Samoset Resort

We are staying at the Samoset now (March 2009) as an exchange against our Manhattan Club timeshare. Some would think we are crazy to do such a trade as a week at the MC is probably worth two to three times more than this resort in mid-Maine but we are absolutely loving it. The unit is smaller than some we have stayed in (we have a one bedroom which is only because there are NEVER any two bedrooms available) but it is fine for two people. Four people would be absolutely claustrophobic so I would advise against it.

The rooms are nicely appointed with a partial kitchen (stovetop, microwave, toaster oven, mini fridge and all small appliaces, e.g, a blender) and a wonderful king sized bed in the bedroom which also features a sliding glass door so you can gasp over the awesome ocean view. The Samoset is set on its own little peninsula and you are surrounded by an 18 hole golf course. Of course, this time of year, that means it's nice and quiet and you can use the paved golf cart paths as walking paths to take you down to the ocean or to a nearby jetty which features at its end an old lighthouse. We also went to Owls Head Lighthouse which is only about 15 minutes away and the views at the top would take your breath away.

Luckily, they now have wireless internet in all timeshare units for $10 a week so that is nice. There is also a TV in the living room and bedroom. The bathroom is definitely undersized for a Gold Crown resort; it's small and more like the kind you usually find in the lower end motels, e.g., plasticized covering on the tub and shower and it's such a tiny bath you can barely shut the door if you are sitting on the "throne"! However, that aside, the place is beautiful, loaded with amenities and things to do/use (including a health club, hot tub, massage and facial spa which I had earlier this week and loved) but none of the on-site restaurants are open at this time except for the weekend, so if that is important to you you may be disappointed. The Brown Bag in nearby Rockland is the place to beat for breakfast and homemade baked goods and we also enjoyed The Boat House, also in Rockland, right next to Amalfi's. It's set right on the water and had a nice, reasonably priced lunch menu.

If the ocean is your thing, meaning just being near it and seeing it is enough to make you swoon (for me, it is truly a form of therapy) then you really can't go wrong with the Samoset Resort.

We are finishing up a great vacation on an RCI exchange. We got a so-called "deluxe one bedroom" which is a bit larger than the regular one bedroom (bigger balcony and bigger living room). The views from every balcony in every timeshare unit are glorious....an unobstructed wrap-around view of the golf course and ocean.

The unit itself is not huge or fancy. the kitchen and bath are both small and a bit dated. But the unit is clean, the chairs and sofa are comfortable, and everything works. The bed is excellent. All lamps have 3 way bulbs, which provide excellent light for reading. All of the hotel facilities are available to timeshare guests, including free internet in the lobby. There is even laundry and room service for timeshare guests. The hotel concierge could not have been nicer or more helpful.

this part of mid coastal Maine is full of interesting things to do. We took a ferry to Vinalhaven, a nearby island in Penobscot Bay, about an hour's ride from Rockport. We also did a day sail out of Camden, sea kayaking, hiking, and shopping. The Farnsworth Museum in Rockport has a sensational collection of Wyeths. There are some excellent restaurants in Rockland and Camden. The hotel restaurants are moderately priced. Breakfast buffet was about $12 and looked very nice.

All in all, we loved our visit and would come back in a heartbeat.

This is one of my favorite vacation resorts! I've enjoyed it in Winter and Summer. It has all the amenities plus that of a 5 star hotel! Excellent restaurant, golfing is superb, indoor and outdoor pools, recreation schedule to fit all ages! There are many hiking and biking trails. Walking out on the jetty to the lighthouse is a real treat!

The setting of Samoset is truly majestic. The entire resort is framed by Maine coastline. You have constant views of the Penobscot Bay. Without doubt, the best things nearby are the ocean, shoreline, ocean breeze, and the sun. Just outside the resort grounds, Camden, Maine, is another primary asset for this timeshare. Camden offers quaint shopping, fine dining, art galleries, and a postcard- perfect harbor where two- and three-masted scooners leave port regularly. Camden is a must-see for any Samoset visitor.

Samoset is known as the "Pebble Beach of the Northeast" because of its oceanfront, 18-hole championship golf course, which is home to regional PGA championships.

Samoset strives to offer elegance and luxury to its guests. As a result, you may find that Samoset is more formal, upscale, and conservative than your average oceanfront resort.

It is in its essence a golf resort, not a beach resort. And in prime season, this resort is all about golf. It boasts a 6,600-yard, par-70, 18- hole championship course, featuring seven oceanfront holes, and 11 ocean-view holes. In addition, it has practice facilities: putting greens, bunkers, and ranges. They also offer lessons, clinics, and custom fittings. The clubhouse offers a full selection of apparel, equipment, and accessories. So its primary draw is golfers.

The expansive nature of the resort, in that it is large and framed by both the ocean and golf greens, provide restful privacy and luxury. There are oceanfront walkways and spots of rocky shoreline for enjoying views of the bay. The setting is tranquil and peaceful--you are not nestled in between towering buildings or butted up against other developments or resorts. You won't be overrun with tourists-- towel-clad or moped-bound. It feels very separate and distinct, removed from the hustle and bustle.

Mind you, there is no hustle and bustle in Rockport, Maine. A dear friend of mind who used to live right up the coast from Samoset said, "If you are in a hurry, don't come to Maine."

That's good advice, because Maine is a lot bigger than it looks on a map. Coastal roads are single-laned, windy, and spotted with villages and towns. Should you plan to explore further than Camden, be prepared for slow, scenic journeys where you drive, drive some more, and then drive just a little further to get where you are going. If you prepare properly, your one-and-a-half or two-hour journey to Acadia, Freeport or Bar Harbor can be just as enjoyable as your visit. Bring music, snacks, and refreshment for the car. Pack a camera and take time to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells on your way.

Samoset offers a broad array of services and amentities: -Indoor and outdoor pools with hot tubs -Fitness center and exercise classes -Child care, playroom, and vacation camps -Tennis courts, lessons and clinics -Game room -Movies, wine and cheese parties, and bingo

Dining Samoset has more than its fair share of dining options on-site. Three restuarants offer the full range of dining experiences. Marcels is a continental, "coat required," white-tablecloth, white-candle, with-ocean-view-style dining experience where reservations are recommended. Breakwater Cafe is casual and patio dining--a place you can actually take children into. The Clubhouse Grille is a pub- style bar where golfers gather. The resort also has a decent room-service menu that is even offered to guests in the timeshare condos. Rockport itself has more mainstream dining options. But Camden, which is a mere 10 minutes up the road, offers elegant, casual, ethnic, and local cuisine.

Great for the golfers. OK for the ocean enthusiast, the water is further away than it looks.

Most of the ammenities are shared with hotel guests and fitness club members who seem to dislike the resort guests.