Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?
I've stayed at The White Barn Inn at least 13 times in my life, and I'll never forget the first time I drove up. It was 5pm, and my boyfriend and I were staying there, but about to be late for dinner in the dining room at 6pm. We'd called ahead, told them we were rushing, and I needed a few minutes to get ready for dinner in my room. When we arrived, there were three men there: One to take my hand, one to take all the luggage; one to bring my boyfriend to check us in.
What's the backstory?
Not for nothing has White Barn Inn been blessed with just about every hospitality and dining award possible—from the endless applause of regional magazines and AAA five diamond ratings to a spot on Traveler's Gold List. Previously designated as a Relais & Chateaux member, in 2013 it became part of Grace Hotels and then the Auberge Collection. Meanwhile, since its opening in 1973, it has been a draw for couples seeking enchantment and celebrities seeking discretion. About the latter the seamlessly professional staff stays conclusively mum, but know that there have been plenty here. And they’ve indulged in all of what the decadent property has to offer—the infamously rich lobster fettuccine with cognac coral butter sauce; the 90-minute Himalayan Salt Stone Massage in the spa; the hand-packed picnic baskets made for sunrise (or sunset) beach picnics. All of it.
Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? There are three levels of lodging: guest rooms, suites, and cottages. In the junior suite, the most impressive of the rooms in which I've stayed, details are genuinely looked after—decadent fabrics on the king bed (and at every turn, from the cushions to window treatments), fresh flowers, a double-sided fireplace, and a spa-like bathroom with a jet-tub for two.
Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?
The resort charges a daily fee of $35 in the off-season and $40 in the summer, which is added to the room rate, and it includes Wi-Fi.
Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?
Jonathan Cartwright was the first chef to put the 19th century barn on America's culinary radar screen, and made it into a destination restaurant. He was brought on by the Inn's original owner, and he led the drive to turn Maine ingredients and rustic specialties into exalted dishes. These days that honor falls to Chef Matthew Padilla, who has stepped into Cartwright's shoes and risen to the occasion. At dinner—when jackets are required—that means tasting menus full of over-the-top luxurious creations such as foie gras torchon with strawberries and fennel jam. He serves his own rendition of Cartwright's signature dish, lobster fettuccine in a cognac sauce; it's now a lobster and morel linguine with carrots and Calabrian chili. It's all served with elegance on white linen-covered, candlelit tables beneath spotlit exposed beams decked out with artwork, American crafts, and farming tools. At breakfast (which is included if guests book the 'bed and breakfast' rate) there are dishes like lobster eggs Benedict and customized omelets that arrive with a scrumptious side of duck fat potatoes.
How was the service? Starting with the formal-but-warm welcome from your car as you arrive to the easy check-in and charming banter as you're ushered to your room, service is superb. Staff come from all over the globe, and have extensive top-level international hospitality experience. What's more, they're genuinely enthusiastic about the experience the property offers, and it shows in details like their familiarity with the menu of champagnes and recommendations about hikes in the area. And the concierge arranges virtually anything your heart desires, whether that's a private bike tour around the beaches of the Kennebunks, a hot air balloon ride, a cooking class, or a private dinner in the restaurant's wine cellar.
What type of travelers will you find here?
The majority of guests are couples of all ages who, if not actively participating in a courtship ritual are on a romantic getaway. When groups do appear, it's often to celebrate a graduation, or a genteel family reunion.
What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in?
Set apart from the relative frenzy of downtown Kennebunk and Kennebunkport (come summertime, Dock Square is packed with families on the hunt for ice cream and fried clams, beachgoers, and window shoppers), the Inn sits quietly in its handsome residential neighborhood. If not for a small white sign at the end of the driveway, you may not even know it's here, driving by on your way to the nearby beach. That said, a 15-minute stroll or five-minute bike ride from the inn will put you in the rest of the town's action.
Is there anything you'd change?
What's most remarkable about The White Barn Inn is the extent to which they seem to have thought of everything. The fresh flowers in the hallways; the complimentary port in the sitting room; the soothing repertoire played nightly by the dining room's piano player; the umbrellas held for guests as they arrive; the cosseting massages in the spa. You walk away from a stay here wondering why all of life can't be this seamless. It's nearly impossible to imagine anything that needs changing.
Any other hotel features worth noting?
The resort's daily fee of $35 includes not just Wi-Fi, but a continental breakfast, an afternoon tea and snacks, bicycles, and pool access.
Bottom line: Worth it? Why?
Not only is it worth it, don't be surprised to find yourself eagerly planning your next visit. And between now and then, thinking back to the bliss of your stay, with all of its special touches, exemplary food, and nearly clairvoyant service.
37 Beach Ave., Kennebunk, Maine 04043
https://aubergeresorts.com/whitebarninn/
207-967-2321