Samoset Resort Reviews & Ratings

We are not golfers, so we don't much care about the 18 hole championship course on the Samoset property, but the golf course is certainly very beautifully landscaped and very well maintained.

It is quite spectacular to be able to watch the sun rise up out of the ocean right from your timeshare unit! Several holes of the golf course lie between the timeshare buildings and the ocean, but the golf course does not impede the ocean view in any way.

1BR units have a comfortable king sized bed --- a nice surprise. Kitchens are small, but entirely adequate. There is no oven beneath the two burner stovetop; there is a dishwasher there instead. That's fine by us --- a microwave oven, toaster oven and dual stovetop burners certainly meet our cooking needs. Refrigerator is not full size, but certainly large enough. Each unit has its' own heat and A/C controls.

Timeshare guests have access to the very nice fitness center on the Samoset property, at no additional charge, where there is a wide assortment of exercise equipment, an indoor pool, saunas and hot tub.

In each one of the (3) timeshare buildings there are three levels. There are no elevators, but none are needed unless you have mobility issues. You enter each building at the middle level. Top floor units are the best, since you'll never hear any noise from occupants overhead --- a potential issue in wood construction buildings such as this if you're on a lower level with noisy occupants directly overhead.

Beautiful "zero entry" outdoor pool, already closed for the season when we were there in autumn.

Samoset is well located for access to Camden just to the north or Rockland just to the south. Lots to see and do in the area, particularly if you are outdoors-oriented. Numerous great restaurants in the area too. It's about 75 miles to Acadia National Park.

We've been to a fair number of timeshares over the years and the Samoset property is really quite spectacular. Timeshare units are certainly not huge or opulent, but we were very satisfied and we will be back. In fact, we are considering buying a week here if we can find a top floor unit in the right week at the right price. ALL Samoset timeshare ownerships are deeded fixed weeks in specific fixed units --- no "points" and no "floating" or "flex" weeks.

There are no organized activities for the timeshares except for a "meet and greet" session conducted during the week by the timeshare property manager (no sales pitch is involved).

This property is a real gem. It's really no surprise that "exchanging" into Samoset through RCI and/or II is said to always be extremely difficult.

We own several weeks at the Samoset throughout the year, but summer is the real gem. All condos have ocean views, and patio or balcony. Timeshare renters can access all resort amenities including golf course, beautiful outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as indoor facilities.

Fabulous resort mid-coast Maine, so great day trips north and south. Not quite 2-hr drive from Portland, ME airport (PWM). View of beautiful 18-hole golf course and Penobscot Bay. Beautiful hotel on resort with health club and restaurant access for timeshare buildings. Lovely walks, including the breakwater to the Rockland Lighthouse (7/8 mi. each way), and in beautiful neighboring areas with fall color extraordinaire. Buy live lobsters in Rockland and steam in the unit!

We stayed 2 weeks this past June – rented the units from an owner. The rooms are not large but comfortable. All the unit have a balcony that runs across the front of the living room and kitchen with sliding glass doors from each area – that was really nice. They all have a great view of the ocean and golf course from there – great design. The king size bed was very comfortable. The kitchen is very small, but adequate—definitely a one person at a time affair. There is a full size refrigerator and microwave, but just a 2 burner cooktop and a countertop oven. You wouldn’t want to do any extensive meals in there (cooktop took quite a while to get things heated up—countertop oven worked surprisingly well but its pretty small) but it worked for what we needed. All the necessary dishes and utensils are there. This an older property and the furnishings and conditions reflect that but everything was well-maintained. This was a couples trip and it was perfect for that. We had a 2nd floor the first week which is actually the middle with no stairs. There are no elevators. No stairs was great, but we did have quite a bit of noise from the people walking around above us. The second week we moved to the 3rd floor – quieter – but you have the stairs. The grounds are gorgeous – you are right on the ocean and the golf course adds to the beauty. The pool is a little walk from the room but has a great view and a very large hot tub. There is a fire pit, and a restaurant there also. They have some lawn games and a large children’s playground near the pool. There is also a well equipped workout room and an indoor pool and hot tub. The restaurant in the main hotel is very pleasant – we went for happy hour a few times. There is very nice grilling area next to the timeshares – multiple gas grills, tables in a nice shady area overlooking the golf course and ocean. The only issue we had during the 2 weeks was they first time we went down to grill all the propane tanks were empty. It was early in the season and I guess no one had been using them yet. They did get them filled for the next day ad left an ignitor to use. We played golf there once – its pricey but worth it to play at least one time. There are a few other courses in the area that are more reasonable. One really nice thing they did here that I have not seen anywhere else is a owners (and guest) welcome party. They had wine, cheese, fruit and beer in one of the rooms in the main hotel. It was a great opportunity to meet and talk with others staying there that week. We actually met a couple from Texas who own a unit in the same resort we do in Galveston—small world. I would recommend this highly if staying there (there is no selling pitch involved). The area itself it wonderful. Lots of great restaurants, shopping and sight seeing. I highly recommend going to Camden Hills State Park and driving to the top for the view – fanastic. Our favorite place we found to eat was McLoons Lobster shack in Owls Head. A real Maine experience. It's really a shack with fresh, fresh homemade eats and a beautiful view of the harbor and BYOB. This is a good as it gets. Also Jess’s Seafood Market has great choices if you want to cook – they will also cook the lobster for you so you can bring it back to the room to eat – we did that few times.

