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THE CLAREMONT HOTEL ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: My husband and I planned a Maine road trip for our first anniversary last summer — and it seemed many other travelers had a similar game plan, with Maine experiencing one of its busiest seasons on record in 2021. The morning of our anniversary, we took a whale-watching excursion out of Bar Harbor before escaping the crowds and busyness of that area and settling into our accommodations at The Claremont Hotel, situated across from Acadia National Park in Southwest Harbor. The quiet oasis was the perfect spot to spend our last night in Maine. For those looking to set up a base for exploration of Acadia, Southwest Harbor and The Claremont still make a great option for that, as well. Parking lots are available throughout the property; we pulled up in front of the Historic Main Hotel, which houses the lobby, some accommodations, a gift shop, Harry’s Bar, Little Fern Restaurant and Buttercup Bakery. Checkin was quick and personalized. Our guestroom was located in Phillips House, just a short walk from the lobby. We moved our car to an adjacent parking lot and carried our bags up to our second-floor room.
SERVICES/AMENITIES: Other enhancements and amenities include an intimate spa, a heated pool overlooking the sound, four food and beverage venues, a garden and a croquet club. In addition, the hotel offers yoga on the lawn, beach cruisers, live music, boat charters and a game room, alongside its enviable and picturesque location. Of the four on-site culinary venues, we only missed trying
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the casual Batson Fish Camp, located on the private dock. The colorful lobster buoys decorating the side of the building make for a perfect picture which, if it’s anything like the other eateries, I’m sure matches the cuisine. We grabbed a cocktail from Harry’s Bar, with its antique nautical accent pieces, and enjoyed them on the lawn until late summer mosquitos drove us indoors. And our dinner and breakfast at Little Fern were both imaginative and quite tasty. Overall, The Claremont offers a retro-chic yet thoroughly modern retreat amid some of our country’s most gorgeous natural scenery. Should your Maine visit coincide with The Claremont’s season, I’d absolutely recommend a stay. REVIEWED BY Kimberly Krol Inlander
With convenient access to Acadia National Park, step away from the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor with a stay on the quieter Southwest Harbor side of the park. -------------------------Located right down the street from The Claremont, a visit to Beal’s Lobster Pier is a must! We shared a buffalo lobster roll and a lobster grilled cheese, alongside blueberry-flavored cocktails. -------------------------I brought home delicious — and large — whoopie pies from Claremont’s on-site Buttercup Bakery. THE CLAREMONT HOTEL 22 Claremont Road Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 tel 207 244 5036 theclaremonthotel.com
PHOTOS: © THE CLAREMONT HOTEL
GUEST QUARTERS: Our cutely decorated guestroom proved perfect for an overnight. The door opened into the bedroom, with a fireplace in the corner to the left of the entrance. The mantle above was adorned with beautiful fresh flowers. The bed, directly opposite the entrance and flanked by two nightstands, sat across from a long dresser with the TV perched on top. The blue-and-white patterned wallpaper uniquely blended with all the different design elements of the room, and several windows overlooked the property. A closet sat in one corner, farthest from the door, and a small bathroom — with toilet, stall shower and standing sink — lay to the right of the entry. Our August 2021 stay came after the hotel reopened for the season in May 2021 under new ownership, following an extensive renovation. After the transformation, The Claremont now boasts 51 accommodations, with 12 cottages, four suites, a three-bedroom waterfront haven and 34 guestrooms.
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