We visited this property 3 years ago and the only thing missing was we did not bring enough people to enjoy this amazing venue! We fixed that this year and it was as good or better than 3 years ago and we are looking forward to visiting again in a few years. My personal favorite was taking a boat into Stonington daily to get ice cream with the kids and sitting around the campfire at night and the morning. Ron W

Fantastic trip, beautiful location. Great host.

Spruce Island is beautiful. This vacation/reunion exceeded our expectations. It was just what my small Family and I were looking for. We loved the peace and quiet, as well as the granite houses and their views of Spruce Island and beyond from every angle. Colie communicated with us every step of the way and ensured that any question we had was promptly answered. Will be back. Highly recommended. Thank you Colie! Mike

Spruce Island is beautiful. This vacation/reunion exceeded our expectations. It was just what my small Family and I were looking for. We loved the peace and quiet, as well as the granite houses and their views of Spruce Island and beyond from every angle. Colie communicated with us every step of the way and ensured that any question we had was promptly answered. Will be back. Highly recommended. Thank you Colie! Mike

Best VRBO we've ever stayed in! Everything is well thought out and Colie and Jeff could not be more helpful. Our family visited in 2014 and 2015 and were so excited to come back in 2020 on a whim as there were some cancellations due to Covid. It's just as great as we remembered. The kids were a little older now and we really enjoyed taking the kayaks out almost every day. Especially enjoyed kayaking amongst the seals over on Gunner's Rock. Most mornings we spent down towards Buckle for the little ones to play in the water. It's a little slice of heaven!

Spruce Island is a special place and perfect for a family vacation! I would compare the beauty to Alaska. The granite houses are amazing and a perfect fit on the top of the mountain. We loved picking fresh rasberries every day and the tons of hiking available on the island. We grilled out along the shore and enjoyed the many indoor and outdoor games we played. It was also a blast to take the boat back into Stonington for ice cream a few times. Spruce Island is only about 1.5 hours from Acadia National Park and worth the trip!!

We had 21 family amd friends join us for our 2nd trip. We stayed there June 2012 and this trip July 2020. Colie and Jeff are great amd considerate to plan a trip. Colie has always put the highest quality of materials, decor, and conveniences on this island. His detail guest book details make it straight forward. We walked around the entire island and at low tide over to buckle Island to explore another island. We had 2 adults, cot for our granddaughter 4 years old and grandson 10 months old in the main house. It was tight but worked excellent for them asnit was convenience to hear baby monitor at night amd still visit with family at bon fire outside main house. Early morning were convenient for them. LOVE the coffee makers for large group. We watched movies in the 1 day it rained. The camping platform was excellent for camping and camping in beach was even better! Colie has cleared paths and well marked trails. Loved barbeque grills to find our own clan and then we cooked them on the island grill. Definable rent then18ft inflatable boat. Awesome for fishing. He has plenty of stuff to do there kakyas, row boat, footballs, soccer ball, badminton, ping pong table, 4 fishing poles. Bring your kites. I love photography so plenty to take pictures: eagles, osprey, hawks, voles, mackerel fish, dolphins amd seals rare sighting and we saw once! outdoor lobster shake to cook and excellent composite food system. Tons of cooking pots, pans. and utensils. Bring your napkins amd paper plates for easy clean up. He has plenty of plates, silverware and bowls. Stove is awesome! I loved the bunk house bedrooms each with their own very nice bathrooms. The shower pressure Inwas impressed by consider its am island. Colie thought of everything! He always asks what se is needed. WIFI was best by the swings between bunkhouse and main house. We were not there for wifi but it works. Swing inside main house is so much fun. Bring the strongest deet you can find for mosquitoes. I normally don't do deet. On this trip you needed to at night or make sure you cover up - jeans not legging! The large picnic tables in side are great for large groups. We brought large coolers with lots of ice and put them next to main house outside. Use ice packs you can refreeze vs bags of ice. This was after 3 days you can re freeze. Each family had a night to make dinner for all 21 people. We all brought our own snacks, drinks, breakfast, lunch and alchol. YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!

