Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home
5.0
Outstanding(34 Reviews)Cottage in Southwest Harbor, ME
8 guests · 5 bedrooms · 3 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Includes essentialsGarden, Pets allowed, Kitchen or Kitchenette and more
About this cottage rental
This 100 year old cottage has been lovingly renovated by the family that owns it in order to retain the character and charm of the original summer home while adding all the modern conveniences, including heat, to make it extremely comfortable. The cottage sits on the shore of Southwest Harbor in Manset with approximately 1.5 acres of lawn, woods and stream and 150 feet of waterfront. The property juts out just enough to offer views of the water on three sides of the house - to the East, North and West. Enjoy the setting from the Adirondeck chairs on the lawn, from the rocking chairs on the wrap around porch or from the comfort of the screened porch.
Bring your boat and use our deep water mooring and outhaul. From Southwest Harbor, there are endless possibilities for exploration by boat.
The front door leads into an elegant foyer with William Morris style wallpaper. Turning to the right leads you to the stairs to the second floor and the more formal living room, we call the harbor room. The harbor room runs east west parallel to the harbor with seven windows looking out to the harbor and mountains beyond. It is decorated in a sophisticated, yet comfortable manner and features a wood burning fireplace, games, a library of many books and different reading nooks. There is a door outside leading to the wrap around porch.
From the front door, turning to the left leads you to the dining room and kitchen, both beautiful and classic. The dining table can seat 12 people. The kitchen is fully stocked with new appliances and everything you need in the kitchen. The island counter seats 4.
Beyond the kitchen, though triple doors, is the screened porch with a dining table for 10 or more and lovely comfortable seating area. Beyond the dining room, is the back door and back foyer, elegant downstairs bathroom, washer dryer, mudroom, dog door.
Between the kitchen and harbor room, and accessible from both sides, is the family room. The family room has a second wood burning fireplace, wallpaper with hunting dogs in green and a flat screen television, cable, apple tv, and blu-ray player.
Between the dining room and family room is the original pantry, now with bar sink and coffee maker and lots of charm.
The second floor consists of five bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Bedroom 1, with wallpaper with blue flowers, has a king sized bed and incredible views of the water and mountains. Bedroom 2, with pink floral wallpaper, has a classic three-quarter bed (48" wide) and a twin size trundle. It also has incredible views of the water and mountains. Bedroom 3 has another classic three-quarter bed (48" wide), toys, charm and water & mountain views. Bedroom 4, with yellow wallpaper with birds, has a queen size bed and bit of water view. Bedroom 5, with red nautical wallpaper, has 2 twin beds and a little view of the water and beyond.
This cottage is a terrific jumping off point for exploring Downeast Maine, but you could also be very happy never leaving the property.
Bring your boat and use our deep water mooring and outhaul. From Southwest Harbor, there are endless possibilities for exploration by boat.
The front door leads into an elegant foyer with William Morris style wallpaper. Turning to the right leads you to the stairs to the second floor and the more formal living room, we call the harbor room. The harbor room runs east west parallel to the harbor with seven windows looking out to the harbor and mountains beyond. It is decorated in a sophisticated, yet comfortable manner and features a wood burning fireplace, games, a library of many books and different reading nooks. There is a door outside leading to the wrap around porch.
From the front door, turning to the left leads you to the dining room and kitchen, both beautiful and classic. The dining table can seat 12 people. The kitchen is fully stocked with new appliances and everything you need in the kitchen. The island counter seats 4.
Beyond the kitchen, though triple doors, is the screened porch with a dining table for 10 or more and lovely comfortable seating area. Beyond the dining room, is the back door and back foyer, elegant downstairs bathroom, washer dryer, mudroom, dog door.
Between the kitchen and harbor room, and accessible from both sides, is the family room. The family room has a second wood burning fireplace, wallpaper with hunting dogs in green and a flat screen television, cable, apple tv, and blu-ray player.
Between the dining room and family room is the original pantry, now with bar sink and coffee maker and lots of charm.
