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The Most Beautiful Cottage on the Most Beautiful Island in the World
| Sleeps | 10 |
| Bedrooms | 5 |
| Bathrooms | 2 |
| Half Baths | 1 |
| Space | 2,550 sq. ft. |
| Property type | cottage |
| Minimum Stay | nights |
Overview
- 5 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, Sleeps 12+
Stone Cottage is the most beautiful home on the most beautiful island in the world. It was built as the summer home of Chief Justice Harlan Fiske Stone. He was an extraordinary man and much beloved on the Island. His good friend Eleanor Roosevelt stayed here on her way to Campobello. The Cottage overlooks the thoroughfare between Isle au Haut and Kimball's Island which has an endless parade of lobster boats and yachts. Located on the edge of the village, the Cottage borders Acadia National Park with miles of trails with astounding views. Stone Cottage is a large, rambling summer home with five bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, large kitchen, living room and dining room, a wrap around porch and generations of laughter, singing and wonderful memories. Dogs that will not worry the deer are welcome. Bicycles are recommended, some cars can be rented. When the mail boat leaves it takes the world with it.
Isle au Haut, accessible by mail boat three times a day from Stonington, is the most beautiful island off the coast of Maine. Access is limited and controlled. It is six miles long, three miles wide, has five mountains, one road, several harbors and rugged cliffs. The village has: a grocery, tiny post office, one-room school house, town hall/library, church, softball field, wharf and fire station.
There are is one gift shop (Maine items only), one cafe and the lobster lady. The grocery store is open daily and has a full-range of foodstuffs, wines, vegetables, newspapers and the like. Orders are delivered to the Cottage prior to your arrival. Half of the Island is owned by the Park and has miles of hiking trails. Telephone is located at the Grocery and Library, you will need a telephone card.
Guest will need to collect their introductory box of Black Dinah Chocolates at the cafe. Guests are also treated to a lobster dinner (we supply the lobsters, you supply the hot water).
Testimonial: Oh Mat, where do I begin. What a wonderful, unbelievable, amazing experience you gave us. Your home is a picture of beauty and feels like a home of love and coziness. My family and I had a time like no other. I can't explain how long it takes my husband to relax...he relaxed immediately. My children did not ask once for a tv or a computer. We enjoyed every ounce of beauty that IAH had to offer. Boom Beach was amazing. Long Pond was sooooo refreshing. The Seal Trap trail was one of my most favorite adventures of the week. Simply beautiful. A beached whale and it's foul stench awaited us at the trail's end but prior to that it was a picture of beauty every step of the way. The lighthouse was just so amazing. Every person we met was filled with a wonderful spirit and a smile ( a rarity in Miami).
Testimonial: Your home is just such a wonderful place to gather. We had so much fun cooking, laughing and playing games. Your taste is impeccable. I love every color in every room. I love every piece of art and every piece of furniture. You have turned me into a wild, composting woman! My family made fun of me all week. I loved journeying out to the compost pile with all my little scraps. I'm going back to Miami the non green city and starting a compost pile! I'll be the talk of the town! The only stress i endured the entire week was whether or not I was separating the trash correctly. I Anyway...she helped me. I hope I did it all correctly! WE loved riding bikes. Thank you so much for allowing us to borrow your two bikes. That was wonderful. Our whole family was on bikes all week which was such a joy. I can't believe I'm not sore! Thank you again for allowing us to rent your lovely abode. My kids said today that they did not want to leave! I agreed!
About Matthew Hastings
Your typical Washington insider who thinks about Isle au Haut at least a half-dozen times a day.
Matthew Hastings purchased this cottage in 1983
Why Matthew Hastings chose Acadia
In April 1980 I was in Ann Arbor, Michigan visiting my publisher. I wandered into a used bookstore afterwards and picked up a book called 'Here on the Island.' It was about an unnamed island seven miles off the coast of Maine. I read it and put it away.
In July 1983 I was inspecting coastal property and came out to Isle au Haut really on a lark, to see the Island. I'd no intention of buying. The moment I arrived it felt as if I'd been there before. I'd been on many Maine islands and thought well, one must look like another. Then, suddenly it hit me. I asked in the store about the book and was handed a copy of it. I took this as a sign that I must buy this house. Plus, I'd fallen lock, stock and barrel in love with the Island. At that time there was no television or telephone. Everyone had a soup can near their front door with a pencil and paper. You left notes when you went 'calling.'
