Rustic Chic
Nestled in the Maine woods lies a cottage-style retreat that is at once simple and sophisticated
Getting There
Hidden Pond
354 Goose Rocks Rd.
Kennebunkport, Maine
207.967.9050
hiddenpondmaine.com
driving time: about 6 hours
Love the woods but hate to camp? Find the perfect solution at Hidden Pond, an upscale resort featuring luxurious cottages and bungalows tucked away in the woods about 10 minutes from downtown Kennebunkport, Maine.
Stepping into one of the 16 two-bedroom cottages is both a surprise and a delight, as each of the 1,100-square-foot buildings is uniquely decorated. The Periwinkle cottage, for example, mixes bright colors like red, yellow and, of course, periwinkle with natural materials to achieve an upbeat, whimsical feel. A cottage is a perfect choice for a family getaway, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen, plus a screened-in porch and outdoor shower. But last year, Hidden Pond added 20 two-person bungalows to the 60-acre property to attract couples, placing these bungalows in another section of the resort along with an adults-only pool. The 700-square-foot bungalows, decorated in soft earth tones with rustic touches of wood and stone, offer a quiet retreat for those looking to get away sans kids.
Also new last year was Earth, a garden-inspired restaurant helmed by star Boston chef Ken Oringer. The restaurant, which overlooks the pond that inspired the resort’s name, features homegrown organic vegetables and herbs with fresh local seafood and meat.
Another welcome addition is the Tree Spa. The spa’s treatment rooms are individual wooden “sheds” built 10 feet off the ground and accessed by wooden footbridges. You are perched among the birch and balsam fir trees as you enjoy your treatment, which features organic Farm-aesthetics products.
The main gathering place at the resort is the Arts and Crafts–inspired Lodge, which houses the check-in desk, a lounge area with a large stone fireplace and the Back Porch Bar. Outside the Lodge is a fire pit surrounded by wooden benches, tables and chairs. Grab a seat by the nightly bonfire and enjoy a cocktail or complimentary s’mores. The staff will happily provide you with a stick perfect for roasting your marshmallows under the stars.
In the morning, a basket of freshly baked muffins and bread appears in a bag hanging outside your door along with hot coffee and a newspaper. Enjoy breakfast on your screened-in porch or snuggled on the couch in front of your stone fireplace, then try a 9 a.m. yoga or tai chi class on the lawn by the organic garden, or grab a bike from Pete’s bike shed on the property and take a one-mile ride over to the beach at Goose Rocks. Hidden Pond guests have access to the beach at The Tides Beach Club, a recently renovated 113-year-old Victorian Inn, which is a sister property.
Both hotels are a short drive from the picturesque coastal village of Kennebunkport with its myriad shops, restaurants and whale-watching excursions. After a day spent as a tourist in town, it’s a treat to retire to the quiet of the woods at Hidden Pond.
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