Gorgeous resort and location. Located on a golf course. Restaurants at golf clubhouse and also at resort. Many , many local restaurants and shopping, sightseeing.

This is one of my favorite vacation resorts! I've enjoyed it in Winter and Summer. It has all the amenities plus that of a 5 star hotel! Excellent restaurant, golfing is superb, indoor and outdoor pools, recreation schedule to fit all ages! There are many hiking and biking trails. Walking out on the jetty to the lighthouse is a real treat!

Have owned for 3 years and absolutly love the place. Breakwater Walk to Lighthouse is awesome along with hikes along the water. Maine Lobsters everywhere. Town of Camden real close. Day trip to Acadia National. Great restuarant on site. Beautiful time of year. Just before the crowds arrive.

My favorite place to visit and get away! The resort has so many fun amenities, and host events throughout the week plus has extras like a wonderful restaurant, spa, workout space, pool, game room, and a fabulous golf course to walk around. This resort is right on the water and is super private. The local town is also wonderful to walk, shop, dine, and brew!

Oceanfront resort with seaside pool, restaurant on property, 18 hole golf course and a short walk to a lighthouse. Great property.

I chose to own at the Samoset Resort because of its location and amenities. You can stay on property and have everything you need or venture to other areas of Maine to explore. It's all good! Enjoy the lobster!

Beautiful ocean front resort. Great resteruants and they even have a bar/food at the pool. Rooms are clean and large. My family loves The Samoset Resort (expecially during July 4th)

Stayed at this resort in June, exchanged through RCI, love everything about it. Stunning view and surroundings, beautiful golf course, friendly people. Would love to go back again.

We are staying at the Samoset now (March 2009) as an exchange against our Manhattan Club timeshare. Some would think we are crazy to do such a trade as a week at the MC is probably worth two to three times more than this resort in mid-Maine but we are absolutely loving it. The unit is smaller than some we have stayed in (we have a one bedroom which is only because there are NEVER any two bedrooms available) but it is fine for two people. Four people would be absolutely claustrophobic so I would advise against it.

The rooms are nicely appointed with a partial kitchen (stovetop, microwave, toaster oven, mini fridge and all small appliaces, e.g, a blender) and a wonderful king sized bed in the bedroom which also features a sliding glass door so you can gasp over the awesome ocean view. The Samoset is set on its own little peninsula and you are surrounded by an 18 hole golf course. Of course, this time of year, that means it's nice and quiet and you can use the paved golf cart paths as walking paths to take you down to the ocean or to a nearby jetty which features at its end an old lighthouse. We also went to Owls Head Lighthouse which is only about 15 minutes away and the views at the top would take your breath away.

Luckily, they now have wireless internet in all timeshare units for $10 a week so that is nice. There is also a TV in the living room and bedroom. The bathroom is definitely undersized for a Gold Crown resort; it's small and more like the kind you usually find in the lower end motels, e.g., plasticized covering on the tub and shower and it's such a tiny bath you can barely shut the door if you are sitting on the "throne"! However, that aside, the place is beautiful, loaded with amenities and things to do/use (including a health club, hot tub, massage and facial spa which I had earlier this week and loved) but none of the on-site restaurants are open at this time except for the weekend, so if that is important to you you may be disappointed. The Brown Bag in nearby Rockland is the place to beat for breakfast and homemade baked goods and we also enjoyed The Boat House, also in Rockland, right next to Amalfi's. It's set right on the water and had a nice, reasonably priced lunch menu.

If the ocean is your thing, meaning just being near it and seeing it is enough to make you swoon (for me, it is truly a form of therapy) then you really can't go wrong with the Samoset Resort.

