The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel

"Update: property contacted us and offered a paltry $50 refund. For a hole in our wall, a broken fridge, and the worst continental breakfast I've ever seen when paying $500/night. DO NOT STAY HERE. We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights during Prelude Dec 2023 and it is right in the middle of the town square and all the action, which is the only saving grace of the hotel and the only reason im goving it 2 stars insteadof 1. We stayed on the warf side, which probably doesn't get as much attention as the restaurant side. There was a literal hole in the wall under the heater, letting in a current of freezing air. When I told the front desk, all I was told was, "we'll let maintenance know," no apology or anything. Maintenance never fixed it. The fridge didn't work. Reported that and never heard back. The window didn't fully sit, so it let a lot of noise in. Minor detail, but the towels were as rough as sandpaper. The continental breakfast was bagels and yogurt. For as much as we paid, I expected basic things like no holes in the walls. If it wasn't for the location, and that we had prepaid, we would have switched hotels."

"We stayed in the suite, a two bedroom apartment separate to the hotel (above some cute little shops just across the way from the hotel). The apartment was run down and the fit out was quite old and dated. Was otherwise clean though. Communication about how to check in was non-existent. We arrived at 3pm and no one was at the desk. When we called the number, and were told someone would come and meet us, no one turned up. Information about how to access the building after hours was also non-existent. We had to walk to the sister hotel (which is very close) at 930pm to get access cards so that we could access the external door. Pretty disappointing, especially for the price."

"This was the biggest disappointment of our entire trip. This hotel is extremely over priced. At around $500 a night it was twice the price of other comparable places. This is not a resort. The resort fee is a gratuitous money grab. This is not a bed and breakfast so you can't compare breakfast here with other places but the continental breakfast here was inferior to regular chain hotels like a Residence Inn or a town suites. It does have a premium downtown location and evidently that is what you were paying for but it is in no way worth it. The musty old smell when we entered the foyer had my wife asking if we could just leave and not even stay in the room but we had already paid. The stained carpets didn't add to the ambience. If you are going to Kennebunkport find some place else."

"I was so excited for my stay at The Boathouse, and sadly I was met with the worst hotel stay I’ve ever had - especially at this price point. My husband and I were visiting Kennebunkport for a close friend’s wedding. When we checked in our room was clean however the TV never worked, the air conditioning would not stay on, and while there was an iron there was no ironing board in the room. I tried to address these issues by calling the front desk. I called 5x from the phone in the room only to get to a voicemail box that was full and would not accept new messages. I called from my cell phone to see if an outside line would reach a staff member at the desk, it did not. For a nearly $1200 2-night stay, I expect that you can reach the front desk when you call. Overall, I’m extremely disappointed and would not recommend this hotel based on the level of service we received. Such a bummer."

"Update: within 24 hrs of posting my original review the manager called to apologize, refund the rooms and send a gift card for a future visit… much appreciated. Dirty hotel! Avoid! This hotel is split into two buildings…one building is modern, while the other (wharf house annex rooms) were dirty and dingy! We stayed in the annex rooms and they ceilings were low and there was no overhead lights, only two lamps. The bathroom was so small you could hardly raise your arms to the side or move around. It’s was honestly pretty creepy. In addition to that there were stains in the carpet and other peoples hair in the shower. I felt so uncomfortable I wore my sandals because I didn’t want to walk on the carpet or be barefoot in the shower. I would not recommended these rooms… maybe the main building is nicer? On the positive it’s a great location, but the not the price for the quality and cleanliness."