Tidal Cove- Informal Charming Cottage Rebuilt to Passive Cozy

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Entire home

Kitchen view - cove is to the right with view over the stove and counter

Dining area looking out to cove as the tide is beginning to go out

This is what you see when you enter the cottage from the road side

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

2 bedrooms0+ bathroomsSleeps 4106.8 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available
Dryer
Fireplace
Washer
Kitchen
Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Harpswell, ME

Casco Bay
‪1 min walk‬
Bailey Island Bridge
‪26 min drive‬
LL Bean Flagship Store
‪35 min drive‬
Brunswick, ME (NHZ-Brunswick Executive)
‪29 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

2 half bathrooms

half bath

Toilet · Outdoor shower

main bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio

Outdoor shower

Kitchen

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Open sunny cottage at head of Basin Cove where the tide ebbs and flows inviting herons and egrets to scavage along the water's edge. Swimming, canoeing, and kayaking from the front dock at high tide. Peaceful to view the scene via a wall of windows while sitting by the wood stove on a rainy day, or from the surrounding deck in the afternoon sun or evening shade.

Two miles to nearby Erika's take-out or the Dolphin Marina Restaurant for homemade fish chowder and blueberry muffins. Fresh lobsters and summer corn available for Maine summer dining. For those inclined to venture out - concerts at The Bowdoin College Summer Music Festival, musicals at The Maine State Theater in Brunswick, The Walker Museum at Bowdoin, The Wyeth Center in Rockland, The Portland Museum of Art, shopping at L.L. Bean and outlet stores in Freeport (30 minutes) plus many area gift shops... or stay put and hang out in the hammock with a good book.

Guest's comments:
'Truly restorative time...a peaceful, glorious spot.' Linda W.
'I awakened happily to the simplicity of 'Spartina'.' Deborah L.
'All the birds were here at 7am for a feeding frenzy as the tide came in.' Jim R
'Amazing that swimming was a possibility and extremely refreshing. The rhythm of the
tides and the light are particularly stunning.' Deborah and James D.
'Different mood and changes in the water with the tides and weather conditions were
fascinating. We especially appreciated how clean everything was and having a house
with so many great books and a well stocked kitchen.' Ron and family
'Beautiful surroundings. So many memories to take home...a true respite from our city
life in Houston. No smog, no sirens, no air-conditioning (how nice!). we breathed
easier here.' The W family
We had a great time canoeing, swimming, playing Monopoly and Risk. The cove was a
nice backdrop to look at and we spent lots of time reading. All in all, it was a
wonderful vacation.' brothers Sam and Harry
'Without 'Spartina' our week in Maine would have passed without much of a sense of
'Maineness'.' Mike and Katherine
Nine nights and ten days - it's just not enough. There is no substitute for the Maine
coast and South Harpswell in particular. We love it here!' Gene and Marilyn

Keywords: Charming Cottage

Property manager

Susan Myer Riley

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Outdoor space

Parking available

Water view

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Ocean view
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

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

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

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Harpswell

Located in Harpswell, this cottage is on the waterfront. Harriet Beecher Stowe House and First Parish Church are local landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit LL Bean Flagship Store and Maine Street. Ash Cove Pottery and Paddleworks are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Harpswell, ME

What's nearby

Casco Bay - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Ash Cove Pottery - 3 min drive - 2.0 km
Bailey Island Bridge - 26 min drive - 21.1 km
LL Bean Flagship Store - 35 min drive - 37.3 km
Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park - 45 min drive - 34.3 km

Getting around

Brunswick Station - 21 min drive
Portland, ME (PWM-Portland Intl. Jetport) - 56 min drive

Restaurants

‪Cook's Lobster House - ‬28 min drive
‪Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster - ‬41 min drive
‪Dolphin Marina and Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
‪Erica's Seafood - ‬7 min drive
‪Allen's Seafood - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Tidal Cove- Informal Charming Cottage Rebuilt to Passive Cozy pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Tidal Cove- Informal Charming Cottage Rebuilt to Passive Cozy?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Tidal Cove- Informal Charming Cottage Rebuilt to Passive Cozy?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Tidal Cove- Informal Charming Cottage Rebuilt to Passive Cozy located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 1 mile (2 km) of Casco Bay and Ash Cove Pottery. Eagle Island and Lower Goose Island are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Eleonora M.

20 Oct 2024

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

Retreat at Spartina

The property is lovely. The architectural and design details are special. The views of the water spectacular and notwithstanding the proximity to the road, the house is quiet and private. My husband loved the outdoor shower. We will be back.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ann O.