We had 21 family amd friends join us for our 2nd trip. We stayed there June 2012 and this trip July 2020. Colie and Jeff are great amd considerate to plan a trip. Colie has always put the highest quality of materials, decor, and conveniences on this island. His detail guest book details make it straight forward. We walked around the entire island and at low tide over to buckle Island to explore another island. We had 2 adults, cot for our granddaughter 4 years old and grandson 10 months old in the main house. It was tight but worked excellent for them asnit was convenience to hear baby monitor at night amd still visit with family at bon fire outside main house. Early morning were convenient for them. LOVE the coffee makers for large group. We watched movies in the 1 day it rained. The camping platform was excellent for camping and camping in beach was even better! Colie has cleared paths and well marked trails. Loved barbeque grills to find our own clan and then we cooked them on the island grill. Definable rent then18ft inflatable boat. Awesome for fishing. He has plenty of stuff to do there kakyas, row boat, footballs, soccer ball, badminton, ping pong table, 4 fishing poles. Bring your kites. I love photography so plenty to take pictures: eagles, osprey, hawks, voles, mackerel fish, dolphins amd seals rare sighting and we saw once! outdoor lobster shake to cook and excellent composite food system. Tons of cooking pots, pans. and utensils. Bring your napkins amd paper plates for easy clean up. He has plenty of plates, silverware and bowls. Stove is awesome! I loved the bunk house bedrooms each with their own very nice bathrooms. The shower pressure Inwas impressed by consider its am island. Colie thought of everything! He always asks what se is needed. WIFI was best by the swings between bunkhouse and main house. We were not there for wifi but it works. Swing inside main house is so much fun. Bring the strongest deet you can find for mosquitoes. I normally don't do deet. On this trip you needed to at night or make sure you cover up - jeans not legging! The large picnic tables in side are great for large groups. We brought large coolers with lots of ice and put them next to main house outside. Use ice packs you can refreeze vs bags of ice. This was after 3 days you can re freeze. Each family had a night to make dinner for all 21 people. We all brought our own snacks, drinks, breakfast, lunch and alchol. YOU WILL LOVE IT!!!

Do yourself a lifetime favor and treat yourself to a stay at Spruce Island if you get the chance. It is simply a spectactular private island, the likes of which one would rarely get the chance to rent in Maine or anywhere else for that matter. I’ll start with the panoramic views from the main house which is perched on top of a hill overlooking the Merchant Row archipelago to the south. The fresh smell of spruce pervades the salt air. The two beaches are stunning, as if you saw them on a postcard of Maine. With gently sloping granite ledges combined with Caribbean like coves of sand , and with mini peninsulas with their own cove beaches that expose themselves at low tide, it is a beach lovers paradise. I very much enjoyed jumping in and out of the water even in June.... think of it as cryotherapy.. it energizes you for the rest of the day. Trust me , the owner’s pictures of the beaches are typical of the man...understated, and don’t do them full justice. But as a friend once told me , always leave room for positive surprises ..and you’ll get them here with the beaches. My dog Alpha loved Spruce as much as I did ...he lives in New York City cooped up in an apartment most of the time so he was in heaven. I can’t sign off without commenting on the island’s owner Colie Odonnell , a true gentleman whose energy, perseverance, and good taste in creating this wonderland makes it all possible. His attention to quality and detail is obvious inside the main house with its impressive granite fireplace, open chef’s kitchen, and cathedral ceilings. But also pay attention ,as you’re exploring the island, to all of Colie’s handiwork with trails, lighted paths, fire pits , granite stairs, composting shed, rain cisterns, solar panels, etc that made this island living possible. Colie goes above and beyond to make sure that his guests are maximizing their experience , with all kinds of activities (kayaking, BBQs/ picnic tables on both beaches, badminton, ping-pong and all sorts of rainy day games and adult toys like a choice of a large or a small motorized boat to use to explore the nearby islands, which we did on several days. The nearby Coombs islands are easy to get to and have Instagram worthy coves in the inlet between the two of them and are a must see, as is McGlathery Island, the one you are looking at from the house directly to the south. Bottom line.. a masterpiece ...and one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Thanks, Colie!

