Where Time Stands Still
Written by Anna Mangum
Photographs by Shawn O’Connor
Over eighty years ago, the Perkins family purchased a magical property on the waterfront in Ogunquit where they thought people would be able to enjoy the beach town. They created a resort with cottages meant for families to stay for weeks at a time. At the end of the previous season, they decided it was time to pass the torch to someone else. The property, called The Dunes on the Waterfront, caught developer Tim Harrington’s eye.
Tim, the owner of Atlantic Hospitality, has a penchant for purchasing historic properties and preserving their essence and charm, turning them into an elevated reimagining of what they used to be. “The design team did a phenomenal job preserving the feel of the property,” says Atlantic Hospitality’s corporate director of marketing Caroline DeBruyckere. “They kept all of the original cottages, maintaining the white exteriors, green shutters, and screen porches.”
Pulling up to The Dunes, right off Main Street, feels like arriving at an idyllic movie set with panoramic views of the beach dunes, colorful gardens, and the resort’s delightful cottages styled to the max. Seashell covered walkways wind through the grassy property, leading to the tidal river and boat dock or the Ogunquit Lobster Pound. There, guests can get a free blueberry cobbler if they show their room key. Ogunquit center is a quick stroll down the road, and the resort provides a golf cart, bikes, and a car service for easy transport. For those looking to travel via water, a Dunes yellow-striped cabana boat can bring visitors across the estuary to the beach or to cruise around the river.
Stepping inside the cottages themselves, the level of care taken to renovate these unique getaways is evident. “The core mission of this project was to take this coastal, heirloom property in Maine and preserve it for generations forward,” says Atlantic Hospitality’s creative director Krista Stokes, who, in collaboration with Mark Cotto, led the project’s design. With an in-house design team, Atlantic Hospitality was able to pour extra touches and special design elements into each cottage, making each stay one-of-a-kind. “We feel so lucky that we get to be a part of people’s most joyful memories when they stay at the resort,” says Caroline.
Guests can expect amenities like Cuddledown bedding, Le Labo bath products, fully stocked kitchenettes, gas fireplaces, and screen porches during their stay. Whether on the garden-view or waterfront side, there are no bad views found on the property. The kitchenette is stocked with complimentary beverages and snacks. An espresso machine makes coffee a touch away, stocked with espresso pods. In the morning, the team delivers breakfast to each cottage with a thermos of coffee, local pastries, a local newspaper, and The New York Times. When guests check in, they can expect their stay to feel tailor-made, with special attention to items like food allergies and preferences. For those eager to explore, a helpful arrival letter details activity suggestions and information about the tides.
Each cottage varies in size, from one bedroom up to three. They are designed to reflect the palette and beauty of Maine, with soothing hues reminiscent of the surrounding sky, sand, and sea. All the furniture and upholstery are custom-made. Art and antiques fill each room, including sea-foraged items found by local artists, adding to a subtle coastal theme. Natural textures intermix with the patterns and tones in each room to create a layered, visual experience.
With prime access to Ogunquit Beach’s white sand and mesmerizing waters, this getaway is a can’t-miss for those wanting a taste of Southern Maine. The resort is a wonderful launching point for a day of exploring Ogunquit’s celebrated shopping and restaurants. “We strive to give our guests a serene and beautiful space to make memories with their loved ones,” says Tim. “Our main goal is that all who stay with us at The Dunes feel like they’ve had an opportunity to disconnect and truly enjoy the luxury of time!”
Designed by the Sea
Written by Anna Mangum Photographs by Carley Rudd
While the name “Seahaus” may evoke images of classic Bauhaus style—primary colors, industrial materials, and flat roofs—this getaway only borrows inspiration from the Bauhaus movement, as well as Japandi style, a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics. Seahaus is Phin and Mindi Poston Gay’s retreat in Lincolnville, which they designed after vacationing in the region for years. “We would take our kids to visit for about 12 years,” says Phin. “We kept renting the same cottage. The kids thought it was our house!”
It was their cue to put down some roots in the area; they purchased a piece of land with coastal access and went to work. Mindi, the founder and principal of architecture and interior design studio MPG Home Design, had a strong vision of what she wanted their house to look like. “With the one-story living, you can walk out of any door and be right down on the beach,” says Phin, who works as a managing director at MPG Home Design. Thanks to the low profile, the house settles into the sloping property, interlocked in a magical duet of architecture and land.
“It’s not really Bauhaus style,” admits Mindi. “Those homes are often very white, two-story, and modern. This borrows elements of its industrial look.” Instead, Mindi reveals that the biggest inspiration for Seahaus’s design was a Japanese influence, not a German one. Wabi-sabi, the principle of natural decay and aging seen as authentic, led the design. “When people see a New England weathered barn, they feel a certain nostalgia,” says Mindi. “People love it without being conscious of it.” They found materials that would age gracefully, forgiving nature, time, and wear. The exterior features a Japanese charring technique on one side that protects the wood from insects and provides a natural contrast to the lighter wood.
When they finished building the home, the couple started renting it through a full-service vacation rental agency called “On the Water in Maine.” “We were delighted to offer people with different design sensibilities an alternative to the traditional Maine cottage,” says Phin. “Our guests often share that they were intrigued with the Scandi and Japanese techniques used in Seahaus.” In addition to being a vacation rental, they use the property as a showhouse for prospective clients. “We just love sharing this place with people,” says Mindi. “It doesn’t feel right to create something this special and keep it to yourself.”
Outside of the architectural aesthetics, Japanese hospitality also influenced the amenities they offered guests. “We stayed in some fabulous places in Japan and were blown away by our experience,” says Mindi. “No matter the price point, the minute you arrive at your lodging, you are given soaps, bathing accessories, skincare products, and treats.” In the kitchen, the couple enjoys sprinkling elements they’ve encountered in their travels, like seaweed, specialty sea salt, and green tea.
