When one contemplates the ‘most beautiful’ things in the world, the mind might travel to a bungalow on the Maldives or a historic oasis on the Amalfi Coast. The Claremont Hotel, set on a hillside in Southwest Harbor, Maine topped all the exotic getaways one can imagine.
The historic hotel, built in 1833, as a pipe dream for Captain Jesse Pease, was just named the “most beautiful hotel in the world,” 142 years later.
The Claremont Hotel History
Captain Jesse Pease, a sea captain who chartered sugar and molasses along the Maine coast, retired in 1833. Pease commissioned a local contractor to build his dream hotel to welcome guests to this special part of Maine.
Opening the following year, The Claremont Hotel turned into a summer treat for affluent Northeast families escaping the summer heat. When Pease passed in 1901, his wife, Grace Pease, oversaw The Claremont for the next seven years. Grace continued to manage the hotel even after selling it in 1908.
The Claremont continued to be run by different local families over the years, and since 2020 has been under management by the creative hospitality guru, Tim Harrington of Atlantic Hospitality, who runs some of Maine’s most renowned getaways like The Dunes on the Waterfront and the highly-anticipated The Asticou Hotel.
A breathtaking stay on the coast of Maine
The Claremont Hotel has since been revamped, with attention to preserve much of the original charm. Set adjacent to the saltwater-surrounded Mount Desert Island and rolling mountains of Acadia, the property doesn’t have a bad angle. Each guest room, cottage, signature home, or cabin overlooks pristine aqua waters or the vibrant lush greenery of Acadia National Park.
The natural surroundings of Maine’s diverse landscape are featured in the meticulous design of each room. The Woodland Cabins pay homage to the miles of trails and fairy tale forests while the Ocean View Cottages offer classic nautical New England charm.
Where nature is luxury
The Claremont Hotel offers easy access to some of the nation’s purest swimming, hiking, and outdoor beauty. The property itself has a gorgeous outdoor heated swimming pool overlooking the water.
After a day of exploring the outdoors, unwind at The Claremont’s Botanica Spa and cap the day with harborside dining at Batson River Fish Camp or an elegant dinner at Little Fern—two of The Claremont Hotel’s dining options.
Find The Claremont Hotel at:
22 Claremont Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679