New owners of the Norumbega Inn, Maine’s castle hotel, have refurbished this architectural gem from the ground-floor suites to the fourth-floor Penthouse. Proprietors Brett Haynie and partner Will Tims, an architect, replaced the interior furnishings, opting for comfort and simplicity over antiques and florals. And they let the handsome mahogany woodwork and patterned wood floors shine while adding a contemporary kick and a breezy vibe.
Sleep like royalty in Maine’s castle hotel.
Each of the 11 spacious guest rooms has a sitting area; many have ocean views (opt for the third-floor rooms or fourth-floor Penthouse for the best); some have gas fireplaces and/or private balconies or terraces, and a few have window seats (I’m a sucker for those). The bedding is sublime.
Bathrooms vary in size, but all are tile and marble. Some have deep soaking tubs, and most have separate glass showers. Shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion fill sustainable containers. Cozy robes are provided.
Of particular note are the Penthouse Suite, large enough to hold a small party, and the Library Suite, rimmed with an upper balcony lined with books. Views from the Penthouse’s private balcony and its huge window with window seat take in island-salted Penobscot Bay. Although the Library lacks an ocean view, it has a cozy nook with a separate bed and a couch.
Plentiful space to spread out
One thing I love about Maine’s castle hotel is the abundance of public space. It begins outdoors, with four acres of land peppered with plentiful Adirondack chairs, a gazebo, and a fire pit. Add the wrap-around back porch with tables, chairs, and couches. And the shared balconies on the second and third floors.
Upon entry, there’s intimate seating on a stair landing, with built-in cushioned benches and two chairs grouped by a corner fireplace. The large living room, with back-to-back L-shaped couches and a gorgeous fireplace, gives way to an alcove with a grand piano. The living room also flows into the two-room dining area, where breakfast is served.
The table-filled room, with a fireplace, of course, opens to the wrap-around porch (a favorite for breakfast when the weather’s fine). The second features a handsome built-in dining buffet, a massive ornate hearth, and two more back-to-back couches. Cookies magically appear on the buffet each afternoon.
From there, it’s onto the small cocktail bar. Although there are only four seats at the bar, all the public rooms and inviting porch beckon.
During the summer, the owners expect to add a small bites menu and open it to the public on some nights. In addition, once a month, the Norumbega will offer a dinner open to guests and the public. Catering is provided by E. Wales Hospitality (which, prior to relocating to the area, operated The Blue Spoon in Portland).
Breakfast fit for a king and queen
Guests are encouraged to help themselves to the European-style breakfast buffet on the dining room sideboard. Local cheese, meats, freshly baked breads, fruit, local yogurt, house granola, and other deliciousness make it too easy to fill up before the main entrée is served. That was a scrumptious egg benedict paired with a side salad on the morning of my stay.
A short history of Camden’s Norumbega Inn
Maine-born Joseph Barker Stearns deserves recognition for revolutionizing the fire alarm system and inventing the double telegraph. After selling his rights to Western Union, he traveled extensively, eventually returning to Maine to build his castle, which was completed in 1887. It remained a private home until 1984. Since then, it’s operated as an inn under different owners.
And finally
The Norumbega Inn is located along Route 1 on the northern end of downtown Camden. The inn is open year-round, and if it’s too pricey for your budget during peak season, consider a late fall or winter visit. Camden and Rockland offer plenty for visitors in the quieter seasons. Or I can imagine curling up with a good book and a glass of wine in a window seat and being perfectly content.
Meet the Norumbega Inn’s proprietors, Brett Haynie and Will Tims, in this video.
