We didn't go total Griswold, but we did put up our decorations and tied them down real good in case we get another winter like last year. The new fences and front porch and lamp posts look great with holiday cheer. Too bad we didn't have the foresight to add outside outlets for the lights on some parts of the hotel. Anyway, come in for some Christmas cookies and Bing Crosby - it's our favorite time of year.

Pictured below is the plaque that stands outside the visitor center at the foreside entrance. We thought it was interesting that along with the notable events listed that it does not say Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, but United States Navy Yard, and on the bottom Town of Kittery. It was erected by York in Maine, so perhaps this was their bias. I don't follow the feud between Maine and New Hampshire as to where the yard is located, but for people booking our hotel who are visiting or working at the yard, we are the closest off-base hotel as the wolf runs: 1.3 miles from the location of this sign to the back entrance of our hotel at 59 Old Post Rd, or a 5 minute drive.

After 4 months of waiting, we finally got our neon sign on the top of the main sign. Now you can see the hotel almost coming off the SML bridge.

Our fall decorations, including corn stalks and indian corn, courtesy of Hansen's Harvest in Windham ME.

Mount Agamenticus Views is a nice hike most people don't know about 20 minutes away from the hotel near York. You can drive up the mountain as well.

One of our guests was kind enough to share with us a write-up he did on the best walking and running routes around the hotel, which we will attach here, and have at the front desk for others. Thank you Gerald! Click here for the full text and images: Link to Document

We were lucky enough to have Gunnar Garfors and his team stay with us as his start to breaking the world record of visiting 22 states in 24 hours. They stayed with us for a couple nights, then left Sunday morning bright and early at 6:20AM. They broke the record by 3. You can read about the world record and see photos and videos here: http://www.garfors.com/2015/09/how-to-visit-22-states-in-24-hours-usa.html

After research & taste testings, the staff picked the winner of new coffee, which was hands down Joey Kramer's Rockin & Roastin's Organic Quatamala Whole Bean Dark Roast

After seeing all the wasted soaps and shampoos that we were just throwing away, we decided to sign up for the CleantheWorld.org donation program.

We have lots of guests asking us where the closest beaches are to our hotel. Below is what is listed in the local area guide. We recommend Short Sands in York because there is lots of parking and its scenic and shops nearby, as well as Nubble Lighthouse. Plus it's in a bay so it's not as windy.