Hidden Pond

Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport, United States, a Michelin Key Selected property, is widely acclaimed as a luxurious and tranquil escape, often described as a "sophisticated summer camp" for both adults and families. It offers a unique blend of rustic charm and upscale amenities, nestled within 60 acres of natural woodland.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hidden Pond is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently praising its serene environment and high-quality offerings. Review scores tend to be strong, with some platforms rating it as "good" (7.9 out of 10) for facilities, comfort, and cleanliness, while others show "excellent" ratings (8.6 out of 10). The property is recognized for providing a memorable and relaxing experience, drawing visitors who appreciate its "bougie New England summer camp" vibe. It was also named the No. 1 resort in New England by Condé Nast Traveler.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features:

• Tranquil and Private Setting: The resort's location amidst birch groves and balsam fir provides a peaceful and private atmosphere, ideal for relaxation.
• Exceptional Dining: Earth, the on-site farm-to-table restaurant, receives significant praise for its culinary excellence, often cited as one of Southern Maine's finest.
• Shuttle Service & Beach Access: A complimentary shuttle service transports guests to downtown Kennebunkport and the resort's sister property, The Tides Beach Club, on Goose Rocks Beach, offering access to beach amenities like bikes, lounge chairs, and kayaks.
• Design & Amenities: The rustic yet high-quality cabins, sophisticated decor, two outdoor pools (including an adults-only pool), a treehouse-inspired spa, and an organic farm are frequently mentioned as key attractions. Complimentary use of bicycles and golf cart rentals for getting around the spread-out property are also appreciated.
• Activities: The resort offers a range of activities, including yoga classes at the organic farm, mixology classes, stargazing, and evening bonfires with s'mores.

3. Room Quality

Hidden Pond offers various accommodations including bungalows, cottages, and treetop studios, each designed to be bright, homey, and sophisticated. Rooms feature lodge-like touches, with amenities such as flat-screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docking stations, and coffee makers.

• Comfort & Design: Guests appreciate the upscale yet cozy decor, often with pops of color and unique elements like lamps made from tree branches.
• Luxurious Touches: Many units include fantastic electric fireplaces, screened-in porches, and spacious outdoor showers, providing a unique and refreshing experience. High-quality linens (Frette) and toiletries (Malin + Goetz) are consistently noted.
• Variety: Cottages often come with full kitchens and washer/dryers, making them suitable for longer stays or families. Welcome amenities like a bottle of wine and local sweets are also a nice touch.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Hidden Pond is a major draw, primarily centered around its acclaimed restaurant, Earth.

• Earth Restaurant: Touted as one of the best restaurants in New England, Earth focuses on local, seasonal, and organic ingredients, many sourced from Hidden Pond's own onsite organic farm. The menu features dishes like handmade pastas, house-made charcuterie, and fresh seafood, served in a beautifully decorated setting with a large stone fireplace. Private dining sheds are also available for a more intimate experience.
• Breakfast: A daily breakfast service includes pastries, coffee, milk, and yogurt delivered to the room. Some guests have noted that the delivery time can sometimes be later than the stated 8 AM. Earth also offers a more extensive breakfast menu with cooked-to-order options like omelets and pancakes, available at the restaurant or via in-cottage dining.
• Other Options: There is also a Food Truck by the family pool serving breakfast and lunch, and three bars/lounges on the property. Guests can also enjoy dining at the sister property, The Tides Beach Club. Gluten-free options are available and staff are generally accommodating to dietary needs.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service is largely positive, describing the staff as "extremely nice" and friendly.

• Attentive but not Overbearing: The service style is often characterized as "ask and you shall receive," meaning staff are readily available to assist but generally allow guests their privacy unless requested.
• Specific Praises: Shuttle drivers are often highlighted as "super nice and fun to chat with." The Activities Manager, Ryan Dolan, receives exceptional praise for his patience, kindness, and engagement with children, curating a diverse activity program.
• Minor Criticisms: A few guests have reported minor inconsistencies, such as delayed breakfast deliveries or an occasional feeling of too much staff presence if a guest prefers complete solitude. Some older reviews mentioned inconsistent service or a lack of management presence, but recent reviews generally indicate positive interactions.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hidden Pond is located in Kennebunkport, Maine, about four miles north of the bustling town center.

