Where to Stay: Samoset Resort
Ranked among the best golf resorts in the US by Conde Nast Traveler and as one of the best family vacation destinations in the world by Travel + Leisure, the Samoset is perched on 230 waterfront acres that overlook Penobscot Bay in Maine. You might never leave the resort’s own peninsula, but that would be to then miss out on the string of quaint communities of Rockport, Rockland, and Camden, known as iconic fishing villages with great art and culinary scenes.
STAY: Coastal Elegance Meets Modern Luxury
The resort’s 178 guest rooms and suites offer guests a chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy the view. Private balconies overlooking Penobscot Bay and gardens are perfect for an early morning cup of coffee. For those looking for the ultimate relaxation after a full day, a dip in the balcony hot tub of the Ocean View Hot Tub suites will soothe away tight muscles and tensions. Three multi-bedroom guest cottages tucked among the golf course and The Flume Cottage jutting out over the water give families or larger groups the best of both worlds: their own private cottages, plus all the benefits and amenities of a full-service resort.
EAT: Fuel Your Ultimate Maine Vacation
Take a midday break to tuck into a “Lob Shot Roll,” the resort’s signature Rockport lobster roll while you overlook the 18-hole golf course from the Clubhouse Grille. If you don’t want to stray too far from the pool for lunch, the Splash Pool Bar has lighter fare for grown-ups and kids, as well as handcrafted cocktails. An authentic wood-fired brick oven serves up fresh flatbread pizzas at La Bella Vita, one of the most popular restaurants in Rockport (also serving a legendary Sunday brunch). The area is then filled with world-class chefs and restaurants, including some James Beard Award winners.
PLAY: We Dare You to Try to Fit It All In
Besides the 18-hole championship golf course right on the Atlantic, 200,000-gallon “zero-entry” pool, serene coastal-inspired spa, and tennis courts, the Samoset offers too many seasonal activities to count for guests of all ages. The Ultimate Backyard features pickleball, basketball, shuffleboard, volleyball, badminton, croquet, horseshoes, and a playground – whew! Arriving in the winter? Try skiing or tobogganing at the Camden Snow Bowl, plus Samoset Kids Club during peak vacation weeks (and throughout summer, too). Plus, there’s hiking, biking, boating, and kayaking nearby in Rockport and Camden. If organizing your day seems overwhelming, with so many choices, make use of our “Consider It Done” agent, who will craft up a tailored itinerary of fun for you.
SAVE TIME FOR
It doesn’t take long for every guest staying at the Samoset to train their eyes on the Rockland Breakwater, the mile-long rock breakwater and lighthouse protecting the harbor and extending directly from the Samoset’s grounds. It’s almost an essential must-do. For a lighthouse excursion a bit further afield, make a day out of a trip to Pemaquid Lighthouse in nearby New Harbor, where you can explore, climb the rocky coastline, and even sit down for some delicious Maine blueberry pancakes at the adjacent café. Stop in Damariscotta on your way back and grab lunch at King Eider’s Pub.
