🔒Hancock County ‘landscape hotel’ opens atop blueberry meadow

A nature-focused “landscape hotel," touted as the first of its kind in Vacationland, recently opened in the Hancock County town of Orland. Lantern Camp is a collection of 24 intentionally low-impact cabins set atop a 166-acre blueberry meadow. The cabins are situated to make the most of the property’s “100-mile sunset views,” according to a press release from co-founder and designer, Addison Godine. "At Lantern Camp, nature is the star of the show,” Godine said. “All our decisions have centered around one simple question: How can we help people slow down and notice the extraordinary beauty that's already here? “We hope guests leave feeling more connected to this place, to each other and to the natural world.” Large windows, outdoor gathering spaces and low-impact construction encourage guests to interact with the landscape. The aim is to provide an experience where “architecture enhances, not dominates, the natural setting,” Godine added.

Norwegian inspiration

Godine teamed with Anthony Pell to launch Lantern Camp, drawing inspiration from the Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal, Norway. Godine was the chief architect and designer for the tiny-cabin lodging startup Getaway — now Postcard Cabins, in Epsom, N.H., and part of the 1,200-cabin Marriott Outdoor Collection. Most recently, Godine worked for OPAL Build, now NotchSB, based in Bethel — a modular construction company focused on sustainable, high-efficiency design and construction. Lantern Camp’s cabins were manufactured by B&B Tiny Houses, in Adams, Mass. Hawes Trucking and Construction, based in Bucksport, provided site work for the project and Haley Ward, headquartered in Bangor, handled civil engineering. The cabins sleep up to four guests and feature minimalist interiors, oversized windows and private outdoor spaces. The 12 Field cabins include full kitchens, private bathrooms and covered porches. The 12 Forest cabins offer intimate woodland settings with kitchenettes, fire pits and access to the property's shared cedar bathhouse and sauna.

Solar arrays are planned for the cabin roofs, which will make the property net zero, meaning the energy generated on-site will offset the energy used by the cabins and facilities. There are more than two miles of walking trails on the property, and over 30 acres of wild blueberries for picking. Planned programming includes guided nature walks and stargazing experiences with the Maine Outdoor School. Nightly rates for this summer start at $229 a night, fireflies included.