The Waldo Emerson Inn

My fiance and I stayed with John, Kathy, and their very sweet pup Waldo this past weekend, and it was wonderful! The room was immaculate, with a wonderful working fireplace (a nice touch during a Maine winter!), comfortable bed, wonderfully maintained. In the morning, John puts out a homemade, fresh, filling, and downright delicious breakfast! Fresh fruit and house made granola are always on the table. Our first morning we had big waffles with berries on top, and the following morning we had eggs bennedict with home fries. The best thing about the stay for us, though, was the overwhelmingly welcoming feeling. It felt much more like visiting old family friends than staying in a regular inn or hotel. John and Kathy are both quite warm, happy to talk and tell stories, and full of great information!! We will absolutely be back! In the meantime, give Waldo a bit of sausage for us, he love it! :-)

My finacee and I stayed two nights, Feb 17-18, and thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. John and Kathy were extremely attentive, helping us find places to eat, places to visit. Our room was simply beautiful, comfortable, and clean, and the breakfasts were outstanding! We truly intend to stay there again, and recommend the Waldo Emerson Inn without hesitation.

My husband and I stayed there one night. John and Kathy made us feel SO right at home, from the very start. VERY, very, VERY nice people (did I say how NICE they are?) :)...the hospitality was some of the BEST we've ever experienced!! The room we stayed in, and bathroom, were each quite smallish, (if that's something that would matter to you)...yet at the same time it was very cozy, clean, and still quite lovely. The metal headboard of the bed, when sitting up against it, does wobble back, but I just took it as part of the old-time quaintness of the place (befitting the historical nature of the home). It also sits fairly close off the road, where traffic can be heard, if that might matter to someone. However, it wasn't overwhelming in any sense of the word...just could be heard to some degree...yet certainly nothing obnoxious at all, or that would keep one awake, or awaken one, unless they were the very lightest of sleepers. Overall, the pluses of the inn more than make it a recommended place to stay!! Beautiful, SWEET inn with lots of history... I would recommend this B&B to anyone. The breakfast was outstanding...they really outdo themselves with all that they serve!! Overall, we give this inn an A+ rating...definitely a place where we would wish to stay at again!! THANK you, John & Kathy, for a WONDERFUL time at your BEAUTIFUL inn!!

We enjoyed the hospitality, location and wonderful breakfasts

This B&B is not to be missed. The history of the Waldo Emerson house is fascinating. John and Kathy are so knowledgeable about every aspect of it. The rooms are beautiful and very clean. The house is decorated beautifully, especially the dining room where the table is set with fine china. They serve an incredible breakfast to you on that china which makes you feel pampered and treated like royalty. As for things to do and local attractions, John gives his honest and informed suggestions about what to see and where to eat. He helps to steer you away from tourist traps. Overall, the place is wonderful and we wish we had more time there!

John and Kathy hospitality are outstanding. The breakfast was delightful. The historical house and rooms are beautiful, although not in all details perfect. Doesn't this make it charming ? The conversation at breakfast with the other guests and John were special (Dutch hospitality ?). John's recommendation for the best lobster restaurant in town were excellent. We will come back.

Such a sweet place and incredibly kind and knowledgable hosts. The Inn Keepers were very welcoming to all the diverse guests we met during our stay. Was a very busy weekend and yet they made each of us feel special and comfortable. The breakfasts each morning (we stayed three nights) were absolutely stellar, very fresh, unique, and from the heart. Thank you for everything John and Kathy Daamen, for making our 15th Anniversary so memorable. We highly recommend this B&B!

We had a wonderful stay with charming and knowledgeable innkeepers. The food was amazing and the history of the inn colorful and well-shared. They were so accommodating! And Maine is gorgeous!

Please John and Cathy accept our apologies for waiting that long before we write a review.This is the third time in a row we come to them and this tells it all. John's breakfats are just supercalifragilidiexpialidocious. Cathy is a wonderful host and Waldo ( their dog ) likes to go the beach, I mean the bank, errr I mean the beach... This inn is just wonderfully decorated and maintained. Cleanliness is top notch. And the bikes are in the garden, free to be used by the guests ! We do wish ourselves many happy returns to the great inn !

My husband and I discovered this place on bedandbreakfast.com and feel truly lucky that we were able to get a room last minute at Kathy and John's inn. Their hospitality is second to none, the breakfasts were spectacularly delicious, and the inn is simply beautiful. They also treated our baby girl like a princess, which as new parents, is really heart-warming! We look forward to coming back in future summers to spend long weekends at the Waldo Emerson.

Breakfast was great! Room clean. John was great! History very interesting.

We had a lovely stay at The Waldo Emerson Inn. The owners were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast was outstanding. We would happily stay here again on our next trip to Maine! - Ivan & June

We felt like valued guests throughout our two-night stay. The innkeepers, John and Kathy, couldn't have been nicer. The Inn was spotlessly clean. Our room was smallish, but extremely comfortable and pleasant. John is an excellent cook. Breakfast was delightful. We made use of the beach pass, beach chairs and beach towels - a wonderful touch.

