Vacation Rentals by Owner

Second-time around, just as superb

Guest: jessica l. (west newton, ma)
Date of Stay: 04/17/12 Review Submitted: 04/25/12

A gem. And I write this review with great hesitation. We don't want anyone else to know about this place because we like it so much that we want to be able to go back whenever we can. So... please read this and then decide to go somewhere else :). On both occasions, we arrived very late at night so our first impressions were tempered by not being able to see the surroundings. Never mind. The cottage is lovely and the owners, who clearly adore the place, left it well lit -- not to mention well appointed such that we were enchanted even without being able to see the surrounding environment. We were thrilled to wake up the next morning to see that we were right on/over the water... just gorgeous. As someone else said, the kitchen is extremely well equipped (as in several types of coffee makers, great knifes, plenty of pots&pans, implements, dishes, and silverware) and pleasant for cooking as there are water views everywhere you look. Bed (we only slept in the master bedroom) is very comfortable and -- guess what -- there are water views everywhere. There are numerous other sitting areas looking out at ... the water! Because the owners are still renovating -- and are very talented in their design, we were able to see progress from the first visit to the second - not that there was anything wrong the first time, just not finished. They've done a great job of making it completely pleasant even as the renos are going on. And it's a joy to see how it's evolving. What am I talking about? The side counters in the kitchen (next to stove, for example), weren't finished the first time we were there -- completely functional but not finished; the second time they were -- lovely, curved lines, painted, poly'ed -- that kind of thing. The geraniums belong in a competition. The outdoor area going out to the dock, the picnic table along the shore, the stone steps down to the beach -- all stunning. And a great place to work too, if that's your style (ours). Quiet, enveloping...just lovely. But don't book it. We won't like you very much if you do :).

Owner response:We love our repeat customers. It is especially fun to welcome back those who understand what we are trying to create here. Please remind us to give you our discount for returning when you contact us the second and subsequent times around.

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

Beyond Perfect

Guest: Leisa M. (Vero, Fl)
Date of Stay: 01/28/12 Review Submitted: 02/01/12

This home is everything it is stated to be and more. Unfortunately we came together as a family to lay my 88 year old mother to rest. We knew we needed to be together and a hotel just wasn't going to cut it. The atmosphere at Seanook was everything we needed it to be. Clean, beautiful, spacious, homey, and a place that will forever be special in our hearts. Thank you for sharing your incredible home!

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Weekend of 3/25

Guest: jaime (eliot)
Date of Stay: 03/25/11 Review Submitted: 04/05/11

One word. Perfect. Seanook is everything i expected and so much more. The most beautiful setting, outside and in. i loved the rustic combined with the brightness, the open kitchen; all those windows! the love that goes into the cottage from her owners is very apparent, in the pride Ron and Mary Ellen showed as they gave us the tour. Mary Ellens' beautiful paintings grace many of the walls, and i could happily spend the rest of my life sitting in the sun room and staring out at the bay. we will definitely be back, no question. just stunning, and having to leave was heartbreaking, i assure you. one other detail, i couldn't have chosen a better setting for my longtime partner to propose marriage. so, Seanook will always mean so much to both of us. thank you again, Mary Ellen and Ron, you provided us with such a gift in Seanook.

Owner response: One of our greatest joys is having someone appreciate what we have done and are trying to accomplish at Seanook. It is also an honor when people enjoy memorable life experiences here and want to return to keep building them. It is our pleasure to share.

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

Experiencing the constant change over the water

Guest: Betsy (Rochester, NY)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 09/29/10

My husband and I loved our week at Seanook. This cottage has undergone an amazing transformation from an old fashioned family cottage to a modern home. Mary Ellen, a landscape artist, and Ron, an accomplished woodworker, have invested their talents, imagination, and love for the property and the Linekin Bay into a comfortable retreat that displays their craftmanship and immerses you in the ever changing atmosphere of the small harbor of East Boothbay. Watching the tide come in and out, and seeing the constant play of light on the water day and night, it was hard to pull ourselves away from the windows and decks to experience the delights of the Boothbay Harbor area. Their work on the home is nearly complete and it has all the amenities of home. The kitchen is outfitted with new appliances and everything one needs to "cook in." Except for a few finishing touches, the only remaining major project in the renovation are the kitchen cabinets and this did not present a problem as everything I needed was in sight and within easy reach. Mary Ellen and Ron have thoughtfully provided lots of information about the area, bird books (we watched a pair of bald eagles fishing right outside our windows), histories of the house and the area, coffee table books on Maine, and lots of other books to keep one occupied (if you can draw yourself away from the windows). And they made excellent recommendations about things to do and places to eat. We have rented homes and condos in other areas and this will be among our favorites. We would go back in a heartbeat and certainly would recommend it to our friends.

