The Colony Hotel (Kennebunkport, Maine; tel. 800/552-2363 or 207/967-3331): This rambling and gleaming white resort dates back to 1914 and has been upgraded over the years without losing any of its charm. You can play shuffleboard, putt on the green, or lounge in the ocean-view pool. More vigorous souls cross the street to brave the cold Atlantic waters.
Black Point Inn (Scarborough, Maine; tel. 800/258-0003 or 207/883-2500): This compound of shingled buildings near two beaches dates back to 1878 but has been impeccably maintained ever since. New owners have brought back the luster without obscuring the old-fashioned charm.
Quisisana (Center Lovell, Maine; tel. 207/925-3500, or 914/833-0293 in winter): It's a rustic Maine vacation with a musical twist. The waiters, chambermaids, and other staff are recruited from conservatories around the nation, and they perform everything from light opera to chamber music for guests at this pine-filled lakeside resort. Between performances, there's ample opportunity for canoeing and hiking.
