Vacation Rentals by Owner

Labor Day Weekend

Guest: jamie (kalamazoo, mi)
Date of Stay: 09/08/10 Review Submitted: 11/28/10

My wife and I found this wonderful spot in Rockport, and were treated like old friends. We had a wonderful time, and would definetely stay again if in the area! What a beautiful historic home, not updated wiht the latest chain store "improvements". The location is incredible, minutes from Camden and just a few more to Rockland. Both towns offer great restaurants and shopping. We woke the first morning to find the port fogged in, and watched as the fog lifted and the sun came out. A beautiful way to start a day!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful retreat

Guest: Susan (Vermont)
Date of Stay: 09/04/10 Review Submitted: 12/26/10

My husband and I stayed at the Community House in early September. It was more house than we needed, but the apartment was already rented so we chose the house since we wanted to be on the water. We're so glad we did. The house is beautiful - warmly appointed and very comfortable. The huge porch was a very relaxing spot morning and evening. It was a joy to wake up each morning to the lobster boats going out for the day and to enjoy the sight of the sloops and sailboats from the yard. We took morning bike rides on back roads to Camden and enjoyed the various architectures and stone masonry along the way. This was a beautiful spot, and we were looked in on by the home's caretakers to make sure all was right. Highly recommended. We hope to return.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Great Location, But There are Issues Here

Guest: From California (California)
Date of Stay: 08/29/10 Review Submitted: 09/07/10

This house is in a fabulous location. There are great views to Rockport Harbor from every room, as advertised. The lawn is wonderful, and sweeps right down to the water's edge. We really enjoyed relaxing in the plastic lawn chairs and watching the sunsets. It is an easy walk to town, even into Camden. Be sure to have dinner at the Shephered's Pie, just 5 minutes away by foot. There is a spacious and well laid out kitchen with all the amenities you could need for cooking. It was great having the washer/dryer available to us. If you look at the photos on this site, you will note that there is no photo of the living room or the bathroom. This is probabaly because both of these areas of the house are SERIOUSLY below par. There is not a single comfortable seat in the living room. The "sofa" is a tiny settee about the size for a 5 year old. When I did sit on it (well, the edge of it and I am a normal size person) all I felt was the lumps of the springs. The side chairs are also tiny. We spent all 9 nights sitting on the straight back dining room chairs. We may be visiting our chiropractor when we get home. But, worse, is the upstairs bathroom shower. It is a clawfoot tub with a shower installed. You are not allowed to use ait to take a bath due to plumbing issues, so you must shower. The tub floor is VERY slippery, and both of us fell in this tub, one of us seriously hurting his back. There are NO grab bars or handholds at all, and the tub is away from the walls, so there is not even a wall to grab onto to break a fall. After our intial falls (during our first showers), we took turns standing guard and holding on to each other when bathing. It is too bad that the safety/comfort issues got in the way for us, because otherwise, we had a fabulous time in the home and in the villlage. The owner needs to refurnish the living room and install a shower stall. She has really put herself at risk of liability because of the shower safety issues. We hope that Elena will take care of these things, becasue otherwise, it is a great vacation spot!

Owner response:A new shower stall was added to the masterbath in 2011, nicely tiled with white tile and marble. Now two people could shower in the same bathroom , in the same time. There is also a new large armchair/recliner in the living room, the fabric blends with the vintage look.

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Gorgeous location for a historic and charming home

Guest: jeanseattle (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 09/08/10

You couldn't ask for a better location and viewpoint for a Maine vacation. Rockport is a charming little village just a couple of blocks from the house and I felt extremely lucky to have such an amazing bayside spot overlooking the boats in the bay among all the established summer Maine homes. The house is just as pictured with comfortable beds, well equipped kitchen, and even cable TV and internet access (not what you'd expect to find in a historic Maine home!). I would definitely go back to this house whenever I want a mid-Coast Maine vacation

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Billie B
Date of Stay: 05/08/10 Review Submitted: 05/07/10

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here!!! . . thank you, for seeing to the comfort of your guests w/such nice provisions . . you truly have a very special place . . it has good "soul".

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Good " soul" place

Guest: Billie G, AL
Date of Stay: 04/29/10 Review Submitted: 05/12/10

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here!!! . . thank you, Elena, for seeing to the comfort of your guests w/such nice provisions . . you truly have a very special place . . it has good "soul".

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Guest: Colleen Vandeventer (Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 09/26/09 Review Submitted: 09/26/09

Thank you again for renting me one of the living spaces in your beautiful home. The workshop I attended, run by local artist Tim Lawson, was excellent, and Mary, Rebecca and I clicked wonderfully, allowing us to spend a lot of evenings talking about art and our daily experiences. The "Community House" now has a true meaning to me as we became a small "community" of artists while staying there, and, believe me when I say, it was very difficult to leave.

