Location: Port Clyde, Mid-Coast & Islands, Maine, USA (90 miles North from Portland Airport) View Map
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Library, 1.5+ Baths (Sleeps 8-10)
Keywords: House
Welcome to Harbor House, a family-designed and built timber-framed, 18th century reproduction, gambrel roof home on mid-coast Maine’s St. George peninsula. Harbor House is delightfully sited on two-and-a-half acres of ocean front property with private dock facing a secluded harbor, several islands, and the open waters of the Atlantic. It is located on a private road away from the bustle of summer traffic, yet only two miles from the Port Clyde working waterfront and Monhegan ferry, and three miles from the restaurants, library, bakery, public tennis courts, and yachting fleet of Tenants Harbor. Drift Inn Beach, a public beach great for swimming, and Marshall Point Lighthouse are also close at hand.
Let’s start out on Harbor House’s broad south-facing deck with its glorious ocean views, perfect for lingering over your morning cup of coffee, watching windjammers coast along on the southwesterly breeze, taking an afternoon nap on the hammock, grilling today’s catch for dinner on the gas grill, or star gazing after dark, with the Milky Way so close you feel you can almost touch it. On the deck you are literally surrounded by nature’s bounty, sharing the bracing sea air with the ospreys busily tending to their young on Grandfather’s Island, great blue herons wading in the harbor at low tide, and kingfishers perched on the dock waiting for you to snap a photo. Out on the dock linger over the views of the surf breaking on rocky ledges, intriguing tide pools, and the scent of beach roses and raspberries. Don’t be at all surprised to come face-to-face with an inquisitive seal or to hear the soaring cry of loons at the mouth of the harbor.
Moving into Harbor House, you pass through a cheery sunroom with tile flooring, ready to receive the treasures you picked up from your seaside stroll or your sandy shoes and beach toys. Through the glass doors now you are in the living room with its pleasant mix of contemporary and antique furniture, and fireplace (firewood included) if the nights get chilly. Your eye is drawn to the exposed post and beam framing of hand-finished red and white oak cut from trees in Amherst, Massachusetts. The construction technique used is mortise and tenon joinery with oak pegs locking the frame in place. Notice, too, decorative details such as chamfering of the primary beams with lambs tongue stops and extensive raised panels used as wainscoting, all harkening back to New England’s architectural past. To your left is a complete modern kitchen with two refrigerators and stocked with all the utensils you’ll need to prepare simple or lavish meals, and dining area that can comfortably accommodate ten. Beyond the kitchen is a pantry/laundry/tool room and back door exit.
On the main level you will also find the cozy library, with a collection of books about Maine and the sea, thrillers and classics, and a second working fireplace as well as cable TV. For those needing to stay in touch with the outside world, please note that internet wifi has recently been installed at Harbor House, so by all means bring your laptops! Overflow guests can sleep in the library on a comfortable queen inflatable bed provided for that purpose. You will also find a half bath on this level, and an outside shower open to the sky that is great to start your day with a shower as the sun filters through the leaves of nearby birches, or to wash off sand and salt at day’s end.
Upstairs now to the second floor, you find a full bath with tub and shower and three bedrooms with quite different characters. The master bedroom has a queen sized traditional sleigh bed, with pillow top mattress and windows facing east and south. The second bedroom offers two twin beds and built in chest of drawers with windows facing north and east. The third bedroom is a spacious bunkroom that sleeps four on two bunk beds and ample floor space for children’s board games or craft projects, as well as an upright piano. The bunkroom also has windows on two sides facing south and west. From all three rooms you will be lulled to sleep by the sound of the surf, the night breeze in the evergreens and distant ring of the bell buoy marking safe passage home.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer : Parking and electrical outlet for RV, boat or trailer
- Wood Fireplace (2) : Firewood provided on-site
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed (2)
- Bunk Bed (2)
- Convertible Bed (3)
- Crib : Pack and Play Travel crib available for infants or small children
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV : Cable TV
- DVD
- VCR
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Two refrigerators, dishwasher, gas stove and oven, microwave, toaster oven
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator (2)
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- View/Location
- Oceanfront : Swimming accessible off private dock.
