The Inspired Suite - Minutes to the Best Beaches and Downtown Portland!

The Inspired Suite - Minutes to the Best Beaches and Downtown Portland!

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Room
Room
Room
Bathroom
Bathroom

Overview of The Inspired Suite - Minutes to the Best Beaches and Downtown Portland!

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • GymGymGym

Check out the area

Map
Cape Elizabeth, ME
  • Popular LocationState Theatre6 min drive
  • Popular LocationPortland Head Light9 min drive
  • Popular LocationThompson's Point9 min drive
  • AirportPortland, ME (PWM-Portland Intl. Jetport)18 min drive

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

The Inspired Suite - Minutes to the Best Beaches and Downtown Portland!

Custom built eco-friendly home set on 2 acres in seaside Cape Elizabeth. Relax & recharge in a private suite designed for optimal wellness. Central to all area beaches & only 7 min to Portland's fine dining, shopping & culture. Come enjoy!

Guests tell us that we offer them more than exceptional accommodations and tasty breakfasts. They often mention our hospitality and concierge-level services. Elena has enjoyed skiing, hiking, walking and paddling outdoor adventures and is available to help guests plan outings that suit their interest level. Available to guests are bird and hiking guides and information about what to do, what to explore and where to dine.

If you have never been to Portland, Maine or have not visited for quite some time, you are in for a real treat. Bon Appetit Magazine named Portland the 2018 “Restaurant City of the Year.” And Conde Nast Traveler readers chose Portland as one of the best 15 small cities in the U.S for 2018.

** Late May through October we have a 2 night minimum, but we will consider inquiries for 1 night depending on the date.

This home was designed out of a love for nature, art, and relaxation. The soft rounded walls encasing the large modern windows give a sense of openness to the outdoors. Over two acres of land offer total peace and tranquility. You will be inspired, recharge, and cherish your time in this custom eco-friendly and art-filled home.

The private upstairs suite offers a spacious bedroom with comfortable queen bed; a grand bathroom with spa tub; and a large sitting room with flat screen TV, Apple TV, books, a mini fridge, coffee maker, electric tea pot, and high-end queen sofa bed. This suite has complete privacy from the rest of the home.

The queen sofa bed in the upstairs sitting area can sleep up to two more guests for an extra fee.

Guests enjoy a continental breakfast including juice, coffee/tea, yogurt, fruit, toast/muffins, granola, and cereal. Hot oatmeal and eggs are also an option upon request if guests choose to not sleep in. Breakfast can be served inside or outside on the breezeway or patio.

There is a lovely patio facing the gardens for guest use as well as another place for guests to relax and read in the well-shaded breezeway.

A well-equipped gym is available on the first floor for guest use. Also, ask me about booking a private yoga session on site with an experienced yoga instructor.

This is a healthy home ideal for allergy-sensitive guests – built with non-toxic materials throughout, a heat-air exchange, and radiant floor heat.

NEIGHBORHOOD

The house is in a peaceful and friendly residential neighborhood. Winnick Woods is across the street which is an extensive area for walking, biking, and snow shoeing. Hinckley Park is around the corner and offers more walking areas.

Scarborough Beach and Higgins Beach are a short 5-10 minute drive through gorgeous marsh habitat. In the other direction, Crescent Beach, Kettle Cove Beach, Fort Williams Park with the Portland Head Light, and Willard Beach are 5-7 minutes by car and 15-20 minutes by bicycle. And there is the scenic Bug Light Park with a Liberty Ship Memorial near Willard Beach that is perfect for kite flying and watching the boats in Casco Bay while having a picnic!

There are also a wide variety of great dining options very close by.