Owner response:These world travelers placing us and our East Boothbay rental cottage on their list of favorites is an honor. We put a lot of effort into expanding "Seanook" as a refreshing and unique sojourn. Thus we relish those who understand what we are striving to convey as this nook by the sea continues to evolve.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Happy Repeat Vacationers

Guest: Carol Wolf
Date of Stay: 07/14/09 Review Submitted: 02/02/10

I've been coming to Seanook for ten years from Boston, Austin, and New Jersey with family and friends from LA, DC, North Carolina and NYC. We come for the peace, the view, the birds, the boats, the smells, the shells, the seaglass and of course a daily dose of fresh lobster. Our rituals include walking the rocks at Ocean Point, cinnamon buns from the General Store, walking through the 'path' to the other shore with its lovely hidden lake, fresh lobster from the Co-op, and sitting on every deck and reading. Highlights over the years are shooting stars (so many stars), blue heron, the seal swimming under the deck, and moon rise. Our hosts are gracious and its the experience and simple joys of this special place that keep me coming back - not fancy surroundings or needs.

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would not recommend

Guest: florida travels (Punta Gorda, Fl. usa)
Date of Stay: 06/20/09 Review Submitted: 06/28/09

We are 2 couples from Punta Gorda Fl.. We have stayed in HomeAway homes in 3 countries and the US. We enjoyed the location of the home, but do have to say this has not been up to the standard we have had at other Homeaway home. This really has felt like we have been in a contruction zone. Plywood floors in all the upstairs and most of the downstairs. unfinished doors, and windows, exposed wiring and kitchen sheetrock showing. Entrance foyer is still a concrete slab, with the doors unfinished. We were charged extra for linens that were mismatched and thread bare to say the least, we have never had that in any other home. Beds were just a mattress on top of wooden slats, oh my back!!! There are no kitchen cabinets, silverware ect,just sitting on plywood counter top 4 tv's in house but ony 1 small one in the living area works. Construciton needs to be complete before this house is rented for "top dollar". we enjoyed our day trips, sailing, shopping and eating,,,,but this house was a great letdown. Very old furniture not very clean.

Owner response:Our goal is that each guest has an enjoyable and worthwhile Maine coast cottage experience. Seanook is an evolving and “delightful work in progress” as stated and pictured on our own website, and we feel it is priced accordingly. The original summer cottage had only external board walls with shelves built into the studs. Most of the walls have been winterized except for a few remaining in the kitchen, which is the last part of the old cottage yet to be renovated. The only visible wires are from the kitchen light switch to the ceiling and are up to code. The kitchen is quite functional for multiple cooks with a unique, finished wood countertop. In the 12 years we have rented the cottage this is our first ever complaint about beds and only the second grievance about Seanook. I am especially careful about cleanliness at Seanook because it IS unfinished. The 21” TV is on Dish Network and will keep you informed while you get out and enjoy the woods, coast, bays, harbors, lighthouses, restaurants, shops, and people of Maine; or just relax and watch the weather, the wildlife and activity on the bay through our floor to ceiling windows. Our soft linens are optional at a nominal cost. We offer comfort, not luxury. Seanook provides a fantastic Maine coast experience that is ever-changing. We do our best to offer our guests a unique blend of beautiful vistas and comfortable accommodations in an ideal setting at a reasonable price.

