The Craignair Inn by the Sea sits at the edge of the ocean. The views are expansive and the natural spaces inviting. Look out any south easterly window and your jaw will drop; the Atlantic, in any season is majestic and awesome. Guests drop their bags and often run toward the water, over the causeway, for which our on-site restaurant was named. On the other side of this manmade land bridge, Clark Island awaits. There are two houses on Clark Island. And two year round residents. Otherwise, inhabitants are fauna and flora. There is a quarry, which is the salt water semi-secret swimming hole that feels like a tropical paradise all summer. To get there you have to follow the paths a mile deep through woods and fields. To get there you have to slow down. Closer to the hotel, there are two, small sandy beaches that feel snug and secluded, water lapping on one side, trees forming a brambly backdrop on the other. The sea is calm here, in this peninsular cove. There are barely any waves, and at low tide you walk way out into water that only slowly gets deeper, until you finally fall into floating. It is relaxing, mesmerizing, uplifting. It impacts the body and mind, consciously and unconsciously, being so close to the ocean.
Our rooms are tranquil spaces for rest and contemplation, a jumping off point to adventure. Each room is designed and decorated uniquely, with a combination of of pale moonlight grays, warm woods, brass lamps, silver sconces, lustrous vanities, white tiled bathrooms, and bright, pretty bedspreads. They are cozy without being cramped, natural without being rustic, and simple while still being luxuriously comfortable. Our sheets and bathrobes are from Brooklinen. Each guest room is an oasis. And the ones that face the ocean are windows to the wild world. Standing on the balcony, the ocean offers balance and infinite opportunities to expand and transform. Watch the sunrise, look for seals who love to play in the harbor, seek the horizon that meets you. The Craignair is all about unwinding. Our guests are here for peace and escape from the day to day cares of the working world. There are no television sets. You are invited to watch nature, closely and with little interruption. Paying attention to the quiet, to the beauty, and to the inner workings of one's mind.
Last spring we were really thrilled to open a massage studio. We were approached by a Licensed Massage Therapist who had a big, brilliant idea. Courtney dove in, doing most of the work herself to renovate and outfit the third floor space. Up in the attic, under the eaves, where a small window opens onto the ocean, we built a womblike studio. We sometimes call it a micro spa, because we offer more than massage, including other somatic practices and aesthetic treatments. We decided to call it RISE. RISE because we face the east for the sun's daily beginning. RISE because after a massage you sit up, stand up, and awaken to a better version of yourself. RISE because there is an atmosphere of love and beauty, and the association with Botticelli's Birth of Venus is impossible to ignore. A massage table dominates the space, piled high with thick bedding, shell colored sheets, warm from the heating element beneath. There are strategically placed stones that speak of focusing the mind, and everything is soft, dark, and soothing. it smells good, it sounds relaxing, every sense is engaged in a most pleasing manner. The moment you enter, the world melts away, and you can focus on releasing tension and welcoming hands-on care.
We have recently taken on a new massage therapist, who arrived from the outskirts of Austin, Texas with a wealth of experience. Kat brought new knowledge that adds to and complements the educational background, intuition and wisdom of Courtney. We are delighted to be able to offer our clients and guests more pathways to relaxation and mind/body wellness. In her interview, Kat explained a bit about the ancient practice of Thai massage, which she has been doing professionally for almost twenty years. Researching the technique has been fascinating and, we thought, warranted a bit of further explanation for others like us, who were not familiar with Thai massage, sometimes called stretch therapy or passive yoga. Her first client population was children with special needs, some of whom she works with to this day. The technique stretches and strengthens; it can improve joint flexibility and reduce muscle tension. There is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that Thai Massage can have a positive impact on spasticity in individuals with cerebral palsy.
Thai massage is a 2500 year old tradition of hands on healing. It can be traced back to Dr. Jivaka, sometimes Dr. Jivago, in the literature of the East, who was the personal physician to the historical Buddha. Jivago worked within Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, which acknowledges that within the gross body, there is a subtle body made up of prana, the Sanskrit word for lifeforce, which flows through the entity along pathways or channels, which in the Thai system are called sen. These meridian lines run through energy centers or wheels which are called chakras in the Tantric way of knowing. Jivaka performed Thai massage on the Buddha and his band of monks, as well as on the Indian king. It also incorporates elements of acupressure from Chinese medicine. Kat is also trained in Reiki, Gua Sha, and Reflexology. Her journey has taken her from the global Far East to the Eastern edge of The United States. She is happily settling in to life and meditation practice on the coast of Maine.
Being able to offer massage and somatic healing to our inn guests is an incredible benefit. Your Craignair vacation is a complete escape. We are a gateway to nature, relief from stress, and delicious experiences. And we love that we are also to the public, so that our local crowd, our friends, neighbors, restaurant customers, and anyone else passing through MidCoast Maine near artsy, bohemian Rockland can take advantage of our stunning hospitality. There are so many reason to spend time in Maine, but we feel that we have landed on a pretty special combination of simplicity, comfort, and care, coupled with a bit of nostalgia, not to mention art, whiskey, and amazing local food from local purveyors. The things that people are looking for right now are all offered here. Make a reservation for a two-night stay, dinner at The Causeway, a RISE massage, and all the good things in life. It starts right here, in romantic Spruce Head, on the ocean in Maine.