Have you heard the news? B&B’s are making a comeback.
What for so long has been considered “outdated” and “old school” is being reinvented. For awhile it seemed as though millennials (ourselves included) had moved away from traditional B&B’s - as boutique hotels, larger chains where we can use our points and “status”, all-inclusives, and even Airbnb’s had taken the lead… But friends, the tide is beginning to turn.
We just returned from a stay at The Inn at English Meadows, a charming B&B in the seaside town of Kennebunk, Maine. From the friendly Innkeeper, to the attention to detail, to the seemingly endless amenities… this experience has completely changed the way we view B&B’s. Here’s why:
1. The Experience
Now, this is the first time we’ve ever stayed in a B&B together. We’ve always had this perception that it would feel like we’re sleeping in a stranger's home, and that just sounded weird. We were SO FAR OFF.
We checked in with Elizabeth, the innkeeper, who offered us some cookies and a tour of the property. It was something out of a movie. Fireplaces crackling, freshly baked cookies, cozy sitting rooms, and lush grounds complete with comfy places to sit and relax. We could’ve easily spent our entire trip at the Inn - and never need to leave!
Elizabeth was amazingly attentive - making sure that our every need was met. Restaurant recommendations? She sent us to the best spots in town. Best drive to find fall foliage? Done. Looking for lighthouses? Here’s a list of the closest ones to town. She was like our private concierge, and we truly wouldn’t have done and seen all that we had if it wasn’t for her!
We often stay at hotels that include breakfast. Which typically means it’s a standard continental buffet, nothing fancy. Not at The Inn at English Meadows! Included with your stay is a 3 course breakfast - and it all looks (and tastes!) as though Martha Stewart herself made it just for you! Fresh baked scones, scrambled eggs with goat cheese and asparagus, pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon butter… these were honestly our favorite meals of the entire trip! Oh, and did we mention we dined in their garden patio? It was a dream!
2. The Amenities
The Inn at English Meadows has 13 rooms - all of which are beautifully decorated. They feature Vera Wang and FRETTE bedding, flat screen TV’s, fluffy towels and robes, Malin+Goetz toiletries (our favorite!), and so much more. These rooms have more amenities than most nice hotels would!
There were multiple mini fridges around the home, stocked with water bottles and seltzer water for guests to enjoy. They had a station for hot coffee and tea, available 24/7, and had freshly baked cookies for guests to enjoy every afternoon. If guests were in the mood for a cocktail or a glass of wine, Elizabeth and her team were happy to serve. Like we said earlier - our every need was met here!
3. The Affordability
When you factor in all of the amenities (three course breakfast, coffee and tea, cookies, etc.), a B&B like the Inn At English Meadows can be extremely affordable. There aren’t any added “resort fees”, and all of the little added costs like water bottles are taken care of! That may sound little - but those things add up over time. Add to that the convenience of having it all at your disposal, and it’s truly an amazing value!
Have we convinced you to try a B&B yet? We hope so. And we hope you’ll start with the Inn At English Meadows… we can’t wait to return!