An Anthony Watkins Original of the Maine Stay Inn

The Kennebunkport Fine Living Festival, a spectacular kick-off for summer, offers a plethora of events related to all aspects of fine life – food, wine, and art. But one of our favorite parts of the Fine Living Festival happens right inside the doors of this Kennebunkport bed and breakfast, the Artist in Residence Program. BeginningWednesday, invited artists from all over the state convene on Kennebunkport Lodging establishments, where they spend the remainder of the week.  Not only do they display their incredible works for guests (and staff alike) to enjoy, but they join us for breakfast as well.

The Maine Stay Inn and Cottages had the pleasure of hosting artist Anthony Watkins for the week.  Although a member of the Plein Air Painters, a renowned group of talented artists that believe in painting directly from life, Anthony found time during the week to socialize with our guests and talk with them about his work as an artist.  The Maine Stay enjoyed every moment of Anthony’s presence and is looking forward to next year’s festival and resident artist – and so should you!  Don’t miss the 2011 Kennebunkport Fine Living Festival at the Maine Stay Inn.

But if you’re up for some extra activity, our collection of backyard games has grown immensely.  Now guests can enjoy soccer on our expansive lawns, a friendly (or competitive) game of bocce ball, a fun round of volleyball, or can even try their hands at horseshoes!

The Maine Stay is gearing up for summer and so should you!

A View from St. Ann's

This annual five day festival begins on the first Wednesday of June with the influx of talented artists into Kennebunkport, Maine, where they quickly disperse to paint in the open air.  These incredible artists are know collectively as the Plein Air Painters.  The opportunity to watch these skilled individuals at scenic venues continues for four days, so you can’t miss them.  The next great event is truly a once in a lifetime experience.  Imagine a specially crafted dinner for 12-16 by a famous chef flown in from across the nation. But it’s not just a dinner – it’s a gourmet feast paired with wine and inspired by an incredible piece of art, hosted in one of Kennebunkport’s incredible private mansions.

On Thursday, visitors experienced the Artist-In-Residence program at Kennebunkport bed and breakfasts, inns, and hotels, watched the filming of Chef’s Kitchen, and attended the acclaimed Festival Preview.  Hosted by Tattinger, it was a chance view work from the festival artists while sampling an array of fine champagne and mingling with winemakers, chefs, and artists.

Friday yielded more wonderful events, while still leaving opportunity to shop, dine, and enjoy the scenery that makes Kennebunkport an incredible vacation destination.  In the evening, St. Ann’s opened its doors for the Twilight Soiree, a chance to see one of the most gracious historic buildings in Kennebunkport and enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres, sample fine wines and champagnes, and view more fine art.

Saturday brought more gallery exhibit openings and art viewing opportunities, as well as the Grand Tasting.  Hosted by Cellardoor Winery, the tasting was blessed with incredible weather  - perfect for a riverside wine tasting, incredible nibbling, and fine art viewing – and, of course, mingling with other foodies, artists, and visitors and residents of Kennebunkport.  The evening brought the finest event for your early summer vacation – the Chef’s Gala, a multi-course dinner accompanied by wine, music, and dancing.

Sunday brought the opportunity to tour Kennebunkport inns and other Kennebunkport lodging establishments, as well as view great artwork and chat with their astounding creators.

So make sure not to miss the Kennebunkport Fine Living Festival 2011, and now that summer has officially begun, book your Maine summer vacation at the Maine Stay Inn and Cottages today.

Enjoy Kennebunkport’s summer festival this June from the 2nd through the 6th.  Here’s a sneak peek at some of the Fine Living Festival‘s inspired events:

• Plein Air Painters Invitational
• Pairing Palates and Palettes Dinners
• Artist in Residence Program
• Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Festival Preview
• Guided wine tastings and discussions
• Twilight Soiree
• Children’s Festival
• Grand Tasting and Showing
• Don Stone Show Opening
• The Chef’s Gala

The Maine Stay Inn is the perfect Kennebunkport bed and breakfast inn from which to enjoy all the offerings of this incredible culinary and artistic festival, and also has the privilege of offering tickets to the celebration’s most popular events at a steep discount. Guests of the Maine Stay can gain access to The Festival Preview, Grand Tasting and Twilight Soiree for just $95!  Limited ticket packages are available, so make your reservations and reserve your seats today!

The Maine Stay Inn - a proud member of the Historic Inns of Kennebunkport

The Historic Inns of Kennebunkport, the Maine Stay included, provide yet another great reason to visit Kennebunkport in the spring – Cookie Madness!  On April 24, 2010, the historic inns will join together for a tour of each spectacular property, made even sweeter by a selection of their favorite cookies! (Okay, I confess, the pun was intended…) This is the perfect opportunity to snoop in all of the inns you have been so curious about! So walk from the Maine Stay Inn to Captain Fairfield Inn, Captain Lord Mansion, and Captain Jefferds Inn. If you’re up for a longer walk (or feel the need to burn off some of those treats), hike on over to English Meadows Inn, located in Lower Village Kennebunk.  Don’t worry, no one will fault you for hopping in the car, especially when you’ll want one to explore the 1802 House Inn and Old Fort Inn.

