Waldo Emerson Inn

Bed & breakfast · Kennebunk

Waldo Emerson Inn

Bed & breakfast · Kennebunk

1

108 Summer St, Kennebunk, ME 04043

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Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null
Waldo Emerson Inn by null

Highlights

Historic inn with antique rooms, quilt shop & Underground Railroad history  

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108 Summer St, Kennebunk, ME 04043 Get directions

waldoemerson.com
@waldoemersoninn

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108 Summer St, Kennebunk, ME 04043 Get directions

+1 207 985 4250
waldoemerson.com
@waldoemersoninn
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@waldoemersoninn

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Last updated

Aug 25, 2025

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50 Best Romantic Vacations for Couples

"A historic Kennebunkport inn once built in 1753 by Waldo Emerson, who was Ralph Waldo Emerson's great-uncle; the property is noted for its historic character and coastal New England setting, making it a storied option for romantic coastal stays." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/romantic-getaways/50-best-romantic-getaways
View Postcard for Waldo Emerson Inn

LongLegsBigCity

Google
Loved our stay at Waldo Emerson. Our host Amelia was so lovely to chat with. The breakfast was AMAZING and the bed was so comfy we slept the best we had our whole trip. We loved the cute and thoughtful decor, and the history (the oldest home in Kennebunk!) The water pressure was fantastic and it was easy to find and park. The attention to detail was so appreciated including the most interesting presentation of the toilet paper roll. You'll have to see it to know what I mean.

Ian Gasco-Wiggin

Google
The stay at Waldo Emerson Inn was wonderful. From the moment you arrive you feel right at home in this cozy space. They are also dog friendly, and had dog bowls and a bed waiting for us in our room when we arrived for our little pup. The daily homemade breakfast was delicious each morning. Just a few minute drive to downtown and the beach, everything is within reach for your stay. The snack and drink "bars" throughout are a nice touch as well. The owners Ron and Amelia are incredibly thoughtful. Will absolutely be staying here during our next time in Kennebunkport!

Brandon Baker

Google
Lovely quiet and low key bed and breakfast with a fascinating history dating back to the 1700’s. The other guests were a Mix of young travelers and older travelers that made for a funny breakfast chat each day. Really cozy and relaxing rooms, very good vibes, very nice people that run the place, great breakfast food that was different every day, the coffee was weak, but the quirky and cozy atmosphere makes up for that small note. Very nice backyard bon fire with complimentary s’more’s, cookies and banana bread. Overall very good place for a vacation escape. Also very dog friendly!! They don’t allow dogs to stay in rooms alone which can be sometimes tricky but we made it work with our travel plans. No regrets and highly recommend!

Jim and Debbie Mangiapane

Google
We had a great stay at the Waldo Emerson Inn! Amelia is a wonderful hostess and was very welcoming and friendly. She gave us some history of the Inn, which was very interesting. We stayed in the Bourne room, which is on the second level. Very clean and nicely decorated. Coffee makers everywhere! No shortage of caffeine here! Breakfast was perfect in portion and quality. The Wedding Cake house next door is interesting and there are some other beautiful homes down the street. We appreciated being a few minutes away from downtown. Would definitely stay here again and would recommend to others.

Donna Attanasio

Google
Lovely room with lots of special perks, such as bathrobes, fresh baked goods, tea, and an honor bar with wine and beer. Amelia and Ron are great hosts. We enjoyed the s’mores by the firepit and the great breakfast. Close to the beach in a lovely and historic town. Would certainly come back if in the area again.

Barbara Goggans

Google
WE HAD A LOVELY TIME AT THE WALDO EMERSON. OUR ROOM WAS BEAUTIFUL AS WAS THE WHOLE INN. LOVED THE HONOR SYSTEM WINE AND BEER OFFERINGS AS WELL AS THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES , AND WISH WE'D TRIED THE S'MORES. AMELIA WAS A GREAT HOST AND THE BREAKFASTS WERE DELICIOUS. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!

Sarah Johnson-Taylor

Google
My husband and I really enjoyed our stay at the Waldo Emerson Inn. The room was clean and quaint and the owners were lovely to talk to. The homemade breakfast was absolutely delicious and we enjoyed the company at the table. All around a wonderful experience and wonderful inn.

