Brightholme: Beautifully Renovated Historic Village Home near The Shore Path
House in Acadia National Park, ME
12 guests · 7 bedrooms · 5 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, Pool, Pets allowed and more
About this house rental
Bookings for this home are facilitated by The Knowles Company, a reputable agency located right on Mt. Desert Island for more than 120 years. PLEASE REVIEW the cancellation policy specific to Brightholme: Once the online Reservation Request becomes fully executed and payment has been made, should the Tenant be unable to occupy the rental property for any reason except the fault of the Lessor, the Tenant is responsible for the full rent. If the Knowles Company and/or the Lessor can sublet the premises for the same period covered by the lease agreement to another Tenant, monies received from the second rental will be paid first to the Lessor to fulfill the balance of the original lease. The remainder, if any, will be paid to the original Tenant as partial or full reimbursement, less The Knowles Company commission.
This wonderful and spacious home, once part of the Kenarden estate built by J. S. Kennedy in the late 1800s was purchased decades later in 1929 by the founder of The Jackson Laboratory. Today, summer visitors to this historic home will enjoy beautiful renovations that made it the first-ever designer showhouse for Maine Home and Design magazine. With its classic white picket fence, front covered porch, and brick pavers at the street and entryway, you'll feel the welcoming effects of this lovely home. With nice amenities and spacious interiors, Brightholme invites you to come inside and settle in for a lovely vacation with family and friends. Enjoy your morning coffee on the front covered porch or venture out early to stroll Bar Harbor's famous Shore Path with gorgeous views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. Walk the entire Path or take a shortcut through the neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor's shops, restaurants, attractions, and nearby parks and playgrounds. Acadia National Park entrances are also just minutes away. Venture a short distance to the "Village Green" in the center of town to catch the free Island Explorer shuttle or down to the Harbor where you'll find various excursions to choose from. Easy access to National Park attractions and Village amenities makes Brightholme the perfect cottage from which to enjoy all that Mt. Desert Island has to offer! *Note: Advertised rates are for 10 or fewer people. Add $175/week for each extra person up to 14 max.
FIRST FLOOR: To the right of the front entry is a Bedroom with a Queen bed and a pretty bay window. To the left of the open hallway with a formal staircase is a spacious Living Room with hardwood floors, comfy furnishings, and a door leading to a light-filled Dining Room with hardwood floors and seating for 10 to 12. Between the Dining Room and Kitchen is a Full Bath with a walk-in shower, newly added in 2022, that serves the first-floor Bedroom. The updated Kitchen features quality appliances as well as an Island with stools. Off the Kitchen are a half Bath, a rear stairway to the second floor, and a very spacious Family Room with a kitchenette and bar area. This is a wonderful space with a game table and a separate sitting area offering a large TV and comfy sofa beds for extra guests. Exit past the laundry area to a side porch and a long driveway with plenty of off-street parking.
SECOND FLOOR: Master Bedroom with King bed, dressing room, and private Bath with large, glass, walk-in shower. Three additional Bedrooms, each fitted with a Queen bed, share a Full Bath with a large, glass, walk-in shower. A hallway to the rear wing leads to two smaller Bedrooms, each with a Double bed and a shared full Bath with a combined tub and shower.
Outdoor Spaces: Lovely covered front Porch with wicker furnishings, side entry, and porch, patio area on the opposite side with furnishings, grill, and privacy fencing. Additionally, this home offers nice front and back lawn areas and a recently constructed pavilion for relaxed outdoor dining.
Extras: AC window units (not pictured) in all bedrooms and in the downstairs TV room.
