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Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home

Photo gallery for Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home

Exterior
Exterior
View East out to Greening & Sutton Islands and the Eastern Way
Dining room and kitchen
Dining room & kitchen looking through to family room and screened porch

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Southwest Harbor, ME
  • Acadia National Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪23 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

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

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home

This 100 year old cottage has been lovingly renovated by the family that owns it in order to retain the character and charm of the original summer home while adding all the modern conveniences, including heat, to make it extremely comfortable. The cottage sits on the shore of Southwest Harbor in Manset with approximately 1.5 acres of lawn, woods and stream and 150 feet of waterfront. The property juts out just enough to offer views of the water on three sides of the house - to the East, North and West. Enjoy the setting from the Adirondeck chairs on the lawn, from the rocking chairs on the wrap around porch or from the comfort of the screened porch.
Bring your boat and use our deep water mooring and outhaul. From Southwest Harbor, there are endless possibilities for exploration by boat.
The front door leads into an elegant foyer with William Morris style wallpaper. Turning to the right leads you to the stairs to the second floor and the more formal living room, we call the harbor room. The harbor room runs east west parallel to the harbor with seven windows looking out to the harbor and mountains beyond. It is decorated in a sophisticated, yet comfortable manner and features a wood burning fireplace, games, a library of many books and different reading nooks. There is a door outside leading to the wrap around porch.
From the front door, turning to the left leads you to the dining room and kitchen, both beautiful and classic. The dining table can seat 12 people. The kitchen is fully stocked with new appliances and everything you need in the kitchen. The island counter seats 4.
Beyond the kitchen, though triple doors, is the screened porch with a dining table for 10 or more and lovely comfortable seating area. Beyond the dining room, is the back door and back foyer, elegant downstairs bathroom, washer dryer, mudroom, dog door.
Between the kitchen and harbor room, and accessible from both sides, is the family room. The family room has a second wood burning fireplace, wallpaper with hunting dogs in green and a flat screen television, cable, apple tv, and blu-ray player.
Between the dining room and family room is the original pantry, now with bar sink and coffee maker and lots of charm.
The second floor consists of five bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Bedroom 1, with wallpaper with blue flowers, has a king sized bed and incredible views of the water and mountains. Bedroom 2, with pink floral wallpaper, has a classic three-quarter bed (48" wide) and a twin size trundle. It also has incredible views of the water and mountains. Bedroom 3 has another classic three-quarter bed (48" wide), toys, charm and water & mountain views. Bedroom 4, with yellow wallpaper with birds, has a queen size bed and bit of water view. Bedroom 5, with red nautical wallpaper, has 2 twin beds and a little view of the water and beyond.
This cottage is a terrific jumping off point for exploring Downeast Maine, but you could also be very happy never leaving the property.

Property manager

Melissa Pearsall Hirsch

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

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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
We have lots of games! Please take care of them.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Dogs considered. $100 charge per dog. No cats.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We have put a great deal of love & care into the house to ensure every detail is right. Please treat it with the TLC you would treat your own home!

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 deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Southwest Harbor

Located in Southwest Harbor, this cottage is on the waterfront. 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 - 3.8 km
  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 8 min drive - 7.0 km
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 20 min drive - 19.6 km
  • Asticou Azalea Garden - 22 min drive - 21.5 km
  • Cadillac Mountain - 34 min drive - 29.5 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 23 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jordan Pond House Restaurant - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪Hansen's Outpost - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Beal's Lobster Pier - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Gott's Store - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Tan Turtle Tavern - ‬24 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Cottage, Recently Renovated 125 Year Old Home located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 1.6 mi (2.5 km) from Wendell Gilley Museum and 2.4 mi (3.8 km) from Acadia National Park. Flying Mountain Trailhead and Long Pond are also within 6 miles (10 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. 33 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kim P.

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

The perfect home for a wonderful family vacation in Maine

My family absolutely loved this home and its location. The house itself has a classy yet homey look and feel, inside and out. We enjoyed using the fire pit and doing lots of puzzles (provided by the host, along with games and books). The kitchen is fabulous - very roomy with everything you could need. The living areas are very comfortable. You can tell that the owners have put a lot of thought and effort into this charming property. Outside, the view of the harbor is beautiful and peaceful. The back of the property curves like you are on a point and we enjoyed watching the boats as they came and went as we sat on the wrap-around back porch. The town is close by with restaurants and shops, and there is also a grocery about 5 minutes away. The house is about a half hour drive to Bar Harbor and everything it has to offer. Our family did a lot of hiking and biking. Overall it was a fabulous trip.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tina B.

