Black Point Inn in Scarborough, Maine for a Holiday or Honeymoon

By Rachel Shelasky
about.com

 

Perched at the tip of Prouts Neck alongside the Atlantic Ocean and Saco Bay, Black Point Inn resembles a Maine landscape painting. The grey-shingled inn sits on a massive, well-manicured lawn on a quiet country road. No wonder the artist Winslow Homer, who was largely known for his sea scenes, had a waterfront studio just down the road.

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Built as a summer resort in 1878, Black Point Inn maintains its old-world charm without feeling shabby. The antiques-filled lobby boasts a roaring fireplace, grand piano, fresh sunflowers and lamp-lit reading nooks (with bookcases overflowing). Afternoon tea served on fine china with freshly baked cookies make walks through the lobby even more enticing. In the colder months, it would be easy to lose yourselves in an afternoon of relaxing, feet up, cocooned in wool blankets.

Guest Rooms at Black Point Inn
The Inn is the perfect size: large enough so that a couple can be anonymous but small enough for it to feel intimate.

Each of the 25 rooms and suites is laid out differently, and decorated with one-off mahogany furniture, crystal lamps and vintage vases. Almost all have water views and many have private decks (although most are only large enough to hold a small wicker table and chairs). Half the rooms have been updated with new carpets, wallpaper, lighting and bathroom fixtures, so request a refurbished one.

There is free wi-fi throughout the inn, TVs (our room, with a separate seating area, had two) and Egyptian cotton bathrobes. There was no refrigerator in our room, which was inconvenient, since there is no place to get snacks on property aside from restaurant appetizers.

Bathrooms were basic, with Gilchrist & Soames amenities. Our room had a tub (most rooms do not) that was small and suitable for one. BYO bubble bath.

Daily fresh flowers, solitude (we didn’t hear any neighbors) and the ocean breeze (we preferred leaving windows open instead of A/C) added a romantic ambiance.

Dining at Black Point Inn
For a casual meal, choose seats on the porch of the Chart Room overlooking the lawn and Saco Bay. Inside is a standard, no-frills dining room, too brightly lit in the evenings to be considered romantic.

The bartender can make almost any drink, including a killer mojito mocktail. The  kale salad is refreshing with summer squash, toasted macadamia nuts and maple vinaigrette. The oysters were also memorable (the hotel manager Phil shucked them at our table as a special treat). Main dishes include comfort food like roasted turkey club sandwiches with cranberry chutney or corned beef with Gruyère on grilled rye with sides of sweet potato fries or housemade kettle chips.

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The menu changes slightly throughout the season. When the sun goes down, fleece blankets are available on the porch to keep you warm. Desserts such as warm Maine blueberry pie with lemon sour cream gelato and candied ginger crumble are a treat when brought down to the great lawn area and slowly savored while curled up on Adirondack chairs.

The Chart Room serves a regular breakfast menu of waffles, pancakes and eggs, but you might prefer hopping in the car and stopping at a local mom-and-pop pancake house (there are several around) or eating fresh-picked fruit from a nearby farm. [Ed.: Also recommended: Miss Portland Diner.]

Room service is not offered but you can call the front desk and request something be delivered when the restaurants are open. If you ask nicely, the front desk attendant will prepare turkey sandwiches even when they're closed.

Destination Weddings at Black Point Inn
It would be difficult to find a more picturesque setting for a destination wedding. The inn is grand (inside and out) and the views dramatic against blue waters and green fields. Ceremonies generally occur outdoors, weather permitting, on the lawn, with a cocktail hour on the deck and dinner/dancing in The Point restaurant. The Inn has a wedding planner and team to assist with planning. Wedding guests are offered a special Bed & Breakfast rate.

Small weddings, up to 45 people, can be held at any time during the year. Point Weddings, which can accommodate up to 70 people, and Buyout Weddings, up to 150 guests, cannot be held in July or August. Point Weddings can include overnight stays but do not have to. On Buyout Weddings, the Inn is closed to the public and the wedding group takes over the entire space for the weekend.

Honeymoons/Romance Packages at Black Point Inn
We celebrated our honeymoon here and happily embraced the slower pace, indulging in simple pleasures such as bike riding, collecting shells and picnicking along the Cliff Walk. The inn is not a place where you need or want extra bells and whistles. We now plan to return every year to this treasure by the sea, like many couples do (we witnessed anniversaries being celebrated during our stay).

A romantic package includes a two-night stay, a choice of white, red or sparkling wine upon arrival; one dinner; breakfast each morning and a dozen roses in a vase to take home.

Activities at Black Point Inn
Onsite, aside from perusing local magazines and books and playing board games in and around the lobby, there is a manager’s cocktail reception every Monday afternoon, where the hotel manager mixes cocktails (on the house) and socializes with guests. On Tuesday evenings, there’s live jazz. Wednesdays are wine tastings. On Thursday mornings, a yoga class is held on the lawn. The basement holds a small exercise room.

There are two private beaches in the immediate vicinity (good for walking, bad for swimming). Wear sneakers; terrain is rocky and could be slippery. The two-mile cliff walk right outside the property takes 45 minutes, unless you keep stopping to take in the views (which you ought to). You’re likely to find colorful shells, haunted-looking beach shacks and various species of birds.

If massages are your thing, the front desk can arrange for a masseuse to come to your room. Complimentary bikes at the entrance of the hotel, with cushy seats, are perfect for exploring the roads and beach paths nearby.

Walk down the road to Prouts Neck Country Club from the inn, where guests can golf and play tennis, or Prouts Neck Beach Club, for kayaking and paddleboarding on the Nonesuch River. Both are complimentary for hotel guests. The front desk can schedule these activities.

Nearby Black Point Inn
Not much is close by, so you’ll want a car to explore Portland, about seven miles away. The city is vibrant with bohemian shops, restaurants, parks and breweries (Shipyard Brewing Co. is worth a visit for its free tasting room, which features about 20 varieties of beer). After spending most of the day in Portland, hop a ferry to Peak’s Island, an isolated, tiny locale inhabited by many artists. Rent a golf cart or bike around (no cars allowed) and explore the adorable cottages and visit an ice cream shop or a restaurant. Other nearby areas are Kennebunkport and Freeport (the mecca of Maine shopping, the standout being the L.L. Bean outlet).

Pros/Cons at Black Point Inn
A small, outdoor geothermal-heated saltwater pool is tucked in the back of the inn, but it doesn't have a lot of appeal.

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Those content with long bike rides and coastal living should feel perfectly satisfied here. However, it’s unfortunate there’s no village, strip of shops or even a fruit stand within walking distance. The ocean and bay are absolutely stunning, but for beach bums who like to lay out, the sand is too rocky.

The Vibe at Black Point Inn
For couples who want to hunker down, re-connect and move slowly, this is ideal. Although the inn caters to guests of all ages, during our trip, it was mostly older folks. Come to nurture your relationship and each other in this romantic waterfront setting.

Find Out More
Black Point Inn
510 Black Point Road
Prouts Neck
Scarborough, Maine 04074
(207) 883-2500