No more than 5 minutes away:
- Inn by the Sea offering upscale seaside dining
- Rudy’s with local pub fare and a huge selection of beers
- The Good Table Restaurant with longstanding home cooking
- Kettle Cove Creamery making homemade ice cream for 30 years

Down the road from Kettle Cove Creamery:
- The Lobster Shack with an array of seafood and with what some people say is the best lobster roll, eating oceanside on picnic tables above the crashing surf or inside watching the ships and local fishermen
- Fort Williams Park food trucks which have become very popular and might have the other best lobster roll. You can decide for yourself. And you can walk along the ocean cliffs, fly a kite, and more.

Minutes from the house:
- The Local Buzz neighborhood coffee shop and the new popular C-Salt Gourmet Market with prepared deli items, fresh baked goods, and unique Maine items
- The Well at Jordan’s Farm, from June - October, offering superb farm-to-table dinner

10 minutes away:
- The Black Point Inn, a quintessential Maine Inn with lunch or dinner overlooking Ferry Beach and the best sunsets in the area

In the other direction, only 5 minutes away:
- The unparalleled Scratch Bakery should not be missed and is so popular for its bagels that they are opening a bagel bar (toast your own bagel) in mid-June
- Cia Café and Verbena both offer coffee, baked goods, and lunch
- David’s 388 and Enio’s have creative and delicious dinners that equal restaurants in Portland
- Willard Scoops gourmet ice cream is to die for
- Elsmere BBQ has great food and a laid-back family atmosphere
- Otto’s Pizza is quickly becoming the most popular pizza in the Greater Portland area
- Terra Cotta Pasta Co has excellent gourmet Italian to-go
- Even more options such as Thai, Mexican taco shop, and restaurants for dinner overlooking Casco Bay toward Portland

You do not need to cross the bridge to Portland if you do not want to – the quality and range of dining even closer to the house is impressive!

When you do make the two minute drive across the bridge, Trip Advisor has now named Portland among its top ten destinations on the rise in the U.S. And Portland has made Fodor’s 2016 “Go List,” a compilation of 25 destinations worldwide recommended by Fodor’s Travel.

Portland is considered a “foodie haven” and there are over 500 restaurants in the Greater Portland area. In 2009, Portland was named the “Foodiest Small Town in America” by Bon Appetit magazine and was featured in the New York Times as a food destination. And in 2016, nine Maine restaurants, chefs, and brewmasters were among the semifinalists for James Beard Awards, considered the most prestigious in the American food world. The national awards pit Maine food professionals against contenders from around the U.S. – approx. twenty semifinalists are named in each category.

Over a dozen beer breweries have also put Portland on the map for beer lovers (search "Maine Beer Trail" to see a comprehensive list). And there is no lack of unique coffee shops, along with The Holy Donut which has been written up in Elle magazine, the Boston Globe, and listed as one of the 10 best donut shops in the U.S.

Worth noting that Portland has now replaced Boston as “America’s Coziest Cities”.

Come enjoy this home’s ideal location!

Property manager

Elena Brandt

Amenities

Gym

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Adults only

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

About the area

Cape Elizabeth

This bed & breakfast is located in Cape Elizabeth. Thompson's Point and Maine Military Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Old Orchard Beach Pier and Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Cross Insurance Arena or Merrill Auditorium.
Map
Cape Elizabeth, ME

What's nearby

  • State Theatre - 6 min drive
  • Cross Insurance Arena - 6 min drive
  • Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal - 6 min drive
  • Portland Head Light - 9 min drive
  • Thompson's Point - 9 min drive

Getting around

  • Portland Transportation Center - 12 min drive
  • Portland Intl. Jetport Airport (PWM) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's - 4 min drive
  • Dunkin' - 3 min drive
  • Starbucks - 3 min drive
  • Amato's Sandwich Shops - 4 min drive
  • Dairy Queen - 6 min drive