The second floor consists of five bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Bedroom 1, with wallpaper with blue flowers, has a king sized bed and incredible views of the water and mountains. Bedroom 2, with pink floral wallpaper, has a classic three-quarter bed (48" wide) and a twin size trundle. It also has incredible views of the water and mountains. Bedroom 3 has another classic three-quarter bed (48" wide), toys, charm and water & mountain views. Bedroom 4, with yellow wallpaper with birds, has a queen size bed and bit of water view. Bedroom 5, with red nautical wallpaper, has 2 twin beds and a little view of the water and beyond.
This cottage is a terrific jumping off point for exploring Downeast Maine, but you could also be very happy never leaving the property.
Amenities
Pets allowed
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Southwest Harbor, ME
Reviews
5.0
Outstanding(34 Reviews)5.0
Our group of 8 (including 3 children) had an amazing time at this house and location. The house is beautiful, well stocked, quintessentially Maine in a quiet location overlooking the harbor. Melissa was a great host who gave us alot of recommendations during our stay. We tried a few places to eat in SWH but our favorite was Peter Trouts which is only a short walk from the house. We could not recommend this house more.
5.0
Our family ranging in age from eight months to 62 years had an amazingly wonderful time at this home in Southwest Harbor. The house is beautiful, surroundings are beautiful, and the host could not have been more communicative or more helpful. Close to Acadia national Park, yet away from all the crowds! Perfect family getaway.
5.0
Beautiful home. Well stocked with everything you could possibly need. Great location. Very roomy and clean. Highly recommend.
5.0
Old world charm and homey. Great library of books, cannot imagine a better coffee on deck overlooking harbor morning start. About 25 minutes to beehive, cadillac, bubbles for great hiking and carriage road for biking. Kayaking up somes sound while watching sail boat training (racing) great fun. We loved Mainely Meats Bbq (and cornhole). Each day a great 2mi beautiful loop run from shiphouse. Shiphouse recently renovated with neat details. 4 kids 18, 20, 22, 24 all had a great time. Kids used the local gym each day and locals were great to them. Would recommend little notch bakery for blueberry tarts and surprisingly excellect pizza... highly recommend for both action and relaxation...
5.0
Perfect location to enjoy everything Mt. Desert Island has to offer. Totally comfortable and cozy. Great spots to sit and enjoy a book or just contemplating life, both inside and out. Everything is in the home that you could possibly need. A really good restaurant a short walk away ( Peter Trout).
5.0
Beautiful renovation that pairs historic charm with comfortable modern living on a private lot right on the harbor.
5.0
This property is amazing. We were blown away by the beauty of the historic house and scenic location. As guests, we could tell the home had been greatly loved and cared for. It is beautifully appointed and completely comfortable. The property is located on the water with access to a small rocky beach, with beautiful views of a working harbor and Acadia National Park. The landscaping is perfect. Access to the cute town of Southwest Harbor is only minutes away. Adding greatly to our overall positive experience, Melissa is a responsive and gracious host. We couldn’t have been more pleased with our experience and will certainly hope to return. Thank you!
5.0
Our one week stay at this Southwest Harbor gem was magical in everyway. The very first thing I did when I walked in the door was to call my daughter, the one family member who could not join us I was hoping to somehow transport her to Acadia to be with us in this home.
This home is everything we wanted in a family vacation spot. It is beautiful and welcoming, comfortable yet also really special. The kitchen is terrific and well supplied. One night, the younger crew hosted the older generation to a fish fry. There was plenty of room for them to cook (and laugh) and beautiful spots on the screened in porch for the rest of us to enjoy cocktails and conversation.
Two of our crew needed to work all week and the internet and getaway spaces made it easy for them.
Besides the large eat-in kitchen and the screened porch, the downstairs has two other family gathering rooms- each with a fireplace (our September days were sunny and beautiful and the fires were so cheery on some cooler nights). Upstairs are five bedrooms with the most terrific mattresses, sheets, and towels. How do I know? Our guests were trying to find out what they were so they could maybe replicate at home :).
Bathrooms also combine Maine farmhouse with first class luxury.