This wonderful and spacious home, once part of the Kenarden estate built by J. S. Kennedy in the late 1800s was purchased decades later in 1929 by the founder of The Jackson Laboratory. Today, summer visitors to this historic home will enjoy beautiful renovations that made it the first-ever designer showhouse for Maine Home and Design magazine. With its classic white picket fence, front covered porch, and brick pavers at the street and entryway, you'll feel the welcoming effects of this lovely home. With nice amenities and spacious interiors, Brightholme invites you to come inside and settle in for a lovely vacation with family and friends. Enjoy your morning coffee on the front covered porch or venture out early to stroll Bar Harbor's famous Shore Path with gorgeous views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. Walk the entire Path or take a shortcut through the neighborhood to reach Bar Harbor's shops, restaurants, attractions, and nearby parks and playgrounds. Acadia National Park entrances are also just minutes away. Venture a short distance to the "Village Green" in the center of town to catch the free Island Explorer shuttle or down to the Harbor where you'll find various excursions to choose from. Easy access to National Park attractions and Village amenities makes Brightholme the perfect cottage from which to enjoy all that Mt. Desert Island has to offer! *Note: Advertised rates are for 10 or fewer people. Add $175/week for each extra person up to 14 max.
FIRST FLOOR: To the right of the front entry is a Bedroom with a Queen bed and a pretty bay window. To the left of the open hallway with a formal staircase is a spacious Living Room with hardwood floors, comfy furnishings, and a door leading to a light-filled Dining Room with hardwood floors and seating for 10 to 12. Between the Dining Room and Kitchen is a Full Bath with a walk-in shower, newly added in 2022, that serves the first-floor Bedroom. The updated Kitchen features quality appliances as well as an Island with stools. Off the Kitchen are a half Bath, a rear stairway to the second floor, and a very spacious Family Room with a kitchenette and bar area. This is a wonderful space with a game table and a separate sitting area offering a large TV and comfy sofa beds for extra guests. Exit past the laundry area to a side porch and a long driveway with plenty of off-street parking.
SECOND FLOOR: Master Bedroom with King bed, dressing room, and private Bath with large, glass, walk-in shower. Three additional Bedrooms, each fitted with a Queen bed, share a Full Bath with a large, glass, walk-in shower. A hallway to the rear wing leads to two smaller Bedrooms, each with a Double bed and a shared full Bath with a combined tub and shower.
Outdoor Spaces: Lovely covered front Porch with wicker furnishings, side entry, and porch, patio area on the opposite side with furnishings, grill, and privacy fencing. Additionally, this home offers nice front and back lawn areas and a recently constructed pavilion for relaxed outdoor dining.
Extras: AC window units (not pictured) in all bedrooms and in the downstairs TV room.
Amenities
Pool
Air conditioner
Pets allowed
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Map of Acadia National Park, ME
$$$$
Ratings and reviews
5.0 / 5.0
Our family included 7 adults. There was plenty of space for everyone in the common areas. Sometimes the kitchen got a bit crowded since that really was the smallest common area and you know how everyone likes to gather in the kitchen. But, it was a great kitchen to prepare meals in with plenty of pots, pans, bowls, etc. We loved the Wolf stove and some other higher end items in the kitchen. We also all loved the backyard with the covered table and pretty lights and had a few meals outside. Awesome grill too! The management company (Knowles) was fantastic when we had an issue with ants in the master bathroom. We also contacted them about two of the beds that probably need replacement--too hard and saggy. Knowles was extremely responsive and within a few hours took care of the ant issue and provided a couple of bed toppers that helped the bed issue quite a bit. The house is on a very quiet street and there was no noise from the adjacent hospital. The garden around the house was lovely and made it such a pleasure to come back after a long day of hiking. A great house with a very interesting history...a wonderful place for making wonderful memories.
5.0 / 5.0
Our second time renting this home for our extended family vacation in Bar Harbor. It was just perfect as we all had remembered. Plenty of comfortable beds and space for everyone - teens to grandparents. Kitchen is well outfitted and there is always more than enough bedding and towels. Enjoyed daily games on the front lawn and happy hour on the front porch. Excellent location. Sweet memories in this house!
