Intimate sunny apartment with an ocean view
Apartment in Southwest Harbor, ME
2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner and more
About this apartment rental
Bird's Nest is an elevated efficiency apartment with sweeping views of Somes Sound, the ocean, the mountains of Acadia National Park, and the lighthouse on Bear Island. At the end of a long winding private driveway Bird's Nest provides a quiet get away for a couple. There is a small efficiency kitchen and a sunny second floor deck to enjoy the view while having a peaceful breakfast or evening meal.
Bird's Nest provides a great base from which to explore the trails, mountains, lakes, ponds of the less visited parts of Acadia National Park. Many of the park trail heads and the fresh water beach with great swimming at Echo Lake are less than 2 miles away. We have our own private wooded trail that is a short hike to downtown Southwest Harbor where you can board the free Island Explorer bus and reach the busier side of Mount Desert Island including Bar Harbor and the more visited parts of Acadia such as Thunder Hole and Sand Beach. You can even take a longer ride to the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia.
Our trail provides easy access to the small shops and amenities offered in Southwest Harbor. These include dining experiences from cafes and ice cream shops to fine dining.
Bird's Nest provides a great base from which to explore the trails, mountains, lakes, ponds of the less visited parts of Acadia National Park. Many of the park trail heads and the fresh water beach with great swimming at Echo Lake are less than 2 miles away. We have our own private wooded trail that is a short hike to downtown Southwest Harbor where you can board the free Island Explorer bus and reach the busier side of Mount Desert Island including Bar Harbor and the more visited parts of Acadia such as Thunder Hole and Sand Beach. You can even take a longer ride to the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia.
Our trail provides easy access to the small shops and amenities offered in Southwest Harbor. These include dining experiences from cafes and ice cream shops to fine dining.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Balcony or Patio
TV
Garden
Map of Southwest Harbor, ME
$$$$
Reviews
5.0
great location, very accessible to Southwest Harbor. it was very clean and well-equipped. thanks for a great stay!
5.0
Cozy ,lovely sunset view
5.0
Small but nice. Beware tall people, slanted ceiling. My husband says men should be comfortable sitting down in the bathroom due to the slanted ceiling. Nice view from the deck. Trail to town was like a little hike - look for the orange blazes on the trees that mark the trail. Local guide books were handy. There was a drip coffee maker with filters too.
5.0
The Bird's Nest was better than I expected--cuter and newer than the photos seemed. The walls are shiplap, the decor adorable in blues and whites, the furniture and bed comfortable, the deck a partly-obstructed (by the main house) but truly gorgeous view of the harbor. The place is small (but larger than I thought it would be) but headroom is only an issue in the short hallway connecting the living space to the bedroom (and I'm 5'9" and felt it wasn't difficult at all, even for a tall person). Such a beautiful place!
I couldn't get over the unique touches for travelers--cubbies and drawers for storage, a suitcase rack, places to hang clothes and towels, A/C and a fan, local information, lamps, games, books, kitchenware, outlet and end tables by the bed. Absolutely lovely; I didn't want to leave.
Coffee lovers should note: there is a drip maker and a French press (so bring coarse grinds if, like me, you want the better cup of coffee...or have Little Notch bakery grind you a bag, as I did).
The photos don't do this place justice. Perfect for a quiet getaway!
5.0
Great view for sunrises! Quaint, unique lodging for two. Enjoyed our stay. Loved the hike down to town!
5.0
The Bird's Nest was tops! Beautiful setting and everything you need. Susan was very communicative and even made a few minor repairs even though we did not ask that they be done during our stay. We hope to return.
5.0
The property was well appointed with everything you need if you choose to cook in the kitchen. The space is utilized really well for its small size. My favorite part was sitting on the deck and looking at the beautiful view of the ocean. It is notable that the big house in front of this property is a rental, as well and may have a housefull of people, as was the case when I stayed there.
5.0
Wonderful little place. Nice view and location.
