The picturesque town of Kennebunkport is renowned for its diverse coastline, featuring everything from rocky coves with tide pools to soft, white sandy beaches. It also has a charming historic district, colorful eateries, and a fantastic retro-inspired hotel that captures the sweet side of summer: The Lodge on the Cove.
The classic lodge-style hotel is tucked along a tranquil cove inlet of the Kennebunk River just steps from Dock Square, the historic heart of Kennebunkport and central hub for art galleries, boutique shopping, and dining. Every detail was designed to help visitors savor the season’s sweetest moments. Plus, enticing beaches are only a short stroll or drive away.
Cool Off at the Pool With Everything from Free Watermelon to Creamy Milkshakes
During the summer, the place to be after soaking up the sun at the beach is at the lodge’s heated pool. Or, you can easily enjoy an entire day at poolside. In between dips, unwind while cooling off with sweet treats, including milkshakes, popsicles, ice cream cups, and free watermelon slices.
In the evening, gather around a bonfire to make s’mores, hosted right by the outdoor pool and The Dory restaurant in the fire pit area. The lodge provides all the ingredients (marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate) for guests to roast. There’s no doubt the kids will be in their own blissful paradise here.
More Family-Friendly Fun
Beyond roasting marshmallows for s’mores, there are many other opportunities for family-friendly fun, including lawn games and movie nights in the lobby, complete with popcorn. Prefer to catch a movie in the privacy of your room? You’ll have a DVD player and access to a selection of DVDs at the front desk. If that’s not enough, there’s also an arcade and game room with coloring stations, Legos, ping pong, shuffleboard, and more.
The Beaches: Another Kind of Sweet Summer Treat
The Lodge on the Cove provides complimentary beach towels, kids’ bikes, beach cruisers, and kayak rentals, perfect for paddling the Kennebunk River, the protected waters of Cape Porpoise Harbor, or the nearby Mousam River. The best beaches nearby include Colony Beach, just a 15-minute stroll or a two-minute drive from the property (.8 miles). Located where the Kennebunk River meets the Atlantic, it’s a small but scenic and tranquil refuge for treasure hunting, watching wildlife like harbor seals, and the lobster boats cruise in and out of the harbor.
Gooch’s Beach is less than a 10-minute drive away (2.2 miles), providing a wide, sandy stretch for kite-flying, building sandcastles, and excellent conditions for beginner boogie boarding with gentle waves. About a quarter-mile further is Mother’s Beach, one of the best family-friendly stretches in the region, with safe swimming areas, opportunities for tidepooling at low tide, and even a playground with swings, slides, and jungle gyms right on the soft sand.