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 19 out of 19 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 19 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 19 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Leah M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Home Away from Home
We loved our stay in the Portland area at the home of Elena and Larry. This is a beautiful home - so quiet, comfortable - and all the details to make a wonderful stay are there! From arrival, to the wonderful breakfasts, to the great recommendations, our visit to the Portland area exceeded our expectations. Elena gave us great recommendations - from beaches to dinners, and helped us with all of the details. We were very lucky to experience this great level of hospitality. Thank you Elena and Larry!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mark H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The best hosts possible
Elena and Larry were perfectly gracious and lovely people who readily shared their love of Maine and the surrounding area. They blessed us in many ways and encouraged us to try some things that we might not have thought about on our own. Elena is a student of her guests and was able to point us to things that we especially found lovely. The property is immaculate and the gardens are totally inspiring. We loved our time there. I would highly recommend this place to stay for couples both older and newer. The room inside their home has a common entrance and easily navigable stairs. Elena thinks of everything to make your stay lovely and inviting. Her love for life and Larry's knowledge and care for Elena are beautiful. They make a fun couple to get to know. Breakfast with them was generous and a blessing. Cape Elizabeth is a great place to explore and very close to Portland. Its an easy drive to many other places of interest and rest too. Thank you, Larry and Elena. You made our stay a wonderful memory that we will have with us always. May the road rise to meet you and may God hold you in the palm of His hands.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Victoria P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home, helpful hosts, great location!
We had a wonderful experience staying in Cape Elizabeth Elena and Larry were amazing hosts- if you have never been to Portland and need recommendations on where to go and what to see they will provide you with everything you need (and also delicious homemade breakfast every morning) The house is super clean, beautiful, private upstairs area, shared entry The Location is quiet yet you are minutes away from downtown Portland and beaches Definitely recommend especially if it is your first time in Portland :)
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

julie j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A beautiful, peaceful getaway 10 min from Portland!
This is a spacious, clean and comfortable space with beautiful gardens and outdoor access. Elena and Larry are welcoming and very available. In addition to providing gourmet breakfast that includes fresh fruit, eggs, granola etc. they offer a wealth of information regarding the area based on your interest. My daughter and I were in the area for a college open house. We needed to be up and out both mornings on the early side. Elena and Larry were attentive to our schedule and our dietary restrictions. They are a warm, generous and considerate couple who truly seem to enjoy hosting. Their home is quite special and they have made the VRBO space equally special. I have stayed in several VRBO's on the East and West Coast. There is no question this is one of the most pleasant spaces I've stayed and the location is ideal. Portland and other surrounding points of interest a VERY accessible and close. I will definitely return for another stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lauren P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
W/e getaway for anniversary
Great experience staying at Elena & Larry’s beautiful home. They gave excellent guidance and tips for sight seeing, activities, and restaurants to try. Homemade breakfast was wonderful. We would love to stay with them again in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

About the host

Hosted by Elena Brandt

Host profile image
Elena and Larry truly enjoy hosting guests in their home and sharing their enthusiasm about Maine, their adopted state. When not enjoying their guests or exploring Maine, Elena (from New Jersey) and Larry (from Minnesota) enjoy traveling together in the US and abroad.

Larry is a retired physician who has visited more than 75 countries and provided international medical relief in Cambodia, Honduras, Haiti, and Puerto Rico. Elena is a philanthropy consultant who works with a variety of nonprofit organizations. She was on the Outward Bound staff and has hiked extensively in the US and abroad.

Elena can help you plan your Maine sailing, paddling, biking, hiking, and skiing adventure. Both Elena and Larry are art, music, theater, and food enthusiasts and seek out places that afford them an opportunity for cultural immersion.

We can give you as much help and advice as you wish, but you also will have as much privacy as you like.

What makes this property unique

This suite offers all the comforts of home in an artistic and tranquil setting -- and is ideally located to all the area's best beaches and only minutes to downtown Portland. Enjoying coffee and evening cocktails on the patio or in the breezeway, overlooking the gardens, is an extra bonus. Guests will feel they found a truly unique Maine experience at a home where the locals consider the best of the best.
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