Hartstone Inn

The Hartstone Inn isn't trying to be a resort. It's a converted captain's house on Elm Street - 18th-century bones, hardwood floors, a fireplace in the common room, and a wine bar where the sommelier actually knows what he's talking about. Most guests who land here are couples looking for a night that feels less like a hotel stay and more like staying with friends who happen to have excellent taste and a serious breakfast program. The property draws repeat visitors: one regular just celebrated their fourth consecutive stay. What keeps them coming back isn't Instagram appeal; it's competence in the details.

The Hartstone sits in the center of Camden, Maine's most walkable village. Shops, galleries, and restaurants spill across the green within a few minutes on foot. The rocky harbor is a three-block stroll. During peak season - leaf-peeping weekends in October and the summer sailing crowd in July and August - rooms book months ahead. The property also rents a wood-fired sauna seasonally, which has become a minor legend among returning guests.

The breakfast is genuinely exceptional. This isn't continental pastries and coffee. Guests rave about smoked salmon hash, avocado toast with perfectly ripe fruit, overnight oats, fresh granola, and house-made pastries. One solo traveler called it "the best breakfast I've ever had in a US B&B." Another guest was so disappointed that the kitchen ran out of avocados midweek that she mentioned it in her review. The dining room is bright and sunny - designed for lingering.

Staff who treat you like regulars on day one. Named mentions crop up repeatedly across reviews: Megan (the manager), Steve (the sommelier), Tom (the chef), and Kaylee (front desk) all get personal thank-yous. One couple noted they felt like they were "staying with friends or family." The manager of a historic property this small can't hide; guests sense whether he or she actually cares. Here, they do.

The restaurant is serious but not stuffy. French, Italian, American, and European cuisines from a kitchen that clearly has standards. A wine list curated by someone who knows the difference between a $30 bottle and a $300 bottle. Dinner is optional - it's not a lock-in - but reviewers who eat there report memorable meals. One guest specifically praised "a really nice menu offering and great wine list."

Outdoor spaces with actual personality. A sun deck, a picnic area, a garden with seating, and a fireplace pit stocked with blankets. One reviewer noted the staff provided blankets to take "the chill off in the evening air." Another raved about the patio with s'mores fixings. These aren't afterthoughts.

Historic character preserved, not overdone. The building feels like it was built 200 years ago and then thoughtfully maintained, not gut-renovated and styled to death. One British guest appreciated that "the lovely period of the inn kept not spoiled." Wood detailing, original architectural details, a sense of place.

Hartstone has fewer than 20 rooms spread across the main house and adjacent spaces. The building's age means ceilings are lower, hallways tighter, and layouts more irregular than a modern hotel - which is exactly why some guests book it and others don't. Rooms are small to medium, beautifully decorated in neutral tones with good linens and comfortable beds. Most have garden or city views.

• Double Room with Private External Bathroom - The most common room type. Cozy, charming, some with external entry that adds to the B&B feel.
• Queen Room - Slightly more spacious option with queen bed; a few of these scattered across the property.
• Queen Suite - The property's roomier offering, with sitting area.

One caveat: several guests flagged that rooms are genuinely small and can feel cramped for multi-night stays. One couple noted "exceptionally uncomfortable" chairs made reading in the room difficult. Another mentioned the mattress rolled to the middle - a single reviewer flagged this, but it's worth knowing. Walls are older, so sound travels more than in modern construction. A few guests heard water pipes or locks beeping at night. If you're someone who needs space to sprawl or silence at 6 a.m., request a first-floor room away from the street when you book. For couples planning one or two nights, the coziness reads as charm.

Pool & grounds: Sun deck · Garden with seating · Outdoor fireplace · Picnic area · Wood-fired sauna (seasonal, available to guests at no charge)

Dining & drinks: Restaurant (French, Italian, American, European) · Wine/champagne bar · Breakfast included

Activities & services: Bicycle rental · Tour desk with walking-tour and bike-tour options · Hiking · Cycling · Ski school and pass vendor · Board games and puzzles in common areas

Practical: Free parking on-site (rare in downtown Camden) · Free WiFi throughout · 24-hour front desk · Concierge · Laundry facilities (complimentary) · Private check-in/out available · Fax and meeting facilities

For families: Game room · Mini golf · Board games/puzzles · Canoeing (can be arranged through tour desk)

The breakfast here has earned its reputation. Made-to-order, included with your room, served in a bright dining room. Smoked salmon hash, avocado toast, yogurt with granola, fresh pastries, and coffee (though some guests have had mixed experiences with the French press). One solo traveler specifically ranked it above every other B&B breakfast they'd had in the United States. Another guest, staying for four nights, was genuinely upset when the kitchen ran out of avocados.

