Higgins Cottage: Walking Distance to Back Beach and Thurston's Lobster Pound

9.5 / 10.0

Outstanding(36 Ratings)

House in Southwest Harbor, ME

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating

High-end valuePrice for this property is higher than average in the area

Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner and more

About this house rental

Once the home and antique shop for a local family, charming "Higgins Cottage" in Bernard offers updated interiors in a sweet residential village on the "quiet side" of Mt. Desert Island. Relax on the sun porch and enjoy the peacefulness of the private landscaped backyard or take a stroll through the neighborhood to enjoy a picnic or brisk dip in the water at "Back Beach", a lovely, lesser-known cove facing the mouth of Bass Harbor. Many other wonderful sites within minutes by car include the Seal Cove Auto Museum, the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and the trail to Ship Harbor. For dining, walk to Thurston's Lobster Pound only one-half mile away, or head to the shops and restaurants in Southwest Harbor just three miles away via car or the free Island Explorer Shuttle running from late June to mid-October.

All in all, the quiet side of the Island and Acadia National Park has much to offer including hiking, swimming, and paddling, but when you're ready for more, just continue a little further by car or shuttle to enjoy more hiking, scenic carriage roads and the Park Loop Road running through the east side of Acadia. Then once you're ready to slow down, head into the bustling village of Bar Harbor and wind down with additional dining and movie options.

FIRST FLOOR: A sunny and spacious Kitchen with newer appliances, plenty of counter space, and a dining table for six. Comfortable Living Room with gas stove. Enclosed Sun Porch overlooking a lovely backyard. Half bathroom. Laundry Area with washer and dryer.

SECOND FLOOR: Two bedrooms with a Queen bed in each with window ac units during the summer months and the third bedroom with Twin beds and a play nook for children share a spacious hallway bathroom with a combined tub and shower.

OUTDOOR SPACES: A lovely landscaped backyard and lawn with lawn chairs, picnic table, and grill.

Amenities

Air conditioner

Kitchen or Kitchenette

Internet / Wifi

Fireplace

Parking

Laundry

Dishwasher

Garden

Map of Southwest Harbor, ME

Nearby attractions

Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum

10.6 mi

Wilson Museum

38.8 mi

Higgins Cottage: Walking Distance to Back Beach and Thurston's Lobster Pound

9.5 / 10.0

Outstanding(36 Ratings)

House in Southwest Harbor, ME

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating

High-end valuePrice for this property is higher than average in the area

Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner and more

About this house rental

Amenities

Air conditioner

Kitchen or Kitchenette

Internet / Wifi

Fireplace

Parking

Laundry

Dishwasher

Garden

Map of Southwest Harbor, ME

Nearby attractions

Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum

10.6 mi

Wilson Museum

38.8 mi

Ratings and reviews

9.5 / 10.0

Outstanding(36 Ratings)

10.0 / 10.0

Aug 2024

It was the perfect little cottage for our family of 5. We really liked having all the bedrooms upstairs. Don't miss the book the owners put together about their favorite activities around the area! We did so many of them and they were all amazing recommendations. From where to eat to places to explore. It was a very convenient location while also feeling away from the tourists/crowds. Even during peak season, it was an easy and pretty drive into Bar Harbor and to the Carriage roads where we biked.

10.0 / 10.0

Aug 2024

Great place on the quiet side , very spacious and comfortable

8.0 / 10.0

Jul 2024

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Bernard and loved walking to Thurstons for meals. The house was very clean. The description of the house did not include that it is off a main route and on the main road into Bernard so the traffic noise is significant. Also, some attention to detail would help this house be a true gem to stay in while visiting the quiet side of Acadia. Blinds were not kept up and half broken, large windows in the back have no covering at all and there was no mattress cover on one of the beds. We loved the porch and if the trees in the back were trimmed a bit you would have a view of thee harbor water. The owner was very attentive to a problem we had with the shower and we appreciated that. The owner also provided a detailed notebook for things to do on the island that was most helpful and appreciated. Again this is a very clean house and that meant a lot.For the money we paid I would have liked a bit more updated details that I mentioned above.

10.0 / 10.0

Jul 2024

A great place to stay! Very clean and close to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor!

8.0 / 10.0

Jul 2024

Made friends with the deer in the yard!

10.0 / 10.0

Jun 2024

Cottage was perfect. On the quiet side but accessible to everything in the area. Great spot for birders just in the neighborhood and the yard

10.0 / 10.0

Sep 2023

Our family had a wonderful stay at the cottage. It was perfect as our homebase. We were gone all day and where so happy to be able to come home to a cozy (and spacious) little home away from home. We couldn't have asked for anything more. It was our first time in Maine and we absolutely loved everything about our trip. Thank you!