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

Highly recommend!!!

Our group of 8 (including 3 children) had an amazing time at this house and location. The house is beautiful, well stocked, quintessentially Maine in a quiet location overlooking the harbor. Melissa was a great host who gave us alot of recommendations during our stay. We tried a few places to eat in SWH but our favorite was Peter Trouts which is only a short walk from the house. We could not recommend this house more.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

christa k.

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

Fabulous Family Vacation

Our family ranging in age from eight months to 62 years had an amazingly wonderful time at this home in Southwest Harbor. The house is beautiful, surroundings are beautiful, and the host could not have been more communicative or more helpful. Close to Acadia national Park, yet away from all the crowds! Perfect family getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

CJ S.

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

Quiet & Secluded Spot

Beautiful home. Well stocked with everything you could possibly need. Great location. Very roomy and clean. Highly recommend.
Stayed 16 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

matthew a.

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

The Shiphouse

Old world charm and homey. Great library of books, cannot imagine a better coffee on deck overlooking harbor morning start. About 25 minutes to beehive, cadillac, bubbles for great hiking and carriage road for biking. Kayaking up somes sound while watching sail boat training (racing) great fun. We loved Mainely Meats Bbq (and cornhole). Each day a great 2mi beautiful loop run from shiphouse. Shiphouse recently renovated with neat details. 4 kids 18, 20, 22, 24 all had a great time. Kids used the local gym each day and locals were great to them. Would recommend little notch bakery for blueberry tarts and surprisingly excellect pizza... highly recommend for both action and relaxation...
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

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

Quintessential Maine

Perfect location to enjoy everything Mt. Desert Island has to offer. Totally comfortable and cozy. Great spots to sit and enjoy a book or just contemplating life, both inside and out. Everything is in the home that you could possibly need. A really good restaurant a short walk away ( Peter Trout).
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Liz D.

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

Stunning house with incredible views of the ocean.

Beautiful renovation that pairs historic charm with comfortable modern living on a private lot right on the harbor.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Howard H.

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

A Slice of Heaven in Maine

This property is amazing. We were blown away by the beauty of the historic house and scenic location. As guests, we could tell the home had been greatly loved and cared for. It is beautifully appointed and completely comfortable. The property is located on the water with access to a small rocky beach, with beautiful views of a working harbor and Acadia National Park. The landscaping is perfect. Access to the cute town of Southwest Harbor is only minutes away. Adding greatly to our overall positive experience, Melissa is a responsive and gracious host. We couldn’t have been more pleased with our experience and will certainly hope to return. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Betsy G., WINCHESTER

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

Beyond perfect!

Our one week stay at this Southwest Harbor gem was magical in everyway. The very first thing I did when I walked in the door was to call my daughter, the one family member who could not join us I was hoping to somehow transport her to Acadia to be with us in this home. This home is everything we wanted in a family vacation spot. It is beautiful and welcoming, comfortable yet also really special. The kitchen is terrific and well supplied. One night, the younger crew hosted the older generation to a fish fry. There was plenty of room for them to cook (and laugh) and beautiful spots on the screened in porch for the rest of us to enjoy cocktails and conversation. Two of our crew needed to work all week and the internet and getaway spaces made it easy for them. Besides the large eat-in kitchen and the screened porch, the downstairs has two other family gathering rooms- each with a fireplace (our September days were sunny and beautiful and the fires were so cheery on some cooler nights). Upstairs are five bedrooms with the most terrific mattresses, sheets, and towels. How do I know? Our guests were trying to find out what they were so they could maybe replicate at home :). Bathrooms also combine Maine farmhouse with first class luxury. Facing the harbor is a wonderful wrap around porch for morning coffee, afternoon tea/chatting/reading, or pre-dinner appetizers We enjoyed the firepit and grill...and raising/lowering the flag right on the harbor. The location can't be beat...we loved getting to know Southwest Harbor, the nearby Acadia hikes, and the walk down the road to the ferry to Cranberry Islands and to a wonderful local restaurant. And to top it off, Melissa provided us with a warm welcome, a curated list of local finds, and the most gracious interactions during our stay. This was a sabbatical getaway for me and to share this place with family and friends is a memory I already cherish. I am very hopeful we can return. Thank you Melissa and Scott for sharing your very special home with my family and me,
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paula C.

