"What's it like to arrive here? Drive down the subtly marked dirt road into the resort, and the first thing you come upon is a garden on your right and a small pond on your left. Slowly, you realize that tucked between them and the countless birch trees are cottages and treehouse suites. Not a minute later you encounter reception—a demure, friendly-looking lodge that's anything but your average check-in desk— surrounded by the family pool (an adult pool awaits elsewhere), firepits, and ping pong. This entire old school camp vibe is elevated at every turn. What's the backstory? Opened in 2008 with 14 two-bedroom cottages, Hidden Pond soon added 20 bungalows and more two-bedroom cottages in 2011. That year it also added Earth Restaurant and quickly gained steam as a dining destination. Tell us all about the accommodations.The one- and two-bedroom cabins don't require any compromise on creature comforts, just because they happen to be surrounded by woods, which are strategically framed by each cabin's windows. Sumptuous Frette linens and duvets swath the beds, Malin+Goetz toiletries stock the oversized marble bathrooms (inside) and wooden showers (outdoors). Wet bars and screened porches with cozy reading areas are found in each one as well. All that, plus kitchen areas and yet more gas fireplaces, flatscreen TVs, and lounging areas grace the newly added treehouse suites. A breakfast of fruit, juice, and pastry is delivered every morning. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi is very good, and free of charge. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? Earth Restaurant is a destination in its own right, thanks to both its history of creative, boundary-pushing celebrity chefs and its extraordinary setting. The kitchen is all but obsessed with using its haul from local farmers and foragers in the most imaginative way possible, from house-made pastas to spectacular lobster specials. Then there's the dining room's lure—a gargantuan fireplace anchors the room, beneath a chandelier made of a preserved apple tree—all surrounded by slices of tree trunks dotting the walls. Outside, beside the pond and several fire pits, more tables and tiki torches line the pool area. It all adds up to an environment that beautifully dovetails nature and culinary creativity, and draws praise and dining enthusiasts from near and far. And the service? Service is remarkably personal (they actually remember the last time you were here when you check in) and efficient. Maybe that's delivering the complementary bikes to your cabin, showing you a map of where to ride them to the nearest beach, bringing room service from Earth to your room, or showing you where to cut your own flowers in the common garden's potting shed. The front desk arranges for everything from private watercolor lessons in the artist's studio to private dinners in the pondside shed and nightly s'mores. What type of travelers will you find here? City folk (Boston and New York, mostly) flock here for the combination of nature-centric activities, worldly service, standout food, and amenities. And they keep coming back every year, armed with tablets and copies of Vogue at the two pools. What about the neighborhood? What else is around? The resort sits on 60 acres of woodland, just outside of Kennebunkport's downtown. It tucks seamlessly into the woods around it (especially the cabins and treehouse suites), and has easy biking distance to Goose Rocks Beach and The Tides, and is about a 10-minute car ride to Kennebunkport's Dock Square, with its boutiques, art galleries, and eateries. Is there anything you'd change? A small, casual spot for coffee may be useful to some guests. Although it should be pointed out that there's coffee offered in the reception lodge and at breakfast served at Earth. Meanwhile, coffee makers are provided in the kitchenettes of each cabin or suite. Any other hotel features worth noting? The pools are two different scenes: one for kids and one quieter one for adults. The latter sits just between Earth (making it an ideal spot for pre-dinner cocktails) and the Tree Spa, which sits literally in the treetops. A menu of treatments such as massages and facials is offered, using high-quality products from Nathuraphathica. If off-site exploring beckons, the free bikes provided to guests can have you at Goose Rocks Beach within 10 minutes, and the beach and offers free chair and umbrella service to Hidden Pond guests. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Not for nothing does Hidden Pond have devotees that come back again and again, every year, and sometimes as often as they can over the summer. Many come back to get married (the huge event barn has its own following for weddings and regular family reunions), and then come back for anniversaries, and bring their tykes for years after that. It's just that kind of place: personal, quiet and soothing, but with enough activities to keep everyone happy." - Alexandra Hall
