We spent 6 nights at the Aisling Cottage exploring MDI and Acadia National Park. The Cottage was perfect for our family of 5. The property was very clean and had everything we needed for a very comfortable stay. The place is located in a very quiet area with virtually no traffic. We enjoyed being on the quiet side of the Island and actually found many fun things to do away from the busy Bar Harbor crowds. I would certainly recommend the Aisling Cottage without reservation!

Our family had a great time at Aisling Cottage for a week in July to escape the Texas heat. Victoria and David were terrific hosts that brought fresh flowers on arrival and even helped us procure and cook lobsters to make our own lobster rolls (my wife said they were her favorite of the trip - my secret ingredient… lots of butter). Would definitely book again. So glad we chose a comfortable place on the quiet side of the island that’s close to some of Acadia NP’s best attractions but away from the touristy bustle of Bar Harbor.

This was a wonderful, quaint property to spend a week at! We had a one year old with us so it was important that we be able to enjoy spending most our time at the cottage. I loved that I was able to see Bass Harbor from the kitchen while making dinner every night. The cottage had so much character and was very cozy while also being uncluttered and spotless when we arrived. We definitely hope to return!

We really enjoyed our time at Aisling Cottage, the location was a really good for our family. We have a few runners that enjoyed the runs down to Bass Harbor Lighthouse or the Seawall (both within 1-2 miles). Also, with our kids they really liked the chance to go down to the harbor about 150 ft from the house to see what they could find. Thanks for a great stay!

Elizabeth was the perfect host for our stay charming cottage. We enjoyed our time discovering the beautiful surroundings of Maine. It could not have been a more perfect week. Thank you for making our trip so memorable!

Aisling Cottage was the perfect home base for our pandemic-postponed 25th anniversary trip to Acadia! Close enough to Bar Harbor for activities there, but out of the crowds. Victoria was so welcoming and responsive, and the cottage had everything we needed: full kitchen, washer/dryer, cozy bedrooms, and plenty of space to relax. Southwest Harbor was just a few minutes away for restaurants and groceries, as well as our bike rentals and kayak tour. Bonus: Seafood Ketch restaurant was steps away from the cottage for a great dinner spot after a long day exploring the area. Wonderful stay!!

We enjoyed our stay at Aisling cottage. It was clean, well stocked, and comfortable. On the quiet side of the island, but the main part of the park was only a half hour drive. There are many great hikes and restaurants close to the cottage as well. We appreciated being able to get away from the crowds, and would definitely go back.

My family and I stayed here for 5 nights. There were 6 of us all together. We brought 2 twin air mattresses for the 2 youngest which we put in each of the bedrooms just so we could all be upstairs and that worked out great. There was a pullout we could have used downstairs. Bass Harbor is lovely and not too far from Acadia and Bar Harbor which we went to daily. We really enjoyed the wonderland trail, Bass Harbor light house, Echo lake, and Beals lobster which were all within 5-10 minutes away. We also went to Sips 2.0 a few times for sandwiches to snacks to bring into the park with us. The cottage had everything we needed and beds were really comfortable. It was a great vacation and we hope to be back! Thank you Victoria and Dave!

First off, we had to postpone our trip from 2020 to 2021 and Victoria was incredibly accommodating in pushing our date and communication around Maine’s COVID restrictions, etc. When we finally went in July 2021, the cottage was perfect! Walkable to many things in Bass Harbor and 35 minute drive to Bar Harbor. But was very nice to get away from the crowds. Highly recommended!

We had a great stay at the Aisling Cottage! It was a perfect spot to use as a launchpad to explore Acadia National Park, about 30 minutes from the main park entrance (but there were shorter hikes that are a part of the park only minutes away from the house)! The house was clean and well-stocked for, and anytime we had questions or needed something, Victoria and David were right next door and extremely responsive (and so, so friendly!).

