Warmest Welcome in New England" (Karen Brown Reader's Choice Award 2009) - "Camden's Premier Bed & Breakfast" (Frommer's) - Camden's best B&B (Fodor's). Relaxed, cozy and very friendly, the Maine Stay is a grand old home located in the historic district of Camden. A two-block walk down tree-lined streets brings you to the harbor park, shops and restaurants. With a pleasant grove to the south, Camden Hills State Park to the west and charming old homes (all listed on the National Register) to the north and east, the inn projects the essence of New England. Experience the warmth and comfort of this historic and traditional home with innkeepers Roberta and Claudio Latanza. In 1802, when Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States, Route 1 was a dirt road and Maine was still a part of the state of Massachusetts, Alden Bass built a house at 22 High Street here in Camden. A striking main house with an attached carriage house and a four-story barn, the home is an outstanding example of the progressive farm buildings common to 19th century Maine. The Camden Maine Stay is the second oldest of the sixty-six lovely homes that are listed on the National Register of Historical Places in the High Street Historic District.

The inn's two parlors have wood burning fireplaces. Highly crafted ornate iron castings form the mantel and surround the hearth in the North Parlor. Many of the rooms have original wide plank pine flooring. Oriental rugs, period furnishings, and many antebellum pieces are scattered throughout the house. You may take breakfast at the old harvest table in the dining room or at a table for two on the sun porch overlooking the garden. Some of the guestrooms have TVs and there is a TV, DVD and VCR in one of the first floor sitting rooms. And for those who carry their laptops with them, there is high speed internet access through our wireless ethernet (Wi-Fi) network. With a pleasant grove to the south, the Camden Hills State Park to the west and charming historic homes to the north and east, the inn projects the essence of New England. Guests are always welcome in the Camden Maine Stay's big country kitchen. You can raid the cookie jar, get some ice or discuss the days' events round the antique Queen Atlantic stove. The inn's eight lovely guest rooms have an eclectic collection of furnishings including wonderful old beds with firm new mattresses. All the rooms are air conditioned, their bathrooms are modern and, of course, the inn is spotlessly clean.

The Tierney Room: A bright and cheerful corner room with three windows that bring in the morning sun. On the second floor, in the front of the house, this room looks out at a group of wonderful old white clapboard-clad homes -- every one listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The tile bath has a six foot soak tub and shower. The room is named for Bob and Sally Tierney who, together with Bruce and Pat Hunt, were the first to recognize the potential of the Huse-McKay house as a bed and breakfast inn. Our wonderful kitchen, with its grand old Queen Atlantic stove, reflects their style and personality.

The Mayflower Suite: This room is dedicated to the memory of the Pilgrims who landed in Plymouth in 1620. John Alden is known as the first passenger to set foot on Plymouth Rock. Alden Bass, one of his direct descendants, was a carpenter and built what is now the Maine Stay Inn. Enter the comfortable sitting room with its warm, inviting gas fireplace and TV, and then the bedchamber, which has a queen brass bed and a nice tile bath. Some of the floor boards in this room are over 16 inches wide. The sitting room looks toward historic High Street, while the bedroom overlooks the garden.

The Topper Room: This room overlooks a wooded glen. No houses are visible from here, but the animals that reside in the State Park behind our house can often be seen snacking on our tulips or hosta. With a queen-size bed and leaded glass panels this is a delightful room. The room is equipped with a comfortable bath. We are pleased to name this room in honor of Bob and Juanita Topper, who were the third owners of the Maine Stay.

The Smith-Robson Room: The windows in this room face north and east bringing in the early morning sunshine and offer a view of several lovely historic "National Register" homes. The bed is an antique brass and iron queen, and has a lovely cozy cottage feeling. The room has a private bath. We are pleased to name this room in honor of Peter and Donny Smith and Diana Robson, who were the second owners of the Maine Stay. Famous for their three-part harmony, this grand trio achieved near legendary status as innkeepers. On one wall you will find some wonderful photographs of Peter, a retired Navy captain, and the twins, Donny and Diana.

