Hotel Pemaquid

Has anyone stayed at Hotel Pemaquid?

On the web site the location looks lovely and the hotel looks a bit spooky/dingy. Any thoughts on this and other accommodations on Pemaquid Peninsula are appreciated!

Hotel Pemaquid

I stayed there in October about 5 years ago and did not find the hotel at all spooky. We had a small room on the second floor. They had a nice fire going downstairs and an inviting area for coffee in the morning. I loved being next to the light house.

Hotel Pemaquid

Thanks for your input!

I stayed there once some years ago and it was quite nice. Not spooky nor dingy at all, very spiffy in fact. In recent years, I more often stay at the Gosnold Arms in New Harbor - same peninsula, and Gosnold is right on the water in a working fishing harbor. Not quite as spiffy as Hotel Pemaquid but a delightful full buffet breakfast is included in the room rate (eggs, bacon/sausage, blueberry pancakes, etc.)

Thank you! I will check out Gosnold Arms as well.

Hi kattbird,

I%26#39;ve never stayed at the Hotel Pemaquid, but during the summer it looks absolultely delightful! Plus the location is wonderful. Some of the best places to stay in Maine are the old, turn of the century Inns. Its what I prefer anyway. Yes, they can be quirky, and may not have all the latest updates, but they often make it for lack of wi-fi or cable tv with tons of charm and location.

Don%26#39;t know if I%26#39;ve helped at all! Good luck and let us know what you decide :).

cozyharbor

Ayup... Gosnold is in the same category - something like 100 years old, but beautifully and skillfully updated, and extremely well managed too. Hard to go wrong with either choice. They are different from each other but both are situated beautifully and wildly popular.

Great advice all. I have contacted Hotel Pemaquid by email as they are closed until May.

Any other thoughts on what not to miss on Pemaquid Peninsula/ New Harbor/ Damariscotta?

Great fried seafood, lobster stew, clam chowdah, etc. at Shaw%26#39;s Wharf in New Harbor, almost right across the street from the The Gosnold Arms Inn. A few minutes walk down the street from the Hotel Pemaquid is The Sea Gull Shop, which includes a nice little restaurant as well as touristy ';gifts.'; Slightly more upscale and beautiful dining at The Anchor Inn in Round Pond. Used to be a good dining room at The Bradley Inn too, but I haven%26#39;t been in touch with that for a while. Rachel Carson Salt Pond along the road from New Harbor to Round Pond. If you happen to be there in mid-June, just about the entire town of Round Pond will be abloom with lupine. Christmas Cove is a delightfully scenic and tourist-popular spot on the other half of the peninsula.

We are birders so we will definitely check out Rachel Carson Salt Pond. Shaws is our plan for dinner...glad to hear another good review. We WILL be there in mid-June so we will enjoy the lupine. We also went to Deer Isle this time of year in 2007 and the lupine was quite beautiful!

places to stay

We have decided to come in August 2009,around the 10th for 6 days. We are are looking at the difference staying in an b%26amp;b and hotels.Please give me some suggestions. Most of the B%26amp;B%26#39;s we have looked at were $200.00 plus. somewhat pricey to me.

places to stay

Would you be interested in a cottage? We stayed at ';Beloins on the Maine Coast'; because of the recommendations I%26#39;d seen on Trip Advisor. I think we paid just a little over $100 and it was a GREAT setting.

places to stay

Firefly Cottage on Hobbs Pond in Hope is a great place to stay. Nice location on a quiet lake just outside of Camden. We found it on the Great Rentals website under Camden. Owners are wonderful folks and the cottage is cleanand comfortable, set up quite nicely and very pleasingly decorated. If you want to escape the crowds but still be close to Camden, this is a great place. Very fairly priced and a great value.

I would reccommend the Camden Riverhouse Hotel. They are literally right in downtown Camden. They have parking right out front, a really good breakfast, and it%26#39;s away from the traffic. I%26#39;m not sure of rates in the summer... 179 maybe? But they have an extended stay inn which is also nice which might get you a better rate for 6 nights if it%26#39;s available. If you stay in Linconville or even much past the Hawthorne Inn in Camden you will need a car and will be driving a lot. Riverhouse is nice if you will have your car right out front. They are also the only place in town with an indoor pool.

Stayed at the Riverhouse Hotel for a few nights July of 2007 and loved it. Camden had an old timey feel to it and their rooms and furnishings fed right into the wonderful ambience - not to mention the ice cream stand across the gorgeus foot bridge !

You should also check out the Lodge at Camden Hills:

http://www.thelodgeatcamdenhills.com/

We have stayed in the cottage and loved it. My sister has stayed in the studios and also liked it.

You%26#39;re visiting peak week so even roadside motels can be in the $130-$150 range.

