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Firefly Cottage - Lakefront Cottage in Hope - Maine's Best Kept Secret

Photo gallery for Firefly Cottage - Lakefront Cottage in Hope - Maine's Best Kept Secret

Lakeside Deck
Dock and Swim Float
Firefly Cottage
Living Room
Kitchen

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 492.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Hope, ME
  • Megunticook Lake
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Barrett's Cove Public Beach
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Rockland, ME (RKD-Knox County Regional)
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Firefly Cottage - Lakefront Cottage in Hope - Maine's Best Kept Secret

We begin to take reservations for 2025 on January 1st. Firefly Cottage is a wonderful vacation home for families, couples and active seniors. If you have mobility issues, please ask questions before booking, as our home may not be suitable for you. We want our guests to have a fun and comfortable vacation. Rentals run Saturday to Saturday. FIREFLY COTTAGE IS A SMOKE FREE HOME. WE DO NOT ALLOW VAPING. NO PETS, PLEASE. MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY IS 4 GUESTS. ALL BED LINENS ARE PROVIDED. DUE TO THEFT, WE ASK THAT YOU BRING YOUR OWN BATH TOWELS.
TOP TEN REASONS TO STAY AT FIREFLY COTTAGE
1. Our charming cottage sits 100 feet from the shore of Hobbs Pond in a quiet, private setting under beautiful tall trees that offer cooling shade on warm summer days. It sleeps four very comfortably in two upstairs bedrooms with pine floors, one with a queen bed and the other with two twin beds. Downstairs offers a well equipped kitchen, living room, dining room and a full bathroom with shower/tub. Attractively decorated with braided rugs and comfortable furnishings. WiFi, flat screen TV with DVD player and HDMI ports to connect your computer/laptop, board games, DVDs, books, two decks, one with gas grill and picnic table and the other next to the lake, very kid friendly. Hammock to take a nap in. Outdoor camera faces the driveway for your protection. Quality bed linens are provided on the beds. The seaside town of Camden is just a 10 minute drive away. Rentals run weekly, Saturday to Saturday. Firefly Cottage is the BEST value on Hobbs Pond and especially in the surrounding area. Unlike most short term rentals, we do NOT charge a cleaning fee. We will ask you to do some light housekeeping before you leave i.e. wash your dishes, clean your food out of the refrigerator, strip sheets from the bed and vacuum the floors. This helps us keep our rates low for you.
2. A peaceful, pristine, spring fed lake is right at your door step! Offering great swimming and fishing plus two kayaks, a dock and swim toys (noodles). Our lake side deck is a great place to sit and enjoy the sound of the loons or the pretty views of our coastal mountains. A small firepit to roast marshmallows sits next to the deck. Steps lead down into the lake for easy access.
3. We may be a small town but our area is resplendent with cultural attractions. Museums, art galleries, music festivals, Lobster Festival, film festival, wineries, antique stores and shows/music/movies at the Camden Opera House and Strand Theater are just a fraction of the things to do here.
4. The Great Outdoors: This is where the mountains meet the sea and we have many hiking trails for all abilities that allow you to see it all. Follow the trails in Camden Hills State Park, Coastal Mountain Land Trust and Georges River Land Trust. You can also rent bikes to cruise our local back roads.
5. Our area is a Foodies Paradise. Camden, Rockport and Rockland are home to many fine, great restaurants of all kinds. Cooking classes are also offered locally. You can order sandwiches and pizza from the Hope General Store. Many restaurants have outdoor seating in the summer, some with tables right on Camden Harbor.
6. Speaking of Camden Harbor, our harbor hosts a hub of activities including sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding and sightseeing. Take a two hour cruise on an historical schooner such as the Appledore or Olad. Learn how to catch lobsters on the Lively Lady. We delight in the vast array of tall masted ships that sail through our waters.
7. Lobster! Maine's iconic food can be enjoyed in so many ways. From lobster roll shacks to gourmet preparations, you'll find plenty of ways to scratch your lobster itch at our local restaurants. The Maine Lobster Festival is held in early August. Firefly Cottage is also equipped with a lobster pot so that you can cook your own.
8. Gateway to Downeast: We are centrally located on Maine's midcoast making us an ideal launching point for explorations to Acadia National Park, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, lighthouses, beaches, Fort Knox (bring your flashlights) and many other fun places to explore.
9. The People: Our area's rare beauty is paralleled by its sense of place. Perhaps it's due to our cold Maine winters when we all look after each other, but the people who call our area home are some of the most friendly, ruggedly refined folks you will ever meet. You will be welcomed with open arms.
10. Firefly Cottage is THE best value on Hobbs Pond and especially in our surrounding area. We want you to have an affordable vacation while still experiencing an attractive, comfortable and clean place to stay while you are visiting. The cottage is close enough to the owners' home (2 miles) that we can be of assistance to our guests if needed, while still offering you privacy. We truly live in an authentically quaint and charming community. We take pride in our community and it's surroundings and hope that is reflected in everything we do. Unplug, unwind and enjoy your family and friends in a place you will want to return to again and again.