The Maine Stay is looking forward to baking (and enjoying) their favorite cookies and sharing them will all of you!  So save your appetites for the Historic Inns’ Annual Cookie Tour.  See you next weekend!

Kennebunkport’s Maine Stay Inn will offer guests 50% off weekend room rates Monday through Thursday between April 26^th through May 28^th 2010 in support of ‘Hospitality for Habitat’, a Maine Innkeepers Association program, originally designed to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity projects in Maine. This year, after the devastating earth quake in Haiti, part of the funds raised will also be distributed to help support Habitat for Humanity projects in Haiti.  In exchange for steep discounts, guests must contribute a $35 donation check written out to Habitat for Humanity.

The Maine Stay Inn will join participating members of The Maine Innkeepers Association all across the state to help build homes for deserving families.  In 2009 Hospitality for Habitat raised over $16,000 for Habitat for Humanity, and the Association has raised over $30,000 since the program began in 2004.

To enjoy a 50% reduction in room rates between April 26^th and May 28th 2010, and be part of Hospitality for Habitat,  please make reservations in advance and acknowledge your intention to participate. Your tax deductible donation for $35 should be made out to Habitat for Humanity in the form of a check and given to the innkeeper. For more information, or to make a reservation in support of Habitat for Humanity please go to www.mainestayinn.com or call 207.967.2117.

The Maine Stay looks forward to welcoming you and your family to begin celebrating a glorious summer in Kennebunkport, Maine!

Kennebunkport and the Maine Stay Inn is the perfect place to begin your exploration of the Maine Beer Trail.  Just a short drive from the Maine Stay is the Run of The Mill Public House and Brewery, located in Saco, Maine.  Continue traveling up the coast along scenic Route 1 to Scarborough for your next stop at the Sebago Brewing Company.  Next up – the breweries of Portland!  While it is home to several small brewing companies, Allagash Brewing, DL Geary Brewing, Gritty McDuff’s, and Sebago Brewing, it is also the current home of Shipyard Ale – the Shipyard Brewing Company.  And at just 30 miles from the Maine Stay, it’s not to be missed!

If you have any steam left, head north toward Freeport – home of the famous L.L.Bean, but also to two breweries!  Leave the ladies (if they’re at all like me) in your life for an afternoon of shopping, and hit the pub – you can’t go wrong at Gritty McDuff’s (a microbewery and brew pub) or at stop at Freeport Brewing Company.

Of course, there are oodles more breweries to visit on the “Maine Beer Trail,” so book your reservation and ask the Maine Stay Innkeepers today to help plan your Maine Brewery Tour.

Dessert dining can be a huge challenge for visitors, because they may have eaten on their way to Kennebunkport and may be uncomfortable going into a restaurant just for dessert. But an evening just isn’t complete without that sweet treat!

So here are some great options in the area for those needing just dessert:

• Old Vines (This wine bar in Lower Village Kennebunk is a great stop for after dinner noshing – their selection of cheeses and cured meats are great for non-sweet eaters, their homemade desserts are top notch, and they offer a great assortment of after dinner drinks.  The best part? They’re open late!)
• Federal Jack’s (While we at the Maine Stay Inn recommend this eatery for Maine basics – fried fish, chowdah, and steamed lobster – their extensive dessert menu has options for all tastes (but pass on the bread pudding – they do other things much better).  And like Old Vines, they serve late – in season their “Late Night” menu is available until midnight.)
• Ben and Jerry’s (I wouldn’t be a true New Englander if I didn’t mention this area favorite.  They’re located just steps from the Maine Stay, so they’re a perfect evening stop after exploring Dock Square.  But they’re seasonal, so winter visitors, don’t be disappointed!)
• Roly’s English Fudge (Also a short stroll from the Maine Stay Inn, this favorite on Ocean Avenue offers a huge selection of English style fudge – think a bit more crumbly with undertones of caramelized sugar – and gelato.  This is a must-taste for chocolate lovers and those looking for something light and fruity.  Keep in mind, though, that they operate on limited hours in the winter, so check with the innkeepers before venturing out!)
• The Ramp at Pier77 (At the Maine Stay, this one of our personal favorites for a casual lunch or dinner, but their desserts are out of this world.  You might be most comfortable digging in at the bar if you’re just ordering that after-dinner snack, but their staff will take great care of you no matter the size of your order!)

Even for that little bedtime snack, Kennebunkport offers ample options.  But don’t forget that for just $20, the staff at the Maine Stay Inn will create a homemade dessert and deliver it to your room for the ultimate romantic experience.  Kindly give us a few days notice if you think you’d like to indulge!

Is it Spring?

Experience our charming winter one day and glorious springtime the next.  Although this is how New England weather works year round, March is particularly prone to rapidly changing weather. We’re not even through the first week of March and we have already seen gentle snow with blustery winds and fifty degree days with ample sunshine!  But take advantage of our incredible “Third Night Free” package and you’re sure to experience a little of everything.

...Or Still Winter?

If anything is certain, though, it is that you will want to curl up by our cozy fires at night with your special someone, relax in our jetted tubs, and dig into our hearty gourmet breakfasts each morning.  So join us for three nights this winter (or is it Spring?) for the price of two, because two nights at the Maine Stay Inn just isn’t enough!