Kennebunk’s Waldo Emerson ticks a trio of travel-driven interests. First, it attracts history buffs for its historical atmosphere: It dates from 1753, with the new wing added in 1784; it was a stop on the Underground Railroad; and it’s located adjacent to the famed Wedding Cake House. Literary travelers come for its connection to poet/essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, who allegedly spent 10 summers in the house built by his great uncle. And dog lovers come because innkeeper Hana Pevny* welcomes dogs of all sizes (although, make no mistake, her sweet Yorkie, Sloan, is in charge).
*NOTE: The inn has a new owner/innkeeper, and Sloan is no longer in residence.
Waldo Emerson Inn blends historic charm with contemporary whimsy
The house may be old, but Pevny has lightened and brightened the interior decor since acquiring the inn. Furnishings and artwork emphasize comfort paired with whimsy while honoring historical details. Fresh flowers color every room. Multiple living areas, including the kitchen, dining room, two front parlors, and tables and chairs on the private back lawn, make it easy to spread out.
Ralph Waldo Emerson allegedly spent 10 summers writing in the smaller of the two parlors. These days, it also has a piano, making it ideal for an old-fashioned evening arts salon. In the larger parlor, guests can help themselves from the candy bar, games closet, and honor bar, which I imagine would make for a lovely autumn evening by the fireplace. There’s also a book library. And a coffee/tea station allows guests to make warm drinks whenever desired.
It’s equally inviting to hang out in the spacious kitchen. Guests may take breakfast there, in the dining room, or at tables outside. Pevny earned a culinary degree from Leiths School of Food & Wine in London and has worked as a private chef and culinary instructor both in the U.S. and Europe. She turns a simple breakfast sandwich into a delicious, multi-layered work of art, leaving me wishing I had booked a few more days to taste other creations.
A peek into guestrooms
Pevny makes self-check-in and finding your room easy. A blackboard hanging on the room’s door displays the first names of the guests within. I stayed in Ralph’s Library, a lovely first-floor room with a fireplace and two easy chairs. That location makes it a good choice for those with mobility impairments.
The inn’s five other rooms, three with fireplaces, are upstairs, accessible via front and back staircases. The largest, Waldo’s Retreat, is in the original part of the house. Suite-sized, it has a king bed and two chairs, as well as a window seat that can be made into a child’s bed. It also has a kitchenette. As might be expected, beds are dressed in white with luxurious linens.
Built more than a century before indoor plumbing was introduced, the Waldo Emerson Inn’s bathrooms are small, but Pevny has been updating them with tile and nice fixtures. But if you prefer a large bathroom, this inn isn’t for you. That said, two Air B&B-listed, two-bedroom apartments in the separate carriage house have larger bathrooms.
Pets are welcome, and bikes are available.
Sloan, Pevny’s “seven pound Yorkshire terrier with a great dane personality,” welcomes guests and their pets, and the entire Waldo Emerson Inn property is pet-friendly ($50/pet/night).
A large mural in the kitchen is accented with photos of guest pets and their owners. The outside grounds are spacious, and a dog run attached to a tree lets your pet join you around the backyard fire pit if it’s unreliable off-leash.
Guests also have use of bicycles — nothing fancy, but they do the job if you want to pedal to the beach, shops, or area attractions.
Want to know more? Watch the video below, in which innkeeper Hana Pevny talks about the Waldo Emerson Inn.
Innkeeper Hana Pevny chats about the inn.
