Ogunquit, Maine aptly named, “beautiful place by the sea” is a special treasure in Maine whose rocky coastline yields few such vast, open places. Ogunquit is essentially a tranquil, small village where you can enjoy the simple pleasures at a peaceful pace. It offers almost everything to almost everyone including: the finest stretch of pristine beach; a picturesque small harbor; the Village Center with its countless restaurants, art galleries, gift shops, inns, hotels and guesthouses; and the exceptionally stirring and exhilarating Marginal Way footpath which winds along a craggy promontory shadowing the vast Atlantic. Over the past 100 years, this attractive seaside village has evolved without losing any of its charisma or endearing quaintness.
Nestled in this beautiful place is the comfortable and family friendly Meadowmere Resort. Just a few minutes’ walk from Ogunquit Beach, Marginal Way footpath and the many shops and restaurants on Main Street, it’s the perfect location for your family vacation or a romantic getaway for two. As soon as we checked in, I was amazed to see the limitless options for activities or pure relaxation that the Meadowmere offers: fine dining, luxurious spa treatments, a 6200 square foot fitness center, indoor/outdoor pools, Roman spa, a movie room, game rooms and the beach just a short walk away.
We were lucky to stay in one of their upscale luxury hotel suites and you can choose from a West Meadow Fireplace room, a Main King Jacuzzi suite, or a South Meadow Fireplace & Jacuzzi suite featuring a four poster king bed. You can also opt for one of their honeymoon suites, family suites or resort rooms with balconies or patios. It’s easy to see why people keep coming back to the Meadowmere, in fact some families have been making this resort their vacation destination for over 10 years! The resort even offers a customer appreciation weekend with a wine welcome and a portion of the revenues donated to local charities.
The Meadowmere implements some amazing ecofriendly initiatives, from local food sourcing to recycling to participating in a global soap program. They have two solar fields that provide 70% of hot water in the summer. They offer great programs including a paddle board package with proceeds donated to support clean beaches and water, and World Ocean Day which is a weekend dedicated to promoting ecofriendly practices in Southern Maine. The Meadowmere Resort has been awarded the Trip Advisor Platinum Green Leader award for their efforts. Other ecofriendly practices include:
• Offering guests the option not to have sheets and towels changed every day in an effort to reduce energy use and detergent waste.
• Participating in the Project Planet Hotel Environmental Program.
• Reducing guest room waste stream by utilizing recycling and water conservation programs, including bins, low water shower heads and low water toilets.
• Using biodegradable liquid soap, shampoo and hair conditioner as guest room bath amenities.
• Using packaging that is recyclable for guest room bath amenities.
• Eliminating the use of Styrofoam food containers in the kitchen.
• Using non-toxic cleaning materials in the kitchen and housekeeping.
What was even more exciting was learning about all of their events they offer throughout the year. Two of my favorites: Make Me a Chef and the Craft Beer Package. At the Make Me a Chef event, you can enjoy an interactive dinner experience with Chef Norm at Bintliff’s. Watch the techniques of a live restaurant kitchen and bar from one of the teachers at Stonewall Kitchen Culinary School. With Maine’s amazing local beer scene, the Craft Beer Package is the perfect weekend of experiencing paired craft beer tastings with artisanal pizza and wood fired entrees.
In the afternoon, we explored the Marginal Way footpath atop high cliffs, which meanders through bayberry and bittersweet bushes, gnarled shrubs of fragrant sea roses, shaded alcoves, and expansive views of the Atlantic. When you see the powdery stretch of white sand curving into a backdrop of rugged cliffs, you’ll understand why Ogunquit has been drawing admirers for so many years. After that beautiful walk, we wandered down to Perkins Cove, where you can stand on the white painted drawbridge and watch the fascinating life of this little port. Lobstermen constantly shuttle in and out with their pots and catches, and sailing ships and fishing parties make their way through the crowded harbor, leaving for or coming in from a day of relaxation or adventure.
After all this exercise, we were starving and ready for an amazing meal at Jonathan’s which was a classy and intimate spot offering casual-fine dining with a contemporary lounge atmosphere, exquisite gardens, and a 600-Gallon Fish Tank! The chef uses local products whenever possible, many of them farm-raised at Jonathan’s Farm in South Berwick, Maine. You can’t leave Maine without trying the Maine lobster bisque, which was super creamy and delicious. We also enjoyed the Wild Mushroom Pappardelle with shitake, enoki and oyster mushrooms and fresh sage, truffle oil and manchego cheese – to die for! And they had my favorite dessert – an award winning chocolate mousse.
All in all, the Meadowmere Resort has something for everyone with a great location to explore all that the charming and quaint town of Ogunquit has to offer.
For more information, visit www.meadowmere.com.