5.0 / 5.0
We stayed a week here for family vacation. Mom, Dad , 3 kids, 2 in laws and a grandchild. The house set up was perfect for us. It is an old home so we did have a couple of problems. The back living area had some big black ants. Also, the sewage backed up and there was an unpleasant smell. The care taker implied we flushed objectionable items but we feel 100% certain we did not. That being said we would stay here again.
5.0 / 5.0
This property is great with plenty of room for a large group including a large lawn we took advantage of for family games. The location was great (and would have been even better if the shore path was open) with easy access to the park and walkable to restaurants, etc. The only thing our adult children said they’d change is the length of time we were there so on our return, we’d plan to stay longer:)
5.0 / 5.0
Just a perfect house for our family of 10 adults and 4 kids. Extremely well equipped kitchen, towels, you name it. Location couldn’t have been better - walk anywhere in downtown Bar Harbor and close to the shore path. We had a great stay - great front porch for sitting around and rehashing the day’s events. Highly recommend and we would stay again.
5.0 / 5.0
Perfect location
5.0 / 5.0
Our family (10 people from three states) spent a week here and found this property wonderful. There were plenty of bedrooms, great living space (including a large family room which the children took over), a large yard and parking for three cars. The location is nice, a few blocks from downtown Bar Harbor. After a rainy summer in Bar Harbor, the weather turned dry so we made use of the big porch and yard. Great week!
5.0 / 5.0
Can’t say enough good things about this amazing house. Our family had such a wonderful week here, with plenty of room for everyone. Location is fantastic. The house is so comfortable and welcoming and we especially enjoyed the outdoor spaces. Cannot wait to return! Many special memories were made during our week in Maine and this home was a perfect backdrop.
5.0 / 5.0
We stayed for five days in May as our baby moon. The house was perfect! We could walk everywhere and not have to worry about parking, and the location right on the shore. Path was perfect for morning, walks with a cup of coffee and a dog. I will definitely rent this place again with more family and friends, as there is ample space for everyone to be comfortable. I’ve never seen so many beautiful white towels in one bathroom lol! Highly recommend this property.
5.0 / 5.0
The house was beautiful, big, clean, updated, and the location was perfect!
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful house and fantastic location. Sitting on the porch looking at the gorgeous flowers was very relaxing. Kitchen and bathrooms were excellent.
5.0 / 5.0
2nd Time Around
This was our second year of staying at Brightholme with our three generation family. Location is so perfect. With the living room and generous "family" room there was plenty of space to spread around and enjoy each other's company. We also enjoyed having morning coffee/tea on the front porch and waving "hi" or "good morning" to other morning walkers with its access to the Shore Path. With the multiple bedrooms and new addition of a full bath downstairs, space for everyone is never an issue. Highly recommend for large families.
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful House and Perfect Location
We had a wonderful time at Brightholme. We loved everything about this house. There were three generations of our family staying here (13 people) and there was plenty of room for all of us.
The location is perfect. You can quickly walk to downtown Bar Harbor. The shore path starts at the end of the street that the house is located. Acadia National Park is a short drive away or a bike ride up a LONG hill. Even the next door neighbor was very friendly and shared some of the home's history with us.
The rental agent was very helpful and responsive to all of my questions. She even recommended a fantastic bakery to make a birthday cake for the three birthdays that we were celebrating. Her recommendations turned out to be amazing.
5.0 / 5.0
Great property conveniently located to everything
We had a wonderful time at Brightholme. The house is lovely with plenty of space for the entire family, and is a very short walk to everything in Bar Harbor (which is great since the traffic and parking in town is challenging!)
5.0 / 5.0
Fantastic house and location
The house has so much room to spread out! There’s a large family room, a formal living room and a dining room that seats 10! The house is conveniently located close to sops and restaurants so you don’t need a car. There’s also a path that leads along the shore into town. Our family loved it!
5.0 / 5.0
Absolute perfect location
Super cool house that was very well stocked. Would have liked more blankets as we didn’t want to turn the heat up and burn a lot of electricity. Front porch is fab and lawn is wonderful for lots of games. You cannot beat this location - close to everything but a block off the main drag so still quiet. Very close to shore path so can walk there every morning for sunrise!!! We made many wonderful memories here!
