Last week, we enjoyed a jaunt up to Maine to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The Claremont with its location right on the sound in the Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Maine was the perfect place to end our travels up the coast. I love MDI with its rustic kind of beauty, Acadia National Park explorations, awesome seafood scene, and charming town of Bar Harbor.
The Claremont is a luxury hotel on Somes Sound that offers designer accomodations, a spa, heated pool, cabanas, and on-site restaurant options including The Little Fern, Batson River Fish Camp, and Harry’s Bar. It did not disappoint, so here’s the details of our stay at this beautiful property.
The Accommodations
The revamp of this historic 1884 resort was executed by Keeler & Co. in collaboration with Creative Director Krista Stokes. The pattern mixing, color choices, and attention to detail are a master class in design. The bold color and textile choices are perfectly balanced with earthy tones and textures that give a sense of comfort. Somehow the pops of pink and green work together in a way that comes across calming, and fits the setting perfectly.
We arrived on a rainy evening after driving up the coast from Connecticut. Upon entering the lobby, the mood of this place captured us as we spied votive candles flickering on tabletops and all the fireplaces ablaze adding a warm light to every room. We checked into a King Suite since it was just the two of us. We loved our room. An incredibly comfortable bed awaited us after our dinner.
Our room was simply charming. A vase of freshly picked dahlias sat on the bureau, warm lamps lit the room for evening eyes, and the charming bedroom was full of creature comforts. Spa robes, sumptuous bed linens, and every provision we could possibly need was at our fingertips. The marble bath had an inviting walk-in shower, warm vibrant brass fixtures, and luxury bath products.
The Grounds
The grounds at The Claremont are beautifully landscaped with limelight hydrangeas and mature trees. A wrap around porch is made for reading, lounging, and an after dinner cocktail. The heated pool and cabanas overlook the stunning view of the sound. A dock resides on the banks for guests and visitors to visit the on-site restaurants or enjoy a cruise aboard the hotel’s boat Lady Clare. Also, there is a small rocky beach adorned with Adirondack chairs accessible by a small path beyond the pool.
We had a lot of rain during our stay, but we found it just so relaxing. Also, I was so glad I packed plenty of sweaters and jackets because it was chilly, but the kind of chilly that makes you crave fall. We loved how unbothered we were by the weather, because our surroundings were just so stunning. We lounged in the cabana, went antiquing, had sips on the porch, sat by the fire, and found it our good fortune when the weather broke for a lovely sunset cruise aboard Lady Clare.
Interiors & Restaurants
The interiors make you want to curl up by the fire and stay awhile. There is a specialness to this place. It’s upscale, but incredibly welcoming at the same time. We found that our time here was so relaxing, and the restaurants did not disappoint either.
The first night of our stay, it was quite chilly. After we checked in, we sat on the deck at Batson Fish Camp with heaters going, and enjoyed a more casual, yet delicious meal including a hummus plate, fish tacos, and fish & chips. This is such a great spot with a true rustic Maine mood. The bar even has a canoe hanging from the ceiling.
Our second night, we indulged with an anniversary dinner at Little Fern after a sunset cruise. This was my favorite. Everything was delicious. We both had the lobster chowder which was decadent, if you can call chowder decadent. For our mains, I delighted in the Scallop Pappardelle (highly recommend~the wild mushrooms and black garlic miso butter are everything!) and Topher had the New York Strip, which he said was perfect.
Breakfast every morning in Little Fern was good and hearty. We sampled a bit of everything, and my favorites were the Classic Breakfast, the Little Fern Quiche, and the Bagel & Lox.
For cocktails, Harry’s Bar is a vibe in the best way. Nautical art and old salt decor surround you as you take in views of the sound. Comfy sofas and chairs make you want to socialize and stay awhile. One night we just wanted tea on the porch, and they were so nice to accommodate our whims.
Sunset Cruise
Our last night at The Claremont we enjoyed a sunset cruise aboard Lady Clare. This is a leisurely boat cruise serving wine and drinks while you take in the views of the sound. You’ll see bald eagles, some classic boats, beautiful homes, lots of lobster traps, and Bear Island Lighthouse. The views of Acadia from the water are stunning. If you get lucky, maybe a beautiful sunset will grace you too.
We loved our stay at The Claremont, and it was the perfect place to relax, unwind, celebrate, and enjoy the beauty of Maine. It gets our stamp of approval for the discerning traveler. We are already talking about returning sometime next year.
xx Kristy
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