In 2016, Steve and I flew into Portland, Maine, rented a car, and spent a week exploring Maine's stunning Atlantic coastal towns. We were in search of lighthouses, beautiful vistas, and fresh seafood. The town of Camden charmed us and made a lasting impression, so when we planned our leaf-peeping trip for this year, we decided to spend 3 days there.
You can easily imagine the town of Camden as a setting for a movie. In fact, a number of them HAVE been filmed in this location. "In the Bedroom," "Casper," "Thinner," and "Peyton Place" to name a few. The downtown area is lined with interesting shops, attractive boutiques, and locally-owned cafes and coffee shops, but directly behind those businesses is breath-taking Penobscot Bay and the constant parade of sailboats, yachts, and fishing vessels. Within a few miles of the bay, the views from Camden Hills State Park provide an even more sweeping perspective. And a few miles in the opposite direction (Rockport), we had the best seafood of our trip at Graffam Brothers Seafood Market, a place recommended by a local that did NOT disappoint. Rustic but delicious.
If we could afford it (and that's a big "IF" when you visit New England in the fall), we wanted to stay in a place with flair and personality. Fortunately, a room was available at an acceptable price at Whitehall. Here is an article written about Whitehall in 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/travel/maine-inn-whitehall-camden.html Whoa! Is it possible that former President Bill Clinton once stayed in the same room that we did? !!! The main thing that has changed since this story is that the onsite restaurant Pig & Poet is no longer in operation.
The exterior, with its expansive front porch and inviting gathering areas, is impressive, and when you walk in, the mix of colors is delightful.
Our room, although, it had a king-size bed, a closet, and a full bathroom, was a little bit cramped, but the bed itself was comfortable, and there was plenty of hot water in the shower. (2 biggies) We spent time around a firepit one night and on the front porch another afternoon. Jazzy music plays throughout the common areas. This is definitely NOT a cookie-cutter chain hotel.
Breakfast is served as a series of hot and cold "small plates." Expect scones or pastries, egg dishes, meat, cheese, fresh fruit, juices, and coffee. Oh, and I should mention that coffee and tea are available 24-7 and warm chocolate chip cookies appear in the lobby every afternoon.
You won't find an elevator, so plan to manage your own luggage. Parking is free on a graveled lot beside the inn.
The location is great, and the vibe is modern, youthful, and trendy. I think you should consider Whitehall, if you're planning to spend time in Camden. And, yes, I would definitely return in the future if I had a chance.