If you%26#39;re looking for budget accommodation in Camden check out the Towne Motel. It%26#39;s right on Rte 1 but quiet. You can walk to the restaurants and shops from here. The prices are well under $200!

If you are staying for 6 days, you should look at renting a house through camdenac. www.camdenac.com They have a ton of houses in your budget.

I have stayed at Henry%26#39;s Hideaway and loved it.

Best route from Conway, NH

We will be visiting VT, NH, and Maine in early Oct. We will tour VT, then White Mountains of NH and leave from Conway on our way to Bar Harbor to tour Arcadia National Park, etc. Which is the best route to take? Thanks

Best route from Conway, NH

CeCe --

By ';best route'; do you mean quickest and fastest so you can see more of the Bar Harbor/Acadia area when you get there, or are you willing to spend a few extra hours travel time so see more of Maine%26#39;s scenery and a few unique sights/attractions along the way? Knowing that will help us give you better route advice.

Best route from Conway, NH

Probably the fastest route so we can see Bar Harbor and Arcadia National Park. We will then go down the coast to Kennebunkport, ogunquit and Portsmouth before flying out of Manchester. Thanks

CeCe -- If the object of the day is to just get from North Conway to Bar Harbor as quickly as possible to give you more time there, I%26#39;d strongly recommend the following:

-- US Rt 302 south from North Conway toward Bridgton and Portland Maine....Go about 48 miles to Maine Rt 115 in North Windham

-- Turn left on Maine Rt 115. Follow it for 3 miles to US Route 4.

-- Turn left on US Rt 4. Go 3 miles to I-95/Maine Turnpike (this is a toll road but is definitely the quickest way to your destination)

-- Take I-95 North toward Lewiston, Augusta and Bangor. Go 120 miles to Exit 182A for I-395 East in Bangor.

-- Take I-395 East for 4.5 miles to Exit 6A for Coastal Route/US 1A/Ellsworth.

-- Take US 1A East for 22 miles to US 1/Maine Rt 3 in Ellsworth.

-- Take Maine Rt 3 (US 1 branches off to the east so stay on Rt 3) for 18 miles to Bar Harbor.

Total distance is about 220 miles with an estimated travel time of about four and one-half hours.

There are other routes that get you closer to the coast, and some of them may be shorter travel distance, but because of local traffic and road conditions, they%26#39;re also slower and will take you longer. The only real alternative I%26#39;d suggest you might want to consider would be to follow the above until you%26#39;re northbound on I-95....then get off I-95 at Exit 113 in Augusta and follow Maine Rt 3 to Belfast (on the coast), north through Bucksport and on to Ellsworth and Bar Harbor. That route is only 205 miles, but because there%26#39;s less divided-highway, interstate-type travel, the estimated time is about four and three-quarters hours. However, if you do decide to go this way, you should also build in an extra 45 minutes or so for a stop at the Penobscot Narrrows Bridge Observation Tower...just off Route 3 just south of Bucksport....follow Rt 173 for 1 mile to Fort Knox State Park, pay a very reasonable fee, and ride the elevator to the Observation Deck built into the top of one of the bridge towers -- great 360 degree view of that part of the Maine coast -- including the mountains of Acadia National Park off in the distance to the East. Really worth a stop if you decide to go that way.

Hope this helps -- Mainer

Blackwoods camping

We are hoping to camp at Blackwoods campground in August and will need 2 campsites. Does anyone know which sites are preferable (just tents) and whether we can reserve actual sites; or, do we just need to get there really early?

also, suggestions for things to do with kids ages 9 to 13. We will have bikes and kayaks and one canoe.

Thanks

Blackwoods camping

As far as the reservations go, yes you can, and yes you should in August. They can be made six months ahead of time (right now) at this site:

recreation.gov/camping/鈥?/a>

Blackwoods camping

We camped at Blackwoods every year for almost 20 years and love it. You can%26#39;t reserve sites ahead of time; you reserve a certain size site. For the best sites I would reserve 2 campsites and select the option of 2 tents per site. This gives you the selection of the largest sites to choose from when you get there. We always preferred ';B'; loop and especially liked the back 2 loops. The sites are bigger and quieter. We used to keep a list of the sites we liked the best but we noticed a few years ago that all the numbers had changed. If they are not busy when you check in often the rangers will let you drive around to see what sites you like. Things to do with kids with everything you%26#39;re bringing...limitless. The carriage paths are wonderful for biking. Kayaking and canoeing are terrific on the island; you just have to be careful about mid-day winds that can kick up on some of the lakes. Somes Pond in Somesville is a great place to kayak/canoe because it never really gets choppy (unless the day is really windy). There are 2 put-in spots; one on each side of the pond so it%26#39;s easy. Benefit there is you can swim. Long Pond is wonderful to kayak/canoe; great places to swim but the mid-day wind can be tough. If your kids like to hike there are tons of trails. Stop at the visitors center and pick up maps and ask the Rangers for suggestions. You%26#39;ll have a geat time.

