BOOKING GREAT MEMORIES ON THE MAINE COAST

KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE

24 HOUR CONCIERGE SERVICE 207.233.6037

LODGING~DINING~SHOPPING~GALLERIES~SPAS

Kennebunkport Maine

READ WHAT THE TRAVEL WRITERS SAY ABOUT KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE USA

I first heard about Kennenbunkport, Maine, like most others I know, as the place where former US President George Bush Sr. had a summer home known as the Bush Compound First built by Bush’s grandfather, George Herbert Walker, it has been a family home ever since, and has been owned by Bush since shortly after he became vice president in the 1980s. During his presidency, Bush often invited world leaders, from Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev and Yitzhak Rabin, to Kennebunkport. In 2007, his son George W. Bush invited Russia’s Vladimir Putin and France’s Nicolas Sarkozy to meet there.

This is an astoundingly picturesque town in York County, Maine, with a population of less than 4,000. The town center is located along the Kennebunk River, approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) from the mouth of the river on the ocean. Historically a shipbuilding and fishing village, for well over a century the town has been a popular seaside tourist destination. Kennebunkport has a small district of souvenir shops, art galleries, seafood restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. Its reputation as an upscale community comes from the numerous large seaside estates along Ocean Avenue and other coastal thoroughfares. In the summer months, many wealthy people from across the Northeast vacation in Kennebunkport and nearby Goose Rocks Beach. It is regarded as one of the most expensive vacation areas in the Northeast. During the fall, Kennebunkport is a frequent stop for tour buses showing visitors the famous New England fall colors.

Kennebunkport’s Dock Square is the commercial centre of town and is certainly worth an afternoon shopping adventure. You will find unique boutiques offering one-of-a-kind wares, t-shirt shops and some great places to pick up a gift for family and friends. Be sure to visit the many local galleries as Kennebunkport has long been known as one of the region’s greatest artists’ enclaves.

A night of entertainment is easily found in a number of playhouses, where you can enjoy some of the funniest, dramatic or vocally inspiring shows you can imagine. The Maine coast has been a summer haven for Hollywood actors to come and “hit the boards” since the forties, and they still come today to stretch their acting muscles and enjoy the beauty and relaxation of our coast.

Maine has more than 5,000 miles of coast and some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire state can be found here in the Kennebunks. Whether you’re a family looking to set up for that perfectly relaxing day at the beach or a surfer hoping to catch the ultimate wave, the beaches in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport offer some of the best fun in the sun. You need to buy a parking pass and hope there is actually a spot when you get there. Seek out Mother’s Beach, where we enioyed some wonderful days and park your chairs at the very back of the sand because by mid-afternoon the surf comes up pretty high. The ocean water is cold, but my family and I had no trouble wading in and jumping the waves. It was relaxing and a lot of fun.

WHERE TO STAY: For the past few years I have been on the email list of The Kennenbunkport Inn, receiving their always interesting newsletter. So, when I decided to make my very first trip to Maine, naturally I contacted them immediately. This is a charming intimate hotel, with 49 guest rooms in the Victorian Mansion, Riverhouse or Wharfside buildings right in Dock Square, the heart of all of the shopping, dining and attractions. From the elegant style of the Federal and Mansion rooms to the charming ambiance of the Riverhouse to the Maine beach cottage style of the Wharfside, there is a room perfect for every taste and need.

We had a Wharfside family suite., which is large enough to fit at least six people. I cannot remember when I last felt this comfortable away from home. It features standard rental style furnishings, three bedrooms, a large living room with sleeper sofas, kitchen facilities and a private bath. The Wharfside is a short walk across the street from the main building, which contains the One Dock Restaurant, the piano bar, patio dining, an outdoor pool, spa services and a guest library. There is a delicious complimentary deluxe continental breakfast served each morning and private off-street parking.

Perfectly located in Dock Square, the heart of this seaside resort village, you are steps away from the bustling collection of shops, galleries, historic sites, restaurants and the Port Walk Shops that don the Kennebunk Rivers edge.

The Inn is owned by the husband and wife team of Debbie Lennon and Tom Nill. Debbie’s parents have a home nearby. The couple got married here in 2000 and had their rehearsal dinner at the Inn. They immediately fell in love with the property and a few months later they approached the then owners and began negotiations to purchase. Debbie and Tom are hands on owners who have hired a lovely and caring staff. The Inn itself was originally built as an elegant family home in the late 1890’s by Captain Burleigh S. Thompson, a wealthy tea and coffee merchant. Captain Thompson lived here with his wife and daughter until 1926, when he sold the mansion to Lloyd and Murray Hackenburg. It was in that year that the mansion first became The Kennebunkport Inn.

DINING: As we prepared for our trip, the names of two restaurants in Kennenbunkport kept coming up: Bartley’s Dockside Dining, located right by the bridge at 4 Western Avenue and Mabel’s Lobster Claw at 124 Ocean Road.

For over a quarter century, three generations of the Bartley family has been serving great food. During those years, they’ve made countless friends that have entered through the restaurant doors simply to enjoy the flavors of a good meal and left a devoted fan for life.

There are so many photos of President Bush on the wall you’re sure he’s just around the corner chomping on a lobster roll! There is a new photo, personally autographed to the Bartley family, from Bush of his latest skydiving experience in the area.

Vacationing celebrities enjoy the anonymity of dining in a place they call their own and being called a regular This was the favorite watering hole for the White House Staff and the intimate bar offers full liquor choices. Bartley’s has free parking for their guests while dining in air conditioned comfort. Since we were staying at the Kennenbunkport Inn, we had a barely five minute walk.

