This is review is for the bar only! We got drinks here but didn't stay or get food. First off it's so cute in here I would love to come back and stay a night. The bar is cute with 4 seats, but you can also just order and grab and seat anywhere. The restaurant has lots of tables and the food looked amazing. I got an espresso martini and it was delicious. If I'm back in town I would do dinner here! read more

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The owner/manager of the Norumbega was extremely rude and unhelpful when we ask about the restaurant menu. One of us has significant food restrictions and was just inquiring about the menu posted online and whether there had been additions or changes. He acted as if this was an insulting or outrageous question and that we should have known that this has been the menu all summer. Having just arrived here we of course, did not know that and when we explained, he doubled down and asked why we would ever think that the menu posted online wasn't the current menu. We said we have frequently been to restaurants whose online menu does not always list what's available on any particular evening. He continued to insist that what we were asking made no sense to him. When we said that unfortunately we would have to cancel because there was nothing on the menu that would fit into the required diet he said he would be charging us $25 per person for the cancellation. We then explained that we thought we had a good reason to cancel and asked him to waive that. His response was to say that if we had been more remorseful, he would have waived the fee. It was as if he was blaming us for his rude behavior. At that point, we thanked him and ended the conversation. At that point, we thanked him and ended the conversation. While we understand the restaurants policy and normally would have been fine paying the fee as we know that cancellations can be difficult, we have never been traded as rudely as this, especially by a person in charge read more

Traveling through Maine when suddenly we saw the most beautiful castle like home high on cliff overlooking the Bay. What was it a home a restaurant an inn?? Finally got to our Inn and later inquired with breakfast server what is that Beautiful Historic Property enroute to Camden. He replied. "The Castle" and said he thought an Inn. After our Whale Watch trip in Bar Harbor I had time to Google. The Castle A historic boutique hotel in Camden Maine, said to be the most beautiful place on earth. it is one of Mid Coast Maine's most elaborate 19th-century summer houses, exhibiting a sophisticated Queen Anne style in stone and wood. It now houses the Norumbega Inn. A National Registered Historic House. When I return I hope to stay. - Mz read more

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Like an old castle with first class service and amenities. Beautiful view, cozy spaces, magical.

I booked a nearly weeklong stay here for me and my wife's honeymoon in late July of this year. It was absolutely beautiful! The innkeeper and other employees are very kind and catered to our needs attentively. The housekeeping service was great, there was a very convenient filtered water spot to fill our water bottles, and the ambience is very pleasant. The grounds were beautiful as well! We dined there our first night for dinner and drinks and it was delicious! We also had breakfast in the mornings out on the patio, also was delicious. The only thing I didn't like was the size of the bathroom in our room, it was very small. But this is an older building that had been updated, so I totally understand why it was so small and it overall didn't impact our experience, just something to keep in mind. I would highly recommend booking a stay here or stopping by for dinner/drinks when you can, it's a great spot in a great town! read more

Beautifully appointed. Food was surprising but tasty. Drinks were divine. My only suggestion is to offer a full menu and perhaps stay open a little later! read more

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My wife and I stayed at the Norumbega for our honeymoon and the stay was absolutely fantastic! From top to bottom everything was perfect. The rooms, the decor, the food, the grounds and the wonderfully helpful friendly staff were all 5 Star brilliant. I can't say or write how awesome our stay at the Norumbega was. We hope to come back very soon. read more

The Norumbega - Hotels Near Me - Camden, Maine

I cannot imagine anyone giving this literal effing castle less than a 5 star review. The house is incredible! We stayed in the Warwick room which had two window seats, which is now something I've added to my must build into my dream house list when I win the lottery, and a claw foot tub. I hope I did not offend the aristocratic gods when I used Mr Bubble in that tub! The staff were all incredibly kind and helpful. There's a breakfast buffet in the morning along with a made-to-order option. And in the afternoons there were platters of cookies left on the sideboard for your indulging pleasure. They also had a Nespresso machine upstairs for all hours. There was a bar for happy hour purposes, but as I'm a teetotaler, I was way more excited to Frankenstein my own freddo cappuccino with the Nespresso machine! It was good too. How good? So good one of the super rich guests staying there asked me about it. Yes, I impressed one of the nobles! Of course, he was less enthused about making his own... I have to say, this level of luxury is way out of my league. I'm a cheez whiz kind of chick. And this is an imported French brie sort of place. My friend used points, so I have no idea how expensive it was but online it looked like a coronary causing $400/night. If you're wealthy enough, I say stay here as often as you can, before the proletariat rises up. Or, save your points and invite me with you! read more

