A few years ago, my wife and I stayed on the quiet side of Mt Desert Island in Maine. This is where you find towns like Bass Harbor, Otter Creek, and Seal Harbor, which are a lot less busy than the other side of the island, where you’ll find Bar Harbor with its hotels, motels, restaurants, ice cream parlors, and yes, midsummer crowds. Bar Harbor is the major gateway for Acadia National Park, which is the reason for so many people flock here in the first place. Acadia is indeed a gem, for hiking, beachcombing and bike riding on the famed Rockefeller carriage trails.

Yet at day’s end, a little peace and quiet suited us better. That’s why the quiet side appealed to us and it was tranquility that we found by spending a few nights in Southwest Harbor, staying at The Claremont Hotel, an 1884 New England grande dame shingle-style hotel that had a painter’s view of Somes Sound, the east coast's only fjord, as well as of iconic Cadillac Mountain in Acadia.

At that time, the hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, had 24 guest rooms, and the adjacent Phillips House had six private inn-style rooms. There are also 14 housekeeping cottages. The hotel had a couple of restaurants and there were rowboats, bicycles, a clay tennis court, and two tournament-class croquet courts, because this was a place where the game was played by fierce competitors in The Claremont Classic for 43 years. Best of all, perhaps, was the wide front porch across the front of the hotel, which offered rocking chairs and an instant sense of calm. We loved its classic coastal atmosphere and striking views across the sound. On the other hand, it was creaky and tired and clearly in need of a facelift.

When The Claremont went up for sale in 2020, its fate remained in the balance. That is, until a new owner, and very likely the right owner, came along.

Kennebunkport hotelier Tim Harrington bought The Claremont Hotel and embarked on extensive renovations of the hotel. If you know Harrington, it’s because he’s a partner and creative director of the Kennebunkport Resort Collection boutique luxury hotel group. Those hotel projects include The Tides Beach Club, Cape Arundel Inn & Resort, and Hidden Pond Resort in Kennebunkport.

When all is said and done, the renovations and the purchase price represent an outlay of about $20 million. The renovations included replacement of bathrooms, windows, elevators, heating and ventilation systems, and the installation of air conditioning. It’s been freshly painted and rooms have Sister Parish wallcoverings, as well as textiles from William Morris & Pierre Frey.

Upscaling is the term. The reborn Claremont now has 51 accommodations, including 12 cottages, four suites, a three-bedroom waterfront property and 34 guestrooms. Harrington has added, most dramatically, a heated infinity swimming pool overlooking Somes Sound. There are also newly constructed cabanas for rent by the day.

The Botanica Spa is scheduled to open on July 1, with four treatment rooms and spa technicians offering massages, facials and treatments.

Dining options now include Harry’s Bar, Little Fern Restaurant, and Buttercup Bakery in the main building. Batson Fish Camp by the waterfront offers drinks and small plates.

Yoga and Pilates on the lawn overlooking Somes Sound begins on June 28th and will run throughout the summer. There are cruiser bikes to ride into Southwest Harbor. Garden tours are on offer, as are painting classes with an artist-in-residence. While the intensity of past croquet tournaments are a thing of the past, the hotel has retained one croquet court for slightly less competitive games.

One more striking change are the Celestial Lawn Parties, which begin this summer and mark a stellar event in the sky, like the Perseid Meteor Showers in August. These events will feature live music, passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations, and cash bars.

As for that amazing porch, it remains, as do the striking views. Visit The Claremont Hotel.