Lakehouse Retreat-on Beautiful Swain's Lake

• Fabulous Experience!

  Fabulous Experience!

  • Guest Marie & Karl
  • Date of stay 10/09/12
  • Review Submitted 10/21/12
  My family has been renting on various NH lakes for decades, and this was by far our best experience. This cottage is everything promised and more - private without being remote, beautiful views, plenty of space and all of the amenities provided for us. We rented in the fall and it was spectacular - seeing the colors of the foliage change as we watched the sunset from the deck - absolutely breathtaking. We hiked and kayaked and had the best time, and were able to relax in the peace and quiet too. Mary Ann and Ken have thought of everything - and meeting them in person was one of the highlights of our stay. We'll definitely be back - can't wait!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

  Owner response: Thank you so much, it was great meeting you and look forward to your return!!!

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• One of our nicest vacations

  One of our nicest vacations

  • Guest Donna N.
  • Date of stay 08/18/12
  • Review Submitted 08/27/12
  This year, my family and I wanted to find a vacation spot to spend some quality time and relax, and this was just the place. Upon arrival, Mary Ann met us with a warm smile and showed us around her lovely home. The pictures on the website do not do the home justice. The interior is very comfortable, and a place you settle into right away. The view from the upper deck is simply breathtaking. The evening sunset view from here warranted at least 60 photos from the week. The house was so well equipped; all we needed to bring was food and towels. We grilled out most nights and enjoyed the views from the patio area. We even made fast friends with the three ducks who visited us each night. To our surprise, our daughter, who is not the real outdoorsy type, transformed over night. She caught her first fish and learned to kayak, and begged us to try and stay longer! We will definitely plan on coming back here again. Thank you Mary Ann and Ken for allowing us to enjoy your beautiful home.

  Owner response: Ken and I have been very fortunate in meeting such wonderful families such as yourselves. So glad everyone, especially your daughter, enjoyed the kayaks, swimming, and fishing. It truly is a very special place. Look forward to seeing you again next year.

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• The Best!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  The Best!

  • Guest Tim and Diana-West Virginia
  • Date of stay 06/09/12
  • Review Submitted 08/06/12
  Thank you for sharing your beautiful property with us. The house is more the comfortable. We appreciated your thoughtfulness in outfitting the kitchen so well. The lake views and sunsets, breathtaking. Wildlife eagles, fishing, a blue heron, flew by Tim within 20ft, largest bird I have ever seen, singing frogs and loons, the very best part, the Loon family Mom, Dad, and the two babies on the parents back until they started fishing. Then babies would stay close together alone until adults resurfaced to feed them with nice fresh fish. We rented a small boat with motor to tour the lake. The kayaks and hammocks were used, too. Wonderful night out at the Three Chimney Inn excellent food and dogs welcome on the terrace, building was interesting from the 1600s. Many Thanks!

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• Very Happy Campers

  Very Happy Campers

  • Guest The WHEATS
  • Date of stay 07/14/12
  • Review Submitted 07/23/12
  It was our second time renting this lake house and it's looking good for another year. To be honest we really can't find anything that can top it. We rent a couple vacation homes a year and this house is the only one we have ever returned to, it's that special. The owners are very easy to deal with and always respond to any questions in a very timely manner. The lake front of this house just cannot be beat, it has it all, a boat ramp, dock, hammocks, sandy beach & sunning area, firepit, even steps going down to the water. Again, like last year, we had outings planned but once you sit on that top deck and look out over the lake you forget about all your plans and end up vegging all week. Really all you need to bring is a good book however you might never open it. Thanks Mary Ann & Ken for another wonderful week at your lake house.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway.

  Owner response: Michael, thank you so much. Ken and I truly love our place and enjoy sharing it with others. We have been very lucky to have met such wonderful people, as yourself, and frequently appreciate hearing similar thoughts. Look forward to seeing you and Jacqui, again, next year!

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• Perfect Relaxation

  Perfect Relaxation

  • Guest Kim & Bianca_HAC52266
  • Date of stay 07/07/12
  • Review Submitted 07/17/12
  Our week on Calef Island could not have been better. I spent mornings with my coffee, binoculars and camera on the upper deck listening to the water and the birds, waiting for the family of loons who came by several times a day and the Great Blue Heron who enjoyed walking the neighbors dock. Afternoons we spent swimming or enjoying the hammocks and tree swing. Evenings brought outdoor dining and anticipating the truly glorious sunsets. It seemed each night was even more vibrant than the one before. Great kitchen for cooks, nice stove and lots of counter space, plentiful supplies and cookware for even (me!) the most finicky of chefs. Cozy living room to watch a movie or play board games. Comfy bed for a restful night. Feels so secluded yet all your conveniences are nearby, grocery store and the Urgent Care (which we unfortunately had to visit for a case of Swimmers Ear....couldnt get my daughter out of the lake!). Definitely recommend a trip to Calefs Country Store (so fun and the cheese..omg!) and Golicks Dairy Bar for a fun treat. But honestly, if we never left the house for the duration of our visit, that would have been just fine also!! So peaceful!! Thanks Mary Ann and Ken for a lovely spot and for your hospitality!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

  Owner response: Kim, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review, so glad you and your family had a peaceful stay. We always love to hear how people enjoy themselves on Calef Island!