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We just returned home from this hard to leave place in Camden Maine. Everything about our stay made it really spectacular. The owners must know a lot about what they do. Thank you to them for such an aesthetically pleasing and cozy April weekend getaway. We so enjoyed the cookies at 3 pm. This is not to be missed. read more

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We stayed here a few years ago and fell in love. It was charming, close to Camden and the breakfasts were spectacular. We wanted to go back up for our anniversary but were not sure what to expect since it changed owners and Phil Crispo's cooking is a hard act to follow. The new owners hit it out of the park. The rooms have been updated while keeping the period character and the bathrooms fresh and updated. The beds are comfortable. They have several staff that were all very attentive and helpful. The breakfasts were very good and the small plates (new) in the evening were outstanding. They have two chefs that borrow from their roots in Peru and the Philippines making normal dishes with a twist. We love it there. It's relaxing and exactly what you'd want in an elegant inn. read more

Beautiful building, immaculate grounds, nice rooms, great owners/staff, just an extremely comfortable stay. The food in the bar is solid, it's close enough to downtown Camden to walk, and you have an ocean view from the upper floors. Really cool place to stay. read more

Worth the wait to stay in the Library Suite! So beautiful and unique, nothing out there quite like it! All of the staff were very kind and accommodating. Stunning grounds, fantastic breakfast and so close to town! Must stay if you are in Camden! read more

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My daughter and I enjoyed spending two nights in the Windsor room. We have stayed in B&B's and hotels all over the world, and this is truly one of the best! The new owners, Will & Brett, have done a magnificent job in updating their "Castle by the Sea". The inn was built in 1886, and has the most incredible architectural details such as beautiful wood moldings, floors, windows, fireplaces, balconies, stonework, alcoves, and even a turret. All of those original features are brought back to life with the owners' tasteful addition of new furniture, artwork, fresh flower arrangements, and totally renovated bathrooms. The grounds of the inn are gorgeous, with a manicured lawn, beautiful flower gardens, two gazebos, numerous private seating areas, a firepit, and even a bocce court. During the summer, you have your choice of eating on the veranda or inside the lovely breakfast room. It was a pleasure to be served by the owners themselves. Their Peruvian chef created a tasty breakfast entree each morning accompanied by a buffet of pastries, granola, smoothies/yogurt, cheeses, meats, boiled eggs, and toast. They even serve their special Norumbega blend of coffee. So delicious! Speaking of coffee, they provide a beverage station on each floor with coffee and tea available at all times. Thank you, Will and Brett, for bringing new life to the historic Norumbega Inn to be savored and enjoyed by future generations. Once you experience the Norumbega, you will feel its timeless energy drawing you back. We look forward to spending many more magical visits with you! read more

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PERFECT experience during our stay at The Norumbega. I booked the Library Suite for my husband's birthday and we had an excellent time. First, the room was gorgeous. Exactly as pictured and beautifully charming. We loved going up to the second floor and exploring all of the books. The uniqueness of the room is what brought us to The Norumbega and it did not disappoint. Second, Sue, the owner, was outstandingly friendly and welcoming. What a gracious and lovely host! Third, the grounds are gorgeous and the interior of the inn is exceptional. Check out my pictures! Lastly, the breakfast was out of this world. Something I would have paid good money for at any high end restaurant. Very impressive and quite delicious! Our stay was pricey but I felt it was a good value. The Norumbega is leaps and bounds ahead of any other B&B I've been to in terms of uniqueness and individuality. Nothing about this place is cookie cutter. Great value with wonderful memories to boot. Can't get any better than this! read more

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Very interesting property with exceptional breakfast. The house sits on a large piece of land a few minutes outside of downtown. There is an amazing view from the balcony on the third floor of the house, overlooking the lawn, trees and ocean. The rooms are a bit dated. The showstopper is the breakfast. As far as bed and breakfasts go, this breakfast is in the top 5%. The chef served an amazing berry and creme crepe and fruit yogurt parfait with Prosecco mixed into the yogurt. Coffee was served in individual French presses for each table. The other guests were friendly and agreed the breakfast was superb. read more