Facing the harbor is a wonderful wrap around porch for morning coffee, afternoon tea/chatting/reading, or pre-dinner appetizers
We enjoyed the firepit and grill...and raising/lowering the flag right on the harbor.
The location can't be beat...we loved getting to know Southwest Harbor, the nearby Acadia hikes, and the walk down the road to the ferry to Cranberry Islands and to a wonderful local restaurant.
And to top it off, Melissa provided us with a warm welcome, a curated list of local finds, and the most gracious interactions during our stay.
This was a sabbatical getaway for me and to share this place with family and friends is a memory I already cherish. I am very hopeful we can return. Thank you Melissa and Scott for sharing your very special home with my family and me,
5.0
This property is amazing. We were blown away by the beauty of the historic house and scenic location. As guests, we could tell the home had been greatly loved and cared for. It is beautifully appointed and completely comfortable. The property is located on the water with access to a small rocky beach, with beautiful views of a working harbor and Acadia National Park. The landscaping is perfect. Access to the cute town of Southwest Harbor is only minutes away. Adding greatly to our overall positive experience, Melissa is a responsive and gracious host. We couldn’t have been more pleased with our experience and will certainly hope to return. Thank you!
5.0
Our one week stay at this Southwest Harbor gem was magical in everyway. The very first thing I did when I walked in the door was to call my daughter, the one family member who could not join us I was hoping to somehow transport her to Acadia to be with us in this home.
This home is everything we wanted in a family vacation spot. It is beautiful and welcoming, comfortable yet also really special. The kitchen is terrific and well supplied. One night, the younger crew hosted the older generation to a fish fry. There was plenty of room for them to cook (and laugh) and beautiful spots on the screened in porch for the rest of us to enjoy cocktails and conversation.
Two of our crew needed to work all week and the internet and getaway spaces made it easy for them.
Besides the large eat-in kitchen and the screened porch, the downstairs has two other family gathering rooms- each with a fireplace (our September days were sunny and beautiful and the fires were so cheery on some cooler nights). Upstairs are five bedrooms with the most terrific mattresses, sheets, and towels. How do I know? Our guests were trying to find out what they were so they could maybe replicate at home :).
Bathrooms also combine Maine farmhouse with first class luxury.
Facing the harbor is a wonderful wrap around porch for morning coffee, afternoon tea/chatting/reading, or pre-dinner appetizers
We enjoyed the firepit and grill...and raising/lowering the flag right on the harbor.
The location can't be beat...we loved getting to know Southwest Harbor, the nearby Acadia hikes, and the walk down the road to the ferry to Cranberry Islands and to a wonderful local restaurant.
And to top it off, Melissa provided us with a warm welcome, a curated list of local finds, and the most gracious interactions during our stay.
This was a sabbatical getaway for me and to share this place with family and friends is a memory I already cherish. I am very hopeful we can return. Thank you Melissa and Scott for sharing your very special home with my family and me,
5.0
I’ve rented a lot of vacation cottages, but never one this thoughtfully decorated, provisioned, and comfortable. It was as if good friends had lent us their house for the week. The location is spectacular, and super convenient to Acadia. The house was big enough for all 7 of us and the dog to be together but also stay out of each other’s hair — many comfortable indoor and outdoor spaces. Highly recommend this cottage.
5.0
We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the the cottage. Since returning home, it has been terribly hard to wake up and have morning coffee without those incredible harbor views. And, we especially liked the harbor seal who came to visit from time to time. The cottage has been beautifully maintained with many original aspects, including the woodwork. The views from the wrap-around porch and master bedroom are unparalleled. And walking to Peter Trout's for a bite and a beer was an added benefit. The cottage is remarkable. Thanks for sharing it with us.
5.0
We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the the cottage. Since returning home, it has been terribly hard to wake up and have morning coffee without those incredible harbor views. And, we especially liked the harbor seal who came to visit from time to time. The cottage has been beautifully maintained with many original aspects, including the woodwork. The views from the wrap-around porch and master bedroom are unparalleled. And walking to Peter Trout's for a bite and a beer was an added benefit. The cottage is remarkable. Thanks for sharing it with us.
