Would like to do coastal Maine next summer. I'm going to put in an OGS now with both II and RCI shortly.
Harbor Ridge and Samoset seem to get the highest ratings. Any pros or cons to either? I can see Samoset only has limited kitchens. Not that this is a deal breaker...but we do like to save some cash with a few dinners in room.
We will be traveling with a 10 YO and would want local activities within 1/2 hour drive from resort.
We are happy owners at Samoset and we have stayed in the past (not as owners) at Harbor Ridge. We
much prefer Samoset comparing resorts and on-site amenities.
Not at all sure what "local activities" you would be seeking for a 10 year old; neither area is "amusement park" oriented. Proximity to Acadia National Park (including the carriage trails for safe bicycling) might be a factor swinging you toward Harbor Ridge, as well as the ice cream, shops and other "summer bustle" of nearby Bar Harbor.
Samoset property (unlike HR) is oceanfront; all timeshare units have some ocean view, but with resort golf course holes in between timeshare buildings and shoreline.
Samoset has both indoor
and outdoor pools, outdoor basketball and tennis court, great fitness center (no additional cost for timeshare owners / occupants to use).
Frankly, you'll likely find it very difficult to exchange into
either place during the very high demand summer season. Summer week rental value is sufficiently high in both places that many (most?) owners don't often "deposit for exchange" primo summer weeks of high cash rental value if / when not using such prime weeks themselves.
Regarding
limited kitchens at Samoset, this really means
only that directly beneath the (multi-burner, electric) stove top there is
a dishwasher instead of an oven.
There is also a microwave oven
and a toaster oven in all Samoset units and a good sized refrigerator. In short,
only the absence of a full sized oven compartment under the stovetop results in the curious label of "limited kitchen" (not at all "limiting" to us, but YMMV). I can't recall if Harbor Ridge kitchens have dishwashers at all.
Frankly, I'd jump right on either one if a summer week was offered to you as an exchange; summer weeks are not plentiful as exchanges from RCI
or II at
either place.