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My stay at Seanook, Booth Bay Maine

Guest: Kansas-BL (Hutchinson KS)
Date of Stay: 10/18/08 Review Submitted: 02/17/09

I rented Seanook in October 2008. I wrote a review of our stay there and was suppose to recieve information back after it was reviewed, I did not get that. I see that my comments were not in any of the reviews listed, did anyone take the time to check it out? I would like a response before I rent another property from you. Betty

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/30/08

A HUGE thanks to Ron and Mary Ellen. We LOVED our stay at the Seanook. We spent the last week of September in Boothbay, and it was wondeful. The weather was perfect, and the people of Boothbay are the nicest around. The Seanook is a wonderful house. We loved our view from the mater bedroom. Actually we loved the veiw from every room. If you are considering a stay in Boothbay I highly recommend the Seanook!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Rick and Karen Morris (Salado, Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/01/07 Review Submitted: 06/04/07

My husband and I have vacationed in the Boothbay Harbor area for the past 23 years and have stayed in a variety of inns, houses, and apartments. Almost every year we have driven to or through East Boothbay either to eat at Lobsterman's Wharf or on our way to Ocean Point. We had no idea that just off of the main road, there was a little piece of heaven on Linekin Bay. Our friends found Seanook Cottage on the internet and booked the four of us for the last week of May. We had the most relaxing, peaceful, wonderful vacation there. The views from inside the house and from the numerous decks are spectacular. From our bedroom, the last thing we saw before we closed our eyes at night was the full moon shining on the beautiful water. The first thing we saw when we woke up in the morning was the picturesque sailboats and lobster boats. Across the bay, you can see the architecture of both new and restored houses and the Five Gables Inn nestled among the wooded landscape. Just a short, brisk walk away from Seanook through beautiful woods and along the water is the wonderfully restored East Boothbay General Store. They have a remarkable menu of delicious salads, sandwiches, and pizza. And don't forget the tasty breakfast pizza and muffins! Seanook is only about three scenic miles from Boothbay Harbor, where you can find a wide array of shopping, dining, and harbor activities. The Boothbay region is central to so much else in Mid- Coast Maine, and daytrips are essential! Our husbands played golf at the beautiful Samoset Resort ("The Pebble Beach of the Atlantic"), where most of the front nine holes are laid out along the ocean. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is a must and one of our favorite spots. Freeport with all of its great outlet stores is just a short drive away. Seanook is undergoing a long restoration process, but you will hardly know it because Ron and Mary Ellen have made it so comfortable. I can't say enough about their helpfulness and eagerness to please their guests. Although you won't even realize they are there unless you need them, it is great to have your hosts so near by. I must admit I hesitated to write these comments out of selfishness. Seanook is like a rare gift that you want to keep all to yourself! I can't wait until our next visit. We feel that we have found our home in the Boothbay region!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Susan and Jim Esser (Boulder Creek, Calif.)
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/10/06

My husband and I live in a neighborhood with noisy, disrespectful neighbors, screaming kids, and barking dogs. We desperately needed to get away to find some peace and quiet!!! And we didn't mind how far we had to go to get it! We traveled from California, over 3000 miles, and found what we were looking for. Seanook is heaven on earth! The views from nearly every room are spectacular! Waking up to full views on three sides of the master bedroom was truly amazing! There are decks all around. The only close neighbors are the owners, Ron and Mary Ellen, who live across the street. They are readily available if you need them but, otherwise, you'd never know they were there! If you need supplies of any kind, Hannaford Market and Rite Aid Pharmacy are only a five minute drive with views of the beautiful countryside all along the way. If peace, quiet, and privacy are what you long for, as we did, Seanook is the place for you!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Nancy G. (Beacon Falls, CT)
Date of Stay: 07/01/06 Review Submitted: 07/15/06

We have just completed our second stay at Seanook. Our first visit was Christmas week, 2005. Sitting by the cozy fire, and listening to holiday music by candlelight, made our Christmas very special. A few inches of snow added a picture perfect touch. It was a true, old fashioned holiday that we will always remember. Maine in winter...we recommend it! Our second trip to Seanook was in July, 2006. The summer is also a wonderful time to be at the cottage. Waking up to the beautiful views, watching the lobster boats, relaxing on the decks, or experiencing the sunsets from the hot tub, makes stress a thing of the past. There is plenty to do in town, but you'll want to spend ample time taking advantage of all Seanook has to offer. We ordered lobsters, boiled to perfection, and brought them back to the cottage for our own ocean-side dining. No restaurant has a better view! The only bad thing about our visits is the week goes by too quickly. We have already reserved our 2007 trip to Seanook! I could not imagine any season at the cottage that would not be wonderful. We are lucky that Mary Ellen and Ron have this beautiful gem that they share with us.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Martin & Anja (Heath, Mass)
Date of Stay: 11/01/05 Review Submitted: 11/15/05

We thouroughly enjoyed our stay at Paradise Studio in early November. Indian summer was in full swing, and we took walks, sat on the dock, cooked nice meals and enjoyed the quiet. Very relaxing. Nice and easy contact with Mary Ellen & Ron, the owners.

