Hidden Pond

So steeped in history is seaside New England that you sometimes forget they’re building new hotels too. But in the woods outside of Kennebunkport, that’s exactly what they’ve done — though you wouldn’t know it from a glance around the grounds that Hidden Pond is any less than a century old.

It’s inside the fourteen cottages that the timeless rustic look recedes and a certain contemporary luxury takes over. A cabin in the woods is one thing, but add fireplaces, full kitchens, iPod docking stereos and bright, upbeat décor by a dozen or so local designers, and you’ve got yourself a decidedly upscale proposition. Outdoor showers allow you to make the most of the summer weather, and down duvets keep you nice and warm in winter.

Think of it as a summer camp, but the kind you’d actually willingly be sent to — there’s a spa, a fitness center, yoga classes, an on-site organic farm, and a fleet of bikes for roaming the countryside of southern Maine. And despite the secluded, wooded location, you’re just a few minutes from the beach, and a short drive from Kennebunkport proper, for when you’re in the mood for a bit of resort-town activity.

Hidden Pond is a seasonal property that is open from May through October.