Ah the happy mementos of a summer vacation – a shell found on the beach, a pair of white toweling hotel slippers, a floppy-eared addition to your family…

Maine’s Inn by the Sea is offers guests the chance to mingle with an array of foster pups living it up at the stylish eco-friendly resort in the hope that a happy bond will form and the guest won’t be able to resist taking their newfound friend home (along with the seaweed-infused spa products). This brilliant scheme – in collaboration with the Animal Refuge League of Maine – is working a treat!

Mambo, a 3 year old Bernese Mountain Dog mix was the first to be adopted, followed by an 8 year old Shih Tzu, a Hound mix named Loki (who’s already put on 7lbs in her new home in New York) and most recently a senior Pug named Mr Choppers! I love this pic of soulful Plott Hound Lucy Liu with concierge Mark – she looks so wistful here in her Adopt Me vest, little does she know she’s about to be adopted by a family with two small girls who will lavish her with love in her forever home! (With future vacations planned at the Inn by the Sea so that the staff who care so dotingly for these animals can get to see their pals again!)

Bodie and I can vouch for what a special, dog-loving destination this is – we stayed at the Inn by the Sea while researching my cake-themed New England-set novel The Traveling Tea Shop. (Penguin USA and Hodder UK)

“The Inn by the Sea is one of those places that makes you feel instantly soothed and in safe hands. Set on Cape Elizabeth amid five acres of certified wildlife habitat this is where ‘luxury comes naturally’.”

Aside from this marvelous balcony view, our suite was split-level – a first for us. Upstairs is an expansive bed and a honeyed marble bathroom with a shower so large it could accommodate a trawler-full of lobster fishermen. Downstairs there’s a sleek kitchenette with breakfast bar, a lounge area with a groovy striped carpet, an armchair of woven seagrass and patio doors leading out on to the deck…

In the book leading man Harvey reminisces about the comfort and ease of dining in the bar lounge with his French Bulldog Molly. This was one of my favorite moments in all New England – it’s so rare to be able to eat indoors in a public space with your dog but here we got to sit together beside a roaring fire, so cosy as the rain spattered on the window panes, the mantel illuminated with tea lights and a glass storm lantern. I sipped a martini made with fresh Maine blueberries and relished every mouthful of herb grilled Kettle Cove Lobster while Bodie chowed down on his chicken, rice and vegetable dish…

The gourmet pet menu also offers Meat Roaff and K9 Ice Cream and it’s perfectly acceptable for your full-bellied dog to splay out and fall asleep hearthside. And they’re not just jumping on the doggie hospitality wagon here – the Inn by the Sea has been welcoming dogs for nearly 20 years! There are no pet fees (gold paw for this!) and they even offer in-room pet massages… Utter bliss.

Hotel website: Inn by the Sea

Phone: 207-799-3134

Policy: Pets are welcome in the waterfront rooms and suites. No fee or restrictions!

Note: State Park does not allow dogs on Crescent Beach from April 1 – Sept 30th.

Perks: Dogs receive an exceptionally warm welcome along with a water bowl, beach towel, cozy blanket and signature treats at turn-down! Dog grooming, walking and doggie day care also available.

NOTE: Bodie stayed as a guest of the Inn by the Sea but our review is heartfelt!

Nearby attractions: There is plenty of room to roam in the hotel grounds as well as the surrounding countryside and coast (as a state, Maine has 230 miles of rugged coastline!) but if you fancy a bit of window shopping with your dog-walking then head half an hour north to the cute outlet village of Freeport, home to Wicked Whoopies (offering a rainbow range of Whoopie Pies) and LL Bean’s flagship store. These boots are made for walking…