Samoset Resort

The samoset is open only on weekends in the winter which is perfect for events. Otherwise this is a summer destination. We came as a large group for a wedding and spent the weekend there. We rented about ten rooms and a venue for the ceremony and reception.
Very few of the rooms were close together or even on the same floor. Most of us were on the end with no view but had a balcony to see the closed swimming pool. The bed was large and comfy with soft cozy bedding. The pillow I felt like goldilocks trying to find one not too form or too soft and never found the perfect one. The rooms have a 90s modern look. I did find someone else’s melted ice cream in the fridge. The bathrooms have the worst door design ever. It is a large sink and mirror and then a tiny room with shower and toiled and a door that opens in so you have to almost be in the shower to even close it. There is room service available and even a breakfast menu to put out the night before with delivery times.
The rehearsal for the wedding was the most disorganized I have ever seen. Partly from everyone talking and the other part from the event coordinator. This could have been her first event ever. Throughout the two days whenever she was asked about anything going on you got the brush off unless you were the bride or a fake smile. The cash bar provided for the event was bud bud light two red and two white wines and four low end liquors. The bartender couldn’t make a decent drink to save her life. They were strong enough to wake the dead and never improved. The served meal was decent depending on the dish you selected. The salmon was moist and tasty with a nice sauce. The chicken was so dry drowning it in butter couldn’t even help. The servers were pleasant but served many guest before the bride and groom. They were conscientious about diet needs if they know ahead of time.
They do host a wonderful event there every year and we had the pleasure of the ice bar going on during our weekend there. This was a very cool event. They spent time carving an entire bar with stools and shot luge. This year was a pirate theme. There were glorious ice sculptures some you could even pose in. They offered a selection of unique cocktails at the ice bar or you could order your preferred beverage at the bar inside. The Avalanche adult hot cocoa was just the thing to warm you up. They offer wood fireplaces with Adirondack chairs to warm up by in a few places slightly away from all the ice. It was a nice little escape to relax and chat and enjoy the view of the ocean and the glow of the ice.

When I read that this is only the 4^th year that Samoset has been open for the winter season, I immediately thought of The Shining: after all, it’s a huge, slightly dated, lodge-​style hotel with long carpeted halls perfect for a tricycle ride. However, the off season prices were so good (~$ 150/​night for a double queen room!) that I quickly put my fears aside.
There’s no hedge maze, but the grounds do feature a golf course (perfect for snowshoeing), skating rink, and indoor pool. There’s also a one-​mile breakwater at the back of the golf course leading to a small but quaint lighthouse, which made for a perfect pre-​brunch stroll.
If you can, spring for one of the rooms with a hot tub on the balcony. It was so relaxing to look out on the snowy golf course while my stress melted away in the hot tub! The whirlpool and the steam room in the health club just don’t compare.
In fact, the indoor pool was a little dated, and the cloudiness made me worry for everyone’s safety. Also, it’s 30′ x 50′, which is a weird size if you’re trying to swim laps. The game room next door, with a Wii and an Xbox, kept many a kid entertained while his parents were at the gym.
Room service from the Italian restaurant in the lobby isn’t too outrageously priced. I had a steak salad for $ 17. Although it wasn’t «light» by any means, the steak was really tender, and the fried artichoke on top was interesting.
The beds were really comfortable, and the rooms were average in size. If you’re traveling with pets, they’ll put you in a first floor room, which is convenient because you can take them out easily through the sliding glass doors. The hotel also provides a roll of doggy bags, keeping with the attentive and thoughtful service overall.
The Samoset is not exactly breathtakingly modern, but at off season prices, it made a great New England family getaway!