Hidden Pond Resort in Maine Introduces Dog-Friendly Cottages Fit for Canine Royalty

When it comes to dog-friendly travel destinations, Maine has to be one of the states at the top of the list. From Kittery to Kennebunkport to Boothbay Harbor and beyond, Vacationland is a true playground for pampered pooches! And if Kennebunkport happens to be on your bucket list of places to visit with your four-legged friend, go ahead and add Hidden Pond Resort to your list of the best pet-friendly accommodations.

Tucked into a quiet corner of the picturesque coastal Maine town, Hidden Pond is a quintessential New England gem. As a bonus, at the end of September, they introduced dog-friendly cottages on their property to make pups feel cozy and comfortable while tagging along on their humans' adventures.

Earlier this week, my 7.5-pound Shih-Tzu, Tito, and I had the pleasure of road tripping up to Kennebunkport to check out one of these lovely pup-centric cottages first hand, and let me tell you, we were totally blown away by how beautiful, comfortable, and exquisite they are!

But before we get into the specifics of the cottages, let me start by telling you that Hidden Pond, as a whole, is a magical little oasis that truly feels "hidden" from the rest of the world! The resort is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Kennebunkport. If you're familiar with the area, it's close to Goose Rocks Beach. It's just far enough off the beaten path to feel like you're a world away from the hustle and bustle of Dock Square, but it's close enough to easily pop into town for some shopping or a bite to eat! If you ask me, that's pretty much the perfect balance.

From the moment we drove onto the property, we were greeted with a classic New England fall vibe, complete with an antique car and pumpkins where guests can pose for pictures. (Holiday card, anyone?)

As we made our way farther down the road leading to the reception lodge, picturesque cottages dotting the property came into view, which only made me more excited to see the one we'd be staying in. We parked near the lodge to retrieve our keys, and it was immediately clear that this isn't your average dog-friendly hotel check-in! We were greeted with the warmest welcome from the team -- complete with a complimentary glass of Prosecco!

(Note: I didn't realize upon check-in that pups aren't normally allowed in the interior common areas of the resort. Tito was given a warm welcome and the staff couldn't have been sweeter, but we would've kept him outside if we'd known! Oops.)

After enjoying sips of bubbly by the fireplace, we took a short drive just across the way and checked into Firefly cottage, which immediately took our breath away.

Firefly is one of the four designated dog-friendly accommodations at Hidden Pond. All of them are single-story cottages, so there are no stairs for pups to worry about!

With two bedrooms and two bathrooms, Firefly is spacious and so well-appointed, yet it has what I would describe as a "rustic chic" vibe. It's elegant but not fussy. Upscale yet laid back. Luxurious and relaxing at the same time. It's just... perfect.

In addition to the comfortable living room with a fluffy couch and two chairs, there's a front porch and side screened porch to relax on.

There's also a full kitchen, so if you aren't up for visiting one of the restaurants in town, you can cook your own dinner, enjoy takeout, or treat yourself to room service. (There's even a mini-bar of sorts to indulge in if the mood strikes you!)

The inviting gas fireplace only adds to the cozy ambiance. It's safe to say Tito was into it.

And just across the way from the cottage was a nice, grassy area to walk Tito, which came complete with a little station to, ahem, clean up after your pup. It's so convenient!

Want the full tour of Firefly cottage? Follow along with Tito in the video below as he shows everyone the lay of the land!

Isn't it just lovely? I'll admit, handing the keys back over the next morning wasn't an easy feat!

As I mentioned in the clip above, a bonus to staying in one of Hidden Pond's dog-friendly cottages is that a percentage of every stay is donated to the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk, which is a non-profit animal welfare organization. This resort clearly takes dog-friendly to new levels.

It's important to note that unless they're crated, dogs are not to be left alone in the cottages when you venture off property. We brought Tito's crate with us, so he had a nice, cozy spot to nap while we picked up our dinner of lobster fried rice, grilled shrimp tacos, and monkfish stew at The Boathouse .

If you're lucky enough to stay for a few days or longer, be sure to make reservations at the resort's highly-acclaimed restaurant, Earth , and visit their signature Tree Spa for the full Hidden Pond experience. Oh, and don't forget to grab your pup and head over to the lodge each evening for s'mores by the fire for a little bit of a "glamping" feel!

If you're planning a trip to Kennebunkport or are just looking for a dog-friendly spot in Maine in general, I cannot recommend Hidden Pond highly enough. From the moment you arrive until you sadly have to depart, I can guarantee you and your beloved four-legged family member will feel right at home!

*Disclosure: As Deputy Editor for ParadePets, I was provided with a complimentary one-night stay at Hidden Pond for experience and review purposes. All opinions expressed in this post are my own and were not influenced by the resort in any way.

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