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We stayed here for our last 2 days of vacation in New England before returning home to Georgia. We absolutely fell in love with this place. The moment we stepped inside we had an overwhelming sense of peace gratitude in knowing we found a special place to spend the last few days of our vacation. It's much more than a place to stay, it's an experience. We loved it so much, along with the beauty of that part of Maine, that we will plan to come back again one day. Before we arrived here, we were ready to go home, but after 2 days here we hated to leave. Thank you Sue and Chef Phillip for making this a trip of a lifetime. read more

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The Norumbega castle is so cool. Lots of nooks and crannies, great design, and an opulence that begets a time past. If you tuck away in room for a bit and close your eyes it's fun to imagine you're at one of Gatsby's parties. I brought my new wife and her family to the castle in July and we got the downstairs all to ourselves! We were able to play Trivial Pursuit and drink while until midnight or 1am each night. So much fun and epic games we'll always remember. The rooms themselves are each unique and stylish. Ours felt like a room from Paris. Very chic. The rooms also open up onto the grand lawn where you can run around or stroll the property or just sit in a chair and enjoy a book and the fresh air with the smell of the sea. Sue and her sister were super sweet and fun. Funny and cool, too. Great energy. Helped ensure we all felt very comfortable in the fancy castle setting. read more

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I swept my wife away for her birhday to a 2 night stay at the "Castle by the Sea" and it was fantastic. We stayed in the Kensington room which is romantic and Victorian with a 4 poster bed and fireplace. It had access to a shared porch with views of thr bay but it was rainy and cold when we visited so we didn't take advantage of that. I chose that room over the Sandringham in the Turret which was less expensive based on other reviews that said it was noisy as it faces the street. We checked it out while here and it woukd have been fine abd had that cool round sitting area and an antique tub. The owners and all staff are constantly gracious and helpful without being intrusive. We would DEFINATELY recommend the Chef's Tasting Dinner! It's expensive but amazing as Chef Phil was a CIA instructor and won on Chopped! If you ordered a 7 course meal in any goirmet restaurant you would pay much more. Was a bit nervous since my wife won't eat a lot of gourmet things (seafood, organ meats, raw meats, lamb/veal) but Chef Phil accomodated her and made it ridiculously delicious. read more

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Absolutely amazing! We stayed two nights and it exceeded our expectations. Our room was great and the castle is amazing. But the best part of our stay was the breakfast. Phil is an amazing chef and on both days, prepared the most amazing breakfasts. Unfortunately due to covid, they weren't doing dinners. But that just means we need to come back again and to check out another room read more

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My wife and I stayed at the Norumbega last fall for our 3rd anniversary. It's almost exactly halfway between Portland and Bar Harbor. We were looking for a unique bed and breakfast, and found out about this place via word of mouth. It's absolutely beautiful. It really does feel like an old castle. It's definitely a one-of-a-kind place! I don't have anything bad to say about it. The view of the ocean from the third floor balcony was beautiful. The owners, Sue and Phil, were extremely accomodating, and very pleasant people. And the food! Oh my, the food! I've never had a better breakfast in my life. A 3-course meal, prepared by a 5-star chef. Phil is an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America...the most prestigious cooking school in the country. And I just discovered he won Food Network's Chopped (one of our favorite TV shows)! What a treat! I only wish we were able to tour the grounds a little more. It rained too much to be able to do it. We will definitely be back to the Norumbega next time we're in Maine! read more

Don't pay attention to previous reviews. Norumbega has new owners and they are great. Sue goes out of her way to make sure all your needs are taken care of and Phil is a fantastic chef. Breakfast was great and Phil will even cook dinner for an extra expense. This isn't a new hotel so don't expect it to be. It is an 1800s home and has all of the fun quirks that go with it. No cookie cutter rooms, but great views from the decks. Highly recommend if you are staying in Camden. read more

