Inn by the Sea; A Singular Coastal Maine Experience

Inn by the Sea; A Singular Coastal Maine Experience

Portland, Maine, January 27, 2011 — Inn by the Sea is one of the East Coast’s finest luxury beach resorts; the stylish, intimate 57-room coastal gem overlooking Crescent Beach, on the shores of scenic Cape Elizabeth peninsula, the rocky headland just five miles south of downtown Portland.  

The Inn is an easy 20 minutes from the vibrant downtown arts, dining and shopping scene in what has often been named one of the top most livable cities in the U.S.  Inn by the Sea underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in the spring of 2008.   It is the only Virtuoso property in Maine and also bears the prestigious AAA Four Diamond designation.  This spring the resort will join the Preferred Boutique Hotels group.  Travel + Leisure readers named the Inn one of the World’s Best Hotels this month in the January 2011 issue.

A complete redesign of the guest rooms, duplex Spa Suites and cottages brings fresh new interiors, done in a rich palette of earthy red hued textiles, warm cognac woodwork and are outfitted with maple furnishings and locally commissioned artwork.  Views from the Inn look out to five acres of indigenous seaside gardens, quintessential sunrises and lobster boats anchored off Crescent Beach – the very scenes that inspired great American painters – the masterpieces of Hopper, Homer and others that hang in the nearby Portland Museum of Art.

What sets Inn by the Sea apart? Here’s the shortlist:

FARM-TO-TABLE COOKING AT ONE OF PORTLAND’S TOP TABLE

Executive Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich of the Inn’s Sea Glass Restaurant , a James Beard House guest chef in 2010, sources products from local farmers and fishermen, emphasizing Maine’s natural flavors in his cooking and the bounty of resources surrounding the resort.  His fresh lobster roll is one of the best in the state, served on a homemade bun with lemon mayo.  Click here to view a video of Chef Mitchell preparing pan seared sea scallops in Maine-grown parsnip puree.

A LEED CERTIFIED SPA

 SPA at Inn by the Sea is a LEED Silver certified spa, the first in Maine, with treatments that evoke an unmistakable sense of place, including signature massages ranging from Sea Waves and the Deep Sea Soother to the Casco Bay Stone Massage and treatments such as the Maine Mud Mask.  Specialty treatments make a trip to the SPA right for every type of guest – The Men’s Maritime Facial, The High Tide Teen Facial, The Motherhood Massage for expecting guests and new Moms, and for the VIPS at the Inn (Very Import Pets) a 30-minute in-room dog massage.

SUMMER VACATIONS BY THE SEA

Perfect for families, the multi-level spa suites and garden suites offer private bedrooms, spacious living areas and oversized baths. The two bedroom seaside cottages are ideal for multi-generational getaways. The Inn offers endless things for kids to do, including learning first hand about the environment through the popular “The Bug’s Life” guided garden experiences where kids get to dress in insect costumes and explore the grounds, nature walks and the summer essential —  s’mores by the fire pit.

NATURAL LUXURY

The Inn is a recognized leader in their ability to artfully blend luxury, service and an exceptional guest stay with sustainability.  Their winning approach is backed by an unparalleled commitment to the environment and to minimizing the impact of hotel operations through eco-friendly initiatives and deep appreciation of all things local.  The five-acre grounds feature a designated Wildlife Habitat, a Certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation and a certified bird sanctuary.  Recycled building materials are used whenever possible and the Inn heats with biofuel and the pool with solar panels.  Room key cards are made out of compostable, recyclable PVC.  Completely biodegradable plastic water bottles will be introduced this spring.  Guests are even encouraged to take home their barely used bar of natural olive oil soap.   Click here to view YouTube video on the Inn as Green Living Project.

COASTAL DREAM WEDDINGS

As a boutique hotel with just 57 rooms and one of the best restaurants in the Portland area, the Inn is the perfect place for a dream wedding.  On an exclusive buy-out basis, couples can host up to 150 people in the banquet rooms or tented on the lawn.  With spectacular ocean views from all locations, the Inn provides a dramatic and memorable backdrop for wedding receptions and fabulous wedding photography.

DOG DAYS AT THE INN

The Inn features designated pet-friendly rooms and suites, water bowls, beach towels, cozy blankets, and signature treats at turndown.   Grooming services, doggie pet massages, gourmet pet menus, dog walking and doggie day care are also available for additional charges.  Yankee Magazine named the Inn “The Best Dog Friendly Vacation Spot in New England” in their May/June 2010 issue and this month was featured as one of the “Top 10 Luxury Pet Friendly Hotels” in FIDO Friendly magazine.

WITHIN EASY REACH OF

THE HIP, DOWNTOWN PORTLAND SCENE

The Inn enjoys the best of both worlds; a quiet, seaside location that’s just 20 minutes from the buzzing arts, dining and shopping scene of downtown Portland.

Getting Here

Most major carriers fly into Portland International Jetport (PWM).  JetBlue has non-stops service and great low fares from JFK, only 45 minutes flying time from New York.  The Inn is a two hour drive from Boston and Amtrak offers rail service into Portland from Boston, New York and Washington D.C.