23 July 2024

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

Heaven in Maine

Spartina is a beautiful home in an idyllic setting. We spent a week there during a heat wave, but with the cool sea breezes were very comfortable. The house was supplied with everything we needed which meant there was no need to immediately shop for paper goods, etc. Susan is an excellent host, responsive and hospitable. Without a doubt, this was the nicest vacation rental we’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Geoff A.

14 July 2024

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

Quiet escape

The big windows everywhere overlooking the basin made for a very peaceful, relaxing spot. Easy water access at high tide by their canoe or the kayak I brought. The nice breezes off the bay made for a wonderful, cool retreat during a heat wave everywhere else - great place to unwind.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Becky S.

26 Oct 2023

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

Excellent Vacation Rental!

This home was pure comfort and perfection! It's not often on vacation my friend and I find ourselves wanting to just stay in, but this cozy cabin made it hard to leave. The view was incredible and the cozy fireplace made it the most perfect place to stay put and relax! I would 100% recommend this location and rental property and would love to visit again some day!

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Meredith P.

8 Oct 2023

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

A Glorious View

You won’t be disappointed by the view or location. The house itself is charming, comfortable, clean & well-maintained.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Randy B.

6 Sept 2023

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

Great space and location!

We had a great stay and loved our time in Maine and at the cottage. The owner was very attentive and the cottage was spacious yet cozy and clean. Our only suggestion would be on the online description for the parking. It’s stated there is room for two cars to park however we drive a jeep grand Cherokee and it just fit in the space to allow to back/pull out safely. I’m not sure another car would have been able fit unless they were both small cars. We have no complaints and if we were to return to the area for another vacation we would definitely look into staying at Spartina again. Thanks for a wonderful 30th wedding anniversary get away!

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Teri C.

2 Sept 2023

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

Let the outside in

The owners were forward thinking when they built and respectful of the environment. A high performance house with lots of natural light and the option to open up the windows to the let the fresh air in. Their use of space is thoughtful, so the place felt roomy and comfortable.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Susan C.

25 July 2023

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

Relaxing!

Enjoyed the deck sipping coffee in the morning while watching the various ocean birds.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paula M.

17 July 2023

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

Beautiful and relaxing place to stay.

This is our second stay at this home, and we love being there. Even though the weather wasn't the best this year, we still had a great time. The massive windows in each room bring in so much light, and the view is so gorgeous we never felt cooped up.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa Mitchell J.

10 July 2023

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

Basin Bungalow

We very much enjoyed our stay at this VRBO!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Randal B.

6 Oct 2022

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

Was comfortable and pleasant. Not a bad location to see the area

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lawrence S., New York, New York

10 Sept 2022

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

Amazing views

Beautiful Scandinavian style home with excellent views of the cove from inside and outside. Well equipped kitchen and comfortable beds. Hammock and canoe major pluses.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Diane T.

6 Sept 2022

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

Lovely stay

Had a lovely week at the well-designed and thoughtfully appointed Spartina; beautiful views, close distance to a lobster shack, ice-cream, beaches and sunsets galore. Thank you!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Erica K. L.

30 Aug 2022

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

Wall of windows to the ocean

We enjoyed our time in this incredibly well designed home. Every corner and nook had a clever use of space that made the place feel much bigger than it's square footage. The windows overlooking the water were filled with a changing and gorgeous nature scene: squirrels, egrets, boats, the ebb and flow of the tides, birds at the feeders. THe large table and clever bench seating was a lovely space to hang out for board games in the evening as the sun went down. Many restaurants in the area have changed their hours and we are Fiasco fans so we did end up driving to Brunswick quite often. The owner's artwork is really beautiful and the outdoor shower was lovely. We really enjoyed our stay!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tom J.

23 July 2022

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

A terrific cottage, nicely located to explore coastal Maine

We spent the July 4th week there, and it was great. A very comfortable modern cottage with an extremely well-equipped kitchen. Terrific views of the cove, and the deck & dock are wonderful places to sit outside while enjoying breakfast and watching the tide rise & ebb. Camden, Boothbay Harbor and Freeport are easy day trips, or just poke around the waterfront towns. (P.S.--Penny's Ice Cream stand down the road is a terrific place at dusk!)

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paula M.

5 July 2022

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

Excellent Property

We had a great week at Spartina! We hope to stay again in the future, to take in the beautiful view and to enjoy the relaxation we experienced during our stay.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Judith J.

30 Oct 2021

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

Special Spartina

Cottage is comfortable and well designed in a beautiful location . We enjoyed our stay.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Wayne S.

