Permission to come aboard, Captain? That’s just one of the hoary old sailing clichés we thought about using in this introduction to the Captain Fairfield Inn, Maine, but this accommodation on America’s east coast isn’t any old rusty tub so we’ll stick the shtick in dry-dock and give it the proper description it deserves.

A very attractive colonial building, this former federal residence is a block from the Kennebunkport harbor. The inn offers nine boutique rooms, and despite the proud maritime traditions of the town the design has given the nautical knick-knacks a wide berth and instead gone for a rather contemporary look that matches interesting wallpapers and bold paints while keeping a respectful eye on the period features. Purples and pinks aren’t necessarily the colours you’d expect to see in a place like this but the Captain Fairfield Inn proves you don’t have to be a slave to tradition, even in a traditional property.