The Breakwater Inn offers a unique blend of historic charm, modern comfort and breathtaking riverfront views, making it an ideal getaway for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure.
Highlights
- Scenic Waterfront Location: Enjoy complimentary bicycles to explore the charming downtown Kennebunkport while taking in the picturesque views of the Kennebunk River and sailboats drifting by.
- On-Site Dining Excellence: Experience the elevated cuisine at The Port Fish & Chop House, where you can savor fresh seafood and prime cuts while overlooking the river.
- Relaxing Amenities: Unwind in Adirondack chairs perfect for sunset watching with a glass of wine, or gather around the fire pits for cozy evenings under the stars.
This writer was hosted.
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The Breakwater Inn is nestled along the Kennebunk River, where sailboats drift by on their nightly sunset cruises. More than 145 years old, the boutique property originally served as a boarding house for sailors. Today, after beautiful renovations, it preserves its historic maritime beauty and character while offering comfort and style.
My favorite parts of this charming waterfront Breakwater Inn included:
- Complimentary bicycles perfect for exploring downtown
- an on-site dining option right along the river
- Adirondack chairs are ideal for sunset watching with a crisp glass of wine
- Walkable access to downtown for exploring
Accommodations
Stepping into The Waterside Cottage, I was greeted by warm sunlight from the harbor where boats bobbed along the rows of docks. The private cottage, located steps away from the main inn, features a king-sized bed, a cozy living room with views of the harbor, a full kitchen including a refrigerator and stove and a spacious bathroom with a beautifully tiled shower and jetted tub. A major perk of the room was the special touch of heated floors in the bathroom.
From the privacy to the calmness of the water and sweeping views, it was the kind of room you don’t want to leave.
Amenities
Although the room could not get much better, the plush bathrobes and Gilchrist & Soames bath amenities added a spa-like element to the stay.
At the inn, bikes line the lawn available to ride into the heart of Kennebunkport.
After a busy day shopping around town, my boyfriend and I grabbed a glass of wine at the restaurant’s bar and headed outside on their lawn to relax in the Adirondack chairs and watch the boats go by. The quietness of the location, paired with the scenery, was truly spectacular. For warm winter nights, you can gather around their fire pits.
Dining: The Port Fish & Chop House
The Breakwater Inn’s waterfront restaurant, The Port Fish & Chop House, offers sweeping river views and an elevated dining experience. The steakhouse-inspired menu includes a curated wine list and prime beef cuts, including filet mignon, rib-eye and NY strip. Prefer surf to turf? Start with oysters from the raw bar and move on to lobster served steamed, stuffed or in a roll. Several pasta entrees are also available. Glittering chandeliers and attentive waitress service create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
The pan-roasted halibut was my favorite course of the meal and the turtle cheesecake was the perfect sweet treat to end the evening – both decadent and rich. I also highly recommend the Shrimp al Ajillo appetizer, which has a kick of chili flake heat to it.
What’s Nearby
There’s no shortage of restaurants and shopping in and around Kennebunkport. Within walking distance from the inn, Batson River Brewing & Distilling serves the best brews and savory snacks, including their salty pretzel with a savory mustard dipping sauce and wings.
For shopping, downtown is filled with boutiques with nautical sweaters plus the cutest children’s store, The Knotty Elephant, where I learned about the store’s family’s fascinating history of traveling across the world with performing elephants. Their hand-illustrated children’s book made the best keepsake.
In the neighboring towns, Wells and Ogunquit, you’ll find more gems, including local eateries like Brewed Awakenings for homemade bagels and lattes and Treehouse Taqueria for the best tacos around.
Getting to The Breakwater Inn
The Breakwater Inn is located in Southern Maine along the coast, about 30 minutes south of Portland. It takes two and a half hours to drive from Providence, Rhode Island and roughly 90 minutes from Boston, Massachusetts.
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