Katie Bush

Google
Everything you would hope for in a beautiful and quaint New England Bed and Breakfast. Fabulous innkeepers, great location, and clean amenities! We received wonderful recommendations as well when we arrived for a last minute dinner out and stuff to see during our trip. Thanks Ron and Amelia!
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Daisy M.

Yelp
An absolutely first class experience. The Inn is beautiful and charming, each guest room is large and comfortable. The Innkeepers made sure that we had everything we needed during our 3 night stay. All of their recommendations of places to visit, eat and shop were excellent. Breakfast each morning was delicious, substantial and thoughtfully prepared. Some of the other guests had some dietary restrictions that were met with enthusiasm and their meals looked amazing, as well. the downstairs sitting rooms were also quite comfortable and we enjoyed some time in the common spaces chatting with other guests and with the Innkeepers. Our stay was wonderful. I'd give them 10 stars if i could.
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Ari P.

Yelp
We had a beautiful, romantic week at the historic Waldo Emerson. Our hosts, Amelia and Ron, made us feel right at home and offered great local recomendations for meals, shopping, and sightseeing. I don't normally notice these things, but the sheets and balnkets were extra soft! And the whole place was absolutely clean and homey, with coffee and tea and great wine selections at the honor bar. The breakfasts were spectacular! We had parfaits, vegan options for the vegan guests, and bacon and beautiful frittatas for us omnivours. While a part of me just wanted to stay inside and read, the inn is situated within nice walking from Kennebunk and a little more ambitius walk to Kennebunkport. It's also a lovely short drive from Ogunquit. I'd never been to Maine before and these were the spots my spouse wanted to share with me! Can't wait to go back.

Janet J.

Yelp
The Waldo Emerson Inn was absolutely beautiful. We had an amazing time. The owner Amelia was incredible nice and so accommodating. The breakfast each morning was very delicious. Michael was so knowledgeable and so sweet. The Inn was so amazing clean and beautiful. Our room was So stunning. The bed was so comfortable. It was a good size room. My husband and I had a amazingly time we highly recommend this Inn. It was an excellent relaxing vacation. Make reservations at the Waldo Emerson Inn you won't be disappointed.
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Kathy D.

Yelp
Found this place on bedandbreakfast.com, and it was a great find. Very friendly owner and staff. Very welcoming. The place was immaculate and nicely decorated. Attention to detail: robes and chocolate in the room, candy bar, free coffee and tea, honor bar, yummy cookies, beach pass, beach chairs, umbrella, and bikes. Breakfast was delicious and everything was homemade. We got to meet other guests, which was pleasant. We recommend this place if you are in the area.
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Frederick S.

Yelp
As part of the B&B Vets program, which gives veterans like myself, a free nights stay in a B&B, we were very gracious for there offer, which allows, us to get out of Boston, and relax for a night. Just as an aside, this is a National program, run on the night before Veterans day. Called to make reservation, and you could here a warm voice on the other side of the phone, which made you want to leave for the B&B right away. We were not surprised when we arrived at 9:00pm. We were told to call if we were going to be later than 9:30pm on the arrival. We called from the Maine rest stop, to say we would be on site at approx. 9:00, and Kathy was very appreciative. When we arrived, we were greeted by John, who gave us a quick tour, of the B&B, with all the history. We had not eaten, so he gave us a map, with a suggestion of a restaurant that was still open at this hour. Woke up in the morning, and had a great breakfast, with decent coffee. We bought some home made granola, which was part of the breakfast, and were on our way, after a couple of hugs from Kathy, and John. Would love to come back.
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Mike D.

Yelp
We loved our stay at the Waldon Emerson -- it was a very personal and lovely experience. John and Kathy really make you feel welcome, and the breakfasts are pretty darn good -- not too fancy (a good thing, IMO), but filled with fresh and tasty ingredients. There's always a big plate of fruit and the wonderful homemade granola. We stayed in the Yellow Room which was nice, although it had a very cramped restroom. Minor quibble, for certain. If I had one big wish it would have been for better AC in the room. We were apparently in Maine during some sort of heat wave, and I understand that's not real typical of the area, though, so I understand the little window unit. There's a small poodle in the house named Waldo who's really well behaved and adorable. I may or may not have, but definitely did smuggle him some bacon in the morning. Shhhhh. I would definitely stay here again if I came back to Maine -- my family practically took over the inn and we all had a great experience. Thanks so much to John and Kathy for being wonderful

Kate C.