10.0 / 10.0

Sep 2023

Higgins Cottage is fantastic retreat, set in a quiet street with relatively short drives to Bar Harbor and many of the incredible hikes and outdoor activities the area has to offer. We took advantage of the suggestions in the house binder and explored hikes, restaurants and activities no more than a 5-10 minute drive and it was some of the most memorable experiences of the trip. The house was ideal for our 10 and 16-year-old sons, and we spent many evenings together on the outdoor porch. We are grateful for this special time together!

10.0 / 10.0

Jul 2023

We spent a wonderful week in the very nice cottage in a quiet location away from the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor. The house is very spacious and large and offers even in bad weather enough space for cozy days. The equipment is very good incl. books and games. All excursions on Dessert Island are very well and quickly accessible. The house is 800 m from Thurston Lobster Pound, which we can highly recommend. Communication from the agency was quick and smooth. We enjoyed our time in Acadia NP incl. surroundings very much and can highly recommend the house.

10.0 / 10.0

Jul 2023

I love the coziness of this house. It feels like home away from home, but with the added bonus of being in nature with beautiful views. My family and I liked the layout. It's very spacious for a family of 4, yet you don't feel as though you've lost a child somewhere. The beds are very comfortable. The house is clean with newer furniture. They have board games and plenty of books to read. There is even a little table and Matchbox car container in the kids' bedroom nook.

10.0 / 10.0

Nov 2022

Staying at Higgina cottage was a wonderful experience. After we were done hiking and checking out Bar Harbor, coming back and relaxing at the cottage with a book or a movie was

10.0 / 10.0

Oct 2022

This was the perfect house for our group to come together from all over the country and share meals and talk about the day’s adventures in Acadia. There’s a lot of room and the location was quiet with a beautiful yard. Communication was swift and informative.

10.0 / 10.0

Sep 2022

My wife, kids (2&5), and myself spent a lovely time in the cottage in September. It is a very comfortable spot to come back to after a day of exploring MDI. We loved the location for its easy access to hikes like wonderland trail, acadia mountain, and the echo lake beach. Southwest Harbor was also very close and had great food.

10.0 / 10.0

Aug 2022

The house was a perfect fit for our family of five. We spent a lot of time out and about on the island so it was a great place to come back, relax, and get ready for the next thing. We thought we'd be far away from everything but that wasn't the case. There were several restaurants and stores nearby, as well adventures, like the Bass Harbor lighthouse, Echo Lake Beach, kayaking on Long pond, Bass Harbor Island Cruise, and many hikes.

10.0 / 10.0

Jul 2022

This place was clean, spacious and very comfortable for our family of four - a perfect place to come back to after a day exploring Acadia and the “quiet side” of MDI. Would very happily stay again in the future.

6.0 / 10.0

Nov 2021

Somewhat remote but roomy

Somewhat remote but roomy

This is a roomy house. Good tv. All the kitchen items you need. I think this wood be a good place for a family with several children. We found it to be too remote—-especially in the off season when many places are closed. We were happy to discover a great bakery in Southwest Harbor as well as a nice restaurant. The location is approximately 18 miles south of bar Harbor.

10.0 / 10.0

Oct 2021

Just Lovely!!!

Just Lovely!!!

The cottage is just adorable. Make sure you read there recommendation in the Cottage binder as everything they suggested was top notch!!! We loved coffee in the chairs by the view. Neighbors were also super nice as we chatted with them. Would HIGHLY recommend this adorable place! Only thing missing was maybe an outside fire but curling up by the indoor gas fireplace stove was lovely!!!

10.0 / 10.0

Sep 2021

VERY COMFORTABLE

VERY COMFORTABLE

Spacious with nice furnishings. Very clean. Comfortable bedding, lots of towels. Laundry was very nice to have.

10.0 / 10.0

Sep 2021

As Great as it Looks

As Great as it Looks

Fabulous cottage with every thoughtful need addressed and every touch. Perfect, really and very romantic. The hosts’ suggestions for food and outdoor adventures are spot on, and walking across the road to the farm stand for homemade ice cream was a bonus. We would add Abel Lobster as even better food and setting. Only caution is if you are a light sleeper, there is a surprising amount of traffic very early in the morning (starting around 4 am) because the road is an access to a working harbor, but watching the boats come in during the afternoon was delightful. We will definitely be back.

6.0 / 10.0

Sep 2021

Adequate for a short stay

Adequate for a short stay

The house is located on the Quiet Side with great access to the western half of the island. However, improvements need to be made to the house. With a little more work, this house could be a great rental.