5 Nights in May - Need Some Advice

Hi-

We are going to be driving up to Maine from Cape Cod. We plan to spend 5 nights on Maine. We want to stay along the coast and really want to see Acadia National Park. I need some help with how to divide our time. My husband %26amp; I are in our mid 40%26#39;s. We enjoy scenic drives, quaint towns, beaches, and walking. Also on this trip we want to have some down time for relaxing, reading a good book, a walk into to town for dinner that type of thing.

I am not sure if it is best to head directly up to the Bar Harbor area and spend a night or two there and visit the town as well as Acadia National Park then come back down the coast and spend time in the mid coast area for 3 nights. How much time should we set aside for Acadia NP?

The other thought that I had was to stay in the Rockland/Camden area for all 5 nights and use it as a base and go to different areas as day trips. I liked the looks of the Hartstone Inn as it looks very cozy and they offer cooking lessons.

Any suggestions on the itinerary would be great as well as suggestions for other ways to do this trip.

Thanks!

5 Nights in May - Need Some Advice

Sorry - I meant to post this in the Maine Forum.

5 Nights in May - Need Some Advice

Consider driving straight to Bar harbor and stay for 2 nights,

then work your way down route 1...spend 2 nights in Camden

continue down route 1 and spend a night in Boothbay Harbor

I think you would enjoy these ather towns and areas very much.

Or some combination of above..such as stop at boothbay harbor ont he way up for a night to split the driving...go to Bar Harbor for 2 nights, then stop in Camden for 2 nights on the return

If you ';really want to see Acadia National Park';, start there. Then hit the midcoast area for the rest of the likes on your list. Since you%26#39;re coming in May, Camden is probably a better bet than Boothbay Harbor, as more will be open. There are many possible day trips from there. Another good option would be the Damariscotta/Newcastle area or Wiscasset for the ';quaint town'; portion of your trip.

If you really want to see Acadia start there and work down. 5 days it not a long time and you may get up to Bar Harbor and decide you just love it. Work your way down from there. Stop at the Penopscot Narrows Bridge and take the elevator to the top. Amazing views. Since you%26#39;re coming in May you should be able to play your week by ear and not have to worry about getting lodging. Camden is lovely as is Portland.

The Lobster Claw

Is the Lobster Claw going to be open this spring? I just read some upsetting news on this site that they may now renew their lease.

The Lobster Claw

Right now, I don%26#39;t know. That entire block on West Street, across from the waterfront, i.e., from Main St where the Quarterdeck now is to Rodick St., is slated for demolition after this coming season to make way for a hotel and shops project.

Right now, about all we know is that the whaling museum will be back this year. Presumably, the others (Lobster Claw, Lulu Lobster Boat) will be back as well, but so far, I haven%26#39;t seen anything one way or the other.

Stay tuned...

The Lobster Claw

I noticed the other day that the Quarterdeck Restaurant looked like they were getting prepared to open for the season, so that makes me hopeful that the rest of the places on that strip will be able to operate as well.

OK thanks. I have been coming to Bar Harbor for several years and I love the Lobster Claw. I am going to hope it opens this summer!

We love the Lobster Claw as does everybody we have brought there. When we come to Maine with either family or friends one of the first things they want to do is go to the Lobster Claw. He certainly has a following so we%26#39;re hoping he opens someplace!

impulsive May trip

I decided that I need a vacation NOW! I%26#39;ve never been to Maine and am taking vacation time mid May. I plan to fly to Bangor, rent a car and spend time in Bar Harbor and Camden area. I want to relax, have some quiet away from everything time and some time around people, near shops , etc.

1 - In mid May do I need to worry about reservations? 2 Suggestions on a few places to stay. I don%26#39;t want to spend more than $100 a night. I don%26#39;t mind splitting my time in different parts of the island at Bar Harbor.

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Marylou

impulsive May trip

I don%26#39;t think you have to worry about advanced reservations in Mid May...Most places in mid may are at their ';early'; season rates and so you should not have a hard time finding a place for $100.00 or less. I would check with the B%26amp;B%26#39;s first...if you go to www.sleepbarharbor.com you can get information about most of the B%26amp;B%26#39;s in Bar Harbor and maybe make a list so you have a starting place instead of wasting a day looking for a room...

impulsive May trip

There are three B%26amp;B%26#39;s in Bar Harbor that I know are open and you can find a room for less than $100 per night - Aysgarth Station, Canterbury Cottage, and Coach Stop Inn. You probably don%26#39;t need a reservation, but you can check their availability online to see if they have rooms. You can stay in Bar Harbor and drive down to Camden for a day trip. It%26#39;s only two hours and there%26#39;s places along the way to stoop and sight see. Check out the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. They have an observation tower on the bridge that may be open in mid May.

chin blackheads