Bartley’s air conditioned restaurant, situated on the river that flows through town, boast of having the freshest lobster. Indeed they do! Lobsters swim in a salt water tank located inside the restaurant, making your choice for dinner as fresh as you’ll ever have! Brian Bartley jokes that you’ll need a chain saw to cut into the gigantic size of their lobster, and at 3 1/2 pounds…he’s right! The baked stuffed lobster here is superb. This house specialty involves the chef first splitting and cracking open the lobster. After breading is added to the inside it is cooked for 20 minutes in the oven and served so easy to enjoy. The lazy man’s lobster is another favourite. Here all the work has done before you, with the lobster meat taken out of the shell and served on a casserole dish with butter. It is so beautifully prepared, even the kids will enjoy it.

Other choices include the caramelized salmon, haddock ala Dockside and steaks. Most vegetables are an afterthought , but not at Bartley’s. Gail Bartley hand picks the freshest vegetables form the farmer’s markets daily during the summer and fall seasons. For an appetizer try the fresh native crab-meat cocktail or the fried whole clams with tartar sauce.

If you look up Blueberry Pie in the dictionary, Dorothy Bartley’s smiling face would be right next to it! Mrs. B’s Blueberry Pie was a staple on Air Force One. I would strongly recommend you save room for this specialty.

Mabel’s is legendary in Kennenbunkport. In the summer season, with its terrace, about 70 people can be seated at a time. The place is always packed, so be sure to make reservations (207-967-2562) in advance. Owners Robert and Stephanie Fischer bought the place 12 years ago and take a real hands on approach. Their kids work here as well and they take only one day off a week. The night we were there, we were told President Bush dropped by for ice cream a few days earlier. Then Robert brought over a special guest to the table, award winning Jewish composer Marvin Hamlisch. He had just finished his meal and was quite a gentleman.

The menu here is pretty comprehensive, with everything from lobster and a variety of fish selections to chicken, beef and pasta. There is a special children’s menu of chicken, fish, burgers, spaghetti and even hot dogs. The lazy lobster is a favourite. I sampled the sword fish and it was absolutely out of this world. Their homemade clam chowder is superb as are the fried scallops. For dessert, try one of their pies (made fresh daily) or the chocolate cake topped with hot fudge sauce.

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Bartley's Dockside Dining Kennebunkport

 

House Newspapers for Guests,

 

"great spot for political junkies"...Most Bush memorobilia in Kennebunkport, walls are full,

 

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Air-Conditioning, Waterfront, Fireplace, Internet

by the bridge
4 Western Avenue

Kennebunkport, Maine 04046

(207) 967-5050

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www.bartleysdining.com

Walking into Bartley's is like visiting an old friend-you want to wrap your arms around them and feel their love. That's what you sense at a glance on the walls of this friendly funky restaurant. Maine's history is displayed through pictures that grace the walls in Kennebunkport's popular Dock Square restaurant. Sure, you can get the classic New England favorites like clambakes, chowda, 3 lb baked stuffed lobsters on their menu, but here's where it gets really interesting...With hot chefs kicking it up in the kitchen, you're sure to sample morsels of incredible new edge flavors presented with panache. Our favorite's the 14 oz. New York sirloin choice steak stabbed repeatedly with whole cloves of garlic that will make any garlic lover swoon. Toast that over generous glasses of Cakebread. Frog's Leap and Matanzas Creek share the stage and make a great choice with Pucci Seafood Sauté - a fashion statement on a plate! You'll come for the apps but stay for the dinner. You need to be here!
Offers: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Beer, Entertainment, Fireplace, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
Public Transit: Amtrak Downeaster - Wells Limo service - Your driver is served a complimentary meal while they wait! Trolley Taxi Pedi-cab in season
Parking: Private Lot
Parking Details: motor coach parking available in addition to safe secured parking for guests
Catering: Off premise catering for Weddings, rehearsals, anniversaries, birthdays, corporate functions, clambakes, pharmaceutical destinations, wine dinners, product launches, political engagements, yacht, private jet deliveries. Please contact our Director of Catering, Danie Connolly 207-985-8888
Banquet Facilities: A complete list of sites available to qualified clients. Complete list of referrals for photography, music, floral and lodging available. Our off-premise division travels throughout the country for clambakes and lobster fests.
Banquet Contact: Brian Bartley (207) 233-6037
Private Party Facilities: Waterside dining available for private parties. Complete facilities available.
Private Party Contact: Brian Bartley (207) 233-6037
Entertainment: In season Great Jazz trio, occasional comedy acts and solo performers.
Special Events & Promotions:
CHRISTMAS PRELUDE IN KENNEBUNKPORT OUR 28TH ANNIVERSARY 2009 Prelude Dates - December 4th - December 13th Tree Lighting at 5:30pm Friday, December 4,2009 Saturday is a Full Day of Shopping, Eating and Good Old Fun Sunday Santa comes in by Lobster Boat

Credit Cards Accepted:  24 Hour ATM on Premise

American Express
Discover
MasterCard
VISA

Handicap Accessible:

Yes

Eco-Friendly:

Yes

Weddings

Yes

For a listing of New England Hospitality businesses, 'Go To' the Vacation Directory and select the state you are planning on visiting. Contact the business directly, mention you saw them on www.newenglandgetawayvacations.com

A Wonderful Weekend on the Coast of Maine.....BOOK TODAY

Enjoy your New England Get Away Vacation, remember, no New England Get Away is complete without a visit to L.L. Bean in Freeport, ME USA. They are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, in fact, there are 'no locks' on their doors, this is a must see, when visiting New England.


Based out of Kennebunkport, Maine USA, we have successfully been in the hospitality business for over 30 years, acting as a concierge service to assist Visitors coming to Kennebunkport. Having had so many satisfied clients over the years, we felt the natural progression was to branch out to all of our wonderful six New England states.