Tides Beach Club

Many of us know Kennebunkport, Maine as the vacation home of a couple of American presidents. The Bush compound, however, is hardly the only game in town. (Invitations are hard to come by, anyway.) The grand old Tides Beach Club, classic as ever on the outside, has had a contemporary makeover, and with bright colors and a youthful atmosphere added to the wraparound porches and the beachfront setting, it’s as welcoming as can be.

With just twenty-one rooms, it’s not huge — big for a house, sure, even a four-story Victorian, but smallish for a hotel. The redesigned interiors are sharp, but far from shocking, a natural update to the classic Northeastern coastal style, rather than a total revolution. The new look reaches its peak in the pair of suites decorated by designer Jonathan Adler; but a similarly sunny vibe is in evidence throughout.

And while the look may be new, the history of the place is very much intact, and many of its charms are perfectly timeless: the beach, the coastal wildlife, even the classic New England cuisine on offer in the restaurant. Guests have access to the spa at the sister resort, Hidden Pond, and the staff is only too happy to show you to one of the Tides Beach Club’s handful of sister restaurants. Or anything else, really — the Tides is known, perhaps above all else, for its service.

Tides Beach Club is a seasonal property that is open from mid-May through October.