It’s all about charm in the coastal town of Kennebunk, where a bridge walk away is the scenic port of Kennebunkport, and THE spot for a few days of fun and relaxation.

This southern Maine spot is a unique place with a quintessential New England ambiance and interesting architectural sites such as The Cake House and the Bush Compound, and then there’s the beautiful Goose Rocks Beach.

Walkable Dock Square takes center stage, but there are beach days, boutique shopping, exploring art galleries, and pub crawls as options for activities throughout summer and the shoulder seasons. Come winter, the area transforms into a winter wonderland that continues in its offering of picturesque streets and coastal views that lure visitors from all over to visit. From Boston, it’s an easy hour-plus drive.

There’s something new to explore with each visit, and for this journalist, summertime brought forth a mix of old and new at the historic Grand Hotel, a property included in The Kennebunkport Resort Collection and where Rosella is the new sushi restaurant in town.

Fun fact: there isn’t a dedicated sushi restaurant within 50 miles of Rosellas, but there are plenty of places to grab a lobster roll.

The vibe at Rosella is happening for sushi lovers and approachable for novices. Just add a glass of saké to your order and you’re primed for a well-rounded sushi experience. A seat at the bar is a great spot for watching the sushi rolling in-action -- and to spark a conversation with your barstool buddies. A recommendation from our server was spot-on to order the hand-rolled ahi tuna sushi. I would order double next visit. The bagel sushi was the most interesting taste, but there is much more to sample on a subsequent visit, so Rosella is added to the list as a spot worthy of a repeat visit, as is a lot within the Kennebunk and the port area.

As a returning visitor for years, this was my first time at the Grand Hotel, which sits perched on Chase Hill, steps away from the bridge on Dock Square. And in the lobby, Maine Art Hill Gallery features the artwork of Maine artists, all available for purchase. A new feature in this hotel begins in the elevator, which is accessed via an app on your phone; the same with guestroom doors, which makes fishing for a room card obsolete.

An area in the lobby where the art gallery is located serves as a breakfast nook with complimentary continental options for guests to grab a coffee and yogurt or muffins and take a seat at one of a few tables outside to enjoy breakfast al fresco. For art aficionados who want more art to peruse, a quick jaunt next door is where a larger dedicated gallery is located.

As is typical New England weather, the threat of thunderstorms only added to the excitement on the water. During this particular stay, morning was the only option for time to soak up some sun on Goose Rocks Beach before the storm approached. The drive to get to this beach from the Grand Hotel is approximately 10 minutes with traffic through Dock Square. Once the sky darkened, it was a signal that beach time was complete; the next few hours were spent across the street where Tides Beach Club serves the best ambiance and lobster roll, fries, and bottle of Chablis to add to the perfection of the day.

Post-lunch and mid-thunderstorm proved the perfect time for a nap, and inside the rooms at the Grand Hotel, a slider door serves as a window, which means it also serves as an air freshener to allow the invigorating scent of a thunderstorm.

After a long nap and the close of a rolling thunderstorm, the best plan is to embrace wine o’clock, which occurs from 3 to 4pm in the gallery lobby of the Grand Hotel. If you’d like to purchase a bottle to take home, there’s a wine shop across the street. Another option is to bar hop through dock square, ordering an appetizer and a drink at each stop. The Boathouse Bar, Alisson’s, and Batson River Brewing are just a few recommendations. Additionally, across from the hotel is an Irish pub with live music on the outdoor deck and an ice cream shack across the parking lot.

When you visit, keep this in mind: The hidden secret of the Grand Hotel is in its special, reduced staycation rates for guests who reside in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

KENNEBUNKPORT HOTEL WEEK IS COMING!

This November 10-19 marks the third annual Hotel Week, when daily resort fees are waived and you can save up to half off your room rate when you visit during these dates.

Available at five Kennebunkport Resort Collection Hotels:

• Kennebunkport Inn, rates starting at $99 per night

• The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel, rates start at $99 per night

• Grand Hotel, rates starting at $109 per night

• Yachtsman Hotel + Marina Club, rates starting at $129 per night

• Cape Arundel Inn & Resort, rates starting at $149 per night

NOTE: Starting rate is applicable to standard rooms, midweek; rate is higher for deluxe rooms & suites and on the weekends. Waived resort fees apply only to HOTEL rate. If for any reason, you must cancel your reservation, we will gladly refund your deposit, less a $50 administrative fee, if provided more than 7 days’ notice (21 days' notice required for Cape Arundel Inn & Resort reservations). If cancelled after 3pm EST, 7 days prior to arrival (21 days prior to arrival at Cape Arundel Inn & Resort), your 50% deposit is non-refundable, and the deposit will be forfeited.

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Charlene Peters is a travel writer and author of Travel Makes Me Hungry.