Breakwater Inn, one of Kennebunkport, Maine’s most historic and beloved ocean-view hotels, reopened in July after a full renovation of its harborside guestrooms and the addition of a new restaurant and bar.
The renovation was led by the team behind several well-known Maine hospitality spots, including Mabel’s Lobster Claw, Robert’s Maine Grill, Bob’s Clam Shack and The Maine Catch—venues popular with visitors and celebrities alike during the May-to-October season. Unlike many seasonal properties, Breakwater Inn welcomes guests year-round.
© Breakwater Inn
Perched where the Kennebunk River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the 35-room boutique hotel blends its original 1880s cottage architecture with modern comfort and coastal style. Interior design by Christina Hawkes of Hurlbutt Designs refreshed each guestroom in the 15-unit Harbor Building while preserving the inn’s historic charm and maritime character. The original Inn Building, with 20 waterfront guestrooms—most featuring private decks—has also been updated to maintain an authentic Maine coastal experience.
All rooms at Breakwater Inn embrace a classic nautical aesthetic, offering water views and contemporary comforts. Furnishings, color palettes and fabrics were chosen for a timeless coastal feel. Private baths feature Bethel White stone vanities, silk and terry spa-style robes, and Gilchrist & Soames amenities. The Waterside Cottage provides a deep-soaking whirlpool and panoramic water views. The lobby’s wood floors and glass doors open to a deck and lawn along the shore, where guests can watch lobster boats return from sea.
© Breakwater Inn
The inn’s signature restaurant, Port Fish & Chophouse, is open daily for bar service and dinner. Guests can enjoy an alfresco happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. featuring appetizers and cocktails, followed by a dinner menu that highlights local seafood and prime cuts of meat. Popular happy hour items include an Oyster Mary cocktail, a mini charcuterie board, and pork-belly skewers. Dinner selections showcase Maine mussels, shrimp al ajillo, brown-butter halibut, a wagyu burger and a variety of lobster preparations.
The Tin Bar, which opened in July on the inn’s ground level, offers a curated selection of tinned fish, small plates, classic cocktails and a range of beers. Mabel’s Pantry, the breakfast restaurant located across the street, welcomes the public from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. with morning favorites such as eggs Benedict, avocado toast, buttermilk pancakes and fresh fruit bowls, served in a relaxed waterfront setting.
© Breakwater Inn
Breakwater Inn is an attractive venue for weddings and special events, offering indoor and outdoor seating configurations, event rooms, full buyout options, multiple bars and tented setups accommodating up to 150 guests. The property’s coastal setting provides a scenic backdrop for celebrations of all sizes.
The entire complex operates year-round and includes accommodations across the Inn Building, Harbor Building, Waterside Cottage and Mabels House (11 rooms), plus a separate Cove Side room. Adirondack chairs on the waterfront lawn invite guests to relax and take in cove views from sunrise to sunset.
© Breakwater Inn
Located on a quiet street just outside downtown Kennebunkport, the inn provides easy access to the cafés, art galleries and boutiques of Dock Square. Guests can also stroll along Parsons Way and Ocean Avenue to experience the rugged Atlantic shoreline and the charm of Maine’s coastal towns.