Do yourself a lifetime favor and treat yourself to a stay at Spruce Island if you get the chance. It is simply a spectactular private island, the likes of which one would rarely get the chance to rent in Maine or anywhere else for that matter.I’ll start with the panoramic views from the main house which is perched on top of a hill overlooking the Merchant Row archipelago to the south. The fresh smell of spruce pervades the salt air. The two beaches are stunning, as if you saw them on a postcard of Maine. With gently sloping granite ledges combined with Caribbean like coves of sand , and with mini peninsulas with their own cove beaches that expose themselves at low tide, it is a beach lovers paradise. I very much enjoyed jumping in and out of the water even in June.... think of it as cryotherapy.. it energizes you for the rest of the day. Trust me , the owner’s pictures of the beaches are typical of the man...understated, and don’t do them full justice. But as a friend once told me , always leave room for positive surprises ..and you’ll get them here with the beaches.My dog Alpha loved Spruce as much as I did ...he lives in New York City cooped up in an apartment most of the time so he was in heaven.I can’t sign off without commenting on the island’s owner Colie Odonnell , a true gentleman whose energy, perseverance, and good taste in creating this wonderland makes it all possible. His attention to quality and detail is obvious inside the main house with its impressive granite fireplace, open chef’s kitchen, and cathedral ceilings. But also pay attention ,as you’re exploring the island, to all of Colie’s handiwork with trails, lighted paths, fire pits , granite stairs, composting shed, rain cisterns, solar panels, etc that made this island living possible. Colie goes above and beyond to make sure that his guests are maximizing their experience , with all kinds of activities (kayaking, BBQs/ picnic tables on both beaches, badminton, ping-pong and all sorts of rainy day games and adult toys like a choice of a large or a small motorized boat to use to explore the nearby islands, which we did on several days. The nearby Coombs islands are easy to get to and have Instagram worthy coves in the inlet between the two of them and are a must see, as is McGlathery Island, the one you are looking at from the house directly to the south. Bottom line.. a masterpiece ...and one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Thanks, Colie!

Imagine instead of buying a house you camped out on the site for two decades, understanding it, meditating on its best uses, figuring out how to enjoy it to the fullest. That's what Colie has done with Spruce Island. The main house and the "dorm" are beautifully constructed granite buildings with every detail thoughtfully considered and perfectly in keeping with how they are placed in their setting. Inside the houses have beautiful details-- I especially liked the ribbon tiebacks on the bedroom curtains and the wooden swing in the main house. We were a family group of three adult siblings and our partners and young-adult children. We didn't know how it would be for kids aged 17 to 27 to live on an island for a week. The answer was it was heavenly. The kids automatically reverted back to playing rather than screening-- at any given time there was a group on the badminton lawn, a pair at the ping pong table, a foursome at the boardgame spot, or some people doing watercolor paintings. We also did a lot of fun things in the ocean-- swimming around the island (in our wetsuits), kayaking, jumping off rocks, taking an ecotour with Old Quarry, boating into town for lobster rolls and ice cream, or over to Isle au Haut for a hike. Every evening we all sat around the campfire near the house and sang songs or talked or just looked up at the sky. We did not have perfect weather, and that really did not detract from our enjoyment. It's not the kind of beach house that is just there for shelter; it is a pleasure to be in it. We cooked a lot in the very well equipped kitchen, as well as grilling outside in the "summer kitchen". And all of this was done with a very small carbon footprint-- the island is solar-powered and uses cisterns of rainwater. Who knew that off-the-grid could be so comfortable. Thank you Colie for sharing your island with us!