The on-site restaurant is open for dinner most nights, with a wine program that draws serious oenophiles. The sommelier, Steve, appears in multiple reviews by name. You can eat at the inn or walk 90 seconds to a dozen other restaurants in downtown Camden - the choice is yours.

Spring (April–May): Shoulder season, best for solitude. Trails dry out mid-April. Breakfast and dinner operate full hours. Sauna may not yet be active. Fewer couples, more hikers and returning guests.

Summer (June–August): Peak. Waterfront packed. Foliage doesn't peak until October, but the harbor is alive with sailing and tourists. Book 2–3 months ahead. Sauna fully operational. All amenities open. Expect families and groups alongside couples.

Fall (September–October): Foliage season. Leaf-peeping weekends in mid-to-late October are near-impossible to book. Mild temperatures, golden light. The sauna is particularly popular in early September when guests want outdoor fire and warmth without summer heat.

Winter (November–March): Quietest period. Ski pass vendor active for those heading inland. The sauna becomes a genuine draw - one February guest specifically praised it as "an excellent surprise in the winter." Some guests seek the fireplace, walks in cold air, and absence of crowds. A few events like holiday dinners draw groups.

"The charm and staff. We usually do waterfront if that's available but because Camden is a small town where the waterfront is easily accessible it wasn't an issue. The staff was so kind and accommodating."

• Yuonhee, United States · Couple · 10/10

"This place is heaven. The sauna was insane, the cookies, Stevie the somm, Tom the chef. Comfortable bed, clean, airy. 100000/10."

• Sarah, United States · Couple · 10/10

"The inn surprised us by renting out a mobile sauna for a couple weeks. An excellent surprise in the winter. The complimentary breakfast was also excellent, especially the Salmon Hash."

• Emma, United States · Couple · 10/10

"Every genius detail of this amazing stay was exceptional. You won't find anything like it anywhere. It is rare to find such personality and soul coupled with excellence in every detail."

• Crawford, United States · Solo traveler · 10/10

"Great location. Lovely old home now used as an inn. The manager was very helpful."

• Marianne, United States · Couple · 8/10

"Wished breakfast was served earlier than 8 a.m."

• Janice, United States · Group · 10/10

Across 136 reviews, the consistent refrain is warmth and competence. Minor complaints cluster around room size (acknowledged by the inn itself - small historic space), thin walls in a 200-year-old building, and mattress firmness (one or two flagged it as too soft; others called it "amazing"). One guest found the French press coffee gritty; staff were described as "hands off" in a way that some appreciated as respect and others felt was too detached. These are edge cases. The dominant signal is genuine affection.

• Camden Harbor Park - 0.2 miles, a waterfront green with benches and views toward Penobscot Bay.
• Downtown Camden shops and galleries - 0.1–0.3 miles, walkable for coffee, jewelry, art, and Maine-made goods.
• Laite Memorial Beach - 0.6 miles, a pebble-and-sand public beach where locals actually swim and kayak.
• Mount Battie hiking trail - 1.5 miles, a 45-minute loop from town with views across Penobscot Bay and the islands.
• Camden Harbor - 0.3 miles, the working harbor with lobster boats, sailboats, and the Maine Maritime Museum visible across the water.
• Rockport - 3 miles south, a quieter artistic village with studios, cafés, and the Rockport Opera House.
• Coastal road north to Lincolnville and Belfast - 5–8 miles, excellent biking and driving for foliage season.
• Skiing (winter) - Sunday River or Sugarloaf are 90 minutes inland; the inn has a ski pass vendor and storage.

Is breakfast included? Yes, made-to-order, served 8 a.m.–10 a.m. in the dining room. Special diets accommodated on request. Dinner is available at the on-site restaurant but not included.

Is there parking? Yes, free on-site parking included with your room. Rare for downtown Camden and a major draw, especially during foliage season.

What are the rooms like? Small to medium, historically charming, with good beds and private bathrooms. Expect low ceilings and irregular layouts from a converted 1800s captain's house. Perfect for one night; potentially tight for a week.

Can I eat dinner at the inn? Yes. The restaurant serves French, Italian, American, and European cuisine. Wine list curated by the sommelier. Or walk three blocks to a dozen other restaurants in Camden.

Is the sauna always available? The wood-fired sauna is rented seasonally, typically November through March. When available, all guests can use it at no additional charge. Call ahead if winter sauna access is a priority.

Do rooms have air-conditioning? Yes, all rooms have A/C. Important for summer months when the building can hold heat, and appreciated by guests in May and September.

How close is the waterfront? Three blocks to Laite Memorial Beach; the harbor park and working harbor are even closer. Most guests find it's a pleasant walk, not a drive.