• Secluded Yet Connected: The resort's 60-acre woodland setting provides a sense of seclusion and a "world away from the crowds downtown."
• Proximity to Attractions: It is a few minutes' drive from Goose Rocks Beach and offers convenient access to Kennebunkport's iconic seaside charm, ice cream shops, and lobster rolls. Northlight Gallery and W Robert Paine Gallery are also nearby, approximately 4.3 miles away.
• Transportation: The free shuttle service to town and The Tides Beach Club is a significant advantage, allowing guests to explore without needing their car. For airport travel, Portland International Jetport Airport is about 17 miles away, and while Ubers are available, renting a car is often recommended for greater flexibility.

7. Value & Pricing

Hidden Pond is considered a luxury destination, and its pricing reflects that.

• High-End Experience: Guests acknowledge that it is "not a budget-friendly destination by any means."
• Price Range: Average prices can range from approximately $441 for a King room to $806 for a Luxury room, with significant seasonal variations. May is often the cheapest month, while July is the most expensive.
• Worth the Cost?: While expensive, many guests feel the unique experience, high-quality accommodations, exceptional dining, and comprehensive amenities justify the cost, considering it a splurge for a special vacation. However, some older reviews indicated disappointment given the high price.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some recurring issues or criticisms have been noted:

• Cost: The most frequent "complaint" is the high price point, which, while expected for a luxury resort, can be a barrier for some.
• Breakfast Timing: In-room breakfast delivery sometimes arrives later than the stated time.
• Service Style Preference: Some guests, particularly those who prefer more aggressive or anticipatory service, felt that the "ask and you shall receive" approach might not meet their expectations. Conversely, some found the cleaning staff to be too present if they preferred more solitude.
• Minor Maintenance Issues: Older reviews occasionally mentioned small maintenance oversights in cottages, such as exposed nails or non-functional outdoor showers.
• Spread-out Property: While offering privacy, the expansive nature of the property means guests might want golf cart rentals for easier navigation, particularly for those with mobility issues.
• Dining Experience Inconsistencies: While Earth is highly praised, one older review mentioned a disappointing dinner experience with overly salty food and unappetizing "fried" chicken, coupled with an unhelpful hostess.## Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport, United States: A Comprehensive Hotel Review

Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport, a Michelin Key Selected property, is widely celebrated as a luxurious and serene escape, often likened to a "sophisticated summer camp" for both couples and families. Nestled within 60 acres of birch groves and balsam fir, the resort masterfully blends rustic charm with upscale amenities, promising an altogether different and memorable experience.

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1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overarching sentiment for Hidden Pond is overwhelmingly positive. Guests frequently commend its tranquil environment, exceptional facilities, and high level of comfort. While some review platforms report a "good" rating of 7.9 out of 10, others indicate an "excellent" 8.6 out of 10. The property is recognized for delivering a unique and relaxing getaway, often described as having a "bougie New England summer camp" vibe. Its reputation is further solidified by accolades, including being named the No. 1 resort in New England by Condé Nast Traveler.

2. Key Highlights

Several aspects consistently receive high praise from guests:

• Tranquil and Private Location: The resort's expansive setting amidst natural woodland provides an exceptionally quiet and private atmosphere, making it a perfect retreat.
• Exceptional Dining at Earth: The on-site farm-to-table restaurant, Earth, is a significant draw, acclaimed as one of Southern Maine's finest for its exquisite cuisine and commitment to local, seasonal, and organic ingredients.
• Complimentary Shuttle Service & Beach Access: A convenient shuttle service transports guests to downtown Kennebunkport and, notably, to its sister property, The Tides Beach Club on Goose Rocks Beach. Here, guests enjoy private beach access and complimentary amenities such as bicycles, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and kayaks.
• Distinctive Design & Amenities: Hidden Pond offers beautifully designed rustic yet high-quality cabins, bungalows, and treetop studios. The resort boasts two outdoor pools (including a quiet adults-only pool), a unique treehouse-inspired spa, and an organic farm where guests can pick fresh flowers and vegetables.
• Engaging Activities: The resort curates a diverse range of activities, including morning yoga classes, mixology classes, stargazing, and evening bonfires complete with s'mores baskets, contributing to its "adult summer camp" feel.

3. Room Quality

The accommodations at Hidden Pond, comprising bungalows, cottages, and treetop studios, are consistently described as bright, homey, and sophisticated.

• Comfort and Design: Each unit features upscale yet cozy decor, often incorporating pops of color, lodge-like touches, and unique design elements such as lamps made from tree branches.
• Luxury Features: Many accommodations are equipped with fantastic electric fireplaces, inviting screened-in porches, and spacious outdoor rain showers, enhancing the unique outdoor-living experience. Guests appreciate the high-end amenities, including Frette linens and Malin + Goetz toiletries.
• Variety and Functionality: Cottages, in particular, are well-suited for families or longer stays, offering full-size kitchens and washer/dryers. Upon arrival, guests are often greeted with thoughtful touches like a bottle of white wine on ice and local sweets.

