Wolf Cove Inn, Where the Stay Is the Experience

Wolf Cove Inn sits on the edge of Tripp Lake in Poland, Maine, where the water sets the pace of the day. The view does a lot of the work, but owners Geoff and Nicole Skidmore are intentional about what happens beyond it.

The couple took over the inn in 2023 after leaving California, where Geoff worked in the entertainment industry, including time at Walt Disney Studios. That background shows up here in subtle ways. This is not just a place to sleep. It is a place designed to unfold over the course of a stay.

“You can nail the food. You can nail the room,” Geoff said. “But the way people remember a stay usually comes down to how they felt while they were here.”

The inn has 12 spacious guest rooms in the main building, plus a separate ADA-compliant cottage. Many rooms can accommodate more than two guests, making Wolf Cove a good fit for everything from quiet getaways to full-inn buyouts. Weddings are a major part of the business, with couples able to reserve the entire property for celebrations of up to 50 people. Corporate retreats are now part of the mix as well, drawing groups who want focus, privacy, and time outdoors.

Food is central to the experience. Breakfast is always included for overnight guests, with many ingredients sourced locally and organic whenever possible. In winter, the inn serves its signature Tripp Lake Pizza Monday through Thursday, made with sourdough from Maine’s Good Crust, local cheeses, and seasonal toppings. On weekends, pizza remains on the menu while the kitchen expands into a rotating chalkboard offering of seasonal entrées and apps. During peak season, the chalkboard menu runs nightly and evolves often based on what’s available from local farms and purveyors.

For something more private, couples book multi-course dinners hosted on the rustic, light-filled sunporch in winter, and in summer and fall at the Boathouse Bistro, a restored 130-year-old boathouse and one of the inn’s signature experiences.

Outside, guests swim, kayak, and paddleboard in summer. In winter, the lake freezes, opening the door to skating and cross-country skiing when conditions allow. The sauna and cold plunge have become a year-round draw, especially in colder months.