Summer is in full swing on the coast of Maine. EZ-Pass tolling as well as the recent expansion of I95 lane capacity has made auto travel more predictable and shortened travel times. More visitors also seem to be choosing bus and train travel into the region. Once our guests arrive, we feel that we are positioned better than ever to help create a memorable and enjoyable sojourn.

The early days of summer have brought some unusually hot temperatures to Maine, reaching into the mid-90s on several days. New air conditioners in many rooms have helped keep Inn guests comfortable, complementing treks to Kennebunk’s beautiful, sandy beaches to gain the relief of sea breezes – The Inn provides free beach parking passes to our guests. Not only are the temperatures up, but so is The Inn’s occupancy; advanced reservations for later in the summer and fall are recommended.

July saw the implementation of The Inn’s new restaurant concept - Academe (ak a deem) - announced in the last Kennebunk Inn Quarterly. The early feedback from both occasional and frequent dining patrons has been uniformly positive. Guests have commented that they appreciate the wide range of the menu items as well as the more uniform look of the restaurant. We look forward to building on this new concept in the months ahead..

After installing a beautiful, wood patio fence for last summer season, summer amenities continue to improve with new outdoor dining furniture for the 2006 season. Diners will enjoy the gray and black umbrellas, tables and chairs surrounded by the maturing herb garden.

We are proud of the staff that gives such excellent service to our lodging and dining guests. Therefore, it is always hard to say good-bye to colleagues and friends, but two key staff members are relocating this summer. Sheldon Chartier, who has been our Assistant Dining Manager, has moved to Chicago, and Tom Godin, our bar-tender, will be leaving The Inn in late August to move to Connecticut. We wish both Sheldon and Tom the very best and thank them for all the hard work, creativity and professionalism as well as the fun they brought to our team. As the comments below indicate, they will be missed, and we look forward to seeing them when they return to the area from time to time.

“What a wonderful honeymoon place!” (Ray and Sheryl, Friendship, NY) … "Charming, well run – thank you!" (Jan, Randolph, MA) ... “Wonderful food and service (Sheldon)!” … (Lou and Colette, Old Chatham, NY) … "Great beds, scones and peaches, wonderful staff!" (George and Carole, Haddon Heights, NJ) ... "Perfect!!" (Baim Family, Philadelphia, PA) ... "We will miss Tom!!" (Marcia, Brooklyn, CT) ... "We appreciated the warm welcome. We’ll be back!" (Yorkshire, England) ... "Loved everything!" (Jerry and Nancy, Lake Vista, CA) ... "Awesome!" (Sebastian, Thornton, CO) ... "Loved it – been here before!" (Kaneskis, Dunedin, FL) ... "See you again soon!" (Tom and Carol, Southport, NC) ... "Great place!" (James and Kristen, Kansas City, MO) ... "Excellent food!" (Jeff and Christine, Little Neck, NY) ... "Everything we thought it would be and more!!" (Grant Family, Thousand Oaks, CA) ... "Bravo!" (Leslie and Josh, Cambridge, MA) ... "The hotel has great charm!" (Arthur and Christine, Richmond, VA) … “Fantastic food and scenery!” (Adam and Tara, Gilbert, AZ) … "Un merci tout particulier a Grace." (Jeremy, Christian and Julie, Candiac, QC, Canada)