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

Impeccable cottage in Southwest Harbor

I’ve rented a lot of vacation cottages, but never one this thoughtfully decorated, provisioned, and comfortable. It was as if good friends had lent us their house for the week. The location is spectacular, and super convenient to Acadia. The house was big enough for all 7 of us and the dog to be together but also stay out of each other’s hair — many comfortable indoor and outdoor spaces. Highly recommend this cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brian P.

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

The Best of Mount Desert Isle!

We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the the cottage. Since returning home, it has been terribly hard to wake up and have morning coffee without those incredible harbor views. And, we especially liked the harbor seal who came to visit from time to time. The cottage has been beautifully maintained with many original aspects, including the woodwork. The views from the wrap-around porch and master bedroom are unparalleled. And walking to Peter Trout's for a bite and a beer was an added benefit. The cottage is remarkable. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Pam G., Ridgefield, CT

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

New England at its BEST

This house is the perfect vacation rental. It is a very spacious house. We had 8 adults in the house and most of them were combining work and vacation. Everyone had room to spread out to do work plus the internet was great. The house is our all time favorite that we have stayed at in any location. Melissa is so easy to communicate with both before and during the stay. The kitchen is very well stocked. We loved grilling with their charcoal grill also. We spend most of our free time at the house on the porch facing the harbor - unbelieveable view. The bedrooms and beds worked out well. We loved the nearby hiking. We also enjoyed walking in their neighborhood every morning. We used the firepit on several nights and even had one on a cold morning to enjoy with our coffee. Southwest harbor is a really cute town with nice shops and good restaurants but also very easy to head over to Northeast Harbor or Bar Harbor. If you want the best rental house on the island then you need to hope to find availability at this house:)
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Timothy L., Boston, MA

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

Paradise!

This is a beautiful property right on the water facing Southwest Harbor. Gorgeous yard and big wraparound porch for enjoying views. You can be in Bar Harbor in about 20 minutes; all of MDI is your playground from here. Melissa and Scott are great hosts. We hope to be back!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Heather F.

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

Wonderful Property

We felt at home the minute we walked in the door. You can feel the love that has been poured into this house over the years by Melissa and her family. I did I mention the views . . . astounding! The house is close to great food or if you want to stay in Melissa has thought of every detail to cook a wonderful feast. One of the best VRBO's we've stayed at!
Stayed 12 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Karen F.

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

Magnificent home ..beautiful views, amazing sunrises with coffee in hand! Hated to leave!!!

This property exudes old world charm , comfort, stunning water views! This house is genuinely loved by its owners and we were so lucky to have experienced it during the crazy times we are all dealing with! We extended our stay And really did not want to leave! We built cozy fires and played many games. , read and truly relaxed ! The owners provided an extensive list of things to do in the area which were all great! We loved the restaurant and hike list! We most definitely would come again this is a really SPECIAL home! Thanks again ...
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

eileen f.

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

Beautiful property! Amazing vacation!

It took along time to find the quintessential “Maine Cottage” and when I saw this property I knew it was perfect for our family, and it didn’t disappoint. From our gracious host, to the fresh flowers, to the bubbly in the refrigerator this beautiful home on the water in southwest harbor was the perfect place for our family of 8 adults. The perfect blend of old and new , beautiful views, breathtaking sunsets , comfortable beds and best of all the fire pit; that we used every night to watch the Milky Way. We are an active family, up early every day hiking in Acadia , biking on the carriage roads, kayaking right from the property and the house is ideally located to get to all these activities . The property was so pretty , early mornings spent on the back porch with coffee, evenings spent grilling outside, cooking in the wonderful kitchen, cocktails around the fire pit, watching the sunset and the stars coming out. The pictures don’t do it justice, believe me you will not be disappointed! We had a wonderful week and would love to come back again! Thank you to Melissa for helpingmake a great week unforgettable!