22 Oct 2021

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

Peace & Serenity

A charming contemporary abode, with abundant light & lakefront views! Enjoy peaceful days, with the company of ducks & birds, followed by brilliant sunsets! Comfortable & Inviting!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

James S., Rochester, NY

10 Oct 2021

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

Great Location in a Unique Waterfront Cottage

My wife and I spent a week at Spartina near the beginning of Fall and loved it. There were plenty of beautiful sunrises and sunsets, places to go on short hikes, and great restaurants close-by. The unique cottage has a great view of the cove with a dock that comes to the edge of the water at high tide. The property has many nice touches and a perfect kitchen. We enjoyed our time there and would recommend.

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Martin H., Ijamsville, MD

30 Sept 2021

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

Comfortable Home with Beautiful View

Architecturally unique cottage with an outstanding view of a peaceful tidal cove. Home was stocked with just about everything we needed, except for bed linens (which we rented). Good location with Dolphin Marina Restaurant and Erica's (both excellent places to eat) nearby. Home is situated on a blind curve, which made pulling out into traffic a challenge -- but host had warned us ahead of time to be careful.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Diana D., Atlanta, Georgia

23 Sept 2021

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

Relaxing stay in Maine

My husband and I finished our trip to Maine at Spartina. Quiet cottage with an amazing view of the cove. Close to hiking, Coastal Botanical Gardens, quaint little towns and the airport in Portland. There is even lobster at Erica’s or nice dinner at Dolphin Marina at the end of our road. Peaceful place to recharge.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jan P., Nashua

19 Sept 2021

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

Lovely place for a ringside seat to wildlife, ocean, and nature

Peaceful, architecturally amazing. Harpswell is a magical place

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ana L.

7 Sept 2021

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

Perfect home away from home

Absolutely perfect. This was our second time in Maine and this was the perfect home away from home. Very comfortable and peaceful. Waking up to the view of the lake was priceless. The home was very clean and spacious. And the location was good as well. Susan was a wonderful host as well. She was very thorough in providing all the information and details needed for our stay ahead of time and was quick to response whenever we had a few questions. Definitely will come back!

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marianne P.

31 Aug 2021

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

Beautiful and serene

My husband and I stayed at Spratina for a week this August . The cottage was clean and comfortable with beautiful decor and quality furnishings. We enjoyed exploring the breathtakingly beautiful Casco Bay area! We challenged ourselves with some local hiking trails (Devils Back and Cliff Trail) and enjoyed swimming at Stover Point. We also tried all the local fish and seafood chowders, bought lobsters at Allens and got ice cream from Pammy's. Both Uncle Pete's and the Vegetable corner were great! Superb fruits and veggies at The Vegetable corner(best corn on the cob we have had in years!) Delicious wraps, subs and chowders at Uncle Pete's! Each morning began with coffee and beautiful views of the bay from the wall of windows. We spent the days exploring the area and the evenings relaxing at the cottage. It was a spectacular week!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dianna B.

27 May 2021

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

Amazing place

I had the most amazing time at spartina! I was doing a virtual conference and I wanted a place that had beautiful views and spartina was the perfect place for this. There were amazing views from every room on the entire property. The house is very open and airy and lovely. This is the perfect location for a couple to relax and enjoy gorgeous views! I really liked how all the furniture was incredibly comfortable. with prior rentals I find they often get handmedown furniture and that is not the case at spartina, the queen bed is comfortable and the couch is very comfortable. I will definitely return!

Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

About the host

Hosted by Susan Myer Riley

I was born and raised in Maine. After 15 years away, living in Germany and Seattle, I returned to enjoy the changing seasons, green forests, open ocean, downeast personalities, and of course my family.

Why they chose this property

I bought 'Spartina' in 1988 as an investment and began making improvements. Spartina is a type of dune grass and it is the title of a book my son and I read by John Casey.

In 2010 my husband and I razed the original building and designed a new passive solar cottage that has a nautical nordic look and feel. It is comfortable and cozy during all four seasons. We rent the cottage from July - Oct saving the other months for family use. We love watching the change of tides and various weather systems from inside and out.

What makes this property unique

It is astounding to read renter's comments in the cottage journal. I have been fortunate to attract people who, like us, enjoy this cozy simple spot right on Basin who appreciate unrushed time to watch birds along the changing tides, catch up on their reading, visit nearby places of interest, or simply stay home, cook a good meal and watch the sunset across the cove.

Languages:

English

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Tidal Cove- Informal Charming Cottage Rebuilt to Passive Cozy

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

2 half bathrooms

half bath

main bathroom

Spaces

About this property