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Guest: N/A
Date of Stay: 08/07/08 Review Submitted: 08/06/08

We take pride in our beautiful home and in treating all guests with the same nurturing respect.We enjoyed having seven different parties return this summer, some became dear friends over the years, some who are returning we actually never met in person, we trust and often use the "honor system".We rarely ask for a security deposit from the people we know, we want them to feel like returning "home".Occasionally we have fresh flowers waiting for guests, the linens are pressed or we will leave items in the guest's place of preference from one summer to the other. We need the property left as close to "as found " as possible, we mostly have a full calendar with only few hours available for the changeover cleaning. All fees and conditions are clearly itemized on the listing and on the info letter we send our new guests. No one is treated unfairly and we do not need to keep anyone's extra money, in the meantime there is a distinction between a guest who treats the house with respect and another one who doesn't.The security deposit, sometimes minimal for such a great property, is to guarantee that we can welcome the next guests who will also enjoy a beautiful home, just like the previous did. This owner replies to all guests'e-mails promptly when provided with a valid e-mail adress that will accept all incoming e-mails.All correspondance is kept on file, we never have problems with communication on the internet or by phone.A lot of good honest work goes into ensuring that each rental is a happy rental.And no matter what,the property will still be there, season after season,one of the best there is..

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/12/08

This home on Rockport Harbor is one of the most wonderful places I have ever been. My family and I spent a week last August and are desperately trying to find time to go back for two more soon. I have never vacationed in the same spot twice, but could happily make this a yearly family trip. The house is gorgeous, full of history and feeling. Naps on the veranda, the orchard-like yard and the superb condition of everything make this a truly restorative experience. The owners have been fantastic to deal with, very organized, responsive and caring, and went out of their way to help fill in our weeks when schedule conflicts prevented us from returning this August. Deposits have been returned promptly and all interactions positive. Rockport, Camden and the surrounding villages are truly gorgeous as well--the Bay Chamber Series, just around the corner, literally from the house, is fantastic. I could go on and on about this wonderful property but will end by saying we will be back as soon as possible!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: maine sojourner (Newton, MA)
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 08/06/08

I have been renting this property multiple times each year for many years. It is a very desirable house in meticulous condition. I always leave the unit in "as-found" condition so as to respect the high standards of the owner and the incoming occupants.

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Can't wait to go back!

Guest: Annie's moms (Cambridge, MA)
Date of Stay: 07/03/08 Review Submitted: 07/22/08

This home is in great condition and is in a fabulous location. We had a fantastic time and would go back in a heart beat. The home was comfortable, well-stocked, and bright. The porch is as good as the pictures make it look, and the view is pure Maine coast. Be sure to visit the Belted Gallway cows and bring your bikes.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/22/08

A very well equiped kitchen and a lovely view of the harbor from every room in the duplex where we enjoyed our summer stay again.

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Home away from home

Guest: maine sojourner (Newton, MA)
Date of Stay: 06/14/08 Review Submitted: 08/07/08

I have been renting this property multiple times a year for many years. The owner's high standards are evident throughout the home and lovely gardens. I have always found it to be in meticulous condition upon arrival. I think this rental is best suited to those who respect the house's ancestry and are of a fastidious nature as this is a very special residence that is lovingly maintained.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, sightseeing.

Not Recommended

Guest: Maine Visitor (Little Rock, AR)
Date of Stay: 06/08/08 Review Submitted: 07/19/08

After several online conversations with the owner, I booked the Old Rockport Community House for a family vacation in Maine. I sent a significant deposit (part of which would be reimbursed after our stay) several months in advance and then paid in full about a month before our arrival. The beautiful house is large and broken up into segments which do not allow easy passage throughout the house. The owner has a lot of rules to follow and we tried our best to follow those rules. After our stay, I emailed and called the owner three times asking for return of my rather generous security deposit. After the third email, she responded that I would receive nothing back, but rather owed her $75. I noted that we were very careful with her property and asked for a listing of what damage we had done to cause her to keep our full deposit. She has never replied. While the house is beautiful and has a fabulous location on the bay, I would not stay again at this property because of the owner.

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Our stay..

Guest: Bill (Rockland, ME)
Date of Stay: 10/20/07 Review Submitted: 09/12/10

My wife and I stayed in this beautiful house for about six months fall,winter,and spring and enjoyed it immensly,The beautiful views and the antique architectual elements combined to make a wonderful stay. Bill and Lyn

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Charles Foglesong (Scottsdale, AZ)
Date of Stay: 06/01/07 Review Submitted: 06/15/07

This property provided the perfect spot for a week of relaxation in Maine. The picturesque location, the historic house and the concern of the owners add up to an experience that surpasses expectations.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Jannett Silva (Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 05/26/07

This is a beautiful vacation spot. The home's furnishings make you just want to sit back and relax, and the view is just lovely! We enjoyed our family's time here so much - perfect setup for a real family getaway!

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Guest: Kathy Linder
Date of Stay: 07/08/05 Review Submitted: 07/07/05

" your accommodations are superb!"

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Guest: Julie Green
Date of Stay: 07/05/05 Review Submitted: 07/04/05

"You have a beautiful home"

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Guest: Lynne Fitzpatrick
Date of Stay: 07/01/05 Review Submitted: 06/30/05

"Everything here is wonderful as always" and "thank you again for such a wonderful visit to Maine. It feels like our home away from home each time we come"...

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Guest: Lila Gutowski
Date of Stay: 05/13/05 Review Submitted: 05/12/05

"We have rented many houses, but this is the only one we like to return to"and"the mooring sounds like a fantastic edition,putting the finishing touch on a perfect house.."

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Guest: Walter and Eleanore Knott
Date of Stay: 02/08/05 Review Submitted: 02/07/05

"We can't wait to get to the house and to "our" Rockport for our sixth summer"and "everything is great, the house is spotless"...

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