10/10 Excellent

Bill M.

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

Ideal house in the ideal location on the Island. Gracious, communicative hosts. Delightful.

See above... Gracious home, perfect combination of Maine cottage charm and modern conveniences.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth D.

Gorgeous home

Our visit was outstanding and the owners super nice and easy to work with. The home is on the shore of South West Harbor very quiet, private and scenic. We easily sat in the Adirondack chairs around the fire pit watching the endless going’s-ons of Harbor life. Bat Harbor was about a 25 minute drive which we did a few times. Home is immaculate and comfortable with exceptional amenities including the kitchen equipped with everything! We enjoyed our stay so much...sad to leave.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

mary d.

Not sure what you mean by PR?

We had such a lovely time at our southwest harbor getaway. The house is amazing with a perfect setting, great views and close proximity to everything we wanted for our family vacation. Our host were very thoughtful to leave us fresh flowers and a comprehensive list from contact list to resturant recommendations. Thank you!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Florence & Greg L.

Our best experience in SWH so far! Loved it!

We had a wonderful week at Melissa and Scott’s cottage! The house is absolutely wonderful — generous bedrooms individually decorated, wonderful indoor and outdoor seating areas, great kitchen and perfect amenities throughout. We can’t wait to be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Debbie P.

What a wonderful home to stay in for our first visit to Maine!

Recently our family of 8, ages 21-58, stayed at Melissa’s Home in Southwest Harbor. From the moment we walked in, we knew this was a special place to stay! The home has EVERYTHING you will need. But more, it has a Maine character that enhanced our vacation experience. Prior to arrival, Melissa communicated with me in a very timely and respectful way. She provided excellent recommendations for grocery shopping and restaurants. We filled our days with hiking and boat tours (very active family) but a day didn’t go by that someone in the group didn’t say “ looking forward to getting back to the house!” Pictures do not do this home justice! The wrap around porch with views of the harbor is a Home highlight. Mornings were spent on the porch with coffee and late evenings with drinks. The fire pit came in handy two nights as well and afforded us the most amazing views of star filled sky’s. We rented kayaks and were able to set off right from our own shore. Some afternoons were spent looking for seaglass after high tide! The shore is all rocks, so little ones will need a hand. We brought extra folding camp chairs with us and that was very useful. The fire pit area has four chairs so without the extra chairs, would be difficult for all to enjoy the large yard. We so enjoyed our home away from Home and could go on and on. We will definitely return to Maine and will return to Manset Gem!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Bill M.

"It's my dream house ..." Beautifully renovated, gorgeous views. Owners are delightful.

Perfectly located. Spacious. Well-equipped and furnished. Friendly caretakers and groundskeeper. Delighted to raise and lower the flag every day. Property is perfectly maintained.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Margaret G.

The best of Maine

Set directly on the harbor, count on great sunrises and the morning sounds of lobster boats! You are immediately immersed into Maine. Great house with everything you could possibly need. Comfortable chairs on the porch overlooking the water, super kitchen, nice tv area, as well as cute bedrooms. You really could not ask for more!
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joseph F.

Beautiful home in great location

If you are seeking a beautiful home with an amazing view and location, then this home is hard to beat. The home provides a Maine “cottage” experience, but with all the modern conveniences. It has been lovingly restored to the highest caliber, yet retains all the character and charm of a 100+ year old Maine cottage. The waterfront location just outside the town of Southwest Harbor offers a convenient and tranquil base to explore Mount Desert Island. Given the beauty of the home and its location, we spent a lot of our time in Southwest Harbor at the home relaxing on the wrap-around porch and watching the boats come in and out of the harbor.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

David W.

Great restored house right on the water

We stayed for a week and really enjoyed this property. Wrap around porch provided terrific views of the harbor. Southwest Harbor is a great location - not overly developed and a nice blend of locals and tourists. The house is a restored historic home that was done right. Plenty big enough for two families. 3 full baths. Big kitchen. Nice 3-season room off of the kitchen. Nicely furnished. Beautiful wallpaper. Perfect place to relax after a long day of hiking.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017

About the host

Hosted by Melissa Pearsall Hirsch

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

One of the MOST beautiful places we have ever seen. We fell in love with it at once. And hope you will too.

Languages:

English