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• Simply Serene

  Simply Serene

  • Guest Karen A.
  • Date of stay 10/07/11
  • Review Submitted 10/27/11
  A last minute get away turned into one of the best weeks we have ever had. Mary Ann and Ken were more than accommodating. The house was spotless and well supplied with all necessary items. The view is beautiful, the sunsets gorgeous and the location is convenient to everything. The grocery store is about 2.5 miles away, UNH about 20 minutes and Portsmouth and Kittery are less than a 30 minute drive. The lake was crystal clear and great for fishing and kayaking. We went away hoping for some peace and quiet and that is exactly what we got, even with 4 kids! It was a perfect week!

  Owner response: Coming from experienced Realtors, we appreciate your praises! Look forward to seeing you next summer.

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• HAPPY CAMPERS

  HAPPY CAMPERS

  • Guest The Wheats
  • Date of stay 07/23/11
  • Review Submitted 08/02/11
  We all had a wonderful time but didn't get to do half the things we wanted, however we really enjoyed the peace and relaxation. It had all the things needed for a lake house vacation. The water front is the best on the lake, we traveled the whole lake and no one else has that view of the sunset. We had a joke to see if anyone could find something wrong with the place that was legitimate and not just pickty, no one could. Thanks Mary Ann & Ken we loved it.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• A perfect lake house with a million dollar view!

  A perfect lake house with a million dollar view!

  • Guest barb
  • Date of stay 05/19/11
  • Review Submitted 05/23/11
  This rental property is extremely cozy and comfortable providing ample room for a family. The amenities are such that regardless of weather one can enjoy themselves. We felt very much at home in this lovely abode and we enjoyed the lake and all its beauty. We especially loved seeing the loons out on the lake and watching the squirrels tree hop around the property. We rented this property for only a few days and deeply regret not staying longer. It made for a very pleasurable place to stay and we would recommend this home to anyone interested in renting a lake house. We greatly enjoyed grilling and cooking as a family, the kayaks, the relaxation, and the facilities, not to mention the wonderful town of Portsmouth! We intend to rent this home again in the near future. It is located closeby to Portsmouth and some of the best eateries and shopping availble. Our daughter is now a graduate student at UNH and the close proximity to the campus will afford us a great place to stay without the "hotel" environment. Thanks for thinking of every need your guest may have! And thanks for always being so available to every phone call or email we sent to you! We loved the swing and hammock, the convenience of the shed to the water,the board games and every other attention to detail. I especially liked the "christmas" lighting on the deck at night. We so enjoyed hearing the coyotes howling and the bullfrogs croaking in the night. I will most certainly will recommend your home to my friends and family members. I have zillions of pictures of the home and property to share with them all. Our love of seafood will surely drive us back to NH soon! Thanks again MaryAnn and Ken

  Recommended for: Age 55+, pet owners, families with young children, sightseeing, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

  Owner response: Thanks so much Barbara, glad you a great time with your family even though the weather held so much rain.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Fantastic

  Fantastic

  • Guest Antoney family
  • Date of stay 07/31/10
  • Review Submitted 08/23/10
  We had always admired the pictures from the website which is why we chose this location. It really exceeded our expectations. Our week was one of relaxation and comfort, the hammocks were great and the kayaks were lots of fun. The description is accurate and its location is within easy reach of many of New Hampshire's sights. We would recommend this house to anyone else and if we ever returned to the area we would certainly stay here. The Owners were very accommodating and we thank them for letting us rent the house.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Wonderful Two Weeks

  Wonderful Two Weeks

  • Guest Barbara
  • Date of stay 08/07/10
  • Review Submitted 08/22/10
  We rented the house for 2 weeks from August 7-21, 2010. We felt like we were at a resort! The house is beautifully maintained and extremely well equipped. The attention to detail was much appreciated. Cup holders by every chair and hammock outside, chaises in the sun and the shade, 2 hammocks, a glider by the water. The upstairs deck felt like we were right on the water and the sunsets from there were magnificent. On a rainy day, the inside of the house is set up well with 2 living rooms with comfortable furniture. Kitchen is large and easy to use. Gas grills on upstairs deck and also outside near a table that easily seats 6. Loved the lake, kayaked every day, enjoyed the Loon family and the turtles basking in the sun. We also went on a few lovely hikes in Barrington and appreciated the Trail Guide that was in the house. We highly recommend this lovely resort! Thank you Mary Ann and Ken for designing such a relaxing and rejuvenating spot and for being so attentive! Barbara and Paul

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

  Owner response: Barbara, Thank you for the wonderful review. We really enjoyed meeting you and your family. You are the first to book for two weeks in 2011! Look forward to seeing you again. Mary Ann

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

2013   SPRING  May 11-June 8-- $2150   
       SUMMER  June 15- August 31--  $2450 
       FALL    September 7- October 26--  $1950
includes 9% NH hospitality tax and cleaning
**kayaks (2 single, 1 tandem) $125/wk 
Additional boats can be rented/delivered thru Everett's Cove Marina in Maine
**$100 cleaning charge for a pet
Additional pictures on HomeAway #222361

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.