This cottage is perfect for 2-4 people (we had 4 with our two kids 7 & 12). Everything was in perfect condition when we arrived, clean, with fresh flowers from the owners from their tended gardens, had basic needs provided, dish and clothes detergent, paper towels, garbage bags etc. We had a mixed week of great weather and a few rainy cooler days, the electric oven heater was perfect for a quick warm up, and when warmer the breeze ways and fans were enough to keep the cottage comfortable. My original concern was the drive into Acadia/Bar Harbor, however it only took 30 min and the time went quick and every mile was beauty. It was also peaceful being away from the hustle of Bar Harbor, a true Lobster fishing town, giving us a more Maine living experience. Simply said, i would retire in this cottage if I could. The owners/family lived next door but maintained your complete privacy and because of the proximity are extremely accommodating and quick to help with any of your needs (wifi, blackout due to weather) which was fixed by electric company within just a few hours. If you are a couple, a few friends, or a family of 4, this is truly a perfect get away retreat you will fall in love with, we sure did!

Everything was amazing from start to finish. Great communication with owner, the cottage is clean and quaint, the location is beautiful and peaceful. My favorite part of the cottage was how every detail was well planned and wonderfully laid out. It had that creaky charm of a traditional cottage with thoughtful updates that made it incredibly comfortable. The internet was good enough for my daughter to continue her college courses online in the evenings. Our favorite part of the location was being able to walk to the water to kayak & grab a lobster grilled cheese and milkshake from Mainely Delights. All of the trails in Acadia were a short drive away and taking our car on the ferry to Swans Island was so much fun! There was a beautiful sandy beach on the ocean and a quarry with warm water to swim in. Our whole family loved it!

I could not have had a more positive experience with the owners of this fine property.

We loved our stay in Bass Harbor. The home is wonderful, just as described, very kid friendly and relaxing. There are a number of great shorter kid friendly hikes really close by and 30-45 min access to the rest of Acadia. We did realize being there in early October that some restaurants stores etc may have more limited hours than prime season, but that’s to be expected and we enjoy it being quieter. Highly recommend staying here!

We really enjoyed our stay in Acadia National Park and our beautiful cottage in Bass Harbor on the “quiet side” was perfect for us. All amenities were accurately described and was the perfect place to establish our base in this beautiful area. Real Maine experience!

The whole pre-visit process could not have gone smoother. When we arrived it was just what we needed for a week of exploring and relaxation. We were welcomed with a beautiful bunch of flowers and everything we might ever need. The house is incredibly well outfitted and so so comfortable. Most nights we would walk the short way down the street to be treated to incredible sunsets. The ship harbor trail just a mile or two down the road was one of the most beautiful on the island. This cottage was just what the doctor called for.

The moment we came through the door, he loved it, and I got a big hug and a kiss for choosing to rent this property. It was perfect for two people; we used the second bedroom as our dressing room. The bathroom is so spacious, he upgrades throughout tasteful and well executed, including the propane heater and matching marble tile, the can lighting in the ceiling, paint choices. We would have loved a daybed or a couch on the front porch. And pruning the shrubs would add more light into the other side of the living space. Overall, we really liked the location. It is easy to find, quiet and close to the harbor. A five-minute walk to watch the sunset - just stunning! A great restaurant just a few doors down, fishing off the public dock down by the ferry terminal and going to the beach on Lopaus Point Road on the other side of the harbor. Among all the other things we were able to do in the two weeks we spent. A great vacation! Thank you MacDonalds!!

Aisling Cottage was a wonderful respite for our family before our kids trotted back to school. It is roomy and has everything you need. It is also just steps from the bus stop for the Acadia Island transport -- which is free and goes all over the island. Victoria and David were excellent hosts, answering questions and available if needed. We will be going back!

We’d been planning this vacation for a while and found Aisling Cottage the perfect place for our family. Victoria & David our gracious hosts! The kayaks and bikes made available to our family along with the insight from David as to where to launch the kayaks was great! We enjoyed Bass Harbor every Nite with walks down the street to the piers and around the quite neighborhood. MDI can’t be done in 1 week and we look forward to returning to Aisling Cottage to explore some more.