5.0 / 5.0
Wonderful Vacation!
We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Brightholme. The location is fantastic- incredibly close to the Shore Path(perfect to catch the amazing sunrises) and an easy walk to Main Street. The house is spacious and provided plenty of room for 10 adults. The front porch was enjoyed by everyone. The yard is beautiful and worked very well for family games of croquet.
5.0 / 5.0
Location and Porch!
The location was great as it was so close to the shore path. Our extended family spent most of time in the best room of house - the front porch!
5.0 / 5.0
Perfect location for Bar Harbor
This was a wonderful hone and location for our family vacation! The house was clean, spacious and perfectly located to walk, bike and enjoy all that Bar Harbor had to offer. Lovely home! The management communicated with all the info we needed to arrive at the house. WiFi is VERY spotty so their instructions were perfect. Thank you for allowing us to stay at this great Bar Harbor hone!
5.0 / 5.0
Spacious
We were three generations of family enjoying the location and spaciousness of this lovely home with its 7 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms. Had plenty of room to spread around. The family room was great for playing games, watching TV, or just relaxing. Enjoyed having a cup of coffee on the front porch. Easy walk to downtown and to the shore path.
5.0 / 5.0
Beautiful home in great location
We enjoyed a stay with extended family to celebrate my daughters completion of her college career at UMaine. The home is large and spacious and in a great spot to walk down town or to the ocean front trail, especially to catch sunrise with a cup of coffee. The bedrooms are well appointed and comfortable and the two updated baths upstairs are amazing. Plenty of space for 12 people inside and out and the kitchen was fantastic for cooking in and the gas grill was a good size for our large meals. Off season is the best as it is peaceful in Bar Harbor without the hustle and bustle. Visiting the sites in Acadia is also a must. Would love to return some time!
5.0 / 5.0
Perfect Location/House for Extended Family
Our family of 5 (including grandparent) and pet had a lovely stay. There was more than enough room and space for everyone. The location is perfect - a few feet from the shore path and a two minute walk to the heart of Bar Harbor. The house was well stocked with a fabulous kitchen with every pot and utensil you could need. The outdoor front porch was terrific and we spent time there at all times of the day. The WiFi was great so working while there was no issue. We would definitely love to come back.
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Acadia National Park?
The average price for a rental in Acadia National Park is $322 per night. This rental is $330 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Brightholme: Beautifully Renovated Historic Village Home near The Shore Path. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Brightholme: Beautifully Renovated Historic Village Home near The Shore Path. Enjoy the water!
Is Brightholme: Beautifully Renovated Historic Village Home near The Shore Path pet friendly?
Yes! This house is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Brightholme: Beautifully Renovated Historic Village Home near The Shore Path?
We found 11 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, pets allowed, kitchen or kitchenette, and internet / wifi.