5.0
Cute Unit with Nice View
Although the unit is small, it is well laid-out and is suitable for individuals who occupy limited space. It’s close to hiking trails on the quiet side, and just a short walk into downtown Southwest Harbor via the private trail from the property. The deck with a nice view allowed us to be outdoors during our relaxing times. So, we didn’t actually spend much time inside.
The owners were great to deal with – very responsive. We will definitely consider for any future trips to the area.
5.0
Peaceful Getaway!
Thank you Susan and Andrew for sharing your property with us! We very much enjoyed the peaceful surroundings and beautiful views during our stay, and were happy we chose to stay on the “Quieter” side of the island. Even though the property is small, it is so cleverly arranged to make the most of every inch. Our favorite adventures were hiking nearby Beech Summit and Parkman mountain (we enjoyed less people but just as fantastic views), and walking along Ocean Path to the gorgeous overlooks. The best meal we had was the lobster ravioli at Eat-a-Pita in Southwest Harbor — so so good!!!! We also enjoyed breakfasts and coffee from nearby Milagro cafe. It was the perfect mountain getaway and one we will remember forever. Thank you again!
5.0
GREAT!
This property was in an absolutely perfect location for us. Quick drive to Acadia and into Bar Harbor and less than an hour from Bangor. Southwest Harbor itself was a hidden gem with cute shopping and good food. The property itself was immaculate and just as described and the hosts are great. (The only caveat would be if you're tall, you may want to look into something different).
5.0
Cute Little Unit
It’s a cute unit, with a nice view. The trail leading into town is a huge plus. We would definitely stay again.
The unit is small, as described and pictured. For us, however, the positives easily outweigh the negatives.
• Owner was great to deal with (very responsive).
• The unit was very clean and attractively done.
• The unit, while small, was well thought-out. Space was well utilized. It took a minute to figure out where to put things, but as you look around, there are many cubbies, and much floor space where the A-frame meets the floor.
• The kitchen has a nice sink and two-burner stovetop with ample cooking tools and supplies (but we didn’t see a corkscrew).
• The deck has nice views with trees in the foreground and water in the distance.
• The private trail made it very convenient, allowing us to keep our car parked when heading into town for dinner. (We liked the Upper Deck which has outdoor seating with a nice view of the harbor. Likewise, MDI Lobster has a nice view of the harbor with counter service, picnic tables, and BYOB.)
• There is a small gas grill on the deck. Although we didn’t use it, it was clean, and we will likely take advantage of it the next time.
• The unit is conveniently located near Acadia on the “quite side”.
We do think it is important for prospective tenants to be aware of the limitations. As for the smallness, at roughly 5’6” tall, we bumped our heads more than once. And, if we were overweight, getting on and off the toilet could have been challenging because of the close proximity of the bathroom sink. Also, the internet was not secure. We did experience lack of water pressure. But, when communicating with the owner at checkout, she was going to address that issue immediately.
Again, the positives easily outweighed the negatives. We’re very much looking forward to visiting again.
5.0
Great stay
The bird’s nest provided an easy home base for our Acadia vacation. It was clean, cute, and had a great view. The space was definitely small, with slanted ceilings and a tiny bathroom. Not great for particularly large or tall people but did the trick for what we needed it for.
5.0
Quiet retreat for two
My husband and I enjoyed our stay on the quiet side of Mt. Desert Island. All the amenities you need in a small comfortable space.
5.0
Perfect for a big family vacation
My family used Island Watch for a family vacation, and it was perfect for our big group. We had a couple dogs with us and they loved the open space! There was a small issue with water when we arrived, but Susan and Andy immediately informed us upon arrival and had already figured out a temporary solution. (Apparently the last group had run the well dry, and they were in the middle of getting access to the town's water supply.) Susan and Andy are close to the property, so they were very helpful and accessible when there were issues!
5.0
Delightful stay
We were very happy with having chosen to stay at this property. We really enjoyed the deck/view, the hike down through the woods to town and having a little kitchen to make breakfast. It was very quiet with the only neighbors we could see or hear being those at the main house. Southwest Harbor had everything we needed...a bakery, small market, lobster pound and Coda, Red Sky and Rogue for nicer dinners, etc.