The Norumbega - View from deck. - Hotels Near Me - Camden, Maine

This is truly the most spectacular place I've ever stayed in. My room was so peaceful and comfortable with the most magnificent view this is more like a bed and breakfast with all the comforts of home minus the distractions of home lol. The Chef and all of the staff excel at providing a customer experience that you will not forget. And the food.... wow. Simply delicious. Breakfast is served every morning downstairs (by the way there are lots of stairs leading up to the rooms, no elevator) between 8-9:30 and is worth getting up early to partake! He serves a 5 course, 5 star dinner on Thursdays and Saturdays only and reservations must be made. It is a bit pricey (breakfast is included with your room, dinner is not) but this is a true example of you get what you pay for. I highly recommend The Norumbega! read more

We drove past the Norumbega Inn in Camden on a road trip down Route One from Bangor to Portland. I could not believe the beauty of the building. I knew that I wanted to stay to explore the uniqueness of the Castle. So for my birthday, we booked the Penthouse Suite. We were not disappointed! The Inn is run by Sue. She is warm, welcoming and exceptionally friendly. The room was beautiful as was the view. I was very excited to have a chef's choice dinner on Saturday night and was beyond satisfied with the meal. It was a wonderful creation of pleasing tastes, smells and variety. Chef Phil's creation were well worth the cost of the dinner. I would highly recommend the experience to anyone staying at the Inn. Breakfast was spectacular and unique everyday. The food was perfect!! read more

We stayed four nights at Norumbega for our honeymoon--three nights in the Canaervon Room, one in Sandringham--and we were so happy with the entire experience, could not have chosen better. The rooms are exquisitely decorated with attention to detail related to comfort and cleanliness and overall aesthetic appeal. So charming and delightful--a truly memorable experience. Our first room had a private balcony and access to a shared balcony, the former with a cozy, secluded feel, the latter with a lovely view of the sloping lawn below, trees and farther beyond the bay with its sailboats. Breakfast was delivered to our room each morning and we enjoyed it for three mornings on the private balcony, each morning looking forward to pulling the plate cover off the main entree to see what artistic and delicious dish awaited us. Seriously, the breakfasts--the best. Like brunch at a five-star restaurant. Here was one of our favorites: scrambled free range eggs on wilted garlicky greens and buttermilk biscuit, topped with in-house pork sausage gravy. So good. Phil, the chef and part-owner, is a true talent. Our fourth night we stayed in a room that included the turret and enjoyed breakfast and tea there, in a little pseudo-sitting room, taking in the decor and Victorian charm--felt like a scene from Downton Abbey, in a good way. The second room had a real claw-foot bathtub, which was much-appreciated after several weeks of increasingly more hectic wedding planning: let the worries about who was going to sit where, if we'd ordered enough booze, would the bacon-wrapped scallops be any good, which relative was going to be a little pill angry-face, would the Garfield and Arlene cake toppers arrive in time etc etc etc just melt away into the deep hot water oblivion of the claw foot, enhanced by complimentary lavender scented bath salts. I don't care if I smelled like a girl, those bath salts delivered me to Relaxation Town, population me. Why aren't there more claw foot bathtubs in America? So, beautiful, comfortable, artful rooms and extraordinary breakfasts. I should mention the attentive service from Carissa, Lisa and Sue, all of whom were so nice, so friendly, gave some good recommendations for navigating Camden and where to find what. Back in April, I should add, we had to re-schedule our wedding (and our honeymoon) because of COVID junk, and Sue, the co-owner, was very helpful when it came to straightening all that out--so polite and friendly and understanding. Really wonderful service all around. The grounds are beautiful, vibrant and colorful and very well-kept. I can trim a shrub. I know about these things. The gardeners are up to par, for sure. One evening we spent a few hours relaxing in one of the gazebos, de-briefing for our wedding memory journal all the fun times from the wedding as the shadows lengthened on the lawn and birds made their night sounds and it felt like it was just us, which was very nice. Did I mention there's another gazebo? This one had corn hole. We played that one night. Beautiful landscaping, that view of the bay from the balcony, the whole place just so manicured and lovely--what a great time we had. You can too! Seriously, out of five stars, this place is six, probably seven, but you get it. Do yourself a favor: stay here. We'll be back, I hope for our first anniversary but more likely for our 10th or 25th or a big one because we live in Michigan. Norumbega Inn, you made all our honeymoon dreams come true! read more

