Earlier this month, we traveled an hour shy of Arcadia National Park for a two-night stay in the Lodge at Camden Hills. Camden, Maine is a small, coastal town with plenty of character and tons to offer. The two of us have stayed at a lot of B&B’s over the past year – we’re always on the lookout for a good deal, and sites like Groupon and Living Social are often our best friends. We happened across a deal for the Lodge at Camden Hills in Camden, ME and thought it too good an offer to refuse. It was a memorable weekend, and the perfect way to spend a romantic weekend. Here’s the rundown of what’s included:
Like a Home Away from Home
The room was amazing – larger than most, and perfectly comfortable for two (or three, if that’s your style). One thing worth noting is the separation of bedroom and living space. For some this may not be of importance, but it’s a major perk if you or your S.O. is an earlier riser. The space was what one might call “New England chic” – it’s essentially an apartment with a B&B flair (decor-wise: food is not included in your stay). The layout is ideal – it doesn’t feel crowded, and the delineation between the living space, bathroom, and bedroom is well-organized.
The kitchenette presents a glorious spectrum of ways to get rewarded by your partner. Going out on the town can be a great build up to the night ahead, but if you’re on vacation in January (as we were) and the mercury in the thermometer is threatening to freeze along with the landscape, staying in with your loved one and cooking will look all the more appealing. Fortunately, there is a very handy temperature control for supplementing shared bodily warmth. There are two burners with a few pots and a pan, but if you’re resourceful in the kitchen that should be more than enough to satisfy at least one appetite…Breakfast in bed is one guaranteed way to bring a smile to your partner’s face – give this killer recipe a try, and see how the favor is returned once the breakfast tray has been kicked off the mattress:
Spicy Sweet Potato Hash
Ingredients:
♥ 2 links hot sausage, cut into cubes
♥ 1 sweet potato, cut into small cubes
♥ 1 cup chopped broccolini
♥ salt and pepper
♥ Cholula Hot Sauce (or hot sauce of choice)
♥ 2 eggs
Method: Fry sausage in oil til lightly burned, set aside, keep some of the oil. dice potato, add to pan along with 1/3 cup of water, bring to boil and cook, uncovered, while the potato softens. Add water as necessary. Once al dente, add broccolini, hot sauce and return sausage, mix well over medium high heat. Finally, stir in the parsley and season to taste – set aside. Fry eggs in a small skillet, until whites are cooked (“over-easy”).
The Romantic Trifecta: Fire, Bubbles, and Pillows
If we had our say, every getaway would come equipped with a bottle of wine, light dimmers in each room, and nest of feather pillows before a raging fire pit. Though this place wasn’t quite that outrageous, it has a lot to offer. First up is the double-sided fireplace (with an on/off switch…talk about mod cons) – it heats up the room in a matter of minutes, and makes sipping a glass of wine feel so much classier. We also have an unhealthy obsession with Game of Thrones, so anything fire-related gets our vote. Next up was the jacuzzi – it was a little testy at moments, but the owners left awesome instructions…which A didn’t see until after the tub was half-filled (we would have saved ourselves some time if she had). Third was a ridiculously comfortable loveseat – it’s the perfect size for two people, and makes a great cuddle space for watching movies (Tom note: zombie flicks are a great idea).
Things to do outside of the bedroom…
Inevitably there will come a time when you and your partner need to recuperate, replenish or rekindle the romance before the evening ahead. Camden boasts a small ski hill called Camden Snowbowl very close to the town, which is set up for tobogganing and many other fun ways to tumble around in the snow together. In Spring/Summer Camden Hills State Park offers 30 odd miles of hiking trails and more than a few campsites, in case you feel like sticking around. The nearby towns of Rockport and Lincolnville can also arrange deep sea fishing trips. For the more casual excursion, we found a great little pub named Cappy’s, with a very friendly atmosphere and weekend seating with bay views. The bartender was extremely welcoming, and had nothing but great things to say about Camden. We got free popcorn (which Anne loves!) and buffalo chicken wings as well.
Moral of the story – we absolutely recommend this getaway! Everything from the amenities to the hospitality (Kelly is fantastic!) to the adorable town of Camden made this the perfect escape. You can access the website for the lodge HERE.
Bed & Breathless 