5.0
Quaint and cozy
The Bird's Nest is a cute and cozy place to stay during your visit to MDI. The location is nice for Southwest Harbor, but a bit of a distance to Acadia and Bar Harbor. The apartment has everything you need and Susan is very friendly and responsive. Please be aware that it isn't a suitable place for larger people or those with physical limitations. The bathroom is very tiny and there are 2 flights of exterior stairs. The Wi-Fi access is great and the view is spectaular!
3.0
Very clean but very very small.
Good for one person.
4.0
Quietside of Acadia NP
Bird's Nest is an appropriate name for this cozy and clean A-frame type apartment. It is good for 2 people that enjoy each other's company and was a great location for home base from which to explore Acadia NP. Andy and Susan were pleasant and responsive. We saw deer, turkey and even a pileated woodpecker from the deck and pictures of the harbor view are accurate. Significantly less hustle & bustle in SW Harbor than nearby BH, but town has everything you'd need. Recommend Beal's Lobster Pier and sunset at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
5.0
Perfect couples retreat
We could not have picked a better place to stay to celebrate our anniversary. The apartment is perfect for two people and was fully stocked with everything we needed for the week. We really enjoyed sitting on the porch in the mornings and evenings watching the boats come in and out of the harbor. The property is minutes from the center of Southwest Harbor which has many nice restaurants and is the starting point for Maine State Sea Kayaking which I highly recommend. It’s about 20 minutes to the main part of Acadia and 30 to Bar Harbor. Our hosts were amazing and even brought us a freshly steamed lobster on our last night which was the perfect was to end our week in maine.
4.0
Beautiful spot with a great view
We had a great experience here, the apartment had everything we needed and was a great location to Acadia and Bar Harbor. The deck was a great place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Caution to any tall people...this may not be the spot for you, the bathroom was kind of cramped. Also the bed was not very comfortable but didn’t ruin our stay. Very pretty wooded walk down to Southwest Harbor and lots of good little spots to eat and get coffee. Overall great stay.
5.0
We loved the quiet!
Wonderful little place. We enjoyed sitting outside and hearing nothing but the breeze and birds singing. The location is great. Quick drive to town. Pretty views. The space is small but for 1 or 2 people it is fine. Susan and Andy were very responsive when we had a question or needed anything.
5.0
Quiet side heaven
The Birds Nest was perfect for a couple to experience Acadia but
avoid the crowds at Bar Harbor. Perfectly
appointed with
everything you would
need for cozy escape.
The views from the deck
are breathtaking as is
the nighttime sky.
Marjorie and Kevin the
owners were warm
welcoming but not
intrusive. Our first trip to
Acadia couldn't have
been better and we look
forward to retuning next
summer.
5.0
Birds Nest was great! Loved our cozy house.
The house is cozy and clean. We enjoyed our stay. Close to downtown Southwest Harbor and a 10min drive to Acadia National Park.
5.0
Cozy secluded studio!
This property lived up to all expectations. It is a small studio with all the basic furnishings on a hill overlooking Southwest Harbor. Perfect for a quieter experience on MDI. The apartment can get warm, but there is a window AC unit to take care of that. The porch is perfect for morning coffee, or cooking on the provided gas grill. It is nearby a larger house which is also rented out, but the decks do not face each other and we didn't see much of the other tenants. Parking was ample. The owners are very helpful and friendly, but not intrusive. It is a sloped roof efficiency apartment so I would not recommend it to anyone over 6ft tall, or more than 2 people. The owners were very forthright with this information before renting. The kitchen is small but we had no problem cooking 4 dinners in our week stay. Overall a great experience!
FAQs
How much does this apartment cost compared to others in Southwest Harbor?
The average price for a rental in Southwest Harbor is $316 per night. This rental is $154 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this apartment?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Intimate sunny apartment with an ocean view. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this apartment?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this apartment. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Intimate sunny apartment with an ocean view pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this apartment is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Intimate sunny apartment with an ocean view?
We found 7 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, parking, and balcony or patio.
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