What a great experience! Just minutes away from Camden Hills State Park and downtown Camden, but feels very secluded. Delicious 3 course breakfast served every morning with champagne or port in the evenings. Coffee and tea on every floor with cookies for guests. They have very large outdoor grounds with fire pit, bocce, and deck for relaxing. Service was friendly and exceptional. Just a lovely place all around! read more

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We had a wonderful experience here. The historic home is a gem of the area and the owners, Phil and Sue are fun. They have undertaken a labor of love for generations to come by restoring Norumbega beyond it's original splendor. With a balance of renovations that honor the architectural history and acknowledge the need for modern convenience they are bringing this home to a new level. The food! Breakfast was the kind of treat you get when you experience a great chef and great atmosphere. It was perfect! I only wish we'd planned on being there for dinner. You need to let them know by 10AM the morning of if you'd like to have dinner that evening. Awesome! We recommend Norumbega! read more

What more could you ask for? Beautiful accommodations, scenery, great food, and excellent service. My wife and I have turned this into an every year getaway and it never disappoints. The owners, Sue and Phillip, are great, and always go the extra mile to ensure that everyone's stay is the best experience it can be. The Inn is beautiful and although very authentic and historic, it has many upgrades you would love to have in your own home. Our bathroom even had heated floors! If you want to experience the perfect Maine getaway, in class and style, you need to stay here. read more

The Norumbega - Norumbega from the driveway - Hotels Near Me - Camden, Maine

I spent an unforgettable week at The Norumbega Inn. Phil isn't just a consistently terrific and creative chef, but he also has a terrific sense of humor too. Sue isn't just a helpful, thoughtful, and warm host, but she's also fun and full of joy. The food is special-- I've never had so many memorable breakfasts in a row (and the dinner's terrific, too!). The Inn is comfortable and cozy-- hard to beat a fireplace, bathtub (in a castle turret!), and free shortbread cookies. And the castle itself is unique and epic with a stunning view. There's no Maine experience quite like it! read more

Our stay was perfect in every way! The staff was welcoming, attentive and accommodating. The atmosphere was cozy, elegant and inviting... especially the warm, crackling fireplaces and delicious port. Our room (The Adrundle) was plenty spacious for the two of us with wonderful amenities such as a jacuzzi tub and incredibly comfortable king size bed. Breakfast was out of this world...we have never enjoyed more delicious food! We will definitely be back for another romantic, castle getaway! Thank you for doing what you do so exceedingly well! ~ The Hudsons read more

Holy Moly! This is one of the most beautiful places you can stay. Sue, the owner, provided a service that was beyond words. Since my first phone call to organize a reservation with Sue she had been friendly, accommodating, honest and welcoming to several requests. Our stay at this exquisite facility truly added the luxurious finishing touches to our engagement trip. The regal environment by staying in the library suite gave us a sense of escaping to Europe. Breakfast every morning was OUTSTANDING with the full works and flavors you'd hope for from a 5 star chef. I cannot thank this establishment enough for such a great trip and I strongly recommend Norumbega to my friends and family. read more

Everything was wonderful. The property is beautiful, the staff are friendly and the food is amazing. We will definitely come back.

We held our family reunion recently at Norumbega. Of all the bed & breakfasts and Inns along the coast of Maine, we were so happy we picked Norumbega. The locals call it a castle, and for good reason. Every room is architecturally splendid, and the decor is grand and authentic to the 1886 timeframe when Norumbega was built. Each of our family had rooms overlooking Penobscot Bay. Some were in the tower, with beautiful bay-surround windows. The penthouse was magnificent with a full living area, master bedroom and master bath with jacuzzi tub. My favorite was the library room, with a staircase to an upper level housing hundreds of books. We've stayed across the country in beautiful places, but Norumbega's elegance was unique. The staff was very accommodating, Our most special meals were in the original 1886 dining room which sat 14 comfortably around a magnifcent antique dining table. The hand-carved woodwork in the dining room, living room, parlor and entry "courting corner" was amazing. It was a real escape for us, and maybe the best part was its location. A very short walking distance, but not in town itself so you avoid the traffic and noise. We would stay there again in a heartbeat. read more

http://www.lalatravels.com/2011/05/castle-bb/ I remember first going there as a child and wandering among the landscape. It's the Norumbega Inn, a historic architectural landmark that sits atop a rise overlooking Penobscot Bay in the beautiful coastal town of Camden, Maine. Although the penthouse is fabulous, the best room in the house is the library room, an enchanting two-room suite housed in the original castle library. Wake up amongst history and mystery. A true Maine masterpiece. read more

