When it comes to location, it’s hard to beat the Portsmouth Harbor Inn & Spa, with its sublime spot within walking distance of both downtown Kittery, Maine, and downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire; it’s also just a scone’s throw from the Piscataqua River, which divides the two coastal cities.
Built in 1879 as a private home, the inn has lived many lives, including a stint as World War II housing for naval shipyard workers. Current owner Lynn Bowditch purchased it as a B&B in 2004 with her late husband, Nathaniel, and turned it into the five-bedroom inn, redecorating the interior, adding a shade garden to the exterior, and converting the attached barn into a day spa.
The inn celebrates its surroundings by highlighting local delicacies at breakfast, with coffee, tea, artisan breads, and jams sourced from Maine and New Hampshire, as well as with seasonal, scratch-made dishes like Wild Maine Blueberry Pancakes. At teatime, the inn serves fresh-baked goods, including their dairy- and egg-free Banana-Oatmeal-Coconut-Chocolate Chunk cookies. Speaking of dairy-free, given appropriate advance notice, the inn will accommodate special requests, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets.
Portsmouth Harbor Inn & Spa
6 Water Street, Kittery, Maine
207-439-4040