5.0
This house is the perfect vacation rental. It is a very spacious house. We had 8 adults in the house and most of them were combining work and vacation. Everyone had room to spread out to do work plus the internet was great. The house is our all time favorite that we have stayed at in any location. Melissa is so easy to communicate with both before and during the stay. The kitchen is very well stocked. We loved grilling with their charcoal grill also. We spend most of our free time at the house on the porch facing the harbor - unbelieveable view. The bedrooms and beds worked out well. We loved the nearby hiking. We also enjoyed walking in their neighborhood every morning. We used the firepit on several nights and even had one on a cold morning to enjoy with our coffee. Southwest harbor is a really cute town with nice shops and good restaurants but also very easy to head over to Northeast Harbor or Bar Harbor. If you want the best rental house on the island then you need to hope to find availability at this house:)
5.0
This house is the perfect vacation rental. It is a very spacious house. We had 8 adults in the house and most of them were combining work and vacation. Everyone had room to spread out to do work plus the internet was great. The house is our all time favorite that we have stayed at in any location. Melissa is so easy to communicate with both before and during the stay. The kitchen is very well stocked. We loved grilling with their charcoal grill also. We spend most of our free time at the house on the porch facing the harbor - unbelieveable view. The bedrooms and beds worked out well. We loved the nearby hiking. We also enjoyed walking in their neighborhood every morning. We used the firepit on several nights and even had one on a cold morning to enjoy with our coffee. Southwest harbor is a really cute town with nice shops and good restaurants but also very easy to head over to Northeast Harbor or Bar Harbor. If you want the best rental house on the island then you need to hope to find availability at this house:)
5.0
This is a beautiful property right on the water facing Southwest Harbor. Gorgeous yard and big wraparound porch for enjoying views. You can be in Bar Harbor in about 20 minutes; all of MDI is your playground from here. Melissa and Scott are great hosts. We hope to be back!
5.0
This is a beautiful property right on the water facing Southwest Harbor. Gorgeous yard and big wraparound porch for enjoying views. You can be in Bar Harbor in about 20 minutes; all of MDI is your playground from here. Melissa and Scott are great hosts. We hope to be back!
5.0
We felt at home the minute we walked in the door. You can feel the love that has been poured into this house over the years by Melissa and her family. I did I mention the views . . . astounding! The house is close to great food or if you want to stay in Melissa has thought of every detail to cook a wonderful feast. One of the best VRBO's we've stayed at!
5.0
This property exudes old world charm , comfort, stunning water views! This house is genuinely loved by its owners and we were so lucky to have experienced it during the crazy times we are all dealing with! We extended our stay And really did not want to leave! We built cozy fires and played many games. , read and truly relaxed ! The owners provided an extensive list of things to do in the area which were all great! We loved the restaurant and hike list! We most definitely would come again this is a really SPECIAL home! Thanks again ...
5.0
Perfectly located. Spacious. Well-equipped and furnished. Friendly caretakers and groundskeeper. Delighted to raise and lower the flag every day.
Property is perfectly maintained.
5.0
Recently our family of 8, ages 21-58, stayed at Melissa’s Home in Southwest Harbor. From the moment we walked in, we knew this was a special place to stay! The home has EVERYTHING you will need. But more, it has a Maine character that enhanced our vacation experience.
Prior to arrival, Melissa communicated with me in a very timely and respectful way. She provided excellent recommendations for grocery shopping and restaurants. We filled our days with hiking and boat tours (very active family) but a day didn’t go by that someone in the group didn’t say “ looking forward to getting back to the house!” Pictures do not do this home justice! The wrap around porch with views of the harbor is a Home highlight. Mornings were spent on the porch with coffee and late evenings with drinks. The fire pit came in handy two nights as well and afforded us the most amazing views of star filled sky’s.
We rented kayaks and were able to set off right from our own shore. Some afternoons were spent looking for seaglass after high tide! The shore is all rocks, so little ones will need a hand. We brought extra folding camp chairs with us and that was very useful. The fire pit area has four chairs so without the extra chairs, would be difficult for all to enjoy the large yard. We so enjoyed our home away from Home and could go on and on.