Yelp
I wish I could give more then 5 stars! My boyfriend and I had the pleasure of staying at the Waldo Emerson Inn this past weekend. I can't say enough good things about the inn, Hana (innkeeper) and her crew. The inn was beautiful and immaculate. They have done an amazing job renovating and restoring this lovely home. It has a very interesting history which Hana explained to us and showed us some of the cool original features that are still there. There are so many personal touches that really make this place truly special. Oh, and the FOOD! The breakfast they served was absolutely delicious! If you're looking for a wonderful place to stay in Maine, this is the place to go. The Waldo Emerson will be our number one choice for future visits. Thank you Hana and family for an amazing stay! Hope to see you all again soon!
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Teddy P.

Yelp
John and Kathy were very good hosts. The Inn was nice and room was clean and comfortable. Convenient to Portland, ME, and Portsmouth, NH. We stayed three nights and enjoyed the experience.

Nick B.

Yelp
We stayed two nights in the Waldo Emerson B&B with our hosts Kathy and John Daamen. What a wonderful experience. This historical building is the oldest original building in Kennebunk. Located on Summer Street and easy drive to the downtown area fo Kennebunk. Kathy and John were consumate hosts. We stayed in the "Library" on the first floor. John is up early cooking a unique Danish breakfast. The inn was part of the "underground railway" during the civil war. Their personal antiques and photos are everywhere in the several connected public rooms. This B&B is a must on your visit to Kennebunk. Their Quilt Shop adjoins the main building that has seven bedrooms. A delight!
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Maria V.

Yelp
We went in the off season, and I have to say, our stay was disappointing. We were informed that we were the only ones staying there, and since John and Kathy do not have a separate entrance and you walk through the kitchen to enter the B&B, there was very little privacy. My husband booked the yellow room since it's marketed as a room honeymooners often book - why??? The room is small, the bathroom is teeny, and the fireplace had no logs in it / near it. We were told to "ask for a log" if we wanted to use the fireplace, but when my husband went to find someone and ask for a log around 7 PM in the evening, no one was around. He tried again in a half hour, still no one. So much for that fire! Kathy explained that breakfast is served at 8:30 PM, which was fine with us as we get up early. It sounded like she / her husband wanted to sleep in, because the day before she was needling us to "sleep in" and suggesting doing breakfast later on. Basically, it was clear that we were not priority as the only guests... My "favorite" part is when we woke up to the smell of bacon, but no actual bacon was served for breakfast, not very hospitable. Finally, basic manners dictate no discussion of politics in social situations, but my husband got an earful from John at breakfast that he "doesn't want to pay for those illegals to come here" - awkward, considering that we are immigrants ourselves and of fairly liberal values. The place is very interesting for history buffs, and fairly clean, though I found some hair on my quilt that was definitely not mine or my husband's, luckily I am not a germaphobe. I've stayed at a number of truly outstanding B&B's, and this didn't come close.
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Frederick N.

Yelp
Decided to stay the night for a quick retreat to get away from the city life and see what Kennebunk was all about. Having never stayed at a Bed and Breakfast before I was worried about all types of things. Truly like staying with family. Mrs. Daamen was extremely informative about the Kennebunk area. The Daamen's were wonderful. Ralph's Library was a lovely room. Temperature in the shower was quite difficult to control. That was the only very minor set back. Quite happy with our stay. Interesting people and a fantastic breakfast!
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Katie G.

Yelp
Absolutely adorable and charming B&B. It's very hard to find places like this. Extraordinarily eclectic. I highly recommend it. Katie
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Averno V.

Yelp
Innkeepers, Kathy and John are wonderful hosts. We stayed for 2 nights over President's Day weekend. We booked our room last-minute and so we got the room right next to the front door. At first, we were concerned for our privacy and the noise of the door opening and closing...but it was really quiet and it felt very private. We had a fireplace in the room, which we lit both nights. The breakfasts were excellent: lots of fresh fruit - the best granola - John was pulling a big batch out of the oven as we arrived. We bought a bag to take home (they ship it anywhere). The only quibble I have with breakfast is protein. Even if it's just a bowl of hard-boiled eggs, it keeps you going more than lots of carbs. They did give sausages one day and bacon the next, but eggs are cheap and easy. The recommendations Kathy made for dining out were very good. John and Kathy run a great, family-like B&B. Very clean, comfortable; very interesting history/house tour. All in all, we'll be back when in Kennebunk, next.