TL;DR

Farmhouse charm: Historic inn renovated to Auberge standards
Relaxed luxury: Stylish, polished beachside vibe
Elegant décor: Antiques, wood paneling, wicker and wallpaper
Peaceful escape: More pampering retreat than party spot
Check prices here

Lounging on the side of a coastal country road near Kennebunkport, Maine, the White Barn is a touch of elegant luxury nestled into the forest and seaside.

It’s an old farmhouse, but intensely renovated to meet the standards of the Auberge Resorts Collection.

This means top-notch comfort on all fronts.

Like most Auberge hotels, it avoids the cookie-cutter feel, more like a stylish summer home your dentist uncle owns as part of a timeshare.

Your dentist uncle apparently has very good taste in decor as well. The feel is relaxed to fit the beach, but polished.

Rooms sport a refined collection of antiques, wicker, subtly patterned wallpaper and some stunning wood paneling that might not be original, but definitely could be.

We’d say it’s a bit too posh for a party, but if a gentle pamper is what you’re after, you could do much worse.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 25 spread across farmhouse, garden, annex, cottages and even a houseboat
Comfortable sizes: Garden Kings around 250 sq ft
Range of stays: Guestrooms, suites, cottages and houseboat
Modern touches: TVs, climate control, rain showers & soaking tubs
Extras: Fireplaces, patios, private entrances in many rooms
Style: Beachy New England elegance with calm tones
See each room in detail here

Yes, it’s an old building, but here even the smallest rooms are comfortable, with Garden Kings coming in around 250 square feet.

Queen and King Rooms can be found in the Garden building and the original farmhouse.

Other options include Suites in the Main House and a charming little Annex building, with five cottages on the property, and even a houseboat stationed 5 minutes from the Inn.

Most rooms will include king or queen beds with TVs and climate control for tech.

Bathrooms are decked out with either rain showers or soaking tubs, and plush robes to wrap up in.

Many rooms boast extra features like gas fireplaces, patios, private entrances, and more.

The decor varies between the different buildings, but a calm elegance is discernible throughout various takes on beachy, New England classic and lake house chic.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Fine dining: White Barn Inn Restaurant with Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings
Atmosphere: Romantic “country glam” setting in a converted barn
Casual option: Little Barn eatery with relaxed versions of the same flavors
Spa & wellness: Treatments, rituals, and a stone-inset pool

The world-class comforts don’t stop at the accommodation. The White Barn Inn Restaurant is a monumental addition to the property, both a Forbes Five Star and a AAA Five Diamond establishment.

The atmosphere: country glam. The restaurant is housed in a burn that has been transformed into a romantic, wide-windowed, candlelit food paradise.

Cuisine is what you’d expect, just insanely elevated. Seafood is cooked to perfection and set alongside other New England delicacies like a venison tartare or a tomato situation featuring burrata ice cream and olive jam.

There is a dress code, so leave your flip-flops in the room, or head to the Little Barn, a more casual eatery that takes the impeccable flavors of the restaurant and makes them a bit more accessible.

Once you’re fed and watered, you can relax at the spa. They have a variety of treatments, all excellent, from facials to Swedish massage to full rituals including scrubs, baths, and massage.

There’s also a super sweet stone-inset pool that’s available for lounging under the trees.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Border location: Between Kennebunk and Kennebunkport
Nature access: Beaches, preserves, and walks within biking distance
Nearby highlights: Goochs Beach, Franciscan Monastery, Rachel Carson Refuge
Culture & sights: Galleries, historical society, Bush estate views

Kennebunk is the more settled sister of Kennbunkport’s seaside party girl. It boasts a network of rivers and seaside curling around the coast, a less touristy center, and plenty of residential space.

The Inn is actually on the border to Kennebunkport, close to the sea, the beaches, the nature preserves, and the highway.

You’ll find most of these within a 15-minute drive or a half-hour bike ride.

You’ll be spitting distrance from Goochs Beach and the charming nearby Franciscan Monastery.

The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and Laudholm Preserve both offer truly lovely walks just a bike ride away.

Also close is Cooper’s Corner, the entrance to Kennebunkport proper, next to local favorite Mornings in Paris.

Other to-dos can include checking out the F-8 Fine Art Gallery, dropping by the Kennebunkport Historical Society, or holding up traffic along Ocean’s Drive to gawp at the Bush family’s giant home on Walker’s Point.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“This is a five-star experience in Kennebunkport. Close to beach and to town. Beautiful rooms and property. Always ready to assist with any needs. The morning coffee delivered to our room is always a treat. Attentiveness to our needs is top notch….”

“A experience. Staff was very friendly, accommodating, and thoughtful. I appreciate all the extra touches. Definitely a 5 star experience and can’t wait to come back….”