You really buy an Island when you buy a house six miles out to sea. I've never regretted my decision. The house itself is amazing. It's historic, comfortable and classic. It's like your grandmother's house, if your grandmother lived in an historic, rambling cottage on an island seven miles out to sea. The Island is magical.
You will join an exclusive club after visiting the Island. You will have been to paradise.
What makes this cottage unique
The views.
The proximity to Acadia.
-The parade of boats and yachts that cruise through the Thoroughfare.
-The 24/7 lobsters.
-Bernadine, the official boat greeter.
-The boat ride through the islands.
-Black Dinah Cafe with scumptious hand-made chocolates and incredibly delicious food.
-The pie auction.
-The community.
-Once you come to Isle au Haut you are forever more in a very distinct group. You will dream about it after your stay.
-Children are truly safe here. They can ride their bikes and play and be free.
Amenities
Isle au Haut Cottage Accommodation and Amenities
- cottage
- Housekeeper Optional
- 2550 sq. ft.
- Max. occupancy: 10
- pets considered
- children welcome
- non smoking only
- Mountain
- Near The Ocean
- Ocean View
- Town
- Village
- Waterfront
- Away From It All
- Family
- Activities Guide
- Alarm Clock
- Fireplace
- Firewood
- Internet
- Local Activities Guide
- Local Maps
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Parking
- Thermos Bottle
- Toilet Paper
- Wireless Internet
- 4 Ring Stove
- Blender
- Coffee Grinder
- Coffee Maker
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Grill
- Lobster Pot
- Microwave
- Oven
- Pantry Items
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Toaster
- Child's Highchair
- Dining Room
- seating for 16 people
- 2 Bathrooms,
- 1 Half Bath
-
Yellow -
toilet
,
tub
,
shower
Blue - toilet , tub , shower
First Floor - toilet
- 5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10
-
Judge Stone -
1 queen
Yellow - 2 twin/ single
Suite 1 - 2 twin/ single
Suite 2 - 1 double
Green Maids - 1 double , 3 twin/ single
- Audio Tape Player
- Books
- Books for Adults
- Books for Kids
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- Games
- Games for Kids
- Music Library
- Radio
- Stereo
- Toys
- Balcony
- Barbecue
- Bicycles
- Boat Dock
- Fish Cleaning Table
- Large Cooler
- Outdoor Grill
- Outdoor Grill Gas
- Patio
- Porch / Veranda
- Terrace
- Unscreened Porch / Veranda
- Walkway to Water
- 6 garden chairs
- Long-term Renters Welcome
- Car Available
- Car Optional
- Private Chef
- autumn foliage
- bay/sound
- churches
- forests
- library
- live theater
- playground
- pond
- beachcombing
- bird watching
- eco tourism
- scenic drives
- sight seeing
- walking
- whale watching
- Babysitter
- groceries
- cycling
- fishing
- fly fishing
- freshwater fishing
- hiking
- mountain biking
- mountain climbing
- mountaineering
- sailing
- swimming
- tennis
Reviews
5/5 -
(3 traveler reviews)
Unique, Magical Vacation
My husband, teenage son, four of my son’s friends and I stayed at Stone Cottage in June. I want to echo the previous reviews, as our experience was similar – with respect to Stone Cottage, renting from Mat, and the island in general. First, the house is perfect – beautiful and extremely well kept and equipped, but without feeling stuffy or formal. It is a charming place to relax - on the porch, in the bright kitchen or in front of a fire in the living room on a rainy evening. It easily accommodates a big group without feeling crowded. We loved all the books, which let us delve into the history of the island and the house. The cottage is perfectly situated above the dock and in the village, and also adjacent to Acadia National Park, near the ranger station. Mat is friendly, well organized and full of information, which made the rental process easy. The island is a wonderful place for hiking, biking, bird watching, and just relaxing into a slower pace of life. We’d love to go back.
Amazing Place
My husband and I rented from Mat for two summers in a row, and although we haven't been unable to return in a few years, we still talk about the place. If you value peace, quiet, country living, fresh air, the first morning cup of coffee while sitting in your pi's staring peacefully out at the ocean, great hiking, AMAZING fresh seafood right off the boat, and are willing to go a little out of your way for it, THIS is the place.