Explore similar vacation rentals in Acadia National Park
Explore all rentals in Acadia National ParkAcadia National Park travel inspiration
Read our blogGuides
Best Dining in Myrtle Beach: A Food Lover’s Dream
Guides
Best East Coast Beaches and Getaway Locations You Can’t Miss
Budget Travel
7 Most Affordable Snowbird Destinations for 2025
Guides
Top Activities to Try in Panama City Beach, Florida
Guides
Top Things to Do in Gulf Shores, Alabama: Adventure and Fun Await
Local Culture
Exploring Miami’s Wynwood District: Street Art, Food, and More
Guides
Fun Things to Do in Ocean City, Maryland
Local Culture
A Foodie’s Guide to the Best Dining in Orlando, Florida
Keep exploring
- Kauai Villas
- Orlando Villas
- Kiawah Island Villas
- Miami Beach Villas
- Kissimmee Villas
- North Naples Villas
- Florida Keys Villas
- Phoenix Villas
- Los Angeles Villas
- St Petersburg Villas
- Palm Desert Villas
- Miami Villas
- Las Vegas Villas
- Venice Villas
- Key West Villas
- Palm Springs Villas
- Lake Tahoe Villas
- Hollywood Hills Villas
- Seabrook Island Villas
- South Lake Tahoe Villas
- Pocono Mountains Villas
- Scottsdale Villas
- Myrtle Beach Villas
- Hilton Head Island Villas
- Marco Island Villas
- North Miami Villas
- Sanibel Island Villas
- West Palm Beach Villas
- Fort Myers Beach Villas
- Haines City Villas
- North Las Vegas Villas
- Destin Villas
- Lake Tahoe Cabins
- Ruidoso Cabins
- Blue Ridge Cabins
- Estes Park Cabins
- Lake George Cabins
- Eureka Springs Cabins
- Branson Cabins
- Lake of the Ozarks Cabins
- Lake Arrowhead Cabins
- Lake Texoma Cabins
- Canyon Lake Cabins
- Sevierville Cabins
- Flagstaff Cabins
- Colorado Springs Cabins
- Hot Springs Cabins
- Bass Lake Cabins
- Buffalo River Cabins
- Possum Kingdom Lake Cabins
- Chattanooga Cabins
- Nashville Cabins
- Wears Valley Cabins
- Cloudcroft Cabins
- Deep Creek Lake Cabins
- Mammoth Lakes Cabins
- Anna Maria Islands Rentals
- Outer Banks Vacation Rentals
- Rosemary Beach Rentals
- Holden Beach Rentals
- Hilton Head Vacation Rentals
- Topsail Beach Rentals
- Kiawah Island Rentals
- Panama City Beach Rentals
- Ocean Isle Beach Rentals
- Folly Beach Rentals
- Dauphin Island Rentals
- Rehoboth Beach Rentals
- Bethany Beach Rentals
- Cape Cod Rentals
- 30A Rentals
- Seaside Florida Rentals
- Edisto Beach Rentals
- Fort Myers Beach Rentals
- Miramar Beach Rentals
- Port Aransas Rentals
- Emerald Isle Rentals
- Orange Beach Rentals
- Surfside Beach Rentals
- Hampton Beach Rentals
- Assateague Island Rentals
- Jacksonville Beach Vacation Rentals
- North Shore Vacation Rentals
- Ogunquit Vacation Rentals
- North Redington Beach Rentals
- Lido Key Vacation Rentals
- Sea Colony Rentals
- Pass A Grille Vacation Rentals
- Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals
- Vail Lodging
- Jackson Hole Lodging
- Winter Park Lodging
- Telluride Lodging
- Big Sky Rentals
- Aspen Lodging
- Park City Rentals
- Steamboat Springs Lodging
- Breckenridge Rentals
- Lake Tahoe Rentals
- Copper Mountain Lodging
- Mammoth Mountain Lodging
- Beech Mountain Rentals
- Crested Butte Rentals
- Sun Valley Lodging
- Keystone Lodging
- Taos Lodging
- Sugar Mountain Cabins
- Beaver Creek Lodging
- Deep Creek Lake Rentals
- Smith Mountain Lake Rentals
- Ocean Lakes Rentals
- Lake Anna Rentals
- Torch Lake Rentals
- Lake Winnipesaukee Rentals
- Norris Lake Rentals
- Lake Gaston Rentals
- Canyon Lake Rentals
- Lake Oconee Rentals
- Lake Wallenpaupack Rentals
- Lake Martin Rentals
- Lake Havasu Rentals
- Lake of the Ozarks Rentals
- Lake Michigan Vacation Rentals
- Lake Chelan Rentals
- Finger Lakes Rentals
- Lake Keowee Vacation Rentals
- Lake Conroe Rentals
- Lake Erie Vacation Rentals
- Lake Austin Vacation Rentals
- Sebago Lake Rentals
- Lake Tillery Rentals
- Keuka Lake Rentals