Kennebunkport is a special place to visit, and it’s where you go for a quintessential Maine experience. The Breakwater Inn of Kennebunkport is located directly on the river with its own beach and access to the local sandy spot too. Beautiful rooms, beautiful views and an amazing location make it an easy and, you guessed it, beautiful choice for a visit to Kennebunkport.
Have you gotten to stay at the Breakwater Inn before, or maybe you’ve dined at the Port Fish and Chophouse on property (formerly Stripers)? We’ve got the full scoop on what to expect when you stay at the Breakwater Inn, as well as great suggestions for things to do in Kennebunkport. If you have any questions about the inn or planning your time, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan your time in Maine.
What We Love about the Breakwater Inn
We’ve stayed in hotels all around Maine and sometimes when you get to your room it’s been made to feel like you’re someplace else, but not at the Breakwater Inn. They fully embrace the seaside/nautical vibes of Kennebunkport from the art to the color palates. With the Kennebunk River flowing to the Atlantic Ocean just outside your window, the Breakwater Inn is ideal for taking in both the coastal Maine views and the sea air.
Although the town’s municipal docks are directly next to the Breakwater Inn, it still remains very quiet here. This part of town and of the riverfront is very peaceful without many tourists or fishing activity happening, so it stays wonderfully mellow. During our three days here, I think I heard one delivery truck and even that was quiet. This sort of calm is always what I’m hoping for when I travel, so finding it in one of the most popular tourist towns of Maine was a treat.
The Breakwater Inn is also quite comprehensive when it comes to guest amenities, which I’ll get into more below. You can easily check in and have several days of fun and relaxation from here with little to no planning. The mix of a beautiful hotel room, great location, nice view and things to do make the Breakwater Inn an ideal getaway in southern Maine.
Breakwater Inn Room Options
Spacious rooms are rather the theme here at the Breakwater Inn. The hotel is split into two different buildings: the historic inn and the harbor building. Both have beautiful rooms with views either over the Kennebunk River or the quiet courtyard space. You can book based on the view you would like, the bed arrangement or if you want an extra large space, choose a suite. We love having a water view, whether it’s here or at a cabin resort like the Drift Oceanside Inn up in Camden… or looking out over Moosehead Lake at the Blair Hill Inn… so for us booking a view of the wharf and water is always a go-to if possible.
We had ample space for daily functioning and relaxing in our harbor building two queen room. I loved looking out over the river and enjoy the lovely, vintage feel (but updated) bathroom and vanity areas. Our windows opened nicely for fresh air and we also had air conditioning available (and yes, you need AC in Maine quite often). We loved our room and would’ve liked just one more day here.
Amenities at the Breakwater Inn
Kennebunkport can be a very active destination if you want it to be, and the Breakwater Inn fully supports that approach to travel. Upon check in, be sure to complete the waivers to use the sporting equipment provided by the hotel. Bikes and kayaks are available to all guests and you have ample options for where you can go during your recreation time.
For kayaking, you can do a simple paddle on the mill pond where the kayaks are stored or you can port them to the beach area at the Breakwater Inn and paddle on the Kennebunk River. The flow is very mellow and follows the tide, so it’s an easy place to go kayaking.
There are ample bikes you can borrow as well. The collection of beach cruisers at the Breakwater Inn can suit most visitor needs, including baskets and easily adjustable seats. We used the bikes several times for going into the main part of town and over into Kennebunk, as well as a long day of riding out to Porpoise Point and beyond.
Dining at the Port Fish & Chophouse at the Breakwater
While there is a coffee bar available to Breakwater Inn guests 24 hours a day, there is something much more exciting when it comes to dining. The Port Fish and Chophouse at the hotel is top notch. We enjoyed happy hour here out on the lawn and then a beautiful full dinner inside. And then the cocktail bar is awesome with a custom drink menu.
Full of Maine favorites fresh from the sea, halibut, haddock and lobster are the stars of the menu. Yes there are steaks and the like, but how can you not opt for the halibut puttanesca or the crab stuffed haddock? While you can get both of these types of fish all around Maine, and around most of the East Coast and New England as well, the chef’s take on each is unique and absolutely winning. Halibut is not my preferred fish, but I was deeply in love with each bite here at the Port Fish & Chophouse. Well done.
