"I quite like this," Jayshree Patel thought in the winter of 2023 as she and husband Kash drove Maine's meandering roads for the first time. The couple was moving from Texas to become general managers of Smuggler's Cove Inn in East Boothbay.

Missing the water because Austin is landlocked, the native New Zealander and her husband headed "quite far North" to East Boothbay where they took on responsibility for managing the property, tackling the first year's learning curve which included understanding the location and the industry.

"Last year was challenging," she told the Register in a recent interview, "but failure wasn't an option." She gave a lot of credit to the previous owners. "They set us up to succeed." Coming to Maine, the Patels brought their hospitality experience from managing other venues.

Now starting their second season here, Patel said there is "an energy shift," with a solid team in the 727 Ocean Sunset Bar restaurant, hotel staff arriving and a winter spent updating decks and balconies. The hotel opened May 9 and the restaurant will open with a "Love Our Locals" day on Sunday, May 19, offering music, craft cocktails and discounted specials for local residents, according to Patricia Royall, marketing consultant.

It will kick off a season that features music on Sundays and Tuesdays and a return of executive chef Gary Fisher. Previously at Asticou Inn in North East Harbor, Fisher is former vice president of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and brings 40 years of experience to his job at the restaurant.

The Inn has received a Travelers' Choice Award for 2024 with reviews on Trip Adviser praising its beautiful views and amenities that include the beach and pool, kayaks, paddle boards and fire pit. It is also pet-friendly. There are moorings available for boaters from away, with discounts provided for area residents.

"We offer fun and a gorgeous place," Patel said. "People have been coming here for years." With the communal spaces like the beach and fire pit, guests make new friends and plan to return and meet up again. This season, the Inn will offer art workshops for children and adults.

As for missing the water, Patel explained in an April 2022 “Quiver Live” YouTube interview, her native country is "surrounded by water all the time." During a 2022 snowstorm in Texas, she wrote "One Drop, Endless Ripples," an award-winning children's book, celebrating the journey of a single drop of water.

The Patels believe in creating a feeling of partnership, making sure to refer guests to other area businesses in a blog on the Inn's website. "It's a small community with a tight timeframe for businesses," she explained.

The Inn is open until Oct. 20, "Making Forever Memories," as its slogan promises, and can be reached by calling 633-2800. The restaurant is open for dinner from 4 to 8:30 p.m. and is closed on Wednesday.