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The 19th-century building overlooks Penobscot Bay.
Nolumbega Inn in Camden, Maine.hannah hoggatt
A 19th-century Maine getaway overlooking Penobscot Bay has been named the best new hotel on Earth.
Four of the world’s best new hotels are in New England, according to Travel + Leisure
The 11-room Norumbega Inn, a “castle by the sea” in Camden, Maine, was recently named to Travel & Leisure’s list of the world’s 100 best new and renovated hotels. Built in 1886, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The inn reopened in May after an eight-month renovation by new owners Will Timms and Brett Haney. This seasonal property has been transformed into a year-round property with reimagined rooms, new common spaces, and food and beverage options.
Enjoy a gourmet breakfast each morning, and coffee and tea are available throughout the day.
The owners updated the kitchen and living room. Plush seating and vintage Italian light fixtures, antique rugs, and local artwork have been added to guest rooms and common areas. A game room has also been added and a new grand piano has been added.
Living room at Nolumbega in Camden, Maine.
The team preserved the building’s original woodwork, fireplace, turret, wood-paneled walls, inlaid wood floors, carved railings, glass front porch, and more.
The Library Suite was once the library of the home’s original owner, Joseph Stearns. A native of Maine, he was the inventor of the double telegraph.
Library guest room at Nolumbega Inn in Camden, Maine.
Rooms with names such as Arundel and Balmoral enjoy garden views and panoramic sea views. Some rooms have gas fireplaces, and rooms have renovated marble bathrooms.
A full-service bar in the solarium opens onto the terrace. During busy periods, enjoy light meals prepared by Peruvian chef Marie-Marcel Densmore.
The Route 1 property was a private residence for a century before becoming a hotel in 1984.
The grounds include two gazebos, a bocce court, and four acres of perennial gardens. Camden Harbour, with its restaurants and shops, is just a short walk from the inn.
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