By Molly Chester, Certified Travel Advisor and Scarborough resident
I love helping people plan bucket-list adventures halfway around the world, but one of my favorite pieces of travel advice has nothing to do with passports or long-haul flights: Sometimes, one night away is all you need.
Living in Southern Maine, we’re incredibly lucky (for so many reasons). Some of New England’s best hotels, inns, and coastal retreats are right in our backyard. If you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a birthday surprise, or simply feeling like life has been especially full lately, don’t underestimate what 24 hours somewhere beautiful can do for a little mental reset.
I love one-night getaways because they can sometimes “give you permission” to book the luxurious hotel you might talk yourself out of on a longer trip. Or maybe it’s the room with the ocean view, the fireplace for an atmospheric evening, or the soaking tub where you’ll finally get to open that book with a glass of wine, that deserves the splurge. When you’re only staying one night, these little luxuries often feel much more attainable, and they’re the pieces that make the getaway that much more memorable and restorative.
Another one of the best parts of a staycation is everything you don’t have to do! There’s no airport security, no flight delays, no real packing stress, and no pressure to wrap everything up before you leave. You’re close enough to home that nothing feels stressful, but far enough away that it still feels like a real escape. You still get to check into a beautiful hotel, explore somewhere new, and wake up somewhere different, just without the part of traveling that can wear you out.
If I were helping you plan a quick escape close to home, these are the places I’d be suggesting first for a truly special overnight: White Barn Inn in Kennebunk is fabulous for a special occasion, while Hidden Pond around the corner in Kennebunkport is magical and tucked away in the woods despite being just minutes from Goose Rocks Beach. And for dramatic ocean views and everything you need right there on-property, it’s hard to beat my personal favorite, Cliff House Maine in Ogunquit. One more little bonus: I happen to be a preferred partner with all three of these hotels, so I can often add complimentary perks like breakfast, resort credits, and room upgrades (when available) at no additional cost.
If you’re up for a slightly longer drive, Camden is another one of my favorite overnight escapes—so much so that it was the topic of my first Scarborough Living article! Check into Camden Harbour Inn, hike Mount Battie for amazing views of Penobscot Bay, wander the harbor and local shops, linger over dinner at my perennial favorites Long Grain or Primo, then don’t rush home in the morning. Grab a coffee from Zoot, take a long walk along the harbor, then enjoy the drive home with a few stops along the way. A little farm stand shop, antiquing moment, or slice of berry pie from Moody’s is always a fun way to break up the ride.
Whether it’s one night in Maine or two weeks in Italy, I’d love to help you plan your next getaway!
Molly Chester lives in Scarborough and plans trips to destinations near and far as the founder of MChesterTravel.com.
Photo by Alev Takil.