We were a group of friends. Some see each other frequently, some only every few years, some had never met. Most of us loved the isolation, a couple missed the shopping/nightlife. But we reinforced bonds that will last a lifetime. The first evening there was a group outside talking, shouting, laughing 'til I cried, Then there would be a lull and laughter would erupt from the inside. The entire week was that way. We ate like kings. Fresh grilled Mackerel caught at the landing, roost beef, prime rib, steaks, chops, fresh veggies from the island gardens. The outdoor kitchen was great for steaming lobsters. The really nice grill cooked everything else. The inside kitchen was every well equipped, right down to the KichenAid mixer. We wanted for nothing. Hiking trails, fishing rods and tackle box, kayaks, chairs and picnic areas at the beach with grills, and some things I never got around to using. This is a well equipped property, had everything we needed. Six couples each with their own bedroom and bath. I will be back.

We were a group of friends. Some see each other frequently, some only every few years, some had never met. Most of us loved the isolation, a couple missed the shopping/nightlife. But we reinforced bonds that will last a lifetime. The first evening there was a group outside talking, shouting, laughing 'til I cried, Then there would be a lull and laughter would erupt from the inside. The entire week was that way. We ate like kings. Fresh grilled Mackerel caught at the landing, roost beef, prime rib, steaks, chops, fresh veggies from the island gardens. The outdoor kitchen was great for steaming lobsters. The really nice grill cooked everything else. The inside kitchen was every well equipped, right down to the KichenAid mixer. We wanted for nothing. Hiking trails, fishing rods and tackle box, kayaks, chairs and picnic areas at the beach with grills, and some things I never got around to using. This is a well equipped property, had everything we needed. Six couples each with their own bedroom and bath. I will be back.

Take a step back to a simpler time when families would retreat to a cabin in the woods to beat the summer heat and recharge their internal batteries. Except that Spruce Island is no rustic camp. It has all the modern conveniences to house and feed a crowd in comfort. And after ten seasons of listening and responding to guest feedback, the host has got the property dialed in. Walking trails through the woods lead to the granite ledger shoreline. Hammocks strategically placed to catch the breeze dot the shoreline. There are two private beaches with chairs, picnic tables, and grills to take advantage of wind and sun. The support staff, who are all long term associates, are responsive, knowledgeable, and nice. Our visits to spruce island have become the highlight of our year.

This was our first time at Spruce Island and I hope to come back again. We had a group of 12 people and dogs. The adults loved the R&R and the kids loved the beach, especially at low tide where you can explore the tidal pools. We saw lots of little snails and hermit crabs! At low tide some of the rocks were a bit slippery so make sure you pack good water shoes! For the more adventurous adults we would walk around the entire island (hiking shoes/sneakers are a must!). There were well marked trails around the island to help you navigate. The dogs also LOVED exploring the island. At the end of each day they were so tired from all the running around :D (if your dog has sensitive paws I would recommend bringing some booties). There were also plenty of kayaks to adventure out on. You can take the kayaks out and explore other islands in Merchant Row. We would pack lunch and have picnics and also take short hikes on the other islands as well. The house is very well maintained and you could feel the thoughtfulness and care Colie put into building the stone houses. Everything in the house was well labeled so you could easily find what you were looking for. Also, the views from the crows nests were absolutely gorgeous! The movie projector was a big hit for the kids (all ages) whether it was cartoons in the morning (during adult coffee time), rainy days or before bed time. There were also plenty of kid games (board games, ping pong, etc). The check-in and check-out process is very easy and well organized. Especially if you are bringing a lot of coolers and groceries. A few items to note for future renters - there are plenty of fresh herbs and lettuce on the island so no need to bring your own lettuce! Also, the house is supplied with a washer/dryer so really no need to pack a ton of clothes. All in all, the house is well equipped so just bring yourself, food, wine and a good book. I highly recommend this!

This was our third year experiencing Spruce Island and each year was better than the last! Being familiar with the island and were able to explore even more of all of the area. Our group include three generations and everyone loved kayaking, hiking, hitting golf balls, badminton, cooking on the campfire and boating to Stonington. It was a wonderful chance to reconnect with nature and with each other. We highly recommend Colie's island.

