“When you stay here, you get transported into a different frame of mind,” says Jon Carnevale, General Manager of the Bedford Village Inn. “You feel like you’re 1,000 miles away, but still close. It’s sophisticated but approachable.”

Carnevale co-owns the inn with his parents, Jack and Andrea Carnevale. The property dates to the early 1800s, and was a Shetland pony farm, a sheep farm, and a dairy farm. In 1985, it was transformed into an inn and restaurant, and in 1990 the Carnevales bought the Bedford Village Inn. Operations are very much a family affair: Jack is involved with sales and marketing, Andrea is in human resources and accounting, and Jon’s wife Olivia is the social sales director who oversees the many weddings held at the inn. “We’re passionate about what we do,” Jon says.

What used to be a barn, complete with a pair of silos, is now the 14-room hotel, and what used to be the farmhouse is now the restaurant. There are three dining venues. The 125 seats of the Dining Room (as they call the main restaurant) are spread out into several smaller rooms, each with a unique feel. The Tavern is like an English pub, with a more casual menu, and about 40 craft-style beers available. There’s also an outdoor patio. Jon, who is a certified sommelier, describes Corks Wine Bar as “the hidden jewel of the inn. It has a totally different atmosphere, call it urban chic, more metropolitan. It’s a great place to relax.”

The rooms all qualify as suites, in that they’re at least 500 square feet. All come with king-size four-poster beds, and the marble baths include whirlpool tubs. Larger suites have a separate bedroom and sitting area. Rates range from $159 to $275, depending on the room, day of the week, and the season. April is the end of the slower time of year, and there are several packages still available through the end of the month. In addition, the hotel offers creative dining and overnight packages throughout the year. There’s also the Woodbury House, a three-bedroom cottage available on the property.

Jon says they have significant plans for the next year. They’ll be adding a new structure with 50 more rooms, and will be building a full-service spa.

The Inn at the Bandstand is a cozy, historical bed and breakfast run by Jim and Kate Lane, who absolutely love what they do. Jim purchased the property seven years ago. He had traveled in Europe, and had liked staying in B&Bs there. “I thought it would be a way of life I would enjoy,” he says. “I’m a huge people person. I love to tell people about the area.”

The name comes from the fact that the inn is directly across from the circular bandstand right in downtown Exeter. The yellow-painted clapboard building dates to 1809 and has nine guestrooms and suites, each uniquely decorated with antique touches. All have private baths and free Wifi; several have fireplaces. Breakfast and a bottle of port come with the rooms. Beach cruiser bikes are available to rent, a nice way to tour the area.

The Lanes do everything here, from managing the inn to cleaning the rooms. “As we’re talking, I’m folding sheets,” Kate says. Necessity turned Jim into the breakfast cook. He alternates between sweeter and savory options. Pancakes or French toast may be served one day, eggs the next, accompanied by homemade biscuits or muffins.  “I’m known for my muffins,” Jim says. In addition to standards like blueberry, he’s created popular flavors like strawberry, coconut–chocolate chip, and almond–poppy seed. Coffee and tea are available all day, and Kate bakes from-scratch cookies in the afternoon.

Room rates range from $149 to $229, depending on the room and the day of the week. There’s a “show your room key” bonus the Lanes have arranged with several Exeter business: flash the key for a discount at shops and eateries. The inn offers several packages. Notable is the Southern New Hampshire Vineyard Tour. Rates start at $288 for two nights, tasting tours of three nearby vineyards, a discount at 11 Water Street restaurant, plus a two-hour bike rental.

The Sise Inn is a just right balance between a bed and breakfast and a small hotel. The property looks like a Queen Anne mansion – which it was. John E. Sise (rhymes with “nice”), a 19th-century Portsmouth businessman, built the house around 1881. Just over a century later, the structure was renovated, expanded, and turned into an inn. Current co-owner Diane Hoden has been the innkeeper since 2002. “It’s a blend,” she says. “You get the feel of being in a more homey atmosphere with the personalized service of a B&B, yet we have all the modern amenities of a small hotel, and someone is here on site 24–7.”

Part of the homey atmosphere are the accommodations. There are 23 rooms and 11 suites, and each is uniquely decorated. The décor is Victorian, with floral wallpaper and antiques. “Each room is different – it’s not a cookie-cutter setup,” Hoden says. “We have guests who want ‘their’ room, and people who want to experience different rooms each time.”

The Executive Rooms have full, queen, or twin beds. Executive Suites are junior suites with sitting areas, and Chairman Suites each have queen beds, DVD players, and different special tubs, including a two-person whirlpool, a Grecian soaking tub, and an old-fashioned clawfoot tub in the bridal suite.

The hotel caters to both business and leisure travelers, and is the exclusive hotel used by Road Scholars (vacations organized by Elderhostel) in Portsmouth, which offers several trips to the area every year. The location is terrific – right in town, walking distance to great restaurants and activities. Plus, the parking is free.

An expanded continental breakfast comes with the room, including cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit, and various breads and muffins. Coffee and tea are available all day, with fresh baked cookies in the afternoon. The inn offers free wifi. For small meetings, there are three conference rooms. Rates vary depending on the room and the season, and range from $119 to $279. Rates are particular good in January, with midweek specials offered Sunday through Thursday that start at $100.

The White Barn Inn is all about a relaxing getaway – this is not a quick stop for a business trip. It’s also about luxury and romance, with well-appointed rooms, an onsite spa, and an award-winning gourmet restaurant located in a converted white barn. The inn is part of the Relais & Châteaux group, one of only 40 such accommodations in the U.S., and they have to meet strict standards to qualify. “It’s very, very special,” says innkeeper Corinne Finn-Heyl. “We welcome every guest with a glass of champagne, and guests receive a fruit bowl and flower arrangement in their room.”

The Main House of the inn was built in the late 19th century, and several of the 27 queen rooms and suites are located in this building, which is closest to the restaurant. A separate Garden area building includes six junior suites (each with a different color theme), plus several queen rooms. Many have gas fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs, and separate rain showers. There’s also a free-standing cottage here. Four more cottages are located a short walk away, on the Kennebunk River.

The price of all rooms includes afternoon tea (available from the check-in time of 3 p.m. until 4:30, so don’t arrive too late if you want to partake of this pastry-oriented repast) and a continental breakfast; you can also order hot items. The restaurant, open to the public for dinner, is open only to guests for breakfast. Guests can also order picnic lunches. Room rates range from about $360 to $1575, depending on the room and the season. (Note that the restaurant is closed the first two weeks of January.)

Warm-weather amenities  include an outdoor pool, bikes, and canoes. But December is a lovely time to stay here; Finn-Heyl describes how the inn goes all out with Christmas decorations. “It’s beautiful, with thousands of lights,” she enthuses. Kennebunkport also has many holiday events throughout the month. The restaurant offers special dinners on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

White Barn Inn
37 Beach Avenue
Kennebunk Beach, Maine
207-967-2321