- Communications
- Telephone (3)
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Sweeping Ocean Views, Dock with Small Boats, Outdoor Shower, Hammock
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : Please discuss with owner in advance of rental
- Kid Friendly : Fabulous vacation spot for the whole family, kids of all ages.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Miniature golf
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Monhegan Island Excursions, Art Galleries, clam digging, Puffin Cruises, Lighthouse Cruises
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
July, Aug, Sep .. $2,100/week. includes cleaning
May, Jun & Oct ....... $1,600/week. includes cleaning
Note: Rentals subject to 7% Maine sales tax.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1983
Why the Owner Chose Port Clyde
We had been coming to this lovely slice of Maine for many years. It's a great way to spend time together!
Owner's Map of Port Clyde
This is an extended family owned house. We love it and we think you will too!
Property Photos
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- Port Clyde Panorama - Port Clyde, Maine Vacation Rental
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- Sunroom and Deck View - Port Clyde, Maine Vacation Rental
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- Port Clyde, local harbor - Port Clyde, Maine Vacation Rental
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- Marshall point lighthouse, local attraction and a nice walk from the house!
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- View from the Harbor house dock
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- Living room looking towards the kitchen
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- Harbor House kitchen
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- Harbor House library
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- Harbor House master bedroom
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- Bedroom
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- Front view of Harbor House from the dock
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- Kayaks for exploring the harbor
Traveler Reviews (5)
Warm and wonderful
Guest: akm
(Washington DC)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11
Review Submitted: 08/01/11
This home exceeded all expectations! The setting is peaceful and beautiful, with a nice lawn for the kids to run around in, a great dock and deck for watching the sea and sky, tidepools for hours of fun for the kids. This is a wonderful house for kids - all four slept in the bunk bed in the kids' room, and it even has a swing hanging from the post/beam rafters - absolute magic for the four boys. We loved Port Clyde, and it's an easy trip to Rockland for the Wyeth museum, Owl's Head for the Transportation museum, and there's even a wonderful private pebble beach just a short walk away. The kitchen is incredibly well stocked, and when we weren't enjoying the local lobsters (Doug's is awesome, and only a mile away), we had some great meals on the deck. The art, all done by the home's former owner, is really special, and it feels like a very personal family home in which we have been honored guests. We'll definitely come back!
Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.
Fantastic Location for a Coastal Vacation
Guest: Jeremy
(Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 08/28/10
Review Submitted: 09/06/10
Three words describe this place: FAN - TAS - TIC. As they say in real estate, the most important thing is location, location, location, and this place has got it in spades. Anyone can go on a vacation to a place like Cape Cod, which I find overcrowded and overrated. The best part about staying at Harbor House is the solitude. When was the last time you went to sleep hearing nothing but crickets and the breeze? When was the last time you saw the milky way? When was the last time you were the only person on a beach on a sunny August day? We enjoyed all of those things and more at Harbor House. It is close to so many amazing places (beaches, small towns, lakes, lighthouses, etc.) yet none of them are crowded (we were there in August). And while it's great to visit those places, the best place is right outside your back door at Harbor House. Our kids loved exploring the tide pools and going kayaking. My wife and I could spend all day just relaxing and enjoying the gorgeous views. Suffice to say, this is a beautiful home (with amazing woodwork) in a beautiful location. You can't go wrong!
Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.
Endless Fun!!
Guest: Wendy
(Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10
Review Submitted: 07/30/10
Hi Joanne, I have been meaning to send you an e-mail to thank you for renting your beautiful home to us. You have such a wonderful spot here and we feel privileged to be among the people to call this our home for a week. The days have been filled with many many activities including coffee on the dock, searching for critters in the tide pools on the rocks, fishing off the dock, kayaking, morning and afternoon trips to Drift In Beach (low tide), and boat rides with our friends the who have the house on Drift In Road. We have had endless fun…the kids are entertained for hours just playing on the rocks. Also, each of the kids had done their obligatory jump off the dock into the frigid Maine water. I must admit that I have not been so brave. We have had the PERFECT weather week and it should continue through our stay. My one worry before arriving, one indoor shower among two families, has not been a problem at all….as almost all of us prefer to shower outside (and/or skip a day or two of showering….we are on vacation after all J ). I will send some pictures as soon as download them to my computer. Thanks again Joanne! This is truly a vacation to remember. Take care, Wendy
Recommended for:Age 55+, pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.
