Transposed from a Boston Globe article by Necee Regis
The stars shine bright in Central Maine, so it’s no surprise that the Hotel Ursa was inspired by the Ursa Major and Minor constellations and the North Star that connects them. Located at the center of the campus of the University of Maine in Orono, the 95-key hotel was developed through a historic rehabilitation of two original buildings on campus, Coburn Hall and Holmes Hall.
Designed in the Romanesque Revival style of the late 1870s, the transformed rooms and suites offer modern comforts along with vintage charm. A new third building, Polaris Hall, sports contemporary guestrooms. The MajorMinor is a cafe and bar (with locally roasted coffee, baked goods, Maine craft beer, snacks, and wine-by-the-glass) that serves both hotel guests and members of the university community.
Guests can access the state-of-the-art New Balance Recreation Center, with a fully stocked gym and leisure pool with lap lanes, and explore the DeMeritt Forest Trail, 15-plus miles of trails for walkers, joggers, cyclists, equestrians, skiers, and snowshoe enthusiasts. Perfect for Parents’ Weekend visitors, however, you don’t need to be on campus-related business to stay there. Anyone exploring the area’s recreational offerings — skiing, hiking, canoeing — is welcome.
April rates from $119; May from $169. 207-962-1313, hotelursa.com
Read the original Boston Globe article in the Sunday, April 14, 2024 print edition, or online in the Lifestyle section: Here, There, and Everywhere: A star-inspired Maine hotel, a look at Drift Nashville, and collapsible luggage