The Amelia Huse Suite: Amelia Huse and her husband Jonathan are responsible for the circa 1840 renovations that give the Inn its classic New England appearance. This suite occupies the entire third floor of the inn, an area that once held three separate bedrooms. You will find an interesting collection of furnishings like the end tables made from old sewing machine bases. The sitting room has a sofa, a comfortable lounging chair, a small desk, TV and fireplace. You can sit at the desk to write a note, or just look out at the rooftops of some of the historic homes that line High Street. Located at the rear of the house, this bedroom with its antique, high brass and iron queen bed views the woods and Mount Battie. A small adjoining bedroom has a high brass and iron twin bed. The bathroom has a tile shower and a skylight.

The Common Ground Room: Maine is known for its agricultural fairs, which celebrate harvest and mark the beginning of our long winters. One of the most popular is the Common Ground Fair, which is sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers Association. Our Common Ground Room incorporates this theme displaying posters from past fairs. A high beamed ceiling, Vermont Castings stove and Maine Cottage furniture (queen bed and hidden TV) keep the feeling rustic. French doors open to a private balcony that overlooks the garden. The room has a modern in-suite bath with shower and soaking tub.

The Dogwood Room: Located on the first floor above the Carriage House, this room overlooks our rock garden and the woods. You can see our barn, a brook and the paths that wind through our wooded glen, but mostly you can see trees, lots of trees. The room has a beautiful brass queen bed that is inlaid with mother-of-pearl dogwood flowers, a sitting area and private bath with tile shower.

The Carriage House Room: Harpers Bazaar and Vacations magazine both chose the Carriage House as their favorite Maine Stay guestroom. At the ground level in the back of the house this large room has a queen bed, private bath, lots of books, a Vermont Castings stove and French doors which open onto a quaint stone patio tucked in between the room and the barn. This is a lovely, private romantic bedchamber.

There are three things which every visitor to Camden should do: stroll through the park by the waterfall and enjoy the harbor, go for a sail on a windjammer, and see the incredible view from the summit of Mt. Battie in the Camden Hills State Park. The story is often told of how a young girl from the village was so inspired by the vista that she wrote a poem which launched her literary career. A plaque at the peak marks the spot where Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote her best known poem "Renascence". You might also enjoy a hike to Maiden Cliff, an 800 foot sheer cliff, or an eight- mile bike trip around Beauchamp Point, through woods and farmland - most of the way just yards from the ocean. Most people think about the Coast of Maine as a three- season vacation area, but in truth there are a lot of very good reasons why you should visit Camden in the winter. So many that they really need their own page.

Winter brings a quiet time to Camden - or at first glance it seems to. The truth of the matter is that when the last of the leafpeepers depart, the local folks get ready for a host of cold weather activities. The Camden Snow Bowl at Ragged Mountain leads the list with a wide variety of activities. There you will find the only community toboggan chute in Maine. This 400 foot long chute takes you flashing down the side of Ragged Mountain and out onto Hosmer Pond for a long slide on the ice. You will also find ski equipment for sale or rent, a ski school, night skiing, an attractive lodge, nine well- groomed trails, and the only chairlift in the United States with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Ice skating and cross-country skiing are also very popular. The Camden Opera House offers occasional plays performed by the Civic Theater and a variety of musical programs. Shops and restaurants are very happy to see you. Walking through the Harbor Park you will see the windjammer fleet nestled in their winter cocoons. You could also visit the Camden Public Library and see one of the most beautiful historic buildings in the State of Maine. Another spot to visit is the Farnsworth Art Museum. Then come on back to the inn, get a mug of hot cider from the big Queen Atlantic coal stove in the kitchen, and relax by one of our four fireplaces. Life just doesn't get better than this!