We will definitely return to Maine and will return to Manset Gem!
5.0
If you are seeking a beautiful home with an amazing view and location, then this home is hard to beat. The home provides a Maine “cottage” experience, but with all the modern conveniences. It has been lovingly restored to the highest caliber, yet retains all the character and charm of a 100+ year old Maine cottage. The waterfront location just outside the town of Southwest Harbor offers a convenient and tranquil base to explore Mount Desert Island.
Given the beauty of the home and its location, we spent a lot of our time in Southwest Harbor at the home relaxing on the wrap-around porch and watching the boats come in and out of the harbor.
5.0
We stayed for a week and really enjoyed this property. Wrap around porch provided terrific views of the harbor. Southwest Harbor is a great location - not overly developed and a nice blend of locals and tourists. The house is a restored historic home that was done right. Plenty big enough for two families. 3 full baths. Big kitchen. Nice 3-season room off of the kitchen. Nicely furnished. Beautiful wallpaper. Perfect place to relax after a long day of hiking.
5.0
We have been coming to this part of Maine for years and this is the best house yet! The owners have renovated it to perfection. The kitchen is nice and large and because we are all "cooks" we really appreciated it. For the first several weeks we ate on the porch just off of the kitchen and then moved in, once the evenings became a little chilly. The living area is very inviting as well, with plenty of room for reading, playing games, and doing a puzzle. Upstairs there are 5 very nice and cozy bedrooms , 2 of which have direct views of the harbor. All are decorated in a very classic Maine manner with beautiful wall paper.
The owner was always available if I needed her as well as the caretaker.
Although we did not have young children on this vacation, it would be a fun house for kids as well!
5.0
We had a great 2 weeks holiday in the house with every moment great views and smells on and from the harbor. The house it selfs feels like at home. It's cosy, quite and tasteful for a family. We hope to be back next year! We can recommend it to everyone who likes to be in what we call the flafour of a old nautical episode in time. Good grocery, wine and cheese in the village and kitchen to prepare what ever you want to.
5.0
This is a remarkable property. The owners have taken great care to give the house modern updates while maintaining every ounce of charm. It is exactly what you would imagine a charming summer cottage in Maine could be; though with consistent hot water, new appliances and everything working! Its a truly beautiful home. My children were able to play in the tidepools every single day. The location is perfect for the the quietside of the island. We walked to restaurants, rented boats, and watched the stars. The kitchen was lovely for cooking. There are so many amazing details to this home. The house was set up in a very thoughtful way. There was a lot of attention paid to what you might need when you are out of town, it was very generously set up. I would return to this house annually!
5.0
This is a classic Maine "cottage" that the owners have lovingly, tastefully, and sensitively restored. They kept the cottage's sense of history while updating the kitchen and baths in great style and refreshing the bedrooms with charm. The house offers plenty of spaces that are perfect for puzzles, reading, sharing a movie, or watching the workboats and sailboats come in and out of Southwest Harbor. We were there a bit early ---first week of June, and it was cool and rainy --- but we still enjoyed the views from the porch and from the Adirondack chairs on the front lawn. The owner was a pleasure while we coordinated our trip. We were two parents with three recent college graduates and everyone loved the house and its amenities. We get back to Mount Desert Island most summers, and hope the scheduling allows us to enjoy this Southwest Harbor gem again. For our family, this really is the perfect Maine vacation house!
5.0
The house has enormous charm and the location overlooking the water and the hills of Acadia is perfect. There's loads of space but the house still feels intimate and cozy. Trying to think of some kind of constructive criticism but can't think of anything, we absolutely loved it and hope to return next summer.
FAQs
How much does this cottage cost compared to others in Southwest Harbor?
The average price for a rental in Southwest Harbor is $335 per night. This rental is $717 above the average.
Is parking included with this cottage?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this cottage?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this cottage. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home pet friendly?
Yes! This cottage is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home?
We found 11 amenities for this rental. This includes pets allowed, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.
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