Maine and Massachusetts self drive vacation

Planet

As one of the most naturally beautiful parts of the states, the people of Maine and Massachusetts are in favour of sustaining their forests, oceans and communities and where possible, we try and work with providers who have policies which reflect this. For example, your hotel in Boston has converted to energy efficient LED lighting and works with a charity who provide solutions to improve safe water and sanitation by selling Earthview water bottles.

We also encourage you to visit the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, an organization which has conserved over 2300 acres of land to protect it from development. Since 1973 they have also created over 19 miles of trails and maintained harbour islands for public use, restored historic lighthouses and built a headquarters for community gatherings. Visitors can head to many of the sites that have been protected from development by the KCT, including Goose Rocks Beach and Timber Point. The Smith Preserve is also worth a visit and spans 1100 acres with 10 miles of recreational trails and babbling brooks. It is also home to white-tailed deer, bobcats coyotes, hares and owls.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is also worth a visit and is within a short driving distance of Kennebunkport the refuge was established in 1966 in cooperation with the State of Maine to protect valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds.

Your hotel in Kennebunkport partners with Clean the World and recycle hundreds of pounds worth of waste and plastic bottles each year. All of the gardens and resort grounds are 100% organic and use herbs and edible flowers grown on site in the food and beverage offerings. You can also receive a $10 credit if you decline housekeeping services as part of their water waste initiative with Clean the World.

Boston is a very walkable city and can be explored either on foot, bicycle or using the public transport system, locally known as the ‘T’. All three ways are environmentally friendly ways to get around, reducing the carbon footprint you leave behind in Boston. The hotel you will be staying at in Boston has complimentary bicycle rental which also encourages guests to get around without using vehicles.

Mount Desert Island has also developed the Island Explorer who have a fleet of mini-vans to transport people to and from Bar Harbor to Acadia, therefore reducing car traffic on the island and also emissions within the park itself.

People

We like to try and include hotels that have sustainable initiatives and work with the local community. Your hotel in Boston, has a history of working with United Way and Cradles to Crayons, two non-profit organisations who help fight for educational rights across the globe. In 2017, The Boxer was involved in a campaign called ‘Oh the places you’ll go with literacy’ and held book collection points in the hotel lobby for under-privileged readers under 12 years old. Guests are also asked upon checkout if they would like to add donations to the charities.

In Kennebunkport, the hotel you will be staying in has supported the Growing Up Green Project. A number of rooms have been decorated by a group of 8th grade students from the Middle School of the Kennebunks’ Talented Artists Program. The project partnership began in 2005, when the General Manager’s daughter was a student at school. When her class looked for a project within the community, the hotel offered the class the opportunity to decorate a real hotel room. The class was given a $5,000 budget from the hotel and were encouraged to use environmentally friendly techniques as much as possible. Students have learned not only artistic and decorating techniques, but they also have learned the art of compromise and budget managing.

Situated so close to Acadia National Park, your hotel in Bar Harbor is a long-standing member of Friends of Acadia. This organisation enables essential conservation projects in Acadia National Park and the surrounding communities and towns. Friends of Acadia supports numerous programs and events that introduce children to the wonders of Acadia and it’s nature with the hope to develop their connection to the park, and give them the inspiration to continue the hard work of the organisation for years to come. It is evident that high visitation to the park has an impact on it’s wildness and overall landscapes, so the organisation helps support groups like the Acadia Youth Conservation Corps. The groups they do support at multi-faceted and target all members of the community to ensure the park’s natural resources are protected for today’s visitors and the many millions who will visit in the years to come.