I was a little sketched out at renting off the internet, but Mat made it all so easy, and I immediately trusted him. He answered every email, and was just so kind. Plus, when he told me there were three kinds of coffee pots in the house, I knew we'd found our type of place! This place is classic Old New England, from the rustic stone fireplace to the beadboard walls to the Adirondack chairs on the patio. Deer graze in the back yard. It is just soooo peaceful. No one bugs you, but if you need something, the locals are happy to help out. We were staying a bit early in the season, in June, before all of the tourists were really around, and lobsters were a bit hard to come by. But then a local lobsterman offered to take half of our party out to pull a few traps, in exchange for some beer. After hours of story telling and more than a few beers, the rest of the party was greeted by two giant buckets of lobster and crab. It was a blast, and we will never forget the kindness of that lobsterman--or his entertaining stories!
We aren't sure when we'll be able to make our next trip, but we seriously hope Mat doesn't plan to retire to Maine any time soon, because we look forward to renting from him again in the future.
The Perfect Place for Peace
What a magical, wonderful place is IAH and what a jewel is Stone Cottage! To truly relax and enter another time, see what the world was like when nature was untouched and connect with a kind and interesting community of people is to vacation on IAH!
The house is clean, perfectly maintained, yet rustic and beautiful. There are plenty of books, games, eclectic furnishings and art work. The listing and information you will receive from the owner will be accurate and dependable. The kitchen has everything you will need to cook your meals, the bedding is warm on chilly nights, the view of the water from the front porch is incredibly peaceful.
Our 4 children loved playing in the yard or riding their bikes around the island or walking to the store in "town". It is safe and an excellent place to give children independence. My husband and I are both lawyers so we felt a special affinity wth the history of the place.
Although it felt great to leave all the craziness that urban life entails, I must admit I was concerned about leaving its safety net of restaurants and stores, particularly with 4 children in tow. However, the Owner (Mat) made that part a breeze. He readily answered my questions quickly and completely before we left. He put me in touch with the locals so that we would be met at the boat and personally escorted to the house. For me, the best part was beginning my vacation by walking into a fully-stocked kitchen --- all the groceries that I had ordered had already been delivered and put away when we arrived! Immediately, it felt like home.
We will equally remember the landscape of the most incredible hikes we have ever taken as we will the afternoons sipping iced hot chocolate at Black Dinah -- home of the best chocolate you will ever find! In fact, we ended up spending an afternoon there playing cards and enjoying the delicacies while my husband fixed my bike that had tanked just as we drove up to the place. After it proved unfixable, not only did we get a ride back to the house with the broken bike courtesy of the new friends that we had made while hanging out, but Kate, the owner of Black Dinah, offered her bike to me for the rest of the week. IAH is just that kind of place.
The often used "if you are lucky enough" applies here: If you are lucky enough to make it to this most wonderous place, you are lucky enough.
Map
To capture the real Isle au Haut experience, your tenantcy in Stone Cottage includes a box of the famous, delicious and addictive hand-made chocolates from Isle au Haut's Black Dinah Chocalatier. Your family will also have lobsters delivered to your door by Jason the Lobsterman.
Life revolves around eating (lobster torn fresh from the sea at 6PM), reading (library open 3x a week), visiting (store open daily, church on Sunday, Bernadine's Beach Parties, pie sale, lobster bake, talent show), hiking, sailing, picnics at Boom Beach, swimming at Long Pond, playing games, and star-gazing. This is not a place for those who require external electronic stimulation. There is no television or telephone at the Cottage. The public phone is a 5 minute walk away. Isle au Haut has about 30 year-rounders and perhaps another 100 rusticators who treasure every second on the Island and dream nightly about their next visit.
Other Activities: Pot Luck Suppers, Pie Auction, Church (Non-Denom), Talent Show, Hiking through Acadia National Park
Photos
Rates & Availability
- Available
- Unavailable
Additional information about rental rates
| Cleaning Fee | $125 |
| Damage Deposit | $1,000 |
7 June – 14 June $995
14 June –21 June RENTED
21 June–28 June $2,200
28 June – 5 July $2,200
5 July – 12 July $2,300
12 July – 19 July RENTED
19 July – 26 July RENTED
26 July – 2 Aug RENTED
2 Aug – 9 Aug RENTED
9 Aug – 16 Aug RETNED
16 Aug- 23 Aug RENTED
23 Aug – 30 Aug RENTED
30 Aug – 6 Sep $1,200
6 Sep - 13 Sep $995
20 Sep - 23 Sep $995
50% on signing of lease
50% by 1st June
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