My daughter and I recently stayed at the Inn after I made reservations on line. We found everything to be beyond our expectations from the charm of the Inn itself to the friendliness of John and Kathy Daamen the owners of the Inn to the outstanding gourmet breakfast prepared by John. And Waldo the dog was a special treat as he entertained us "ringing" the bell.

We had a wonderful time staying at the Waldo Emerson Inn-- the innkeepers are exceptional and take quite a bit of time introducing their patrons to the history of the house and the town of Kennebunkport. We really appreciated all of Kathy's recommendations for things to do and places to eat around the town. It was also a treat to stay in a house with so much history! Extra bonus-- yummy homemade granola (among other very delicious breakfast foods) that you can even buy to go, with recipe included!

My husband and I spent one night at the Waldo Emerson Inn and the only regret that we had is that we could not stay longer. It is a beautiful inn with a very rich history, which John and Kathy will share with you. The rooms are beautiful with old time charm, but also with modern day comforts (our private bathroom looked newly renovated and we were grateful for the AC on a very hot evening). I loved the fresh flowers on the antique dresser and the beautiful Amish quilt on our so comfy bed. The quilt shop next door had some amazing pieces and we will be coming back someday for one :-) Breakfast was amazing, and it was a pleasure to meet our fellow guests around the table. The time and care put into the preparation and serving of our breakfast was an unexpected delight. You can tell that John and Kathy love what they do and that they truly care about making the best possible experience for their guests. They and their little dog Waldo were a pleasure :-) We hope to come back for a more extended stay.

My wife and I recently spent two nights with the the Daamen's at The Waldo Emerson Inn. The accommodations and food were excellent but what was truly special was the great conversations at breakfast and in the common rooms with the other guests. We even were fortunate to meet the owner of the famous "Wedding Cake" house next tour and received a tour! What a treat.

Gracious, charming, perfect interesting hosts, fabulous and huge breakfast - what more is there.

My husband and I could not have asked for a better experience at this bed and breakfast. The owners were kind, knowledgeable, and told some great stories! The room was cozy and comfortable - we haven't slept that well in a long time! Breakfast was absolutely delicious and satisfying. Staying at this B&B made our vacation even more enjoyable. If we ever come back that way, we will definitely be staying at this inn again!

Wonderful old house with great host, hostess, and greeter (the dog Waldo). We enjoyed a glass of wine by the fireplace in our room and fell asleep listening to the fire crackle. The breakfasts were delicious. We loved the area so much we are now building a house there and plan on staying at the Inn several times during the process.

Charming early American house with all the details you would expect on the oldest house in Kunnebunk, ME. These dear B&B innkeepers were well informed about the sites to see in the area and more than helpful in providing info including beach parking passes and bug spray! This husband & wife team offered a great full course breakfast that you should not miss! Happy to deal with dietary considerations.

Coming from Europe we had high expecations to find a romantic B&B. We were far more than satisfied. John and Cathy are very caring hosts and have beautiful house. I was amazed by the fact that the house was built in 1758 and had beautiful oak floors. You can really enjoy a bit of history here.

John and Kathy were awesome hosts. The rooms are cozy and very clean. The food was delicious and the service outstanding. The location was perfect! Just 2 miles from the hustle and bustle of Kennebuckport. I went during low season (end of March) and the cost was a value; the prices are very reasonable during high season too. Choose this place; you will not be sorry. I'm planning another visit soon.

This is the best Bed & Breakfast I've ever been to. The Inn itself is the oldest house in Kennebunk (it's far more cost effective to stay in Kennebunk than Kennebunkport), it's got several historical aspects, like the windows etched, the indian shutters, the rooms, and the cold room. My girl and I koozied up next to the fire, which was very sweet. They gave us maps and amazing places visit, sights to see, and great places to eat at. Then the breakfast was the best homemade granola I've ever had with Belgian Toast. I told John that I would definately comeback. Don't forget to play with Waldo, the dog.

My husband & I stayed here over the Labor Day weekend in tourist-Mad Southern Maine. Yet the atmosphere in this beautifully furnished home was relaxed and welcoming. Nice innkeepers, comfy rooms and excellent location.

Lovely, historic B&B which we enjoyed very much. Innkeepers very warm and accomodating. Very delicous breakfasts that kept you going for the day. A truly great experience.

This is a very nice historical house. The innkeepers are very pleasant .They were helpful with directions and suggestions and making reservations. Unfortunately the inn is on a very busy and noisy road. The traffic started very early in the morning.

Great hosts, Kathy & John were very pleasant, funny and hospitable. Food was excellent, great to get 2nd's. Very nice rooms. Charming building. Even stayed cool with 85F weather, and dry (Hurricane Bill). Highly recommended. Worth every penny.

Great house, great food, great guests, great innkeepers, great location. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

This welcoming home in Kennebunk, ME, is the oldest home in town and was part fo the underground railroad. Our hosts were fun and informative. Nice place away from the hustle of nearby Kennebunk Port. Wonderful breakfast.

My wife and I loved the history of the Inn. Kathy and John were great hosts and very helpful in planning local activities. This Inn is a great value for the price. The only negative is that it is a 5-10 minute drive to Kennebunk Beach, and Kennebunkport. Nothing is within walking distance.

We couldn't have been more pleased with our stay! John was so nice and he is a great chef. Waldo the dog was a hit with our 10-year old. Plus, the history of the house is nice to know. Great place to stay!

The Innkeepers were very friendly and offered their guests a history of the Inn. The rooms were very clean and the bathrooms were modest yet accommodating. Waldo was a very nice dog to have around and was never a nuisance to anyone. The breakfasts were delicious and well presented. My wife and I felt the price per night was very reasonable for the area. The Inn is located in a nice area that is very close to many points of interest. The innkeepers were extremely helpful sharing information about the area. It is a wonderful place to stay and I would recommend it to anyone.

The home was a great old home with lots of charm. Loved the story about Abe Lincoln being a descedent of Kathy and the letter written to her grandfather by Mark Twain was quit a story. Breakfast was great if you didn't have dietary issues. I had to bring my own food because they could not provide me with what foods I needed, but were gracious enough to cook them for me. Our rooms lamp shade had a 1/2 inch of dust on it, although everything else seemed clean enough. The innkeepers were very gracious with plenty of great sightseeing suggestions and there dog waldo was a sweet dog. The location was good being centrally located and close to all points but I found it noisey in the early morning due to traffic.

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We really appreciate your thoughtful observations. We had a traffic reroute due to bridge (Durrell Bridge) repairs/closure just up the road. Also we checked all the room lamps and shades and we did not find any with a ½” dust layer (as we were joined by an arriving guest at the time we printed out your observations). However, we did change our (antique) lamp shade dusting/vacuuming schedule to weekly from ones a month (these are very delicate shades – but just to make sure). Many thanks you for your great review and suggestions.

Beautiful room and hosts were courteous and very friendly. Breakfasts were an every day surprise!

What a fantastic time we had. We rented the entire Inn for my sister's 60th birthday. We were 14 women (and as you can imagine - we all have our own ways) but everyone...and I mean everyone had a great time. John and Kathy are two of the most hospitable peopel you could ever want to stay with. This was a return trip to the Inn as we had previously stayed there (6 couples) and everything was just as wonderful then and this trip too. We are trying to think up the next "event" so we can book again! The rooms are so quaint and the Inn holds soooooo much history and best of all BREAKFAST........hope made granola and stuffed belgium toast and sausage was to die for! See you soon John & Kathy. - Justine

It was my 60th birthday and I was spending it with 13 other women. Kathy and John could not be more hospitable from the time I made the reservation til the time we got in the car to go home. All the women loved it and promised to return at another time. Many said the pictures on line did not do the inn justice. I look forward to returnign again and again

We were 14 women and there was not one complaint. We thoroughly enjoyed the facility but above all our hosts, John & Kathy. They could not have been any kinder. Thanks for the great memories!

Terrific innkeepers, John and Kathy. John has great breakfasts to everything from Dutch pancakes to souffles. The bed was so good you didn't want to get up. Waldo Emerson Inn is GREAT!

Friendly innkeepers, proud of their beautiful property, excellent breakfast provided great information.

We really enjoyed our stay at this inn, which was one of the first places where the excellent website actually MATCHED the real experience!

We stayed here for a family gathering and the hosts were wonderful and made us totally welcome. As a couple from Europe, the house was enchanting and had lots of character appealing to most. Lovely BB in a wonderful area, a must for visitors to Kennebunk. John and Cathy are special. The gift shop a must to all visitors. Thanks Cathy and John, we will be back.XX

Very nice clean, convenient great breakfast

Fantastic Hospitality!! Beautiful N.E. Inn.

My girlfriend and I, both young adults, found this to be the perfect getaway. The innkeepers were delightful, sociable, and helpful, but also afforded us the privacy we wanted. Their dog Waldo is also wonderful and well-behaved. At breakfast, the well cooked food and good conversation made it something to look forward to. It is at a perfect location between Kennebunk and Kennebunkport centers... both directions yield interesting destinations, (we went shopping and dined out in Kennebunkport, but also went cross country skiing in a neighboring town in the other direction). The value is outstanding, and I very much look forward to returning.

Just spent two days at this Inn and loved every moment we were there. The room we stayed in was just as they described it...the bed was very comfortable and the room was very clean. The breakfasts included three courses, were very tasty and ever so well presented. The hospitatlity from the Innkeepers was exceptional and we would defintely return here for more of their great hospitality.

A beautiful home with a lot of history, the Waldo Emerson Inn is a delight. Innkeepers provided a tour of the home, telling much of its history -- and also highlighted the "sights" of the area, including George HW Bush's home in Kennebunkport....a fun drive. Wonderful breakfast, comfortable rooms, great hospitality. Book your room today!