Magazine names Maine inn one of world’s best boutique hotels

We’re used to seeing Maine break the rankings on various national “best of” lists.

A French group named Fore Street restaurant in Portland to its list of top 100 restaurants in America recently. Portland is No. 2 on a “10 classiest party cities in America” list compiled by the search site Thumbtack. And WalletHub recently dropped Maine five spots to the seventh-best state in the country to have a baby. (Maybe it has something to do with the fact that WalletHub also found Maine has the third most hedonists, according to our Twitter traffic, anyway.)

But it’s not so often that we see Maine establishments making best-in-the-world lists.

Hats off to Camden Harbour Inn in Camden for coming in at No. 19 out of the top 20 boutique hotels ranked by readers of travel magazine Travel + Leisure. The inn on Bay View Street, overlooking the harbor, is a popular luxury hotel just a quick walk from Camden’s downtown. Right up the street from the Camden Yacht Club, it has 20 rooms, each named for famous ports.

Writes Katrina Brown Hunt for Travel + Leisure:

But instead of fishing nets and ship’s wheels, the highly-rated décor favors sleek contemporary aesthetics, created by a Dutch designer. Readers were also won over by value-added amenities like complimentary breakfast and an ongoing spread of free coffee, tea, and snacks. To minimize hassles, you’re within walking distance of the city’s harbor, shops, and a small public beach.

The Camden Harbour Inn, pictured in 2012. (Gabor Degre | BDN)

The Camden Harbour Inn, pictured in 2012. (Gabor Degre | BDN)

Each suite has a private balcony, iPad, a Bose Sound Docking system with a Nano iPod, and an Illy Espresso Maker by Italian designer Francis Francis, according to the inn’s website. This week, prices range from $189 per night for two people, to $545.

The bathroom of the Royal Dutch Suite at the Camden Harbour Inn, in 2012. (Gabor Degre | BDN)

The bathroom of the Royal Dutch Suite at the Camden Harbour Inn, in 2012. (Gabor Degre | BDN)

People familiar with the Camden Harbour Inn might also be familiar with its fine dining restaurant, Natalie’s.

In interior view of Camden Harbour Inn's award-winning restaurant Natalie's. (Gabor Degre  | BDN)

In interior view of Camden Harbour Inn’s award-winning restaurant Natalie’s. (Gabor Degre | BDN)

Hotels were rated based on their food, service and location. According to Travel + Leisure:

We zeroed in on the highest-ranked boutique hotels: properties that are independently owned, rather than being part of a chain, and have fewer than 100 rooms.

The top 20 reveal a lot about what makes a hotel truly “boutique”: a prime address that still feels removed from the tourist grid, an air of sophistication, a unique personality, and generous service.