Design in Detail: Samoset Resort’s New Look
Shiplap walls, stunning Midcoast Maine photography from a local artist, decorative wooden paddles – these are just a few of the nautically rich details to look forward to in the now fully completed room refresh at Samoset Resort.
If it’s not your first time visiting Samoset Resort, the property may look a bit different from what you remember. Don’t worry, it still boasts its 18-hole championship golf course right on the Atlantic, 200,000-gallon “zero-entry” pool, serene coastal-inspired spa, and Ultimate Backyard. But what is different at this iconic resort perched on 230 waterfront acres overlooking Penobscot Bay is its design, which underwent a refresh over the course of 2019/2020 to trade out its traditional vibe for something a bit more modern, not to mention more in line with the location in which the resort is based: Midcoast Maine, a stone’s throw away from the string of quaint communities of Rockport, Rockland, and Camden.
The Scope of the Refresh
In addition to changing out the furniture and paint colors in the Clubhouse Grill overlooking the golf course and the hotel lobby, the bulk of the focus in the redesign was on the 178 guestrooms and hallway corridors to those rooms. Essentially, all four floors of the hotel contained in its three wings now have new carpet, lighting fixtures, and wall vinyl. Four additional hot tubs were added to the ocean-view balconies on the suites (so now 10 of the 18 suites have hot tubs), while six suites also saw the addition of bunk beds for family guests. As of June 19th, when Samoset Resort’s operation season began in earnest, 128 of the rooms were complete, with the additional 50 rooms completing by end of 2019.
The Theme: Nautical
“We’re based on the rugged coast of Maine, so that was important for our in-house design department to take into account,” notes Connie Russell, general manager of the property. “The way you see that, first and foremost, is in the color scheme: the bathroom walls are now a beautiful sky-blue color, the carpets are all navy and white, and the wall vinyl is a sandy beach color.” Headboards on king-size beds boast a gorgeous white-and-navy striped upholstery, while blue shiplap adorns the walls above the bed. Headboards on queen beds are made up of what resemble wooden paddles in blonde and dark wood shades. Other accents include tables featuring nautical maps of Penobscot Bay built into the tabletops, navy blue subway tiles in the kitchenettes, and decorative paddles on the walls.
Special Wow Factors to Pay Attention To
Don’t expect stock artwork accenting the walls. Rather, all photography featured in the rooms is from the camera of local artist Chris Lawrence, who hails from Scarborough, just south of Portland and roughly two hours from Rockland. “He was staying at the hotel one day as a guest, saw we were in the process of renovation, and just approached me in the lobby about potentially featuring his works,” laughs Russell. “He focuses pretty much exclusively on the coast of Maine, so it was a match made in heaven.” Expect to see shots of Midcoast Maine, including Camden Harbor, Owls Head Light, the Rockland Breakwater, as well as some from Portland and Mount Desert Island.
Where to Stay Samoset Resort
