It Ain't Over Yet!
Still Time to Escape to the Maine Coast
By Susan Farewell
Tags: romantic getaways, weekend getaways, romantic inns in new england, maine inns, new england weekend getaways, romantic weekend getaways in new england, fall weekend getaways in new england
So many people associate Maine with summer or think of it for skiing, that it doesn’t necessarily come to mind when considering a fall getaway. Well pack your bags. October is a beautiful time of year to visit the coast and we’ve discovered a truly wonderful inn with a nicely-priced package.
I visited the newly reopened Tides Beach Club earlier in the summer on a miserable wet weekend. It was pouring the entire time I was there. But guess what? I fell in love with it. What I liked about it was that it was fresh and pristine but at the same time really comfortable. In fact, deciding whether to sit in front of the fire in the lobby, on the porch looking out at the sea, or on my bed propped up by pillows posed a bit of a dilemma for me.
A classic Victorian building, the hotel is not a new presence on Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport. In fact, it’s been around since 1899. It recently was purchased by the Kennebunkport Resort Collection and renovated top to bottom. There are just 21 rooms, all done in soothing pastels, with a very contemporary feel.
When one is not curled up with a book or Kindle, daytime diversions include beachcombing, biking or going out on the water in rowboats or kayaks. You can also use some of the facilities at the sister resort, Hidden Pond, which opened last year and is a short bike ride inland.
The town of Kennebunkport is about a five-mile drive away and--with its shops, great restaurants and coastal walks--is so much nicer after the summer crowds have gone. Just be sure to get back for dinner. Chef Bryan Dame's New England clam chowder made with “grandma’s” clam fritters is a must. The scene at the club’s bar is also quite  riveting, and has long been the social hub of Goose Rocks Beach. But then again, you’re going to want to climb into the Frette linens of the bed upstairs. With the breeze off the ocean wafting in, it’s well…calling you.
Ask for the Fall Back to The Tides Beach Club package when booking this month. If you can manage to get away for two nights, it's an excellent rate that includes two nights for two, dinner for two one night, a beach bag filled with goodies, shuttle service to sister property Hidden Pond for nightly bonfire and s’mores, complimentary use of bikes, row boats and kayaks. Rates start at $599 per couple including all taxes and gratuities.
Can't make it this month? The Tides is seasonal and will be closing the last weekend of October for the season. It will reopen again on Memorial Day 2012.
Visit www.TidesBeachClubMaine.com or call 207-967-3757. See also our other Select Hotels in the sidebar.
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