We were a family of 18 (including 8 kids ages 6 months to 11 years), and we decided to pick this unique and incredible island in Maine for our first real family reunion. We could not have picked a more fabulous location. We have all traveled extensively so we know a good find. I'm writing this review for other people located on the west coast and think it might be too far. It isn't. But it does take some planning. We all flew into Boston (Bangor is probably the closest airport to the island where you could rent a car). Some of us stayed in Boston for a bit and some of us drove immediately north and stayed in NH. Our small group stopped in Danvers to shop: furthest North Costco that exists. Drive time Boston to Stonington is about 6 hours, but we needed most of the day with kids. Colie was fabulous in working with us for pick up. He has a parking lot where you park your car, he loads you into the amphibious vehicle with all your stuff and groceries and deposits you at the house on the island. It's very seamless. There is an amazing amount to do besides the beautiful beaches, which we used daily and are equipped with chairs, BBQs and picnic tables (we could've used a beach umbrella or two): you can hike fully around the island, badminton, ping pong, tons of balls, games, puzzles, corn hole, huge jenga and the highlight for our kids: an enormous swinging chair inside. The separation of the houses is a great. We ate lobster until we were sick of it. The kids learned about composting, water conservation, walking everywhere (there is a golf cart we used with the little ones), and everyone just got off screens and hung out. We loved the views from the island, watching the lobster boats and the fog and even a thunderstorm. We highly recommend you rent the dinghy as we needed to go back and forth a bit for various reasons. And we explored different islands with it. There are great places nearby to discover. Colie bravely took the group with kids on a morning island hopping trip where we saw bald eagles, porpoises, and seals. One of our crew even arranged a trip on a lobster boat for work purposes. On the tail end we spend a day and a half driving back to Boston and visited Camden and Salem (Witch House is worth the visit). We highly recommend this trip. The house had everything you needed. Just bring clothes and food and your kindle. Thank you Colie!

We were a family of 18 (including 8 kids ages 6 months to 11 years), and we decided to pick this unique and incredible island in Maine for our first real family reunion. We could not have picked a more fabulous location. We have all traveled extensively so we know a good find. I'm writing this review for other people located on the west coast and think it might be too far. It isn't. But it does take some planning. We all flew into Boston (Bangor is probably the closest airport to the island where you could rent a car). Some of us stayed in Boston for a bit and some of us drove immediately north and stayed in NH. Our small group stopped in Danvers to shop: furthest North Costco that exists. Drive time Boston to Stonington is about 6 hours, but we needed most of the day with kids. Colie was fabulous in working with us for pick up. He has a parking lot where you park your car, he loads you into the amphibious vehicle with all your stuff and groceries and deposits you at the house on the island. It's very seamless. There is an amazing amount to do besides the beautiful beaches, which we used daily and are equipped with chairs, BBQs and picnic tables (we could've used a beach umbrella or two): you can hike fully around the island, badminton, ping pong, tons of balls, games, puzzles, corn hole, huge jenga and the highlight for our kids: an enormous swinging chair inside. The separation of the houses is a great. We ate lobster until we were sick of it. The kids learned about composting, water conservation, walking everywhere (there is a golf cart we used with the little ones), and everyone just got off screens and hung out. We loved the views from the island, watching the lobster boats and the fog and even a thunderstorm. We highly recommend you rent the dinghy as we needed to go back and forth a bit for various reasons. And we explored different islands with it. There are great places nearby to discover. Colie bravely took the group with kids on a morning island hopping trip where we saw bald eagles, porpoises, and seals. One of our crew even arranged a trip on a lobster boat for work purposes. On the tail end we spend a day and a half driving back to Boston and visited Camden and Salem (Witch House is worth the visit). We highly recommend this trip. The house had everything you needed. Just bring clothes and food and your kindle. Thank you Colie!

My wife and I were alone on Spruce Island for four days. It casts a spell on you. A happy spell. In many years of travel, this is one of our most unique and pleasant destinations. The accommodations are beautiful, clean and cozy. Sunsets from the rooftop deck are like Maxfield Parrish illustrations. Colie is a great host, and this is an enchanting place.

