Two goats eating knotweed at Inn by the Sea

People, Planet, Profit at Inn by the Sea

4/22/2023

Luxury comes naturally at Inn by the Sea with a unique approach to hospitality inspired by our natural coastal surroundings. The Inn is committed to both outstanding hospitality and environmental responsibility, blending luxury, service and exceptional guest stays with sustainability and community support, minimizing impacts of operations with eco friendly initiatives and an appreciation of all things local. Programs at Inn by the Sea connect the guest to both community, the coastal environment and sustainability.

Indigenous Landscape:

Pampering for hi flyers: The Inn’s landscape is designed to be attractive to butterflies and guests, using local plants to create ever blooming gardens as well as creating habitat for local wildlife. Beautiful, indigenous nectar gardens and milkweed are specifically planted for endangered butterflies. Guests are invited to classes on “How to Plant for Wildlife”, creating landscapes that also create habitat and food sources for wildlife. Children enjoy “Bug’s Life Garden Tours” where they dress like bugs and learn about local eco systems from a bug’s view point. Working with Monarch Watch, the Inn is registered as a way station providing food and shelter for Monarchs as they migrate. Guests are invited on beach ecology walks led by a naturalist, where they learn the importance of sand dunes for erosion and nesting wildlife and some of the impacts of climate change on the Gulf of Maine. Families enjoy exploring tide pools with a naturalist on Family Beach Walks, taking a beach ecology walk, or enjoying a guided tour around Great Pond, a 125 acre fresh water pond to appreciate local watchable wildlife.

Captivating Cuisine: Local produce & sustainable seafood

Don’t expect Chilean Sea Bass when you visit Sea Glass Restaurant. Alongside local produce from nearby farms the evening menus feature local and responsibly harvested seafood fresh from Maine’s coastal waters. Chef David Brown has forged close relationships with local farmers & is proud to offer regional produce, cheeses, vegan and vegetarian dishes, fresh from local farms. Whether sustainably harvested from the sea, farmed or foraged, the Chef's menus are handcrafted for all palettes and centered around New England fare, often created with a twist on tradition and influenced by global flavors. This summer the Chef will introduce a relaxed al fresco experience at CBK, (Crescent beach Kitchen) with a coastal vibe, featuring lobster rolls, salads and casual regional fare.

Green by Design:

The Inn's electricity is 100% sourced from a Maine solar farm, Solar panels to heat the pool, recycled sheet rock walls, recycled cork floors, air to air heat exchangers, dual flush toilets, preferred hybrid parking, 7 electric car docks, sheet and towel reuse programs, amenities in pumps, water in reusable glass bottles, LED lighting & composting waste from food & grounds are just a few of the green design features which helped Inn by the Sea’s addition achieve LEED® Silver, Preferred Hotels GIFFTS award, and Maine DEP Environmental Leader Green Lodging certifications. Inn by the Sea is now a member of Beyond Green, a curated group of 33 hotels in 18 countries that align with the United nations pillars of Sustainable Tourism.

Habitat Restoration:

Inn by the Sea, Department of Conservation and Bureau of Parks and Land have been collaborating to restore habitat for endangered New England Cottontail Rabbits at Crescent Beach State Park. In an effort to stop New England cottontails from vanishing, the Inn assumed responsibility for continually removing acres of invasive, non indigenous plants such as bamboo, from state property, and re planting with indigenous shrubs to create safe habitat, a ‘Rabitat’, for New England cottontails. The rabbits were named as candidates for the US Endangered Species Act in 2006. In 2021 Inn by the Sea again worked with the State Parks Department on an experimental green program to rid Crescent beach State park of Japanese knotweed. The Inn invited a herd of goats from Kennebunk to chomp through a designated plot of Park land. Much to the entertainment of guests and community the Scapegoats(R) ate through the invasives and will return for 7 summers to again take down the knotweed.

Support for Local Schools:

The Inn's Books for a Booking supports local schools with books purchased by school librarians. For every December booking the Inn purchases books from the librarians' wish lists. Students also create ornaments for the Inn's Giving Tree, a community program with Project G.R.A.C.E to supply food banks & shelters with new, warm clothing over the winter. On Earth Day the students return to learn about eco systems and local environments and to help clean the beach.

Foster Dogs:

Inn by the Sea fosters shelter dogs. Collaborating with the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland the Inn welcomes rescue dogs to the resort where they walk, house, feed and love the dogs until they are adopted by guests, both near and far. This is the 6th year the Inn has collaborated with the Refuge League and to date 170 dogs have been adopted through this program, saving lives.

Habitat for Humanity:

Hospitality for Habitat is an annual fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity projects in Maine. Inn by the Sea has participated every year since the program's inception 16 years ago. The Inn offers guests 50% off the room rate for stays Sunday through Thursday in the winter and early spring in exchange for a donation check of $35 made out to Habitat for Humanity. (For duration of stay) In 2023, in collaboration with their guests, Inn by the Sea raised $12,600. for local Habitat for Humanity projects.

About Inn by the Sea:

An idyllic oceanfront escape, located on a mile of unspoiled sand beach, just 7 miles from Portland, Inn by the Sea is Maine's premier beach destination offering elegant hospitality in 62 upscale rooms and suites, with full- service SPA, cardio room, heated pool and captivating cuisine served in ocean view Sea Glass restaurant. Children and dogs are warmly welcomed to this Preferred LVX® and Beyond Green member and Virtuoso® property.

People, Planet, Profit at Inn by the Sea

4/22/2023

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