Hotel Ursa: Transforming historic Maine campus into destination lodging

Friday, March 8, 2024

A transformation has taken place at the University of Maine, where some of its most venerable structures now form the core of Hotel Ursa, an independent establishment that recently welcomed its first guests. This innovative hotel, which celebrates the university’s rich heritage, showcases various features and relics from its storied past.

In recent years, the university embarked on a collaborative venture with a developer to repurpose Coburn and Holmes Halls, two of the campus’s most historic buildings, into this boutique hotel. These buildings, recognized for their historical significance by the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, have been given a new lease on life as part of Hotel Ursa.

The hotel boasts 95 rooms and suites, catering to a range of preferences and needs. Additionally, it offers amenities such as a cafe and bar, which are open to both hotel guests and the campus community, providing a space for relaxation and social interaction.

Drawing inspiration from the constellations Ursa Major and Minor, as well as the North Star that links them, the hotel aims to create an atmosphere that is both unique and inviting. The general manager of Hotel Ursa has expressed an ambition for the hotel to become a sought-after destination, not just for lodging but as a landmark that embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery akin to the celestial bodies that inspire its theme.

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