All I can say is, WOW! No expense was spared to make this your most memorable vacation! Collie and Jeff make sure that you have every accomodation necessary to relax and enjoy every minute you are on the island. We brought our own boats and expected to spend more time out exploring the water, but to be honest, we ended up spending most of our time exploring the island!! Hikes around the island, lobster dinners, card games, campfires, and so much more!! The kithen exceeded our expectations, the bedrooms all have their own bathrooms and are very comfortable! So many fun games from ping pong, to cornhole, to costumes, to scavenger hunts, and the list goes on and on! Our family would like to thank Collie and his family for sharing their amazing island with us!! We are planning to make it an annual tradition and cant wait to go back!!

All I can say is, WOW! No expense was spared to make this your most memorable vacation! Collie and Jeff make sure that you have every accomodation necessary to relax and enjoy every minute you are on the island. We brought our own boats and expected to spend more time out exploring the water, but to be honest, we ended up spending most of our time exploring the island!! Hikes around the island, lobster dinners, card games, campfires, and so much more!! The kithen exceeded our expectations, the bedrooms all have their own bathrooms and are very comfortable! So many fun games from ping pong, to cornhole, to costumes, to scavenger hunts, and the list goes on and on! Our family would like to thank Collie and his family for sharing their amazing island with us!! We are planning to make it an annual tradition and cant wait to go back!!

My family is from Wyoming and had never been to Maine before. We had a large family group, sixteen in total, five generations ranging in age from 97 to 2! Colie is an excellent host. The island is beautiful and you can tell he is very passionate about the care and management of the island. Lots of exploring in the woods and beaches. We were able to search tide pools and the kids found lots of amazing shells. We picked blueberries for fresh blueberry pancakes. This is definitely a destination to put on your list!

7th summer renting this property and it just keeps getting better.

This was our second visit to Colie's island and what a treat it was! We had 3 generations that spanned from 66 to 2 years old and everyone enjoyed the entire experience. The island is beautiful. We all hiked, kayaked, collected shells and watched the parade of historical sailing ships. For those of us from Virginia the tides were incredible. There was a nine foot difference between low and high tide and the tide pools were fascinating. The children watched, caught, and released crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp and jelly fish. Though the water was cold the tide pools were warmed by the sun and everyone could enjoy splashing and wading to nearby rocks. Colie's house is terrific. It is well set to handle large groups. It is very comfortable and includes almost every activity you could think of. We played croquet, ping pong, horseshoes and corn hole. We enjoyed the hammocks, loved the fire pit (and introduced s'mores to the children!) and the grill. We plan to be back next year. These memories will last a long time! Scott and Sally Cook

We had a group of 7 of us that stayed at the island for a total of two weeks. The goal of the trip was to create an experience that would last a life time. I feel that we most certainly accomplished our goal. The attention to detail was very thought out and helped make the trip what it was. The kids favorite things to do was to explore the island. I think our 6 year old had 10 or more secret hideouts. They also really enjoyed riding the 18ft boat that we rented into town for ice cream. I was also surprised how many nights we watched a movie so bring movies. There is a golf cart that was very helpful in getting my mom around the island. She can get around but too much walking for her is not good but with the golf cart she was able to enjoy the island as well. The water is cold at least in June and I am betting it stays cold year round. We did jump in a quarry on Green island. When you go to Green island take some bread to feed the fish. The other thing that I was surprised at was how long the days were which gave us more time to do things. I wish we had spent more time at Bar Harbor. We only planned a day there and it was not enough time to visit the area. Cadillac Mtn was amazing as was the Sea wall and lots of shops / restaurants at Bar Harbor. If we would have spent more time there we would have done some hiking in the state park. We took our two dogs with us on the vacation and it was a good idea. We used Old Quarry Ocean Adventures for a guided Kayak trip, a 3 hour Eco trip and a lobster boil. On the Kayaking this was a great time ask for Michael he was great and even has a book out on Kayaking. The Eco Tour was outstanding they gave a historic tour of the area as well as introduced us to Green island. Our favorite thing was Captain Bill came aboard at the end and they showed us how they fish for Lobsters. The kids were able to hold them and saw everything 1st hand. Finn was our Captain for the Eco tour as well as he did our Lobster Boil on the beach another amazing experience. My personal favorite was the time I spent with my wife, kids and mom and dad just not being rushed and in the moment. I have to also mention the bond fires which we did in different locations. My only regret was that I wanted to share this experience with more of our friends and family so we will be going back. Colie was amazing at answering questions and just helping in general to make sure that our trip was over the top.

