterfront cottages, sail boats, lobster fisherman and quaint shops and restaurants. The resort is ideal for a family trip as it’s equipped with kid’s activities (there’s even a special tent dedicated to them, complete with a popcorn machine, movie screen, arts & crafts), sports (everything from kayaking to shuffle boarding), a warm pool and bicycling. We especially loved being so close to the water, and the hotel’s decor is cozy and nautical enough to provide the perfect reminders.

How to Get to Nonantum

The Nonantum is about a half hour drive from Portland, 90 minutes from Boston and about 5 hours from New York City.  There is also a regional train service with seasonal stops not far from The Resort.

The Rooms

The hotel literally opened over 100 years ago, in 1884, and The Carriage House was part of the original inn that opened in the home of sea captain Henry Heckman.  While the rooms have been modernized over the years the public spaces retain the charm and elegance of the original structure. We stayed in a family suite in The Carriage House, which was really comfortable and spacious. It included air conditioning, cable television, telephones, free WiFi (which was shaky for some reason) and a bathroom for us all to share.  The hotel has retained much of its history in its decor, with an old-fashioned elevator, old-fashioned phone on the wall, pictures of boats scattered throughout the hotel and gorgeous views of the water.

The Verdict?

We loved the location, right near Kennebunkport’s quaint strip of shops and restaurants of all kinds. We spent the day mulling by the pool and taking part in the hotel’s activities. We ventured to the local Ben & Jerry’s, to see George Bush’s home the town is known for. We ate sea food, walked on the beach and gazed at spectacular sunsets over the water.

The hotel really caters to kids, offering crafts, kayaking excursions, family movie nights, ice-cream parties, Princess & Pirate Parties, paddle board demonstrations, cooking demos, campfire and sing-a-longs and marshmallow roasts. There are good restaurants and and a more casual pub, which made it easy to stay on the premises and just chill out. It’s important to note that there are additional fees for booking kayaks, boat trips, renting bikes, but if you know this before you get there, it will be no surprise. The breakfast that comes with the stay is complimentary and quite impressive with home made muffins, oatmeal and a large selection of cereals, eggs and pancakes.

For another two weeks, the resort is offering a family package where you will be able to enjoy three nights lodging, a family trip on a Rugosa Lobster Tour, one picnic lunch for the family, one Beach Pass, and breakfast daily. Available May 26th through September 4th, 2014. Rates range from $539.00-$1,309.00, based on a family of three and excluding Maine State Lodging Tax. Cannot be applied to existing reservations or combined with other offers. Choose “Family Fun In The Sun” when booking online.

Disclosure: My stay at the Nonantum was partially complimentary, as I did pay a small fee and did not receive anything further during my stay. However, as usual, all opinions are my own.

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