Maine

 Just returned from a week at Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport Maine.  The resort sits on a large, secluded property.  Although I had printed out maps of the area, we were happy to have GPS, as the country roads in the area can be very confusing.  The resort is comprised of a small main lodge (with a front porch for relaxing and adjacent pool, small bar, and outdoor lunch/cocktail space), with 14 individual two-bedroom cottages set around the property.  There is also a beautiful garden and hiking trails.  The cottages are actually closer together than their website diagram seems to indicate -- but there is definitely adequate space between the structures and plenty of privacy.  The resort was fully booked during our stay and we rarely saw or heard anyone.
 
A late night arrival was arranged and everything was in order -- cottage was open, lights were on, and keys were inside.  The cottage had a kitchen area with refrigerator, coffee maker, stove, microwave, and dining table.  The good sized living room extended off the kitchen and had a fireplace, couch, and flat screen television -- an adjacent screened porch was just as large and offered a wonderful daybed and coffee table for enjoying the bakery basket, coffee, and newspaper that was delivered every morning.
 
There were two bedrooms, each with private bath.  The master bedroom held a king bed, with a small closet, dresser and flat screen television, and small but adequate bath with single vanity and bathtub/shower combination.  The second bedroom had two beds, an identical closet, a dresser, and small bath with shower only and single vanity.  Additionally, the second bedroom had an outdoor shower right out a back door off the bathroom.  There was also a small laundry room with stacked washer/dryer with complimentary laundry soap.  Everything in the cottage was sparkling clean upon arrival.  There were several small complimentary water bottles in the refrigerator.  The towels were large and thirsty.
 
There are a few things that keep this property from being perfect.  The sheets were never changed during the entire week; it appeared that no vacuuming/sweeping was done either, as the floors got dustier as the week wore on; and the kitchen waste basket was not always emptied.  The showerheads in the bathrooms are low-flow, placed high on the wall, and have no adjustment -- so it is almost impossible to rinse shampoo out of your hair.  (I actually crawled under the bathtub spigot -- but you have to be agile to do that!)  In the master bathroom, there is little counter space and no shelving.  The second bedroom was quite small for two beds and did not have a television.  And finally, we ordered lunch for a picnic one day, (which was wonderfully delivered to our cottage in a cold case), but the order came wrong.
 
Those things aside, we still loved this place.  It is a real "hideaway" in the spirit of Andrew Harper's original Hideaway Report.  The noted flaws could easily be corrected -- improved housekeeping, adjustable showerheads, attention to detail.  Considering the cost, one should expect nothing less.
 
This coming year the resort is adding several one bedroom cottages -- so it remains to be seen whether the increased number will detract from the secluded, private feeling.  There are also plans for a restaurant -- which could be a wonderful addition.    I hope Andrew Harper visits and reports back -- I would be anxious to hear his opinion.
 
As to restaurants in the area, we were extremely disappointed in our dinner at Arrows in Ogunquit.  It has a fabulous reputation and I can say that the service and ambiance was outstanding.  However, the food failed on many levels.  We had a nice lunch at MC Perkins Cove in Ogunquit and a fine meal in Portland at Fore Street.  A great place to get sandwiches, bakery items, or prepared foods is at Cape Porpoise Kitchen just a couple of miles from Hidden Pond.
 
The most fun activity of our vacation, which I personally arranged, was an afternoon canoe paddle with David Butler, Master Recreation Guide, through Maine Path and Paddle.  I would definitely recommend it as the quintessential Maine experience.  We also enjoyed the Portland Art Museum and the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay.