How about a weekend away instead of flowers this year?

What better way is there to honor “mom” than by treating her to a weekend of leisure at the Maine Stay Inn?  Springtime is spectacular in quaint Kennebunkport, Maine, and with all (or nearly all) of our area shops and restaurants open for the season, there’s no reason to miss out on these last minute savings!  So this Mother’s Day Weekend, book a two-night reservation in the Main House and save a whopping 20%!  And for each child she has, save an additional percent (up to five)!  But here’s the catch – you must bring along a family photograph to share with us.

To take advantage of this incredible springtime offer, book before April 3, 2010 over the phone.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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.

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!

At the Kennebunk Inn, choose from their signature salad, incredible butternut squash soup, or lobster croquette to start.  Follow with braised short rib, roast chicken (served with their smoked sweet potato souffle – my absolute favorite thing on their menu), or organic salmon.  And if you can manage to make room for dessert, choose between peanut butter molten chocolate cake, cheesecake, and homemade reverse root beet float.  Talk about value!  They can certainly count on me to take advantage.

One Dock, just a short stroll from the Maine Stay Inn, boasts a similarly exquisite menu. For starters choose (if you can) among crab cakes, crispy risotto balls, or goat cheese and mesclun salad.  Follow with grilled salmon, New York strip steak, or mushroom risotto and finish with your choice of apple brownie sundae, flourless chocolate torte, or carrot cake cheesecake.  Talk about indulgence without the sticker shock (a mediocre three course dinner anywhere else will run you at least that much)!

And while there are only two participating locations in the Kennebunks, there are innumerable restaurants dishing out incredible values in Portland and surrounding communities, including famed Street and Company and Fore Street, both serving 3 course dinners for just $40.10.  This means that early March is the perfect time to plan a short getaway to Maine!  Take advantage of the Maine Stay Inn‘s “Third Night Free” package and ring in the savings!

• The best rooms go first (how many innkeepers have their best booking room available for Valentine’s Weekend on the Saturday before?).  And “best” can mean most expensive, but always means the room that packs the best value (maybe it’s the only room with its own porch in the summer, but the smallest room with a jacuzzi and fireplace in the winter; or maybe it just got renovated and the new pictures aren’t online yet).  And at a time when everyone is traveling smarter, those best value rooms are a must!
• When you book early and over the phone, innkeepers have the opportunity to get to know you and your needs.  That’s because when you’re booking a summer reservation in March, they have the time to talk to you and figure out which room or suite is going to suit you perfectly.  Not to mention that that “perfect” room is probably available.  Booking early means you won’t have to compromise on the amenities that are essential to giving you the best vacation possible.  Not to mention, they may feel more inclined to throw in something special for that anniversary, birthday, or honeymoon celebration.
• Booking repeatedly at one place makes you special.  You become a guest that we look forward to sharing our renovations with, that we think about when telling stories about favorite guests, and a guest that we check in with throughout the year. But as a repeat guest, you get the inside scoop on special packages, promotions, and steep discounts throughout the year.  Don’t delete our newsletter now, you hear?

So while it may seem passe, pick up the phone for your next reservation, talk to the innkeepers, and let us make sure that your next getaway is absolutely perfect.  And call early to make sure that you get the best bang for your buck and best experience imaginable in Kennebunkport.  Because at the Maine Stay Inn we strive to make your getaway exceed all your expectations!

Maine Stay Inn Teams up with Maine Innkeeper Association program to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity

Kennebunkport, ME – February 2010 – 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.

Visitors to the Maine Stay Inn and Cottages will receive the deeply discounted room rates in exchange for a $35 donation check written out to Habitat for Humanity.

“With today’s challenging economy we are delighted to offer guests the opportunity to experience a wonderful Maine getaway at half the regular room rate,” said Judith Hauer, owner/innkeeper of the Maine Stay. We appreciate

this opportunity to partner with our guests in support of such a worthy cause.”

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.

For a complete, and constantly updated list of participating properties, visit The Maine Innkeeper Association’s web site at www.maineinns.com and click on the “Hospitality for Humanity” logo. Direct Links to each property will provide information on specific room rates, availability, and restrictions.

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter, they helped build and had bought with the assistance of no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. More information can be found online at www.habitat.org.

About the Maine Innkeepers Association

The Maine Innkeepers Association, a leading provider of tourism information to both Maine’s lodging industry and its visitors, represents nearly 700 B&Bs, camps, cottages, hotels, inns, motels and resorts across Maine, and their suppliers. Through communication, education, promotion and government affairs, the Association helps its members achieve prosperity and deliver a quality product to the consumer. Maine Innkeepers Association is located in Freeport, ME and can also be found at www.maineinns.com.

Even our beaches our seeing the change – they are sparsely populated and no sand toys are to be found. Few people are brave enough to dive into the water, but when they do, most are clad in wetsuits.  Don’t misconstrue this, however, the water is incredibly warm – it’s the air that causes a slight chill!

Fall Sunset In Kennebunkport, Maine

Fall is the perfect time to visit New England and the Maine Stay, so check out our current specials and visit us soon!  We have packages and deals available for every traveler on almost every budget.  And don’t hesitate to pick up the phone to find out what we’ve got on our back burner!

Candle-lit lobster dinner

that in mind, we have slashed prices on our most romantic rooms for the month of September, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy our spectacular weather and Maine’s incredible foliage.  Cottage Suite #7, Deluxe Fireplace Suite #12, and the Captain’s Deluxe Fireplace Suite #16 are now just $269 weekday and $289 weekend.  That means you’ll have the freedom to splurge on other things during your visit to Kennebunkport.  In addition to fine linens and luxurious accommodations, you’ll wake up each morning to a gourmet breakfast carefully prepared for your gustatory pleasure!  Come home after a day of exploring Maine’s stunning coastline or Kennebunkport’s fine shops and galleries to freshly baked cookies and steaming cups of tea or coffee.

We’ll make reservations for our dinner at one of Kennebunkport’s fine restaurants, most of which are an easy walk from The Maine Stay Inn.  One of our personal favorites, On The Marsh, is also a great place for travelers looking for luxury on a budget.  Every Tuesday night they have a prix fixe menu – all of your options grace their regular menu.  Choose from a soup or salad, three entrees, and any of their desserts – all for just $29.95.  It’s really quite a steal, considering the average entree hovers around $24.  Three courses at the brewpub in Kennebunk would cost just about as much.  And this food definitely qualifies as fine dining.  If you pick up a bottle of wine to enjoy on our front porch or while soaking in your jacuzzi tub, you’ll save even more!

Or, if you don’t feel like venturing out of the Maine Stay Inn, we’d be happy to arrange for a candle lit lobster dinner on our front porch.  Just give us two days’ notice and we’ll present you with baked potatoes, green salad, 1 1/2 pound lobsters, drawn butter with lemons, and a small dessert for just $20 per person!  As always, bring your own adult beverages, and we’ll supply the glasses and corkscrew.

Now is the time to visit Kennebunkport, and you can do it without blowing the budget!  As always, remember, the Maine Stay Inn is your Kennebunkport bed and breakfast inn, providing fine accommodations, gourmet breakfasts, and unparalleled hospitality.