We are finishing up a great vacation on an RCI exchange. We got a so-called "deluxe one bedroom" which is a bit larger than the regular one bedroom (bigger balcony and bigger living room). The views from every balcony in every timeshare unit are glorious....an unobstructed wrap-around view of the golf course and ocean.

The unit itself is not huge or fancy. the kitchen and bath are both small and a bit dated. But the unit is clean, the chairs and sofa are comfortable, and everything works. The bed is excellent. All lamps have 3 way bulbs, which provide excellent light for reading. All of the hotel facilities are available to timeshare guests, including free internet in the lobby. There is even laundry and room service for timeshare guests. The hotel concierge could not have been nicer or more helpful.

this part of mid coastal Maine is full of interesting things to do. We took a ferry to Vinalhaven, a nearby island in Penobscot Bay, about an hour's ride from Rockport. We also did a day sail out of Camden, sea kayaking, hiking, and shopping. The Farnsworth Museum in Rockport has a sensational collection of Wyeths. There are some excellent restaurants in Rockland and Camden. The hotel restaurants are moderately priced. Breakfast buffet was about $12 and looked very nice.

All in all, we loved our visit and would come back in a heartbeat.

The setting of Samoset is truly majestic. The entire resort is framed by Maine coastline. You have constant views of the Penobscot Bay. Without doubt, the best things nearby are the ocean, shoreline, ocean breeze, and the sun. Just outside the resort grounds, Camden, Maine, is another primary asset for this timeshare. Camden offers quaint shopping, fine dining, art galleries, and a postcard- perfect harbor where two- and three-masted scooners leave port regularly. Camden is a must-see for any Samoset visitor.

Samoset is known as the "Pebble Beach of the Northeast" because of its oceanfront, 18-hole championship golf course, which is home to regional PGA championships.

Samoset strives to offer elegance and luxury to its guests. As a result, you may find that Samoset is more formal, upscale, and conservative than your average oceanfront resort.

It is in its essence a golf resort, not a beach resort. And in prime season, this resort is all about golf. It boasts a 6,600-yard, par-70, 18- hole championship course, featuring seven oceanfront holes, and 11 ocean-view holes. In addition, it has practice facilities: putting greens, bunkers, and ranges. They also offer lessons, clinics, and custom fittings. The clubhouse offers a full selection of apparel, equipment, and accessories. So its primary draw is golfers.

The expansive nature of the resort, in that it is large and framed by both the ocean and golf greens, provide restful privacy and luxury. There are oceanfront walkways and spots of rocky shoreline for enjoying views of the bay. The setting is tranquil and peaceful--you are not nestled in between towering buildings or butted up against other developments or resorts. You won't be overrun with tourists-- towel-clad or moped-bound. It feels very separate and distinct, removed from the hustle and bustle.

Mind you, there is no hustle and bustle in Rockport, Maine. A dear friend of mind who used to live right up the coast from Samoset said, "If you are in a hurry, don't come to Maine."

That's good advice, because Maine is a lot bigger than it looks on a map. Coastal roads are single-laned, windy, and spotted with villages and towns. Should you plan to explore further than Camden, be prepared for slow, scenic journeys where you drive, drive some more, and then drive just a little further to get where you are going. If you prepare properly, your one-and-a-half or two-hour journey to Acadia, Freeport or Bar Harbor can be just as enjoyable as your visit. Bring music, snacks, and refreshment for the car. Pack a camera and take time to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells on your way.

Samoset offers a broad array of services and amentities: -Indoor and outdoor pools with hot tubs -Fitness center and exercise classes -Child care, playroom, and vacation camps -Tennis courts, lessons and clinics -Game room -Movies, wine and cheese parties, and bingo

Dining Samoset has more than its fair share of dining options on-site. Three restuarants offer the full range of dining experiences. Marcels is a continental, "coat required," white-tablecloth, white-candle, with-ocean-view-style dining experience where reservations are recommended. Breakwater Cafe is casual and patio dining--a place you can actually take children into. The Clubhouse Grille is a pub- style bar where golfers gather. The resort also has a decent room-service menu that is even offered to guests in the timeshare condos. Rockport itself has more mainstream dining options. But Camden, which is a mere 10 minutes up the road, offers elegant, casual, ethnic, and local cuisine.

Great for the golfers. OK for the ocean enthusiast, the water is further away than it looks.

Most of the ammenities are shared with hotel guests and fitness club members who seem to dislike the resort guests.