Owner response:Our guests contact us through Paradise Studio, the gallery where Mary Ellen displays her art work. Seanook is the cottage on the bay where people stay to enjoy those vistas. We thank Martin & Anja for this nice comment.

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Guest: Peter Gorman
Date of Stay: 01/04/05 Review Submitted: 01/03/05

My wife, kids, and I have enjoyed our rental of Seanook for the last six years, and we truly look forward to it as one of the highlights of our summer. Seanook sits right on the shore of Linekin Bay, a perfect place for kayaking, swimming, sailing and fishing. The three decks stretch out over the bay and provide a wonderful place to sneak away with a book in the warm sunlight, have lunch, watch the sunsets or marvel at the twinkling stars at night. The lower deck is perfect for casting out a fishing line. My boys are always eager to drop lines and catch green crabs that scatter among the rocks at high tide. At low tide, the private little beach area on the right side of the house serves as a safe place for children to splash in the water, climb rocks and enjoy the wonders of nature in the tide pools. Last summer Mary Ellen & Ron launched a beautiful new floating dock, which I am sure will provide a great spot for jumping into the water, fishing, and for tying up boats. Although Seanook is still in the process of being renovated, improvements over the last few years include new decks, a hot tub and a new three/quarter bathroom upstairs. Many of the appliances, including the washer/dryer and stove/oven are also new, and the house is kept very clean. The kitchen is well supplied with the essentials you'll need for cooking and eating (ie., pots, glassware, plates, utensils, lobster forks, etc.) and includes a rolling dishwasher that plugs right into the faucet of the sink. In case you forget to bring reading material, Seanook is stocked with a wide assortment of books, old and new. The house has a color TV and a VCR, and satellite TV was added last year. One of the key reasons we have enjoyed our stay at Seanook each summer is the fact that Mary Ellen and Ron are so friendly. While they keep to themselves, they are also only a stone's throw away if/when you might need them. Boothbay Harbor is just 3 miles down the road and provides a wide selection of restaurants from pizza to gourmet sandwiches (Blue Moon) to Thai and of course seafood. There are also many gift shops, an old bowling alley, taffy & fudge, as well as a terrific 2-story book store for those rainy days. I could go on and on about how much we have enjoyed our times at Seanook. Without hesitation, Seanook is our favorite place to "get away from it all" and relax with the kids for a few weeks in the summer. I highly recommend your stay at Seanook.

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Guest: Peter LePage
Date of Stay: 01/01/05 Review Submitted: 12/31/04

My wife and I have been guests of Mary Ellen and Ron several times. We have completely enjoyed our stays there and think it's one of the nicest spots where we've vacationed. If you're looking for a place with a million dollar view, comfortable accomodations, and plenty of peace and quiet, you'd be hard pressed to find better in the Boothbay Region. Mary Ellen and Ron are wonderful hosts, and are always attentive to the needs of their guests should a need arise; otherwise they will let you be to enjoy your stay. It's not the Park Plaza, but the Park Plaza doesn't have that view! You will enjoy your stay.

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Guest: Pat Lewin
Date of Stay: 01/01/05 Review Submitted: 12/31/04

We enjoyed our stay at Seanook. The master bedroom is like being on board a ship - wrap-around sea view. The house has an incredible number of windows, each framing a beautiful vista. Kitchen is well stocked. The location is good, not touristy, but close enough to Boothbay Harbor for restaurants, etc. It is a short walk to the General Store where the coffee was great and the doughnuts even better. Mary Ellen and Ron were always available to answer our questions, but never intrusive. I would highly recommend Seanook to my friends.

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