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Hidden Pond

Address: 354 Goose Rocks Road
Phone: 888-967-9050
Web Address: http://www.hidddenpondmaine.com

Kennebunkport

THE PROPERTY:
A short distance from town is a year old resort, Hidden Pond that is destined to be one of the finest in New England. Set on 60 wooded acres, with manicured lawns and beautiful gardens, this is the perfect place if you are traveling with friends or family. 14 gorgeous and individually decorated (each from a different designer) 2-bedroom cottages are spread about the property and there are plans for secluded, romantic one bedroom cottages in the works. They call it "flip flop chic" which perfectly describes the mood and feel.  Somehow you feel as if you have been coming here for years.

A magnificent Lodge centers the property and it is as inviting as any you have seen with a huge stone fireplace, lots of comfortable chairs and couches to curl up in and a cozy little bar, the Back Porch, where guests enjoy complimentary wine and snacks in the evening. French doors open to a beautifully landscaped pool surrounded with super comfortable chaise lounges. The Sandbar, another lounge area, is set out on the sand (who’d a guessed it?) where cocktails and grill specials are served around a nightly bonfire.

THE ROOMS
The cottages are exquisitely decorated, each in a different style, using wonderful quality furnishings. An open floor plan features a living room with a large stone fireplace, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen (they even stock it with juice, coffee, tea, water, olive oil and balsamic),two bedrooms, one with a king and the other with two twins, an open air front porch with chairs or couches and a side screened in porch with comfortable furniture and game tables. Bedrooms are large, each with their own bath.  Beds are draped in Frette linens with down duvets, the towels are thick and plush and bathrooms offer Mario Russo toiletries.

Last but not least, each cottage has an outdoor shower which is one of life’s great pleasures.

THE RESTAURANT:
There is no restaurant on the grounds although there are plans for one next year. Small plate snacks and some grill items are available in the lounges. Each morning a canvas basket is hung on your door with warm baguettes, homemade muffins, fresh OJ and the NY Times.

Locally, there are some excellent restaurants for lunch and dinner. Lunch one day was at Pier 77, a charming place on the water with white paneling, cherry wood tables and chairs, hardwood floors, a fireplace, a baby grand piano and a cute little 8 stool bar. The food was excellent and locals say its great for dinner. Adjacent to the restaurant is the Ramp Bar & Grill, a more casual sibling with outdoor seating overlooking the harbor.

We enjoyed a wonderful sunset and a delicious meal at The Hurricane, in town and on the water, where we started with a Pear Martini (Grey Goose Pear, pear puree, dry vermouth and white cranberry) and a Pineapple Martini (infused pineapple vodka with seasonal berries). Appetizers were PEI mussells with tomtaoes, garlic, capers and white wine and a Hurricane Salad of spring mix, roasted shallots, toasted pine nuts and raspberry vineagrette. We enjoyed a delicious pan roasted chicken with fingerling potatoes and roasted vegetables and garlic shrimp with roasted garlic, white wine over fettucine. Good wine list and moderately priced. We had a wonderful Chateau de la Ragotiere Muscadet at only $20.

Stunning ocean views from a crisp white dining room with striking and colorful gold framed artwork and a blue palette serve as the background for the excellent Cape Arundel Inn restaurant. Start with a cocktail on the porch as you gaze on the bobbing lobster pots just off the coast. There's an excellent wine list with lots of choices under $50 and about 18 wines by the glass. Views and wine would almost be enough, but the food is outstanding and the combination makes for a wonderful experience. We started with a panko crusted Maine crab cake with summer vegetable slaw and a sweet chili ginger remoulade. Now this is what a crab cake should taste like. Next up a salad of baby lettuce, shaved Bermuda onion topped with a lemon olive oil vinaigrette and shaved Reggiano. Entrees were a perfectly prepared oven roasted free range chicken with a lemon herb veloute sauce and garlic mashed potatoes and a crspy potato crusted Halibut fillet over baby spinach with a Cabernet remoulade and crisp summer vegetables. Dessert was a triple chocolate tasting of dark rum almond truffles, raspberrry chocolate mouse and a chilled caramel chocolate latte. About $150 with wine.

THE SERVICE:
Despite a wonderful laid back feel, the staff is both attentive and efficient. Everyone was pleasant and friendly and we never had to wait for anything. It is amazing that in such a short period of time, they “get” the customer service thing, something many places still haven’t gotten in years.

THE RATES:
Open May-the end of October. Rates $395-$695 for a two bedroom cottage.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:
“Consisting of private cottages with screened-in porches, gas fireplaces set in river stone, kitchens with floor-to-ceiling windows and bedrooms with Frette linens and down duvets, this new Kennebunkport resort spread over 60 acres of lush birch and balsam fir offers a temporary home in the woods; other lovely features include a main lodge with a stone fireplace and a mezzanine overlooking the pool, a unique, tented spa, daily yoga classes and hiking trails” ZAGAT 2009

WHILE YOU ARE THERE:
Start your day with a yoga class or a work-out in the Fitness Center. Take a walk on the wooded trails. Enjoy an art class from the resident watercolor specialist.  Spend the afternoon at The Farm and learn how to grow salad greens and flowers. End your day with a spa treatment in the very cool Spa tent nestled among the trees. Life just seems so right here, away from the rest of the world.

There are beaches close by (we like Goose Rocks about a mile away), you can shop in town or at the nearby outlets (L.L. Bean) in Freeport and Kittery, lots of water activities from sailing to kayaking to whale watching, golf at Cape Arundel Golf Course, biking along Ocean Ave. (past the Bush compound), cross country skiing and snowshoeing in winter and antiquing (don't miss Antiques on Nine).

In early June, Kennebunkport presents Pairing, Palates + Palettes a wonderful celebration of food, wine and artwork that we thoroughly enjoyed during our visit.

DRIVING DISTANCE: Boston: 1 hour 45 minutes, Hartford: 3 hours, Albany: 4 hours, NYC: 5 hours, 30 minutes