Property manager

Kathryn Swift
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Due to theft, bath towels are not provided. Please bring your own. ALL BED LINENS AND KITCHEN TOWELS ARE PROVIDED.

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
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Hope

Located in Hope, this cottage is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Fernald's Neck Preserve and Camden Hills State Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Golfer's Crossing Mini Golf and Oakland Park Bowling Lanes. Liberty Tool Company and Sail Power and Steam Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Hope, ME

What's nearby

  • Mount Battie - 14 min drive - 12.6 km
  • Camden Opera House - 14 min drive - 12.8 km
  • Megunticook Lake - 14 min drive - 12.8 km
  • Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre - 14 min drive - 12.9 km
  • Barrett's Cove Public Beach - 15 min drive - 12.0 km

Getting around

  • Belfast Station - 28 min drive
  • Rockland, ME (RKD-Knox County Regional) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Jack - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Zoot Coffee - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Camden Farmers Market - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Camden Deli - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Camden Island - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Firefly Cottage - Lakefront Cottage in Hope - Maine's Best Kept Secret pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Firefly Cottage - Lakefront Cottage in Hope - Maine's Best Kept Secret?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Firefly Cottage - Lakefront Cottage in Hope - Maine's Best Kept Secret?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Firefly Cottage - Lakefront Cottage in Hope - Maine's Best Kept Secret located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 6 miles (10 km) of Fernald's Neck Preserve, Camden Snow Bowl and St. George River. Savage Oakes Vineyard and Winery and Shirt Tail Point Park are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 45 out of 54 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 54 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 54 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 54 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 54 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kathi J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sweet private cottage
Cottage is cute, comfy and cozy. It's a private location, right on the pond.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thom W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy and Comfy
Perfect for the two of us and our 5-year-old. Love those loons!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jane S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family reunion
We had 3 cottages on Hobbs Pond for the week. Fire Fly was attactive and had a lovely area by the water. The kids had a get time and enjoyed paddle boarding, swimming etc. The adults enjoyed to water, the views, the loons, and being together.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another Perfect Week at Firefly Cottage
We returned to Firefly Cottage this year and it was more wonderful than the last time. It is quiet, private, clean, and well-equipped. The peace I felt as I had my morning coffee down by the water and hearing the loons at night was just what I needed in a Maine vacation. Perfect for a single, couple, or a small family- this place is comfortable and memorable.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Virgil K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely cabin nestled in the pines. Great place to relax. Excellent vacation rental.
Wonderful property and very quiet. Excellent location to hike, go to the coast and visit Camden, Belfast and Rockland.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elaine B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful week
Awesome location!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laurel L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sweet little cottage on a lovely pond. The water is lovely. The deck by the water was wonderful.
Lovely spot.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Susan W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
September getaway
Firefly Cottage was a lovely relaxing setting for a post-Labor Day Maine vacation. A great place to read, cook, watch the water or just hang out, but also close to Camden/Rockland. We enjoyed the Litchfield Fair, Owls Head Lighthouse (Maine Open Lighthouse Day), Belfast for sightseeing and shops, and a day trip to Acadia NP. Such a good time, highly recommend!!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

victoria c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Trip with adult son
We loved the property and location. My son caught alot of fish and we loved hearing the loons calling to each other. It was a good place to start day trips from to other cities in Maine. I loved the woods and the shade it provided.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marcia B., Indiana

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing lake cottage
Had a wonderful time at your very quiet relaxing cottage. Enjoyed the games, dvds and kayaks that were provided for us to us. The water was clear and so calm for kayaking. Enjoyed watching and listening to the loons. The cottage provided everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mary Jane F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lakefront paradise
We had a wonderful stay at this vintage Maine property. The cottage, location, and amenities were EXACTLY as described and the owners could not be nicer or more helpful. We were a group of three, ages 64, 25, and 23, and all found the cottage, paths, lake access, etc. comfortable and easy to manage. Thank you Swift family for sharing this piece of Maine, and we hope to return again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer V.