Home Away From Home
Guest: Van
(Red Hook, NY)
Date of Stay: 07/11/09
Review Submitted: 06/23/10
This will be our third summer at Harbor House. Without a doubt, a wonderful place to vacation with the family. We have made many family memories there. The house is clean, comfortable and ideally located, if you want to get away from it all (although, shopping is 10-25 minutes away, depending on what you are shopping for. We prefer to do one big shopping trip in Rockland on the way in and go to the Port Clyde General Store/Tenant's Harbor Store for the little items needed throughout the week.) Private and quiet. Beautiful views. The kayaks are terrific for investigating the many beautiful nearby harbors (bring extra life jackets!). The house is nicely furnished and has many games for the children to occupy themselves with at night. We have had many fires in the fireplace. The nights are so peaceful, with the sound of the ocean waves tumbling over the rocky shore. We have had the good fortune of seeing Eagles, Osprey, Otters and Seals. There were Moose sightings across the harbor but we did not actually see one. The children spend hours fishing from the dock. Depending upon the weather and time of year, they have jumped off the dock for a swim. The water is crystal clear. The pebble beach around the corner from the house is also great for swimming. At low tide it is very sandy. Ferry to Monhegan worth it on a sunny day. Wear comfortable shoes and hike the outer trail around the island. INCREDIBLE views. Amazing pictures. Cute little stores and galleries. Plenty of places to eat. Great day trip. Back on land, we are not usually ones to dine out but occasionally go to Tenant's Harbor for a fish or lobster meal. We prefer to cook at home and eat in. The kitchen is extremely well equipped. Everything you could possibly need. The beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are charming. The attention paid to the little details when this house was built is evident throughout it's cozy beamed rooms. Very tastefully done. You have the feeling of being in an old house (although it is not) without the creaky floors and critters that normally come with older houses. I cannot say enough about this wonderful home. We really feel at home in Harbor House and I am certain anyone visiting it will feel the same. You will NOT be disappointed. I know we will be visiting Harbor House for many years to come. PS. If you should visit, be certain to stop in the Tenant's Harbor bakery for their delicious pastries and warm breads! I believe they call it Anadama? bread... really good! : )
Recommended for:Age 55+, adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.
The Perfect Vacation
Guest: jan and chris w.
(New Orleans, La. )
Date of Stay: 07/19/08
Review Submitted: 04/19/10
Harbor House is, to our mind, a vacation rental dream come true. We have been vacationing in Maine every year for the past 10 years or so. Harbor House has been, by far, our favorite place to relax, enjoy family and friends, and experience the best Maine has to offer. The house, its amenities, and locale far exceeded our expectations over the past two years we have had the great good fortune to stay there. Harbor House is a true family home that envelops the visitor with warmth and hospitality! Our family has spent many happy hours together at Harbor House - curled up by the fire playing cards or with a good book, preparing great meals with the local abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables (and, of course, lobster), sunning and fishing on the wonderful lawn and large dock, kayaking in the bay directly from the dock, biking the back roads, walking to nearby beaches and into the wonderful village of Port Clyde. The views from the dock are spectacular - quintessential coastal Maine! Other activities such as golf, movies, and great sights and shopping in Camden and Rockland, are just a short car ride away. Local art galleries abound. We have enjoyed wonderful meals in any number of lovely local restaurants in Port Clyde, Tenants Harbor, Rockland and several points in between. The house is spotless and the owners truly bend over backwards to ensure that you have a good time and feel at home in this wonderful getaway. We only wish it were closer (we live in New Orleans)....we'd be there at least twice a year!!
Recommended for:Age 55+, adventure seekers, sightseeing, girls getaway, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #58575
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