4. Dining Experience

Dining at Hidden Pond is a highlight, largely centered around the renowned Earth restaurant.

• Earth Restaurant: Award-winning Earth is acclaimed as one of New England's top dining destinations, celebrated for its "farm-to-fork" concept. Ingredients are handpicked from the resort's own organic farm and sourced from local purveyors, ensuring fresh, seasonal, and organic dishes. The menu features exquisite items like handmade pastas, house-made charcuterie, and fresh seafood, served in a beautifully designed, rustic-chic dining room with a grand stone fireplace. Private dining sheds are also available for a more intimate culinary experience.
• Breakfast Offerings: A complimentary breakfast, including pastries, coffee, milk, and yogurt, is delivered to guests' rooms each morning. While generally appreciated, some guests have noted occasional inconsistencies in delivery time. For a more elaborate start to the day, Earth offers a full breakfast menu with cooked-to-order options like omelets and Maine-grown grain porridge, available in the restaurant or via in-cottage dining.
• Additional Options: The resort also features a Food Truck by the family pool for casual breakfast and lunch, and guests can enjoy drinks and light fare at one of the three on-site bars/lounges. Dietary needs, including gluten-free options, are generally well-accommodated by the staff.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hidden Pond is consistently praised for its friendliness and attentiveness.

• Attentive and Responsive: The staff is often described as "extremely nice" and adopting an "ask and you shall receive" approach, meaning they are readily available to assist while also respecting guests' privacy.
• Notable Staff Members: Shuttle drivers are frequently highlighted for their friendly and engaging demeanor. Ryan Dolan, the Activities Manager, receives exceptional commendation for his patience, kindness, and ability to engage children in a wide array of activities, from art projects to haunted hikes.
• Minor Service Notes: While generally excellent, a few guests who prefer more proactive or "aggressive" service have noted that the "ask and you shall receive" style might differ from their expectations. Some guests who desire complete solitude have also mentioned perceiving the cleaning staff as occasionally too present.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hidden Pond is ideally situated in Kennebunkport, Maine, approximately four miles north of the bustling town center.

• Seclusion and Connectivity: Its 60-acre woodland setting provides a peaceful retreat, offering a sense of being "a world away from the crowds downtown." Yet, it remains conveniently close to local attractions.
• Proximity to Attractions: The resort is just a few minutes' drive from Goose Rocks Beach and offers easy access to Kennebunkport's charming shops, restaurants, and quintessential New England seaside experiences. Nearby art galleries are also within a short distance.
• Transportation: The complimentary shuttle service to downtown Kennebunkport and The Tides Beach Club is a significant convenience, allowing guests to explore without personal transportation. For arrival and departure, Portland International Jetport Airport is approximately 17 miles away. While rideshares are available, renting a car is often recommended for greater flexibility in exploring the wider area.

7. Value & Pricing

Hidden Pond is undeniably a luxury property, and its pricing reflects the upscale experience it offers.

• Premium Pricing: It is widely acknowledged that Hidden Pond is "not a budget-friendly destination by any means."
• Price Range: Room rates can vary significantly by season and accommodation type, with average prices ranging from approximately $441 for a King room to $806 for a Luxury room. Typically, May represents the low season with lower prices, while July is the high season, commanding higher rates.
• Perceived Value: Despite the high cost, many guests feel that the unique atmosphere, luxurious accommodations, exceptional dining, and comprehensive amenities justify the expense, making it a worthwhile splurge for a special occasion or a truly indulgent getaway. However, some older reviews have expressed disappointment regarding the value for money, given the price point.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring points of constructive criticism or minor issues have been observed:

• High Cost: The most frequent "complaint" revolves around the premium pricing, which, while expected for a luxury resort, can be a consideration for potential guests.
• Breakfast Delivery Timing: Occasional slight delays in the in-room breakfast delivery have been mentioned by some guests.
• Service Style Preferences: A few guests noted that the resort's "ask and you shall receive" service style might not perfectly align with those desiring more anticipatory or "aggressive" service. Conversely, some individuals who prefer complete solitude found the presence of cleaning staff slightly more frequent than desired.
• Minor Maintenance (Historical): Some older reviews cited isolated minor maintenance issues within cottages, such as exposed nails or non-functioning outdoor showers, although these appear to be less common in recent feedback.
• Property Navigation: While the spread-out nature ensures privacy, some guests, particularly those with mobility concerns, suggested that golf cart rentals might be beneficial for navigating the extensive grounds.

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