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Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town

Photo gallery for Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town

Front of house with traditional window boxes & path to parking
Path from parking to Knollen
Side yard & screened-in porch
Living Room
Living Room and entry to dining area on right

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
6 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 13232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Gym

Explore the area

Map
Southwest Harbor, ME
  • Acadia National Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Asticou Azalea Garden
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Sleeping Porch

1 Double Bed and 2 Single Beds

Study & Twin Bedroom

1 Single Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

First floor full bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

First floor half bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Hair dryer

Steamy, second floor bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Sunny, second floor bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town

Greetings Prospective Renters -

This is our third year posting the "Knollen" on VRBO. Please see our profile of the "Knollette" on VRBO for ample reviews of the smaller home on this family land.

In 1937 our great-grandfather built the Knollen on three acres of land . At that point in the island's history, innumerable island plots were available to him, including many oceanfront properties, but he chose this spot. The location is wonderful.

The property includes a big grassy field, beautiful woods, and a much smaller cottage (the Knollette, also available for rent on VRBO). While the Knollen has not undergone any major renovations (including the kitchen and bathrooms), it's large (offering ample bedrooms), lovely, quiet, comfortable, and full of simple amenities. With extended family members living here for months at a time, we can attest to its high level of functionality, comfort, and charm. The living room can accommodate large family gatherings. Two particularly special spaces include a first-floor, screened-in porch with traditional wicker furniture and a large, second-floor "sleeping porch" - both of which offer close, peaceful connection to the surrounding woods.

The Knollen is located on a quiet, private lane. Walk 5 minutes and you will discover the causeway at Norwood Cove - a spot that offers wonderful vistas of the ocean & mountains; dramatic tidal activity; opportunities for swimming, SUPing, canoeing, kayaking; peaceful sitting spots; and spectacular night skies. Walk 5 minutes in the other direction to the center of Southwest Harbor, a small quaint town where you will find shopping, dining, art, crafts, a bike rental store, and a wonderful public library. You'll also find access to the Island Explorer, the free shuttle to all parts of MDI and Acadia National Park.

Acadia National Park is a playground for walking, hiking, biking, swimming, boating, and picnicking. Explore scenic ocean trails, carriage roads, beaches, mountains, lakes, and nearby islands. There are also opportunities to rent boats of various sizes; play tennis, pickleball, or golf; antique hunt; visit museums and art galleries; eat ample fresh seafood; and more.

Keywords: large cabin, large wooden house, quiet private lane, near ocean, near town, Southwest Harbor, Causeway Lane, Norwood Cove, Acadia, Mount Desert Island

Property manager

Adair Fox

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Gym
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Southwest Harbor

Located in Southwest Harbor, this holiday home is by the sea. Bar Harbor Whale Watching is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Acadia National Park's Visitors Center. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Southwest Harbor, ME

What's nearby

  • Acadia National Park - 4 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Echo Lake Beach - 7 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 19 min drive - 18.4 km
  • Asticou Azalea Garden - 21 min drive - 20.3 km
  • Cadillac Mountain - 33 min drive - 28.3 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jordan Pond House Restaurant - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪Shell - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Hansen's Outpost - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Beal's Lobster Pier - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Gott's Store - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

What time is check-in at Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Wendell Gilley Museum and 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Acadia National Park. Flying Mountain Trailhead and Somes Sound are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Eva W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place to stay

What a beautiful family home - so, so special. We felt very lucky to be able to stay somewhere with so much personal history. We often cooked and the kitchen had everything we needed. The sun porch was lovely for lounging and the fireplace was fantastic for chilly mornings. Our 4yo loved the books, train set, beach toys, and woodpecker doorknocker. The property and its location were fantastic - lush woodland, a big lawn for games, near a causeway for tide pool exploring, and not far from town. Adair made us feel really welcomed and was available for any inquiries. Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tony W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Waking up to a birdsong

It's hard to describe how perfect of a location for a family "Maine" vacation this place actually is. In the immediate vicinity there is so much. From harvesting mussels near the causeway and making an amazing dinner in the rustic but not kitchen, to the birdsongs every morning on the porch, this place has it all. With sadness we had to pull out one last time from the driveway and go home but before we did that we hiked all that we could and walked to town every chance we could. Southwest Harbor is a phenomenal location as well, it's perfectly pointed with all the things you need, but none of the traffic of Bar Harbor! Come and enjoy, you will not be disappointed!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ashley L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming Home

The location was great. Felt homey inside. Good communication with host. Would totally stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristen Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Perfection minutes to All things Acadia/Bar Harbor

In my opinion, I would much rather stay at this secluded home vs. dealing with the chaos of Bar Harbor and Acadia area! It was great! We got the best of both worlds. Traveling with a large group so there were limited options - and this home accommodated us perfectly. 3 full baths including a tub for the kids... plus additional half bath. My kids loved sleeping in the upstairs sleeping porch waking up to treetop views! We made several home cooked meals and had all we needed to do so! Also enjoyed nearby eateries... Upper Deck was a favorite and so close! The uniqueness of this VRBO stay was displayed by the family's love for this home sprinkled throughout. Photos on the walls, a notebook with their personal fav hikes and tips on what to do. Kids loved the causeway and we visited several times. We loved Flying Mountain!!! Highly recommend! We dipped into their board games too. Last but not least, since we traveled in the fall we got to use the floor furnace and the fireplace. So cozy!!! Wish we could have stayed longer...
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

STEPHANIE S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

We had a great stay at the Knollen. It was large enough for our group, kitchen was well stocked, outdoor screen porch was a favorite hangout. We were able to walk to town (easy 10 minutes) and to Beal's. We made it to the Causeway to see the supermoon and the bioluminescence. We've been going to SWH on and off for 35-40 years and this is one of our favorite places we've stayed. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Memory Maker!

Both this home and property are beautiful. If you want to spend your vacation making special memories with your family, this is the place. We enjoyed walking to the causeway several times each day, the visiting deer, playing lawn games, hunting for wild blueberries, visiting Acadia, making meals as a family... Our kids (ages 3-8) loved the sleeping porch - so many beloved books, LEGOs, a desk...just a really beautiful room that made them feel adventurous. The green space contrasts well with the surrounding woods. You feel like you're away from everyone yet really you're down the street from a cute downtown area! Loved hearing the church bells. Would definitely stay here again. The only negative was the unexpected heatwave that really made the upstairs hot. Would have loved portable fans. But truly, it wasn't that bad. I'm in my 30s and it made me feel like a kid again enjoying my summer with my grandparents. Adair was great with communication - very helpful and quick to respond.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann S., Stephens City, VA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Like staying with family

This large rambling house is very much like staying with relatives with lots of family pictures on the walls. It reminds me of grandma's house with all the original furniture, pots and pans, and warm wool blankets. The coffee maker is large "Mr Coffee" style and some filters were provided. The wifi was fast and easy for me to work online. The TV is in a small separate room from the large family room and only has 2 chairs. The large family room has lots of books. It was quite cool during our stay and the downstairs furnace was appreciated. There are small portable heaters for the bedrooms upstairs. The two showers are "box" style and the large bathroom with the tub is relaxing. The house is tucked back into the woods so is quite. There is a wheeled cart to help carry your luggage to the house on the gravel path. Recycling is encouraged. The owners were very responsive to questions and any issues that arose. Lots of birds in the trees and even a turkey and deer in the yard. Very close to Beal's lobster restaurant with great lobster and sweet corn on the cob. We didn't use the fireplace but there was wood provided.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Adair Fox

Host profile image
Our family has enjoyed MDI since 1937 when great-grandparents built the Knollen, a large wooden house on the property. Since then, it has been a treasured gathering place for our large, multi-generational family. During the summer, family members often live in the Knollen while renters enjoy the smaller house (the Knollette). During non-summer seasons, we live in Denver, Washington D.C. and Copenhagen. Those of us who have flexibility in our schedules are increasingly enjoying visits during the fall, winter, and spring, too.

Why they chose this property

The Knollen is a great space for a small family reunion. The grassy field is perfect for family games. The kitchen is not updated but it's highly functional and amenable to cooking for large groups; it has two refrigerators; abundant cookware & serving materials; and a dishwasher. The dining room table can be extended for larger groups. The living room is big and comfortable -while there are other special spaces to enjoy and spill into (a screened-in porch, a sleeping porch, a small tv room, extra bedrooms). Since the Knollen is just a short walk to Norwood Cove, downtown Southwest Harbor, and a free shuttle bus to various parts of the island, it's possible to explore spots near & far without use of a car - a boon for many.

What makes this property unique

At the base of South Causeway Lane is Norwood Cove and its little footbridge (the causeway). This cove offers expansive vistas of Somes Sound and sweet spots for daydreaming, reading, sketching, painting, canoeing, kayaking, SUPing, fishing, and picknicking. Around high tide, adventuresome folks jump off the bridge and body surf under the bridge. At low tide we enjoy exploring shells, stones, and shoreline marine life. Meanwhile, our peaceful property is a lovely place for playing on the field, exploring the woods, making fairy houses, and observing deer.

Languages:

English