|
|
|
|||||||
|
Camden Started rather simply by doting innkeepers whose skills were the envy of their colleagues, the Maine Stay expanded, upgraded and lured a repeat clientele to the point where it was the one B&B in Camden that always seemed to be fully booked when others hung out “vacancy” signs. So retired business executive Bob Topper and his wife Juanita inherited a going concern when they took over in 2003 following the retirement of the founding innkeepers. During their fifteen-year tenure, the original 1802 farmhouse with nine bedrooms sharing three baths gave way to eight bedrooms and suites, all with updated baths (some with Corian tiled showers), and a wide reputation for value and personal service. The former Room 3, upstairs front, is typical of the accommodations as they have evolved. Formerly two small rooms with a shared bath, it is now the Christina Topper Suite with a sofabed and gas fireplace in the front sitting room, a queen brass bed in back and a private deck. The rest of the bedrooms vary in size and décor, but all live up to the term charming. The Stitchery Suite embraces what had been three bedrooms on the third floor. Several needlepoint pieces stitched by the former innkeepers adorn the walls, and end tables fashioned from old sewing machine bases are employed in the front sitting room with a gas fireplace. The rear bedroom has a high brass and iron queen bed, and a connecting room adds a twin bed. The skylit bath has a tiled shower. The Toppers redecorated the rear Badagastein Room with keepsakes and photographs of the Austrian village where Juanita was born. They also hung photos of the former owners in a cozy front room they renamed the Smith-Robson to honor the “near legendary stature” of the former innkeepers. The attached carriage house harbors a delightful downstairs guest room, cheery in white with blue trim and yellow accents, with queen bed, gas stove and private stone patio. You’d never guess it had been transformed from a root cellar with no windows and a dirt floor. Another favorite is the large Common Ground Room decorated with agricultural fair posters. It has a vaulted ceiling, tall windows, queen bed, Maine cottage furniture and a Vermont Castings stove, plus an outside deck. Guests are welcome to light the fireplaces in two parlors and a library/TV room, or come into the expansive country kitchen for cookies and cheer. They’re also invited to use the rear sun porch or to enjoy the seats and paths in the two-acre back yard, which backs up to Camden Hills State Park. Breakfast is a convivial gathering, served amidst fine Aynsley china and Simon Pearce crystal at a harvest table in the dining room or at tables for two on the sun porch overlooking the garden. Juanita, who does the cooking, prepared quiche the morning of our latest visit and was planning peach french toast the next day.
e-mail: innkeeper@mainestay.com For more information: www.camdenmainestay.com. Six rooms and two suites with private baths. June-October: doubles $135 to $205 weekends, $125 to $195 midweek. Rest of year: doubles $110 to $160 weekends, $100 to $150 midweek. Children over 12.
Wood Pond Press E-mail feedback to: Home
page |
Full destination index | |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