Amazing lakefront cottage
We love visiting Maine, this was our first time staying in a cottage on the lake and it was a dream. Very peaceful, sitting outside and having coffee in the morning was great. My husband had fun fishing while I sat by the lake reading. Would definitely return.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

George A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A relaxing getaway on a quiet pond with scenic sunsets.
We enjoyed getting up early and sipping our coffee on the deck outside the cabin then heading down to the lower deck by the pond. The location was perfect for visiting nearby towns Camden/ Rockport/ Belfast. The small Hope general store and nearby Linconville general store are a must stop for a cup of coffee and muffin or a pizza. Did nearby hikes up Bald Mountain, Maidens Cliff and Fernalds Neck. Next time Hatchet Mountain.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joseph F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Vacation at Lakehouse
We are a young couple who stayed for 3 nights at the cottage. We had a great stay. The cottage was cool, small but plants of room for 2 and could’ve comfortably fit 4. The lake was amazing. I would recommend taking the kayaks out for a day. Some good hikes nearby and lots of small Oceanside towns to see along the coast. WiFi worked great. No cable but games and DVDs were provided. Overall a great relaxing stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Alessandra L.

A lovely lakeside retreat
My husband, 2yo son, and I had a lovely time at firefly. Every morning we sat out on the deck by the lake enjoying a cup of coffee and watching the loons. You do have to bring your own bath towels, which was a bit of an inconvenience for us since we already had toddler stuff in tow, but otherwise the cottage had all of the basics. A lovely, quiet retreat in the woods.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

PZQDT3Fxk0qAlLfHqbBUuNkyzVuFCYoLxZEnPSb0PWvKGgOn6CLIpACt3v4IT/s53AlnzhnC5gHwkHLUuYyS/lAatrCiMgGOk9TN P.

Great cottage for the price
Beautiful and quiet pond. We stayed the week of July 4th and felt we had the lake to ourselves. Kayaking was great. The loons were always around and beautiful. Fishing and swimming off the dock was so fun.The rainy day we had led us to a day in Freeport for shopping at LL Bean! It was so nice being 20 minutes away from beautiful Camden-we had dinner in town several times. The cabin was clean and cute. The pictures are very accurate.

10/10 Excellent

Eric S., Brecksville

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Tranquil Getaway
We stayed her 2 nights during a tour of New England while visiting Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (about 2 hours away). The house was very cozy, clean and secluded in the woods. The owner was very friendly and even left us some delicious Whoopie Pies. Hobbs Pond really feels more like a lake and it is beautiful. The owners provided 2 kayaks for us to use which was awesome. I enjoyed a nice kayak ride across the water with no one on the lake but a friendly loon. The sounds of the local loons were also a delight. I would stay here again for sure.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

debbie s., Tennessee

Far exceeded our expectations!
Our family loved this cottage! Our goal on this vacation was to take day trips to many of the harbor towns nearby...only it was very hard to get our kids to leave the cottage because they were having so much fun. It was so relaxing, clean and quiet. I enjoyed my mornings by having my coffee sitting down on the deck and my evening strolls in the kayak. We even had a little fire in the fire pit one night and had smores. This was one of our most enjoyable family vacations. Kathy (the owner) was so helpful to answer all my questions before booking and also gave me suggestions about restaurants and area attractions. I would definitely book this cottage in the future and have already recommended it to family & friends.

10/10 Excellent

Paige N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Adorable Cottage
Beautiful stay. The cottage was adorable, kitchen was very well equipped and super clean! Kathy gave us native strawberries on our arrival, along with the cutest vase of fresh flowers. We loved the path to the lower deck toward the water, with pine trees and ferns. We swam and used our blow up boat. There were swim noodles, a buggy board and kayaks to use. The view from the lower deck was lovely. One of our favorite things was listening to the Loons. There are many videos in the cottage along with game boards. The video on the Loons was a nice touch. We visited Three Bug Farm (they have freshest salad greens), Linconville General store (best pizza), Linconville Beach, Camden Clothesline Laundry (laundry stop), downtown Camden, Belfast, Bucksport, and the Lincolnville Strawberry Festival. We hope to visit again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Relaxing little retreat
After some initial cleaning to bring the cabin up to our standards, we settled in and became a bit more comfortable. We still can’t get over carpeting throughout the whole downstairs including the kitchen and bathroom though. The bathroom carpet was soaked when we got there from the previous renters. The house is in need of some maintenance, ripped screens etc. . The kitchen, although small, was well equipped. Bedrooms were clean and comfortable with hardwood floors. The pond was pristine and lovely. Great for fishing. Very pretty view. The fire pit at the edge of the pond at the lower deck was a nice touch. It was a great base camp for venturing out in the area. Plenty to do in Camden and the surrounding area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

We'll Be Back
We stayed at Firefly Cottage for a week and loved it. Hobb's Pond is a peaceful lake that is very clean. The loons were wonderful to listen to and we even saw a bald eagle. Camden is a delightful town to be a tourist in and there are many activities to do within just a few miles. The cottage is very comfortable for a family of 4 and is very clean and decorated in a very pleasing way. The new deck next to the lake was a great place to drink our morning coffee and greet the day. The owners are also very friendly and eager to make sure your vacation is enjoyable. They left fresh flowers in the cottage for us and packets of Maine wildflowers. The swimming and fishing were great fun for our kids and the kayaks allowed us to really explore the lake. We found a great sand beach across the lake from the cottage. We enjoyed our stay at Firefly immensely and plan to return someday. We felt it was a great value for such a nice little home and would recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing vacation.

