During the cold, dark Maine winter, is there anything more luxurious than walking in from falling snow to be greeted by a roaring fire? The central hearth of The Old Saco Inn in Fryeburg both welcomes guests when they cross the threshold and serves as a gathering place for those who crave its warm, wood-fueled glow.
Located off Route 5 between Lovell and Fryeburg, the property in midwinter mirrors snowy scenes pictured on holiday greeting cards. The inn’s long, private drive cuts through tall pine and winds past an old fieldstone gate to the main inn and tavern, plus the adjacent Carriage House—a former horse stable now converted into several luxurious guest rooms.
Accommodations range between $170 and $375 per night. Options include cozy rooms, spacious suites with decks overlooking the White Mountains, and a distinctive, lofty hideaway suite with a kitchen, where private chefs can personalize dinners for guests.
Where to eat and drink?
Guests can be well fed without leaving the property. Gourmet breakfasts are served daily, and casual fine-dining fare is served on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays in the inn’s cathedral-ceilinged barn bistro. Signature dishes like beef tenderloin with garlic-herb jus and seafood scampi over linguine are comforting and classic. For nearby destinations in Fryeburg, spirits aficionados can head to Saco River Brewing’s tasting room for a River Paddle beer sampler, or the subterranean granite pub at The Oxford House Inn for a Chickadee cocktail or a bottle of Stag’s Leap Cabernet (the latter pairs nicely with the restaurant’s hoisin pulled duck).
What to do?
Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the expansive property for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Meanwhile, thrill seekers can reserve sleds at Northeast Snowmobile and ATV Rentals to ride the trails, or ice climb the face of Jockey Cap—the nearby glacial boulder with a monument at its peak depicting the surrounding mountains. Hiking the moderate trail is more my speed, though.
Where to shop?
Don’t leave town without local swag, including logo caps from Fair Grounds Coffee (try a donut hole or three while you’re there) and bumper stickers from the Center Lovell Market.
The Old Saco Inn
125 Old Saco Lane, Fryeburg, Maine
(207) 925-3737
innkeepers@oldsacoinn.com
