A charming New England cottage within biking distance of the beach for roughly $200 a night? It does exist! The Wanderer Cottages are 17 picturesque home-away-from-homes tucked away on a quiet side street with a starting price of $207/night. While the wooded location may seem a bit out-of-the-way at first glance, you’re just a short bike ride away from the gorgeous Maine coast, fine dining restaurants and Kennebunkport’s charming downtown. On a recent stay, I found my tiny cottage to be a lovely homebase to explore the region that was unique, welcoming and almost too adorable to be true.
Why stay at The Wanderer Cottages?
These whimsical little vacation rentals are owned by Atlantic Hospitality, a design-forward hospitality group that also owns the highly recommendable Claremont Hotel and Asticou Hotel among other properties. A few miles away, they’re also putting their upscale spin on The Dunes on the Waterfront, a similar property (with somewhat larger cottages) located closer to the ocean and Ogunquit. At The Wanderer, the vibe is fun, young, upbeat and outdoorsy with friendly staff and common areas that make it easy to make new friends.
What are the cottages like?
The best way to describe the picture-perfect white clapboard cottages is “whimsically intimate.” Yes, they’re on the smaller side, but the transporting New England meets Surf Lodge vibe makes them feel larger than their square footage. Plus, there’s an impressively efficient use of space on display here which allows for a bed and seating area, a full bathroom, a fridge, a wet bar and plenty of space to hang and store clothes. (The design of the spaces was locally furnished by Maine Woodworks.) In addition to the cottages, there’s also one two-bedroom house available for a more spacious stay.
What are the best places to eat or drink nearby?
There’s no shortage of spots for amazing food in the Kennebunkport area—from casual bites to formal fine dining establishments. On our first day, after settling into our cottage, we biked down to The Clam Shack to try one of their famous lobster rolls. That night, we got dinner at the nearby Batson River Brewing which had a laid-back gastropub vibe and an upstairs deck with some beautiful water views. (If the weather’s nice, be sure to sit outside!) The next night, we splurged for dinner at White Barn Inn Restaurant, a delightful throwback with exquisite food, white tablecloths, live piano and a one-of-a-kind antique barn setting. Before departing, we also had some fantastic lobster at Mabel’s Lobster Claw. (If you’re looking to grab a coffee while you’re there, head to Dock Square Coffee House. If a table by the window is open, grab a drink and linger while you take in the harbor views.)
What are the amenities like at The Wanderer?
The check-in area at the property often has drinks and food to enjoy and we stopped by periodically throughout our stay for recommendations, tips and access to all of the resort’s amenities. (AKA We asked for many, many s’mores kits.) Everyone working the front desk was very helpful in giving us tips and pointers throughout our stay, especially when it came to tailored recommendations for different types of activities. When it comes to exploring the area, free beach cruisers are available to rent at any time for leisurely bike rides into town and along the striking coast. (For those less interested in swimming in the ocean, The Wanderer also has a pool.) Rounding out the amenity offerings are a bocce court and nightly campfires to enjoy s’mores and meeting fellow travelers.
What’s the area around The Wanderer like?
The Wanderer is located in the heart of Maine’s southern coast, closest to the twin towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. A trip to Kennebunkport’s bustling Dock Square should definitely be on your list to take in the many unique stores and restaurants. A drive down the town’s scenic Ocean Avenue is also a worthy excursion for sweeping ocean views, a visit to the historic St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and to catch a glimpse of the Bush Family’s famous compound. For a beach day, you’ll want to bike down to nearby Parsons Beach or head one town over to Ogunquit. There, you can visit some more local shops, hit up LGBTQ+ bars, visit the fascinating Ogunquit Museum of Art, catch a show at the famous Ogunquit Playhouse or walk the dramatic Marginal Way.
Why you should book a stay at The Wanderer
In this very scenic (and very popular) corner of New England, The Wanderer is a fantastic choice for those looking for a lodging option that’s less expensive but no less luxurious and fun. It has a prime location not far from the charming towns of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Ogunquit and has plenty of very welcoming common areas that make it easy to connect with your fellow vacationers. Plus, one photo of these scenic little cottages is going to completely crush your Instagram feed.
DETAILS
Address: 195 Sea Rd., Kennebunk, ME 04043
Price per night: Starting from $207 per night
Book now: Via booking.com
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