6/10 Okay

Karin K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Check-in, listing accuracy
Firefly Cottage
The cottage was clean and organized. All of the cottages we rented on this trip had 2:00 or 3:00 check-in, so I thought this was a little late (4:00) But the biggest problem was that there is no mention of the bedrooms being on the second floor with some pretty steep stairs to climb. One of us had to sleep on the futon (that was broken and couldn't be opened) because of the stairs. I have looked over the description several times and the only thing I have found is that the cottage isn't wheelchair accessible. Not the same thing.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jenny B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sweet cottage on the water!
My family and I had a wonderful week at this sweet cottage. It was both relaxing and fun! We spent every day outside. The deck by the water is a lovely spot to have your morning coffee or tea and end the day with a campfire. We loved watching the full moon rise over the lake. Just beautiful! Hearing the loons was such a unique experience! There is so much to do without leaving the property...kayaking, swimming, fishing, reading in the hammock, and the owners thoughtfully provide all you need to enjoy your stay. Even though it’s located down a secluded gravel road, it’s a short drive to the surrounding towns, groceries, and great hikes/bike trails. The upstairs bedrooms are adorable! We loved waking up to the sunrise through the skylights. If you’re looking for a fancy place to stay, this isn’t for you...the kitchen and bathroom are a bit dated. But if you’re looking for a wonderful time away in nature in a beautiful setting, this cute cottage has everything you need in a great location!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Peter R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Lake House
We spent a relaxing week in this wonderful lake house. It was perfect for a couple. It would have been fine for a couple of children, as well, but I wouldn’t recommend more than that. Recognize that the water from the faucets is not for drinking/cooking. I must have missed that in the description (but the owners kindly alerted me to the fact, prior to our arrival). This was slightly inconvenient as we occasionally forgot and used faucet water for brushing teeth, etc. I hope we don’t come to regret that (nobody likes Giardiasis). One reviewer took issue with the rough road to the house. It’s true that portions of the road are high-centered. We bottomed-out a Toyota Corolla our first time down. After that, we drove more slowly and with one set of wheels on the high, center ridge. We had no more problems.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kimberley S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful pond!
We enjoyed staying at this small cottage on beautiful Hobbs Pond. The interior of the cottage is small, but works well for two adults. Everything was clean and neat and the kitchen was fully stocked. The stairs are steep, but we had no problem. The lower deck near the water was great...we enjoyed having coffee there in the morning when the sun was shining on it. We went swimming most mornings and the water is so clean. We really enjoyed that. The sun only reaches the deck until about 11:00 am, and then is in the shade the rest of the day. Our only issue was that the deck off the house was not too inviting. It could use a good power washing and maybe a few decent chairs. We did use the grill, but would have liked to sit outside there more often. The whole lot is very wooded so be aware there's not much sun to warm you on a cool day. Overall, we enjoyed our stay, Kathy was very attentive when we needed a new coffee pot, and the description of the cottage is very accurate. I would give it 5 stars for the interior, but 4 stars for the outside of the cottage. It is definitely a good deal, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great location without spending an arm and a leg.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Kathryn Swift

Host profile image
My husband and I run Firefly Restoration Co, restoring antique fire engines. We have raised two sons in Hope. We believe in giving back to our community, volunteering to put on Hope Day, serving as a trustee at the Owls Head Transportation Museum and helping to raise funds to preserve Hatchet Mountain.

Why they chose this property

Hobbs Pond is one of the most pristine and quietest lakes in the area with wonderful swimming, boating, fishing, loons and other wildlife. Firefly Cottage sits under tall mature trees and offers cooling shade on warm summer days. You will experience privacy, peace and quiet when you want it, yet you are still close to many things to do and see. Camden is just a 10 minute drive away with many activities, restaurants, shops and galleries. Acadia National Park is a wonderful day trip. We are the ideal place to vacation in the Maine woods, offering both privacy and peace while still close to many activities and unique points of interest.

What makes this property unique

The lakeside deck is a wonderful place to sit by the lake, watch the kids swim, have a drink and offers gorgeous views of the Camden Hills. Loons abound in the lake and you will enjoy their calls. Take the kayaks out on the lake to get a closer look at these beautiful birds and their chicks. Our hammock is the perfect place to take a nap. The cottage is close enough to our home (2 miles) that we can be of assistance to our guests if needed, while still offering you privacy. Firefly Cottage sits in a quiet, peaceful location yet we are very close to all the activities our area offers.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests