March 10, 2012
Collection of Atlantic Shore Boutique Hotels Harbors 21st Century Chic
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Kennebunkport, Maine - Ocean breezes and stylish renovations are refreshing a new hotel company which has emerged on New England's Atlantic shore. Lark Hotels brings colorfully unconventional d�cor and relaxed hospitality to four historic accommodations in three coveted seaside destinations: Kennebunkport, ME, Nantucket, MA and Newport, RI.
This collection of boutique hotels embraces four centuries, 1684, 1717, 1813 and 1910, with 21st century modernity in iconic locations in what Rob Blood, founder and CEO of Lark Hotels, calls "playful, unexpected ways. Think sense of place with imagination and a dose of mischief."
Blood founded Lark to bring a new type of hotel experience to these historic New England villages where guests will find design driven luxury, premier services and a dose of mischief. All Lark Hotels are located in the heart of these destination towns where guests have walking access to top restaurants, shops and attractions.
Open from May to Oct. on Nantucket are the 1684 Veranda House with 18 guestrooms and suites and the 1717 Chapman House, grand opening June 1 and offering 11 guestrooms; open year-round beginning June 1 is the 1910 The Attwater in Newport with 12 guestrooms and suites; and already open year-round is Kennebunkport�s 1813 Captain Fairfield Inn offering nine guestrooms and suites. Depending on location and season, nightly rates are from $129.
Rachel Reider Interiors of Boston has developed a creatively chic spin on the hotel collection with imaginative nods to place and history. (Reider is the 2011 Winner of New England Home Magazine's 5 Under 40 Award for interior design). For example, at The Attwater along with a palette of classic sailing blues and turquoise, the firm has spiced the design with the crisp pop of orange, apple green and black.
There are nautical touches in silver accents on nail heads and grommets and lacquered surfaces. A full-scale renovation is being lavished on guest rooms, lounge, dining room, sitting areas and the outside deck. The Attwater will also feature a coffee bar where guests can enjoy a selection of rich-roasted grinds and homemade pastries and treats.
Without rocking the traditional Nantucket experience, Reider took The Veranda House and Chapman House in hand to create a retro-chic feel that embraces a 'hip 50s' beach aesthetic departing from a host of traditional country beach cottage accommodations on the island.
Trade mark Veranda House features such as the dark grey molding and black, white and red color palette also are incorporated into the new design at Chapman House, which offers edgy hues of bright teal and silver compared to the rich aubergine accenting its sister.
Guests of both properties will enjoy an outdoor garden with conversation areas where evening champagne is served. Fun design fact: The Veranda sign hanging in the lounge of The Veranda House dates back to 1882 and serves as the anchor for the entire space.
At the Captain Fairfield Inn it was paramount for the design team to combine Kennebunkport's classic captain's home feel with unexpected touches that include vibrant hues of deep blue, magenta, burnt orange and purple, which team with zebra prints and metal and glass furnishings.
New this year is the hotel�s Tasting Room, which will introduce guests to nightly cocktails and treats, including local Maine beers and cheeses from nearby farms and an array of homemade tasty bites.
Lark Hotels will provide their guests with the "On a Lark Club" program where each stay points are accrued and can be redeemed in the future at each property for exclusive benefits, packages and experiences.
Lark hotels embrace the locations they are in - but in playful, unexpected ways. Think "sense of place" with imagination and a touch of mischief. Guests experience modern luxury in the heart of iconic destinations and feel the pull of a nostalgic getaway while surrounded by today's amenities. Guests will find attentive service when they want it and privacy when they don't.
For additional information on Lark Hotels and The Captain Fairfield Inn, The Veranda House, Chapman House and The Attwater, or for information on packages and the "On a Lark Club" please visit: www.larkhotels.com
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
