It probably looks strange that I gave this 2 stars and gave the service, value, sleep quality, etc. ratings from a 3 to 5. The main reason that I was unhappy with my stay and gave the two stars is that I had reserved an oceanview room and didn't receive it. The whole purpose of the trip was a weekend trip for my husband and I to the ocean after the summer rates had come down. We made the reservations last minute (day before) with the idea that if an oceanview room wasn't available we would go the next weekend. We wanted the ambience of looking out to the ocean from our room and from our patio.

Upon arrival, I was told that we had a garden room. I explained that we had reserved an oceanview and I asked to be switched to an oceanview and was told that we had to be on the first floor because we had our pet and the first floor was full. She could not explain to me why I was able to reserve an oceanview room when they were all gone. After the fact, I wished I had turned down the room and left but being an infrequent traveler, I thought they would charge me for a late cancellation so we decided to stay.

The room was very nice, the linens on the bed were lovely and very comfortable. The bathroom was somewhat small and dark considering the typical going price for the room. The sink and mirror were in their own small alcove with another small room with the tub and toilet. It was after season and we received a Maine resident discount so our price was pretty reasonable even with the small bathroom. I wouldn't consider it a good value though in the summer when the full rate is charged. There was plenty of appropriate nautical type art, sitting areas, lamps, etc. Plenty of clothes storage. There was a lighted closet with iron & ironing board. Also included was a hair dryer and coffee maker. There was a sliding door out to a grassy area with a tiered rock wall. A small table and chair set was just outside the sliding door. The view was of a rock wall that was probably filled with nice flowers in the summer, but in Oct. it was not a very pretty view.

The resort does have a golf course that we did not use. There are some cabins to rent (well out of our price range) nearer the ocean. I was disappointed that the cabins somewhat seemed to block the view for some of the hotel rooms. It seemed to me that they could have been positioned better so that they were still near the ocean but not blocking others. I also was surprised that there were not more oceanside benches. When my husband and I wanted to sit and look at the ocean having our coffee, we looked for a bench outside and instead ended up sitting on a low rock wall. Perhaps there are benches in-season and they were put away but if not, they should consider more benches around the property. I saw a few but they were on the backside not in sight of the ocean.

The view there is magnificent and there is the breakwater and lighthouse for a walking excursion. The pool was closed so I cannot comment on that and we did not use the other outside facilities. The restaurant food that we had was quite good. The staff and other guests were friendly.

I also experienced a problem with the stay charges to my account. I used my debit card and for some reason I was charged for the room but there was also a hold on my account for the same charges which left my account $320 locked up for days. Luckily I had plenty in there to cover. I left a phone message with the manager about us receiving the wrong room and that my account was locked up but I did not receive a call back. I had also called the service desk to straighten out getting my money "unlocked" and they were able to take care of that, the next day they were cleared. I was disappointed that I never heard from the manager about the wrong room.

It was unfortunate that we did not get more of a chance to soak in the loveliness of this oceanside resort. All that it would have taken was the ocean side view room we had anticipated. It is a beautiful place.

I recently reserved a hotel in this area as the price of the samoset is so expensive. I was looking for a place when I came across the samoset and it reminded me that I had never left a review. I stayed here a little over a year ago and wanted to complain to the manager but my husband was very sick with cancer. We had appointments in the area and one was early morning and one was early afternoon. Since my husband couldn't do much, I asked for a late checkout so he could rest in the room. I was told that I could do that. I had asked on the phone and upon check in. However, when housekeeping knocked on the door, I explained that we were still here. They didn't say anything and just left. They came back a while later and same thing. Finally, a little over the time of regular check out, a loud knock came to the door. I again said that we hadn't left yet....I was a little annoyed. She loudly and abruptly said "check out time was a half an hour ago!" I explained that I had permission for a late checkout. She picked up a clipboard and said "well, you are not on my list!" I was so upset. My husband got up as he felt uncomfortable and we sat in the car for 30 minutes prior to our appointment. It bothered me all day. All I could think of was, why didn't she say "ok, well I am sorry, it didn't make it to my list..thank you and I am sorry." Anyways, the staff at the front desk were nice but they were carrying on a conversation the entire time of check in which I find to be very unprofessional. On the good side: the hotel is beautiful, rooms are great, beds incredible, quiet and the grounds are breathtaking. I would stay here again in a heartbeat but management....you must do something about your staff's attitudes!!!! I would expect it from a dive but not a 4 star resort!

Our stay in October 2011 was an RCI timeshare exchange. The timeshare "estates", separated from the hotel units by the main lodge (which contains the lobby, spa, pool, health centre, restaurants and conference rooms), consist of three V-shaped buildings, each with 24 one- and two-bedroom condo units on three floors. The base of the V points towards the ocean; thus the units at the base have the best view. We had a 2-bedroom unit at the end of one of the arms of the V, thus farthest from the water, with our view partly obstructed by the V next to us.

The buildings are showing their age, with scrapes, scratches and dents on some door frames, cupboards and wooden furniture. The resort says renovations and upgrades are ongoing, so you take your chances. Our unit was clean and nicely finished, with big rooms, comfortable beds and sofa. Surprisingly, there was no wifi connection, but we found a free computer off the lobby of the main lodge. Our main complaint was the tiny partial kitchen. We felt a Gold Crown resort should have a full kitchen (most do) and a washer-dryer in the unit; here one has to pay $1.00 a load in an upstairs laundry room common to each building. Pots and pans in the kitchen were worn and stained, and the dishwasher was one of the smallest we have seen.

Our building was furthest from the main lodge, and was very quiet, but ceiling insulation was poor and we could hear every footstep above us. In fact, there was a notice asking occupants not to bump and thump, out of consideration for neighbours!

The resort is surrounded by a very attractive golf course, but we are not golfers, so cannot comment on its quality. The new outdoor "zero-entry" pool (you enter it as if from a beach) looked very alluring but was closed for the season. However, we enjoyed the huge indoor pool and adjacent whirlpool.

The restaurant prices at the resort were excessive, in our view, so we ate either in our unit or at local eateries. The fish was good at the Offshore Restaurant a mile east along Route 1, and we took some lobster home from Jess's Seafood Market at the south end of Rockland.

The resort staff, both front desk and housekeeping, as well as Joanne Nelson at the RCI office, were unfailingly courteous and helpful. Their attitude helped make our stay a very pleasant one.

We had a wonderful 3night stay at the resort! Food in the new restaurant was delicious and a very pleasant atmosphere. Wait staff wad great!!!