After about a thirty minute ferry ride from downtown Portland, Maine, with the sunshine on your back, the coastal Maine breeze on your face, Casco Bay’s sparkling waters, and the smell of salt in the air, you will arrive at Great Diamond Island. Still considered Portland, Maine, yet seemingly a world away. Aside from seeing the amount of locals you could count on two hands, it feels like your own private island. After getting off the boat with your things in tow, a six-person golf cart and a bellman await your arrival to drive you to the Inn at Diamond Cove. As you sail up and down the roads on your way to the inn, you can’t help but think that adventure awaits (and like you’re in a real life game of Mario Kart)! Keep reading to find out why the Inn and Diamond Cove is a must-stay for a summer getaway on the Maine coast!
A WEEKEND AT THE INN AT DIAMOND COVE; GREAT DIAMOND ISLAND, PORTLAND, MAINE
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About Great Diamond Island:
Great Diamond Island is located just two nautical miles from Portland, Maine. It boasts amazing views and is the ultimate New England getaway for true relaxation and the feeling of “getting away from it all.” While people do live on the island all year round, access is extremely limited, and as you can probably guess, the island is home to more people in the summertime. What many don’t know is Great Diamond Island’s interesting history.
Great Diamond Island is home to Fort McKinley and was part of the national coastal defense system. The fort was manned during the Spanish-American War (1898), World War I (1917-1918), and World War II (1941-1945), however, was not named Fort McKinley until 1902. In 1947, the fort was abandoned by the United States Army, and was then passed on to the U.S. Navy in 1954. In 1961, the Navy sold the property to private owners. In 1984, the property was purchased yet again and restored, while many of the buildings were converted to private residences. Today, Fort McKinley and Diamond Cove are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the island is mostly private property, and unless you’re dining at the island’s restaurant, are a guest of the resort, or a resident of the island (or a guest of a resident), you are essentially prohibited from visiting the island. Truth be told, the island is too amazing and far too beautiful to never visit, so do yourself a favor and book a summer stay at the Inn at Diamond Cove.
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The Inn at Diamond Cove
The island’s only hotel (and a quite amazing one, might I add), is the Inn at Diamond Cove. The hotel has just 44 deluxe guest rooms and suites complete with balconies. I love the “small feel”, as it makes you feel special, remembered, important, and well taken care of. The hotel is a short 5-10 minute walk from Diamond Cove and the ferry landing, however, the staff goes above and beyond by picking you up in a 6-seater golf cart. It was hard to not feel like a kid again as I felt the wind in my hair and the bellman shared some of the amazing history of the island with us. Fun fact: Cars are prohibited from being used on the island! Golf carts are widely used by everyone that lives on Great Diamond Island.
Upon arriving at the hotel, I immediately noticed the nautical inspired decor. Everything from the coffee table books in the lobby to the art that hangs from the walls was chosen carefully and intentionally. The lobby has comfortable couches, card games and board games that can be played, and a bar for the perfect night cap.
Now, let me take you to the suite. Ahh, the beautiful, cozy suite. Cozy is in fact an understatement. From the minute I walked into the room it felt like home… but better! I’m pretty sure our suite was bigger than our entire apartment in Boston, no joke! A huge plus – the room was updated and modern. The suites have beautiful full kitchens with an island, attractive white cabinets, and was complete with a dishwasher, a stove, and a mini fridge. Although there were only two of us for the weekend, I so desperately wished that I had more people with me to entertain in this beautiful space. In addition to the huge living area and kitchen, is the balcony. The balcony has comfortable couches and a coffee table. We greatly enjoyed having an outdoor space as part of out room and sitting in the sun while enjoying a couple drinks and looking out onto the lawn.
One of my favorite parts of the room was the fireplace in the living area. Although it’s finally starting to warm up in New England, the weekend we were there was pretty chilly. New England weather – unpredictable! We loved curling up next to the fireplace with a bottle of wine and a bowl of popcorn for ultimate relaxation. I’m also fully convinced I need to have a fireplace in my home one day. Anyone else?!
The bathroom was something out of a dream and was incredibly gorgeous. The counter top was granite and the perfect shade of gray that I want in my own home one day. The shower was a European rain shower; otherwise known as the best kind of shower you can ever shower in!
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The Inn at Diamond Cove Grounds:
The Inn at Diamond Cove has beautiful grounds which include an outdoor heated pool complete with a hot tub. Another favorite? The fire pit located just outside the pool area. There’s plenty of chairs for the entire family to enjoy it.
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The Moon Garden
One of my favorite parts of spending the weekend on Great Diamond Island was exploring the beaches and hunting for sea glass while exploring around the island. The Moon Garden was one of our favorite spots on the island. Tucked between residential homes but visible from Diamond Cove, there are four or five white chairs that are in the perfect location for relaxing and watching boats sail by. We brought a bottle of wine and enjoyed hanging out for a bit.
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Hunting for sea glass at one of the many private beaches
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Where to Eat:
On Great Diamond Island, there’s a couple different options for dining. The Inn at Diamond Cove serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the hotel lobby. We were so hungry the night we arrived. We were happy to see they were still serving dinner at close to 9 P.M. We sat at the bar and each got the crab cakes (highly recommend) and a Moscow mule. We also had a delicious breakfast the next morning. I got one of the best waffles I’ve ever had in my entire life! If dining in the hotel lobby isn’t exactly your thing, the hotel has tables outside on a patio which is where we opted to sit for breakfast. We were the only ones sitting out there for breakfast so it felt like our own private dining area! If it’s on the chilly side, the hotel has clear siding that can come down so that you can still enjoy eating outdoors (a nice touch).
We also had an amazing dinner at the Diamond’s Edge Restaurant that is located just steps from where you get off the ferry. We shared a bottle of wine (the same kind we had gotten on a trip to NYC last year so we knew we had to get it). Does anyone else do that? I love the special memories that certain foods and wines can bring back! We each started with a cup of the seafood chowder; delicious and so fresh, might I add. Then, for my entree, I got the bouillabaisse with lobster and Geoff got the cod. For dessert, I took a slice of blueberry pie to go.
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Bouillabaisse & seafood chowder at the Diamond’s Edge Restaurant
The menu at the Diamond’s Edge Restaurant
The most delicious waffle ever for breakfast at the hotel!
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Tips for Visiting:
Make a dinner reservation at the Diamond’s Edge Restaurant in advance (I’m told it can book up fast and it’s the only restaurant on the island other than eating in the hotel).
Make sure to check the ferry schedule and double check that you’re looking at the right departure location, the correct time of year, and the correct day of the week. If you miss the boat, there often isn’t another one for a few hours.
If you’re that person that always needs good coffee like me, the hotel lobby bar has Starbucks coffee! Definitely a plus in my book.
Make sure you get off the ferry at Diamond Cove, not Diamond Island.
There isn’t strong cell phone service on the island, however, the hotel has complimentary wifi and it was a strong wifi connection. I used the wifi on my iPhone and laptop over the weekend and had zero issues!
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Have a special occasion coming up or just in desperate need of escaping the city? I highly recommend visiting Great Diamond Island and booking a weekend at the Inn at Diamond Cove.
Note: I was a welcomed hotel guest of the Inn at Diamond Cove. However, all opinions are my own.
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I had the privilege of staying there last summer – loved it and wish I could have stayed longer to explore.
Isn’t it amazing?! It’s hard to believe that it’s not more well known. Absolutely gorgeous and relaxing location.
Okay, I need to check this place out! It looks like a little slice of heaven. Glad you were able to explore– the photos are beautiful!
Xoxo
D
Aw thanks Danielle!! You would absolutely love it đŸ™‚ xoxo