Press

The Craignair Inn innkeepers, Lauren and Greg awarded Innkeepers of the Year

Lauren and Greg were surprised with a visit and announcement by Hospitality Maine as the 2022 Innkeeper of the Year award winners. The announcement was made on October 3rd and the award was given at the Hospitality Maine Annual Summit held at the Sunday River Resort on November 15th.

Included in the Top 16 Romantic Getaways in Maine

The Craignair Inn and The Causeway Restaurant are recognized as being one of the “16 Top Romantic Getaways in Maine” by U.S. News & World Report. Come see for yourself what makes the Craignair Inn an amazing getaway for couples. You can choose to brighten up your room with a bouquet of fresh flowers from our local florist, choose a room with a view or balcony, and snuggle into our soft robes together to increase relaxation.

Craignair Inn and Causeway Restaurant receives Small Business of the Year award

The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce today announced their annual award recipients. Awards were presented at the Chamber’s Annual Gala Awards Dinner on Friday, May 20 at the Samoset Resort.

The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce serves as a primary business conduit for the Camden-Rockland Region, which encompasses 27 municipalities within and surrounding Knox County. The Chamber provides a variety of platforms and opportunities for close to 800 business and non-profit members to promote themselves to residents and visitors to the region.

Maine’s 16 Best New (Or Improved) Hotels and Inns

Ask Lauren and Greg Soutiea why they purchased the Craignair Inn, at the end of a peninsula in St. George, out of the 20 different properties they looked at all across New England, and if you happen to be on the inn’s lovely covered deck, they’ll just gesture around silently at neighboring Clark Island and the picturesque coves on either side.

Surfrider National Ocean Friendly Restaurants Spotlight: Causeway in Spruce Head, ME

The Causeway is a picturesque waterfront spot in midcoast Maine situated directly across from an expansive Maine Coast Heritage Trust preserve. The restaurant is part of the Craignair Inn, which was opened in 1930 to house workers from the nearby quarry. Greg and Lauren Soutiea, former Bostonians looking for a change of pace, bought the inn and restaurant in 2018 and proceeded to renovate the property to become more sustainable. Surfrider Maine sat down with Greg to learn about the motivation for joining the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program.

Craignair Gallery ribbon cutting, exhibit opening June 1

The new boutique gallery dining experience features rotating monthly solo exhibitions by Maine artists.

Annual Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce award winners announced

Small Business of The Year — Craignair Inn by the Sea & The Causeway Restaurant

This award is given to a business of fewer than 25 employees that has been in business for at least five years, which is recognized as a leader in their field, and that makes a positive contribution to communities in the Camden-Rockland region. For the past two years, throughout the pandemic, owners Lauren and Greg Soutiea have renovated the Craignair Inn by the Sea and The Causeway Restaurant, transforming the property, the cuisine, and the guest experience.

Surfrider Maine Ocean Friendly Restaurant Spotlight: The Causeway in Spruce Head

An interview with Greg on why we are so passionate about making sustainable choices at our restaurant, so that people can dine knowing we care about the ocean and our coast.

Recognized as an Ocean Friendly Restaurant

Surfrider Foundation has recognized The Causeway as an Ocean Friendly Restaurant. This program recognizes restaurants that are committed to making sustainable choices for our ocean so that people can dine with peace of mind.

Sit! Stay! Dine!

Creative Maine, March 2021

“The Craignair seemed to have a few things going for it that other area inns did not. The first was pet friendly. These days, Molly, our 6-year-old Sato, thinks we’re joined at the hip. The second, for me who dreams of food and wakes up plotting dinner, was an intriguing dinner menu at The Causeway, Craignair’s restaurant, now run by a chef with impressive credentials.”

Plan a trip to coastal Maine: A MidCoast Maine travel planner

Hi Travel Tales, September 2, 2020

“I also chose locally owned and family-run historic inns, such as Craignair Inn in the St. George/Spruce Head area, Bradley Inn in Bristol/New Harbor, and Topside Inn in Boothbay Harbor. Inns are a classic part of the rich coastal Maine road trip experience. Usually, the innkeepers are there because they love the coast and islands of Maine – and they will be quite eager to share tips.”

MidCoast Inn Fast-tracks Restaurant, Bar Renovations During Pandemic Shutdown

Mainebiz, July 2020

“We had plans to rebrand and renovate the restaurant within the next three years, but when the pandemic hit we decided that we should take advantage of our time at home to move the project forward,” Lauren Soutiea said. The couple live at the inn, so their time at home put them in a great position to tackle interior upgrades.”

Vegan Kitchen: Hearts Of Palm, Oyster Mushrooms Make Tasty ‘lobster’ Rolls

Press Herald, July 7, 2020

“The Craignair Inn and Restaurant in Spruce Head village, south of Rockland, has done something apparently no other Maine restaurant has dared to attempt: Serve a vegan lobster roll.”

Innside Out: Looking To Salvage Their Season, These Inns Are Dining Outdoors

Mainebiz, June 29, 2020

“Both the Nonantum and Craignair, facing a stripped-down tourist season this year did what many other businesses have since March, when COVID-19 restrictions were put in place — they called an audible.

Outdoor dining is now a major feature at both inns, a way to draw customers and create revenue.”

Craignair Inn And Restaurant To Host ‘pay What You Can’ Event For People Financially Affected By Covid-19

Pen Bay Pilot, March 20, 2020

“The Craignair Inn and Restuarant, in Spruce Head, will be holding a “Pay What You Can Meatloaf Friday” during lunch hours on Friday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.”

'You have to want to find' this MidCoast inn, and the buyers did

Mainebiz, February 4, 2019

“An online listing of the Craignair Inn & Restaurant, in Spruce Head, attracted the interest of a Boston couple seeking to transition away from corporate careers.”