The Aisling Cottage was quaint, quiet and relaxing. We had a good view of the harbor and enjoyed morning coffee in the front sun room. The cottage was very clean, and a nice breeze flowed through the house. Victoria was welcoming and if we needed something, she helped out. We were greeted with a fresh bouquet of flowers in the kitchen.

Cute house with plenty of spots to relax and rewind. The hosts are very nice and helpful. 15 minutes from Acadia National Park.

This cottage was a perfect home base for all our adventures while on Mount Desert Island. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Bar Harbor but it’s an easy drive. We took a wonderful kayak tour using Maine State Sea kayak which is just a few minutes away. The cottage itself has lots of space to spread out! We ate breakfast on the front porch every morning so we could view the harbor. The kitchen has everything that we needed to cook our meals. Most of all, it was very quiet!

Aisling Cottage was the perfect location for my family of four. Our young children loved running around in the back garden and walking down to the harbor each night to watch the sunset and collect shells. It was conveniently located a few minutes drive from Bass Harbor and Southwest Harbor restaurants, bakeries and shops and just a few minutes from some lesser known Acadia trails. David and Victoria also set up a lobster boil pot for us so we could boil some lobsters on our last night. Magical Maine experience!

We loved our stay at the cottage. Kitchen well equipped. Bathtub comfortable. Beds cozy. Features charming.

For over 25 years, my husband and I dreamed of exploring Acadia. While on sabbatical in Boston, we finally had an opportunity. We found our four-day stay in the Aisling cottage to be charming, comfortable, well-equipped, and perfectly located in Bass Harbor. Victoria was a very generous and accommodating host and provided excellent advice on how to make the most of our stay in on Mount Desert Island. My husband really appreciated the cottage's guide book, maps, and brochures. We hiked Acadia's magnificent trails for three days and rode bikes around Swans Island one day, an adventure that we highly recommend. Victoria even provided the bikes! We will recommend Aisling cottage to our family and friends and we hope to return again.

Thank you David and Victoria! Cottage is just lovely and the owners are very accommodating. We asked them if they had travel mugs we could use for coffee to take to sunrise at Cadillac Mountain and within an hour she came over with some. The cottage had everything we need and is very cozy. Bass Harbor is beautiful and definitely on the quiet side of the island. We hope to stay there again soon.

The cottage was exactly what we were looking for and David and Victoria were extremely helpful. Can not wait to go back next summer!

The hosts are nice and helpful. Thank you for your hospitality, Victoria and David!

Cottage was spacious, clean, and in a quiet beautiful village near the bay. Victoria and David were wonderful hosts, offering assistance with boiling our own lobsters, recommendations for restaurants and great hikes. Great space for a family. About a 25-30 minute easy drive to hiking and bar harbor. We will return if we come back to the area!

This is our second time renting Aisling Cottage in Bass Harbor. It is very comfortable and convenient! You get wonderful sunsets and get to watch the fog roll in. The owners are very nice and helpful!

My wife, three children and I went for a week this summer. The draw of Acadia National Park, the ocean, and all it has to offer were the reasons we love coming to this location. The rental house was small but comfy. We needed heat for chilly nights and the owners were so helpful in getting the gas stove in the living room going for us. The cottage was clean and well equipped. The gas grill was the only issue I had, but I bought a lighter and got it going to cook out. Many delicious restaurants nearby, one you can walk to at the end of the street. We also walked to the ferry and had a beautiful boat ride to the close island and ate a picnic there. You can bike to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse and plenty of room to play frisbee and ball in the side yard. We had a fun time and the owners were so helpful. Thurstons Lobster Pound was on the other side of town, and had the most delicious lobster dinners and views of lobster boats on their moorings. I recommend this cottage for a quiet break but it is only a short drive or a LLBean van ride into Bar Harbor.