I was in need of peace and comfort. I found it at Norumbega Inn. It is a beautiful castle with stunning views. There were so many places unique places for me to sit and relax... The terrace, the front parlor, the solarium, and, of course my beautifully appointed room. Breakfast and dinner (I do recommend you make dinner reservations) were fantastic. After being told about my dietary restrictions, the Chef more than accommodated! This is my third time to The Norumbega. It certainly won't be my last. read more

My boyfriend and I stayed in one of the basic rooms in the Norumbega over 4th of July weekend and fell in love with the place. I would have loved to stay in the Library Suite but it was a little too pricey for us - even in a cheap room it was about $330 for a 2-night stay. The outside could do with a coat or two of paint, but otherwise the building is in very nice shape and from what I could tell, all the rooms have a great view. I was disappointed when we checked in that the room we got was not the room we booked, nor was there AC in the room as advertised on their website. Luckily it wasn't hot enough and the tiny little desk fan in the room was enough. The place was super quiet and it was fun to explore the open rooms while there. They always leave sodas and fresh chocolate chip cookies (that are baked daily) out. Plus, you are given a key to get in the front door when you check in so I liked the added security that those without a key had to ring the bell rather than just an open building anyone could walk in to. Breakfast was to die for! Our first morning we got whole wheat french toast with fresh blueberries and bacon that was cooked perfectly. I honestly am still thinking about it almost a week later... and I have told everyone about it too. Our second morning we had scrambled eggs with sour cream and dill (not my thing, but still very good). I would definitely stay here again - the inn is just under a mile out of town so you could leave your car and walk down in to the center of Camden if you so chose (though the walk home is all uphill). So location wise it's close enough to everything, but also far enough away that it's quiet at night. read more

For our honeymoon, I wanted to surprise my wife with a nice bed-&-breakfast. After looking into the Norumbega, I booked the Library Suite for two nights. It didn't disappoint! The owners are very welcoming & made sure our stay was comfortable. Sue brought champagne up to our room when she learned we were newlyweds. The room looked beautiful, & the fireplace was relaxing to sit near after a day in the cold air. The house & the grounds reminded me of something out of Clue (in a good way). Best of all, Phil made us great breakfasts each morning. His banana fritter, pastries, & eggs benedict were amazing! We would love to come back here in the future. read more

We came in early October. The leaves are changing, it's cool, but not cold. I am in love with this place. It's quaint and beautiful, America. The landscape is rustic and romantic, and although I am sensitive to being the only chocolate drop for miles, folks are friendly. Sue and I would be besties if she lived in LA. She's approachable, accommodating, and welcoming. I only met Phil for a hot second, but if he's responsible for the awesome breakfasts I've had then he's welcome to be my future ex-husband. Everything is delicious. This mini castle itself is a gem! I would love to experience it during the holiday season, as I love a lit fire place and I think it would look amazing by any of the fire sides it offers. Every room is different and there's a penthouse that's fantastic. Views and sea air. The grounds are beautiful, the staff is super friendly, and Rocko the chihuahua may make an appearance that makes you feel right at home. Thank you Norumbega for a beautiful trip, I can't wait to come back! read more

The Norumbega provided outstanding service fantastic food beautiful accommodations you can't go wrong staying here.

WOW! The food was incredible (we had the added 7 course dinner), the penthouse suite is peaceful, relaxing elegance, with two beautiful views of the water! The staff was amazing!! We were also very close to Camden which was a lovely town to walk through and buy more things than you need! And they are also about a mile from Camden Hills State Park, in which we took a drive to Mt. Batty and then hiked up to the Ocean Overlook. It took us 3-4 hours for the hiking round-trip, but was worth the view! If you have a chance to go to The Norumbega, GO!!! read more

The Norumbega was relaxing and a culinary delight. We had the 7 course dinner and shared a great night with welcoming staff. The home, the castle is beautiful . The grounds provided a retreat to compliment our stay in Camden. We had an easy walk to town and beach access was also nearby. We plan to return. read more