10.0 / 10.0

Aug 2021

Lovely, comfortable cottage, perfect for a family

Lovely, comfortable cottage, perfect for a family

The Higgins Cottage was comfortable, pretty, and well-appointed. Both the kitchen and living room are spacious, and the bedrooms are also large and comfortable. The managers and owners were readily available when a minor issue arose and even installed a new gas grill at the start of our week. The rental is reasonably priced. Would (will!) absolutely rent it again.

10.0 / 10.0

Aug 2021

Perfect rental

Perfect rental

We loved staying at this spacious and comfortable house. We were visiting family in the area and it was a perfect gathering place.

10.0 / 10.0

Jun 2021

Exactly what we needed

Exactly what we needed

The supplies in the kitchen and bathrooms were more than adequate. The house was very clean and comfortable. Plenty of space for our family of four with a cozy feel. Furniture and rugs in excellent condition. Nice fans in each bedroom and kitchen. Very quiet neighborhood. Pretty flowers in the window boxes. Good location to explore MDI

8.0 / 10.0

Jun 2021

Short get away

Short get away

The house was clean and had everything we needed. We were a little early in the season and found several restaurants, including Thurston's, still closed. We visited Acadia, Bar Harbor and Atlantic Brewery. But, the highlight was our trip aboard the Gott Boat to Frenchboro Island. Very nice trip to a very nice place with great people. The private beach for Bernard residence was a good find also.

10.0 / 10.0

May 2021

Enjoyed our stay

Enjoyed our stay

The house was very clean and comfortable. Everything that you need was there. Some confusion to me on the checkout process provided by the property manager and the owner book at the house.

10.0 / 10.0

Sep 2020

Cozy but very spacious cottage in a quiet neighborhood.

Cozy but very spacious cottage in a quiet neighborhood.

The cottage was extremely comfortable and met all our needs. The kitchen is incredibly well equipped for all types of cooking. The bed linens were high quality and the beds quite comfortable. The propane stove made it easy to take the chill out of the air on the cooler nights. The WiFi was reliable and there was a wide variety of cable channels to keep us entertained at night. The trail maps provided helped a great deal in planning our daily hiking/biking adventures. Clearly a lot of forethought occurred in setting up this vacation rental.

10.0 / 10.0

Sep 2020

Perfect cottage on the quiet side

Perfect cottage on the quiet side

We loved our stay at Higgins Cottage. The house was very clean and well taken care of. We especially appreciated that the kitchen was extremely well-equipped — lots of cookware and more. The owners’ list of recommendations for local lesser-known hikes was great and led us to discover places we otherwise wouldn’t have. We would definitely stay here again! Thank you!

10.0 / 10.0

Aug 2020

Great Family Getaway

Great Family Getaway

We love the Quiet Side, and this was a great and very family friendly location for our annual pilgrimage.

10.0 / 10.0

Aug 2020

Loved Higgins Cottage!

Loved Higgins Cottage!

Hagen’s cottage was clean, comfortable, and met all of our needs during our stay on Mount Desert Island.

10.0 / 10.0

Jul 2020

Great stay!

Great stay!

We travel to Maine every other year, and this house was perfect for our family. The house was comfortable for our party of 4. Property manager and owner were attentive to the couple of questions we had. We will plan on staying here again for our next trip!

FAQs

How much does this house cost compared to others in Southwest Harbor?

The average price for a rental in Southwest Harbor is $509 per night. This rental is $18 less expensive than the average.

Is parking included with this house?

Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Higgins Cottage: Walking Distance to Back Beach and Thurston's Lobster Pound. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this house?

We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.

Is Higgins Cottage: Walking Distance to Back Beach and Thurston's Lobster Pound pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at Higgins Cottage: Walking Distance to Back Beach and Thurston's Lobster Pound?

We found 9 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.

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Higgins Cottage: Walking Distance to Back Beach and Thurston's Lobster Pound

House in Southwest Harbor, ME

Reasons to book

About this house rental

Amenities

Map of Southwest Harbor, ME

Nearby attractions

Higgins Cottage: Walking Distance to Back Beach and Thurston's Lobster Pound

House in Southwest Harbor, ME

Reasons to book

About this house rental

Amenities

Map of Southwest Harbor, ME

Nearby attractions

Ratings and reviews

FAQs

How much does this house cost compared to others in Southwest Harbor?

Is parking included with this house?

Is there a pool at this house?

Is Higgins Cottage: Walking Distance to Back Beach and Thurston's Lobster Pound pet friendly?

What amenities are available at Higgins Cottage: Walking Distance to Back Beach and Thurston's Lobster Pound?

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