The Norumbega Inn

In Camden, Maine, The Norumbega Inn rises above Penobscot Bay like something out of a fairy tale. The turreted stone castle was built in 1886 by telegraph inventor Joseph Stearns after he was inspired by the estates he toured across Europe. Architect Arthur B. Jennings' handiwork is still visible in the ornate millwork, generous fireplaces and bay windows that helped land the property on the National Register of Historic Places decades later.

A 2023 renovation by new owners Will Tims and Brett Haynie, working with design firm studiocake, refreshed the 11 guest rooms and suites with vintage Italian lighting, antique rugs and artwork by Maine artists, while preserving the turret's storybook charm. A new bar and canopied terrace let guests linger over cocktails and prix-fixe dinners year-round, while a short stroll leads to Camden Harbor's schooners, shops and restaurants.