We’ve been covering the events and special offers from the Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE) in this blog series over the last few weeks. We started with a review of wonderful events at Massachusetts inns in Part I, looking at events for guests of the Captain’s House Inn, Harbor Light Inn and Deerfield Inn. Next we moved on to ideas for your holiday getaways from our New Hampshire Inns, from Chesterfield Inn and the Manor on Golden Pond (their gift certificate offer is still going on) in our Part II blog. Last week we introduced events that make for the perfect holiday getaway from the Vermont inns, including the Grafton Inn and Rabbit Hill Inn. This week, we’ll finish the blog series with ideas for your December getaways from the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic, Connecticut and the Inn at English Meadows in Kennebunkport, Maine. It’s clear to see that a holiday escape to any of the nine DINE inns will add festivity to your holiday season, filled with wonderful shopping opportunities, holiday events and then the chance to relax and recharge by a flickering fire. What a perfect way to enjoy the holidaze and reconnect with what really makes them special.
At the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic, CT
Here’s a perfect option for those seeking a seaside getaway. Coordinate your getaway with the Jingle Bell Run/Walk and Holiday Light Parade on December 10, 2022 and you’re in for some fun. Instead of a brisk morning walk on Niantic’s Boardwalk right by the inn, you may want to get in on the Niantic Jingle Bell 5K Walk/Run in the morning. It starts at the scenic McCook Point Beach and Park on Saturday, December 10th and goes from there. Don’t forget to bring your “Holiday Best” as you may win a prize for the Best Festive Costume! Teams also welcome, so grab your travel mate and head to the beach. For registration and additional information, visit: Niantic Jingle Bell 5k
Head back to the inn for a day of relaxation or some shopping at Niantic’s eclectic shops. Later on you’ll definitely want to take in the 34th Annual Niantic Light Parade. Trucks, floats and cars lit with thousands of holiday lights will take to the streets in this festive event. It’s sure to light the holiday spirit, followed by dinner at any of Niantic or Mystic Country’s restaurants.
If you really want to make a weekend of it, start on December 9th with the Old Mistick Village’s Festival of Lights, when you can stroll through walkways brilliantly lit by thousands of luminaries. With live entertainment and complimentary treats in the Meeting House, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
These events pair well with the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina’s Relax and Recharge Package for the perfect holiday romantic getaway. The package includes:
- 2 cotton robes
- 2 pairs of white cotton slippers
- 2 monogramed harbor hill coffee mugs
- Late checkout (1pm)
Simply add on $225 to your room cost for this package, and then wrap the inclusions for holiday gift giving or enjoy them from the moment you enter the room.
At Inn at English Meadows in Kennebunkport, ME
HGTV has named Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude lineup of events among the top three in the country, and Kennebunkport is the #2 Christmas town in the USA according to HGTV viewers. Here, the holidays are ushered in with an eleven-day schedule of events that this town takes very seriously from December 1-11, 2022. This year marks the 41st Christmas Prelude festival and if you haven’t experienced it before, you’ll want to be sure to plan your holiday getaway to the Inn at English Meadows to coincide with some of the fun. During Christmas Prelude, you can watch Santa Claus arrive by lobster boat, take in the zany hat parade (bring your hat and participate!), shop until you drop, and take in the spectacular Christmas Tree filled with lobster buoys at Dock Square. The town is picture-perfect, especially with holiday lights and a dusting of snow, ideal for photo-ops, while seashore holiday trolley rides, wine tasting and lobster bakes are hosted too. For a complete schedule of events, click here.
The Inn at English Meadows is an easy stroll from all of the events during Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude. Decorated with beautiful lights and contemporary furnishings, your getaway here starts with a beautiful breakfast artistically presented by innkeeper Elizabeth and her staff. When you book your Christmas Prelude midweek stay of two or more nights, you’ll save 25-30% compared to weekend rates. Stay three or more nights and save an extra 10%. The discount applies to stays from Sunday, December 4th through Thursday, December 8th, 2022. You won’t want to miss this magical time in Kennebunkport! Book online or call to make your reservation. Click here to learn more about the Inn at English Meadow’s Christmas Prelude Midweek Special. The holidays are a special time to visit this beautiful inn, awash in holiday lights and cheer.
We’ve completed our tour of the events and special packages offered by the nine DINE inns. Make sure to plan your next romantic getaway to coincide with the beautiful New England holiday events in DINE country. Be sure to book your stay directly with the inn.
In New Hampshire: Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness & Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield
In Connecticut: Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic
In Massachusetts: Harbor Light Inn in Marblehead, Deerfield Inn in Historic Deerfield and Captain’s House Inn in Chatham on Cape Cod
In Maine: Inn at English Meadows in Kennebunkport.
In Vermont: Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford & Grafton Inn in Grafton