One of Mindi’s favorite elements is the expansive glass used throughout the home—particularly a four-foot-tall window in one of the bathrooms. “You can open that window and hear the waves,” says Mindi. “Enjoying the full moon, stars, and ocean sounds as you bathe is so lovely.” That, plus the effusive smell of Hinoki, one of the most well-known woods from Japan, gently entices your senses while the steam rises in the bathroom.
Phin and Mindi also emphasize the importance of the kitchen’s design. Reclaimed factory lights from the Czech Republic that were refurbished in Denmark hang over the countertops, shining light on the chef’s grade appliances. “We encourage people to come, buy all their groceries, and not leave the house,” says Phin. “The point of this rental is to slow down, exercise creativity, and enjoy time together.” The kitchen is complete with steel countertops and a large stove that any cooking enthusiast will enjoy.
Seahaus bursts with surprising moments that will stick with guests. Architecture and design books in the living room, an outdoor shower, and unparalleled beach access are just some of the gems that make this getaway a treasure.
Mill City Swagger
Written by Michael Colbert
Photographs by Shawn O’Connor
The Biddessance is real. For years, people have declared that Southern Maine’s City of Bells has entered a renaissance. At The Lincoln, the swanky 33-room hotel located inside the former Lincoln Mill, visitors can luxuriate in all the Biddessance has to offer.
“Biddeford was once a powerhouse of textile manufacturing, built by generations of hardworking immigrant laborers,” says Rebecca Johns, who has been with The Lincoln since before its doors opened in 2022. “When the mills went silent, time seemed to stand still. But in the last 20 years, the city has come roaring back to life. Every month there’s something new—creative energy, exciting openings, and a sense that Biddeford’s best days are still ahead!”
From her vantage at the hotel, Rebecca sees that most people who imagine visiting Maine think about summertime visits by the ocean, lakes, or in the woods.
“Biddeford is something else entirely,” she says. “It’s raw, creative, and full of energy! People are discovering its pull, and we’re thrilled to be part of it. It feels like we’re riding the crest of a wave. Watching this city evolve in real-time is nothing short of exhilarating.”
The Lincoln has certainly contributed to the city’s sea change. The design was a meticulous collaboration between Krista Stokes, Hurlbutt Designs, and Mark Cotto, all working to intertwine the mill’s storied past with the city’s contemporary swagger. “We wanted The Lincoln to feel like an experience—layered, intimate, and a little rebellious, like the city itself,” says Krista. Guest rooms feature designer fireplaces, warm Persian rugs with red and black patterns, exposed brick, and boucle chairs. From the rooftop pool, open from May to October, guests can spy the Saco River, the mills, and church bells that give the city its nickname. Paintings by Cubs the Poet, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Tom Ford coffee table books dress up the lobby. Morgan Gordon added some playful graffiti to found portraits and transformed The Lobby Bar from an old boys’ club into a cheeky hangout for anyone in the community. Patterned pillows abound, inviting you to sit down and soak it all in.
Rebecca came up in the world of luxury fashion. She worked in operations management at the 57th Street and SoHo Chanel Boutiques in New York. After the pandemic, she and her husband wanted to get out of the city. Rebecca, a Bay State native, grew up going to Goose Rocks Beach, and when the opportunity arose to relocate to Maine, they were quick to say yes. While she hadn’t worked in hospitality previously, she saw that serving high-end clients could teach her how to warmly welcome all of the hotel’s guests.
“When you work for a fashion house, especially for a luxury brand, it’s all about service,” says Rebecca. “What can we do to surprise and delight? What can we do to go to the nth degree for our guests or clients?”
For Rebecca, that answer is resoundingly clear—finding out how to give guests the best experience possible.
“People travel for the experience—they’re not just looking for a place to sleep,” she says. “Hospitality is about more than service; it’s about creating moments. That’s something I carried with me from luxury retail—the philosophy of always saying yes, both to our guests and to each other as a team.”
Rebecca invites guests inside with that same spirit of enthusiasm. Guests are offered complimentary glasses of prosecco at check-in and chocolates from Maine Needham Company, made in neighboring Saco, at checkout.
“At The Lincoln, every guest is treated like a VIP,” she adds. “It’s the little moments, like personalized touches, unexpected delights, and a genuine sense of welcome, that make a stay unforgettable. Whether it’s a milestone celebration or just because, we love finding ways to surprise and delight our guests, making each visit feel truly special.”
Under her direction and emphasis on warm hospitality, The Lincoln was one of eight hotels in the state to be awarded a Michelin Key in 2024, the agency’s first year of recognizing hotels. For Rebecca, that distinction is one she seeks to share—and celebrate—with the community. The hotel hosted a makers market with Maine artisans as well as a Christmas Disco over the holidays, events designed to bring together both guests and locals.
Rebecca draws inspiration from hotels in New York, Boston, and Europe, where people congregate in the grand lobby. The Lincoln’s ground floor is expansive and exudes the hotel’s signature bravado—playful patterns, jazz, the scent of Santal 33. Friends can meet at Spinning Jenny’s for a coffee or enjoy a cocktail at The Lobby Bar while listening to a live jazz trio or acoustic guitar.
“With open arms, we welcome this community,” says Rebecca. “We want people to step inside, connect, and experience what The Lincoln is all about. Once, this mill was the heartbeat of Biddeford—a place where people lived, worked, and built something bigger than themselves. Now, history is coming full circle. We’re here again, filling these walls with energy, conversation, and a renewed sense of belonging. This isn’t just a hotel. It’s a gathering place, a reflection of the city’s past and its bold, vibrant future.”
