We’ve been “summering” at the East Wind Inn in Tenants Harbor for many years, spending a couple of days pretending to be wealthy summer visitors to Maine, luxuriating in the simple pleasures of the sea. Innkeeper Tim Watts keeps it simple. He once told a Down East writer,

“I want this to be as unlike a hotel or motel as it can be. There isn’t someone in your face all the time, turning down your sheets or following you around.” He’s telling the truth. On our most recent visit last October, we didn’t even see Tim, although he was there!

Linda

On our last visit to the East Wind Inn, we had a third-floor suite with a spectacular view of the ocean. I was captivated by the sight of the huge waves crashing on the shore of a little island straight out from my window. White buoys filled the bay and lots of fishing boats were anchored there.

The vivid blue sky was contrasting with the green of the grass — this is about as picturesque as the Maine coast gets. It was October, but I have to say that we’ve been here in June and August too, and it’s always this beautiful.

I didn’t think the view could get any better until I woke up the next morning. The sky was shades of peach and orange just before the sun popped out of the ocean. I could watch that every day and be awestruck each time. If you are a late sleeper, I’d suggest setting your alarm so as not to miss it.
Our suite had a sitting room, bedroom and small bath. This is a very homey place. A few of the rooms share a bathroom.

Their beautiful dining room deserves the award for Best View for Breakfast. There is a great choice of freshly cooked breakfast entrees. Omelets, eggs any way, pancakes or French toast are made to order, so they’re nice and hot.    If you’re feeling decadent, I recommend going with the Belgian Waffles with berry sauce and whipped cream. It’s as delicious as it is pretty!

One of the reasons we love coming here is because it is so quiet. The wraparound porch is a perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee and admire their beautiful flower gardens. Some of my fondest memories here include reading a book out in the sunshine on their spacious grounds. It’s a little hard to focus because of that beautiful ocean view, but you are rewarded every time you lift your head.

This is a great spot to kayak on the inner harbor, so you may want to give it a try. It’s also a great place for a walk or a picnic — supplies are a short walk up the street at a wonderful country store.

There’s a beautiful drive no matter which direction you head. Poking along the various roads affords amazing ocean views and interesting houses.

So put the East Wind Inn on your list of getaway spots, if you want to enjoy the true Maine coast away from the crowds.

George

“Hola!”

That was the greeting we received from our breakfast server, who turned out to be our grandson’s Spanish teacher. The breakfast was superb, but the most enjoyable part was visiting with Nora Estes.

The inn’s location, perched beside the ocean on the St. George peninsula south of Rockland, sparkling clean environment, great value, simple comfortable rooms and — this should not be discounted — quiet atmosphere, make this place just the antidote for all that ails you. And a great place to relax and appreciate what the Maine coast has to offer.

Sarah Orne Jewett captured the village in her best known work, “The Country of the Pointed Firs,” published in 1898. She wrote the book in Tenants Harbor.

If you love historical structures, as we do, you’ll be interested to learn that the inn was a 19th-century sail loft, part of a boatyard. Town meetings were held here until it became an inn in the 1920s, with tourists arriving by steamer from Boston to spend long summer vacations.

Tim Watts rescued the inn after it was closed for an extended period in the 1950s. Few would have seen any potential in this dilapidated building, especially as a young 27 year old. But not Tim, who restored it and has operated it for 36 years.

Since then he also acquired a nearby sea captain’s house and turned it into a conference center. I can’t think of a better location to confer!

The inn also offers rooms in the conference center building, including a complete apartment. We’ve never stayed in that building, preferring the charm of the old inn, where every room has an ocean view.  Architectural Digest described the inn as having “casual charm” but I don’t know what that is!
Certainly the East Wind Inn has attracted lots of favorable reviews over the years, and recognition well beyond its out-of-the-way village on the Maine coast. And now, they’ve got one more!

 

IF YOU GO . . .

ON THE WEB: www.eastwindinn.com
ADDRESS: 21 Mechanics St., Tenants Harbor
PHONE: 372-6366; 800-241-8439.
The easiest way to get there is to take Route 131 from Thomaston. It will take you right into “downtown” Tenants Harbor. But we prefer the more scenic drive from Rockland on Route 73, which connects to Route 131. The inn opens for the season on May 15.

Visit George’s website: www.georgesmithmaine.com for
travel tips, book reviews, outdoor news and more.