The Claremont Hotel
One of New England’s dreamiest coastal hotels, The Claremont, has a reputation for excellence that somehow undersold how great our stay would be. Located along Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island, near Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, The Claremont Hotel proved to be the perfect location from which to explore more of our beloved Maine. Here’s why we loved it and can’t wait to return someday soon!
The Claremont
Location: Southwest Harbor, Maine
Address: 22 Claremont Road
Staff Helpfulness & Friendliness: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Room Amenities: 5/5
Room and Bed Comfort: 5/5
Valet Parking: No
Pool: Yes
Spa: Yes
Proximity to Other Points of Interest: 5/5
Our Arrival at The Claremont
The hotel is well marked along the main road, making it easy to find. They have a large pull-up area right by the lobby and front porch. From there, we parked just beside our suite and brought our bags into our suite. Assistance is available for anyone who needs it. Check-in was simple, and we were in our room in no time flat.
Above: Hotel Lobby
Our Suite
Located on the ground floor, our suite was spacious and beautifully appointed, offering a gorgeous view of the property. Nautical without feeling campy and elegant without being fussy, our suite was nothing short of perfection. With plenty of storage, a spacious sitting area that included a couch, television, fireplace, and coffee tables, plus floor-to-ceiling windows, we immediately felt right at home.
The bedroom area was the perfect space to relax and had all the room we needed to store our luggage, hang our clothes, and charge our electronics. I particularly loved the way they mixed prints and textures around the bed and windows. It added a level of interest and detail that made the room even more unique in a world of increasingly dull hotel rooms. If you love well-designed hotel suites, The Claremont needs to be added to your travel bucket list!
The bathroom was bright and airy, with white marble, rattan accents, and Le Labo toiletries. While our suite didn’t have a bathtub, it had a beautiful, tall shower that felt like something straight out of a luxury spa. I especially loved the gold-toned hardware in the bathroom, which I want to integrate into our upcoming primary bedroom/bathroom remodel at home.
Things to Do
One of many reasons I’ve been looking forward to our stay at The Claremont is the abundance of fun things to do around the property. Not only is The Claremont close to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, but there’s tons to do without leaving the property for more relaxed, laid-back days. Here are my favorite highlights.
Bike Borrowing
A fleet of yellow bikes with woven baskets is available for guests to use throughout their stay. Speak to the front desk to reserve one.
Botanica Spa
The perfect spot to relax and unwind with a massage or facial. I hope to try this next time we stay so I can share my experience.
The Coffee Shop
The cutest coffee shop and mercantile for extra snacks and provisions during your stay.
Croquet
Fancy a spot of croquet? The Claremont team will hook you up on the lawn overlooking the water.
Fitness Center
Filled with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, the fitness center was a great place to get in a quick workout.
Game Room
Many hotels & resorts have game rooms, but I’ve never seen one like this. Filled to the brim with everything from pool and Scrabble to card games, board games, and even books in other languages, there’s plenty to do alone or with loved ones.
Lady Clare Charters
Charter a sail on the Lady Clare and enjoy beautiful sunset views on Mount Desert Island, or charter a custom private sail wherever you’d like to go along the coast.
Little Fern Restaurant
The food was so great we dined at Little Fern twice! Stay tuned for a dedicated review, coming soon.
Mixology Classes in Harry’s Bar
Learn how to shake and stir your way to mixological success at Harry’s Bar. Classes led by house mixologists.
Reading on the Porch
The Claremont’s porch overlooks Somes Sound and was the perfect spot to read as the sun rose.
Sitting Room
This area has books, games, great views, a fireplace, and it’s right next to Harry’s Bar. In short, it’s a great place to have fun.
Swimming Pool & Cabana Rentals
The hotel’s iconic pool is one of my favorite pools in North America. Never too cold, and always has a beautiful view of the sound, they even have Supergoop sunscreen available for guests, free of charge.
Watercolors on the Porch
A local watercolor artist is available every Tuesday from 10:30 am to a little past noon each week to create a watercolor portrait for guests.
Yoga on the Lawn
Every morning (weather depending), yoga classes take place on the lawn.
The Verdict
We loved staying at The Claremont. There was so much to do, and the scenery was unmatched. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for our breathtaking Maine, and this was yet another wonderful spot I hope to return to often. There wasn’t a single thing about our time at The Claremont I would’ve changed, because everything was perfect. I hope my readers will have an opportunity to experience this coastal paradise for themselves, too.
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