What an awesome adventure! From the moment Mr O’Donnell picked us up in Stonington no other vacation will ever compare. Spruce Island is an absolute awe inspiring place. Our family celebrated many first time adventures from bioluminescence, s’mores on the beach, hiking and made lots of wonderful memories. Mr O’Donnell thank you for opening your beautiful island and house for others to enjoy! You thought of everything. There was nothing that we could have wanted except more time to explore your beautiful island.

We went all in and decided to do a wedding 3,000 miles from home in a place we've never been to with a host we've never met and a completely foreign concept. We couldn't have made a better decision. Our host, Colie, was the common factor in pulling it all together. Going into this rental you'll likely have a hundred questions like us. Colie has planned for everything. You'll find cabinets, switches, instructions all carefully and tastefully labeled. The property is meticulous. You could feed a small army out of the kitchen and outdoor lobster shack. When you get to Spruce Island you'll feel the love and attention that a family has invested over a lifetime. From kayaking instruction, support setting up tents, expert advice in getting the best deal on our seafood feasts, and even door service on Sealegs, our stay was perfect. As for the wedding, our ceremony was simple, breath-taking, and something that 29 people will remember for a lifetime. Buckle Beach is a perfect backdrop and the main house doubled as a kitchen, dance floor, and cozy place to carry on until the late hours of the morning. We spent four short days. We should have stayed all week. That's our only regret. The concept of trapping such a large group on an island was daunting and fabulous. We pulled it off with a pirate themed murder mystery, group kayaking, late night games, lobster boils, scavenger hunts, and a ton of hilltop lounging. All said, we miss Spruce Island on a daily basis!

We were a large kayak group that used Spruce Island as a base to paddle around the Stonington Archipelago. The set up here is very practical with one Main gathering house and a separate house where most of the bedrooms are (each with a separate bathroom). It's great because so many rental put in Queen beds which if you have a group of single people isn't so practical. There are a lot of other practical amenities such as a large scale composting system, outdoor burners, big projection system and a tickle trunk full of costumes! I would consider the island a bit of an eco-retreat as it is essentially off grid. This means you have to respect your use of power, water and where you dispose of your waste. This may not be for everyone but it was right up our alley. Pros Colie's communication and ability to shuttle large groups over to the island; the amount of space on the island to explore and to enjoy; composting system; bedroom configuration; wolf gas stove; off-grid for the eco types. Cons Oven is a bit small and only 1 fridge plus small bar fridge (if you're staying for a full week and have 18 people - make sure you plan accordingly); wi-fi is capped which gets used up quickly especially if people have settings on their devices automatically uploading pictures (there is definitely something to be said about not using it completely); there were also some fees that popped up at the end that you should sort out before hand so it isn't a surprise. The island should cater to all kinds of groups but if you belong to a sea kayak club - you should try to come out here outside of summer and paddle.

For those looking for peaceful privacy, Spruce Island is paradise. Large groups can be housed in comfort and privacy. The island is ringed by granite ledges that make every walk an adventure and the trails through the interior woods are cool and mysterious (in a good way). The main house and bunk house are simple but well equipped and maintained. Plenty of toys are on offer and transportation to and from the island is not an issue as long as you plan ahead. Two different beaches are accessible to take advantage of varying weather conditions and there is even a second island thrown in for the price of the first.