The Claremont Hotel

Harry’s bar was the bright spot for us. The local bartender was fabulous, the drinks were good, and it helped redeem an otherwise disappointing evening. At fish camp, service dragged and the food was some of the worst we’ve had in years. We’d waited years for this getaway, and the beautiful resort and grounds really are just as pictured. We were in one of the expensive cottages for four nights, but arrival felt surprisingly uncaring for a place of this level. Nobody offered to help with our bags, explain the property, assist with restaurant or spa reservations, or ask why we were visiting or whether we were celebrating. I had to ask for a map, and the front desk staff seemed annoyed about finding one. We were fortunate compared with the couple ahead of us, whose room still wasn’t ready after 4 p.m. At the cottage we found just two sets of towels and an envelope for housekeeping tips. Since nobody had shown us the way, we had to work out the lights, fireplace, kitchen, and everything else ourselves. We had hoped to spend a day enjoying the grounds and spa, but the service has put us off, so we’ll find other things to do before our flight. It’s a base for the trip, but I can’t see us coming back. This didn’t feel like the special treat or escape we’d hoped for.

Little Fern was a lovely place for dinner, and I liked starting the day with their coffee. Harry’s Bar was fun for drinks too, though we waited more than 20 minutes. The staff there were sweet and welcoming, which helped. The room was just right, and the hotel has loads of charm and beautiful decor. I did miss having a hot tub, but everything else made up for that. I really loved our stay at the Claremont and would happily come back.

Our charter on Lady A ended up being the most memorable part of our Maine getaway. Captain Alwyn (sp?) took us past hidden coves and along gorgeous stretches of coastline, sharing the area’s beauty in such a personal way. He was warm, knowledgeable, passionate about the place, and clearly has deep roots in the community. It was relaxing and fascinating at the same time. If you’re at the Claremont, I’d absolutely recommend a day out on Lady A. The hotel was wonderful from beginning to end, with lovely rooms, attentive and warm service, and a picture-perfect location. Every detail felt considered. Dinner at Little Fern was another highlight, with delicious food, an elegant atmosphere, and great hospitality.

The setting is gorgeous. The shore side has beautiful views, the gardens and lawn are lovely, and the groundskeepers deserve credit. There are nice places to unwind, including the croquet lawn, pool, and fire pit. The pool was too cool for us to enjoy in the evenings, so we wished there were a hot tub. Parking was also a hassle, with too few spaces for hotel and restaurant guests. I circled the lot several times on multiple nights. Valet service or reserved spaces for hotel guests might help. The old fashioned room keys may fit the charm of the door knobs, but carrying one around is less convenient than a key card. The door also doesn’t lock automatically when it closes, which could be a security concern. What really let the stay down was the service. For the most I’ve ever paid for a hotel night, I expected world-class care. Instead, staff often seemed indifferent or as if we were a bother. The bartender I spoke with a couple of times was cold and appeared annoyed. When we weren’t happy with drinks we ordered at the bar, management never tried to make things right. I’m used to staff greeting guests with a smile and a good morning or evening at a luxury resort. That happened maybe once here. Most of the time I felt ignored and unwelcome. One day, as we were leaving with our arms full, my wife told the front desk we didn’t have a sign asking room service to skip our room. The person handed her one, apparently expecting her to go back and put it on the door herself. That might be understandable at a Days Inn, but not at the Claremont at these prices. At checkout, nobody asked how our stay had been. Maybe they didn’t know how to handle concerns, or maybe they simply didn’t care. Our arrival had gone well, and this was a luxury base for exploring Acadia. The amenities were mostly nice, and the location and scenery were great. Still, the value felt awful. I’ve had better service at hotels costing less than a third as much.