Location and Parking at the Breakwater Inn
If you’re not familiar, there are two towns here: Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. They’re connected by a bridge, and the north side is Kennebunkport. That’s where the Breakwater Inn is located. When you arrive in town you’ll see that the main tourist area is around the bridge connecting the towns and hen along the little streets spurring from here. If you continue towards the ocean you’ll come to the Inn and then beyond are historic homes, the stone chapel and more. There is parking for guests directly next to the Breakwater Inn. When you check in, you’ll be given a parking pass to display on your vehicle, and then instructions for which parking spots are for hotel guests.
Breakwater Inn Operating Info
If you’d like to go ahead and book a stay here at the Breakwater Inn in Kennebunkport, below you’ll find all the info for reaching the property, if you want to inquire for more information or group stays, and booking links if you want to secure your accommodations now. [affiliate]
- Seasonality, check-in/check-out times: year round, check in after 3:00 pm, check out by 11:00 am
- Property website: explore room types here
- Property phone number: 207-967-5333
- Check-in address: 127 Ocean Ave, Kennebunkport ME 04046
- Book it here: Book the Breakwater Inn here!
More Things to Do in Portland and Southern Maine
Portland, Maine is a great city to explore, especially with kids. Yes, we love the lighthouses all around the coast, but in Portland you’ll find some great museums, fun bookstores, lots of good food and plenty of tours to get you out on the water. This is a very historic city that’s seen big changes as the world of industry evolves.
Southern Maine has more wonderful towns that are also easy to visit, as everything is surprisingly close to Portland. Ogunquit, Saco, Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach and more are all within a 45 minute drive of Portland, making it a no-brainer to add to your trip if you want. Also, heading out towards Sebago Lake, you’ll find more beautiful small towns and awesome state parks and the like to enjoy. If you weren’t planning on spending much time in Portland or Southern Maine during your trip, think again and see about adding some of these fun activities to your itinerary.
Portland Ideas:
- do a whale watching trip
- walk around the historic seaport area
- visit the Portland Art Museum
- check out the three lighthouses in Portland: Portland Head, Spring Point Ledge and Bug Light
- eat whoopie pies and lobster rolls
- visit the Museum of Cryptozoology
- check out one of the several historic cemeteries
- rent bikes to explore the Portland area
Southern Maine Activities and Destinations:
- do a day trip up to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
- visit Old Orchard Beach and the midway style boardwalk
- hike at the Saco Heath Preserve
- spend a day or two in Maine’s beautiful LGBTQ+ hub of Ogunquit
- day trip out to Sebago Lake State Park (the best picnic spot in Maine)
- trek to the Nubble Lighthouse
- explore the many natural preserves and estuaries for hiking and kayaking
Check out these great options:
Where to Stay in Portland or Southern Maine
I like staying in downtown Portland because there are lots of great places to eat all through the historic area and business district. There are walkable sights like the State Theater, the Longfellow House and the whole waterfront/port area. You’ll find both unique and national brand hotels in downtown Portland, so if you like to travel with point or earn loyalty, you can do that.
If you venture beyond the city to places like Cape Elizabeth or Freeport you’ll have even more options, especially for places to stay that are quintessential Maine. One of our favorites will always be the Harasseeket Inn in Freeport or a glamping trip to the Desert of Maine. We love unique, boutique stays!
When you’re looking at going further south to Kennebunkport, Ogunquit or Old Orchard Beach, you’ll find TONS of options. For these areas I would recommend finding a hotel or inn that’s walking distance to the main activities you’re planning. If you have the option to be ON the beach, do it!
Check out some of our favorite picks for where to stay in Southern Maine:
I hope you’ll consider planning a nice stay at the Breakwater Inn in Kennebunkport. Visiting this part of Maine is really special in any season. If you have any additional questions or need some recommendations for something else, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re happy to share more and help YOU have a wonderful trip as you explore Maine!
