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V O L . X X I N O. X X I V O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 30 elsewhere, like Augusta, they spend more time on the road traveling. ey spend less time shopping and eating in local restaurants and experiencing other attractions that [this] area has to off er. Having guests that are able to stay close by really has such a knock-on benefi t to the surrounding businesses." Other hotels coming online When the renovated Navigator reopens, it won't be the only new hotel on the market. Cabot Lyman, owner of Lyman Morse Boatbuilding in omaston, is developing a fi ve- story, 26-suite hotel at 250 Main St. e $2.9 million project is expected to open later this year. Stuart Smith, who owns the Lord Camden and Grand Harbor Inns in Camden, has plans to develop e Rockland Harbor Inn, a 65-room boutique hotel at 12 Water St. Plans for the $6.5 million project include a 200-seat banquet facility. e ground breaking and opening dates have not been set yet. e developer, Bayview Development, is now focused on completing 16 Bayview, a 21-room boutique hotel in Camden, that is slated to open in December. e facility will include a conference space plus rooftop dining, says Matthew Levin, director of hotels and marketing for e Bayview Collection, which includes the three properties. e rates will range from $179 in the off season to $600 per night in the peak of the season. "It doesn't bring more rooms online, but it does positively redevelop and update that property and will greatly benefi t the town," says Levin. "I think that there's still capacity in Rockland at this point." Riley says he's not worried about competition, and that each hotel will likely serve a diff erent part of the market. And collectively, the crop of new hotels will elevate Rockland's status as a destination. "People see that they can go there, walk down- town and now Rockland has things to off er," he says. "If you just have one hotel that's 50 years old, people fi gure, 'We'll drive through and keep driv- ing,'" he says. "Now that there's some vibrancy and excitement, they might say, 'Let's stay overnight.'" What's more, with all the new hotels, each property has to raise its game for customer service and amenities. "When there's competition, businesses treat guests better and they go home saying that Rockland has a nice hotels and is a nice place,'" he says. Levin, of e Bayview Collection, noted that the purchase of the Navigator won't increase supply, only enhance what's available on the market. "It doesn't bring more rooms online, but it does positively redevelop and update that property that will greatly benefi t the town," says Levin. "I think that there's still capacity in Rockland at this point." Connie Russell, general manager of the Samoset Resort in Rockport, says that the infl ux of new hotels would not impact what they do, since they off er amenities like meeting space, event facilities, golf, spa and dining. "We're a resort property, and it's a diff erent experience and a diff erent clientele than what we cater to," he says. What's more, he thought that the infl ux of new rooms was good for the market as a whole. "It's growth," he says. "It's good for the economy, it's good for the industry. It's going to create newer product and it's just good for the guest." Caler-Bell also says that she isn't worried. "For so long, we've had such a shortage of short- term accommodations," she says. "A lot of people took notice, that this is a real kind of open space in the market here. I think they've really done their homework to fi gure out what's needed. "For a long time, Rockland wasn't necessarily a popular tourist destination," she says. "It shows that we're really coming into our own as a place that's exciting for visitors." J V A , a w r i te r ba s e d i n Ya r m o u t h , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t @ . BUSINESS | COMMUNICATIONS – NESCom | COUNSELING | CRIMINAL JUSTICE | EDUCATION | HEALTH | PHARMACY | SCIENCE & HUMANITIES BANGOR MAINE | 1 College Circle, Bangor | 207.941.7000r | NORTHERN MAINE | SOUTHERN MAINE | HUSSON ONLINE Husson University has a long and distinguished history of preparing Maine's professionals. For over 117 years, the faculty, staff and leaders of Husson University have dedicated themselves to transforming young adults through access to higher education that leads to professional success, regardless of students' economic circumstances. Husson delivers a superb, affordable education to over 3,400 students on our 208-acre Bangor campus, and satellite campuses in Northern and Southern Maine. In addition to having the largest business school in the state, Husson is one of Maine's leading educators of healthcare professionals. Our curricula emphasizes the importance of delivering care to underserved rural communities. We invite you to join us as we work to grow Maine's economy by preparing the business leaders of tomorrow. If you are someone who is interested in learning more about Husson University and how our programs lead to professional success, visit us at husson.edu. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E M I D C O A S T & D OW N E A S T M A I N E F O C U S If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel If you just have one hotel that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people that's 50 years old, people figure, 'We'll drive through and keep driving.' Now that there's some vibrancy and excitement, they might say, 'Let's stay overnight.' — Sean Riley, Maine Course Hospitality Group

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