Entire home

Cottage by the Bay

Photo gallery for Cottage by the Bay

A wooden deck with a table and chairs, overlooking a lake with trees and a clear sky.
A green door with a window, two hanging flower baskets, a welcome sign, and a bear statue.
A cabin interior with wooden walls and floors, large windows with plaid curtains, a dining area with a table and chairs, and a kitchen area with a long counter.
A lakeside view with tall trees, a grassy area, and a wooden structure.
A wooden cabin kitchen with a large island, wooden cabinets, and a refrigerator.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
Accommodating 6 guests, this cottage features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It offers adventure activities like fishing, sailing, and motorboating. The outdoor patio provides a space to relax, while golf is available nearby. Explore attractions such as Sullivan Harbor Farm and Donnell Pond in the surrounding area.

Highlights

  • The great outdoors

    Guests love the outdoor space here.

  • Centrally-located

    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Deck or patio
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
Franklin, ME
  • Place, Sullivan Harbor Farm
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Georges Pond
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Donnell Pond
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Cottage by the Bay

Vacationers come to Maine for many reasons. Here is one more. Secluded on 37 acres with 1000 feet shore front this immaculate post and beam cottage has been referred to as "The Castle On the Bay". The pictures tell why. We have found that one of the most liked aspects of renting here is the outside fireplace with it's two gas fired lobster cookers as well as a large gas grill.

A great spot for cooking and family get togethers. Some of the following check mark info's does not cover everything such as the fact that the cottage is on an estuary of the ocean and therefore has very calm waters for kayaking and exploring the shoreline. The cottage sits alone on this 37 acre spot therefore has a great deal of privacy. There is a gate that you can lock at night for total privacy.

Keywords: Cottage on the salt water
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 1:00 PM

Check out before 9:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 293354
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the neighborhood

Franklin

Located in Franklin, this cottage is by the ocean. Acadia National Park and Tidal Falls reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Prayer Labyrith and Seacoast Fun Park. Downeast Scenic Railroad and Grand Theatre are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and motor boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and cycling.
View more Cottages in FranklinOpens in a new window
Map
Franklin, ME

What's nearby

  • Sullivan Harbor Farm - 13 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Georges Pond - 15 min drive - 10.4 km
  • Tidal Falls - 17 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Donnell Pond - 17 min drive - 12.3 km
  • Abrams Pond - 18 min drive - 19.4 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 37 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪YU Take Out - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Ruth & Wimpy's - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪The Black Sheep - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Galley - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Sullivan Harbor Farm Smokehouse - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottage by the Bay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Cottage by the Bay?

As of Sep 18, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cottage by the Bay on Oct 3, 2026 start from $318, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Cottage by the Bay?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cottage by the Bay?

Check-out is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Cottage by the Bay located?

Situated by the ocean, this cottage is within 6 mi (10 km) of Tidal Falls, Flanders Pond, and Georges Pond. Donnell Pond and Sullivan Harbor Farm are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 76 out of 77 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 77 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 77 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 77 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 77 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice clean cottage lots of things to do nearby.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at the cottage! I travelled with my husband and 4 children age 11, 10, 7 and 4. My kids LOVED exploring the property! We enjoyed coming back from hiking around Acadia to relax in a peaceful setting. Sunsets were our favorite part of the day here. Acadia was breathtaking and we had an incredible time exploring the area with our children! There were also some local delicious whoopie pies, blueberry pies and blueberry soft service ice cream! YUM! All in all we had a great vacation and we are grateful we found this gem! Highly recommend! Tina was an excellent host.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dream property for a dream vacation! The house and grounds are beautiful, private, peaceful, and pristine. The cabin is immaculate. Tina very thoughtfully, left us coffee and s’mores to get started and the house has everything you need. We enjoyed escaping here after a busy and crowded day in the park. The kayaking and nature watching are great with the resident bald eagles and seals. It’s an easy drive to get to all parts of the park, but we also found a lot of really fun things to do closer to the house. Could not be better. This was a vacation to remember for a lifetime.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Maine getaway.Beautiful views of the bay.Loved having the kayaks available for our use
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Though the cabin is quite charming the amenities and comfort are lacking. Bed was hard as a rock the pillows were old and flat. There were no dressers to unpack your clothes into and the bedrooms were like caves at night with just one small bedside lamp, very hard to read a book. Comfortable seating inside and out could also be improved. Access to the water needs improving. Sleeps 6 but can’t imagine all those people and their stuff fitting in, making it very crowded and messy. But all these things could easily be improved if the owner upgraded.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 17, 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad you found the cabin charming, and we appreciate you pointing out areas where we can improve. This is the first feedback we’ve received regarding the beds, pillows, and indoor/outdoor seating being uncomfortable, so we’ll definitely take a closer look at those areas and see what we can do to improve the comfort for our guests. We’ll also look into the bedroom lighting and ways we can make the space more functional. As far as the path to the water, it is intentionally maintained as a natural country path. One of the things we love about the property is its natural, rustic setting, so we try to keep the path as natural as possible rather than paving or heavily developing it. That said, we’ll certainly consider whether there are ways to make access easier while still preserving that natural feel. Thank you again for staying with us and for helping us make the cottage better for future guests!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We genuinely loved our stay here and were so pleased with all aspects of the cottage. Tina was an excellent host and made sure to check that we were content and happy with our stay. We cannot wait to come back to Maine as this was a great jumping off point for everything down east Maine has to offer.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Cottage was beautiful, clean and was equipped with everything we needed. Very peaceful with excellent views and awesome sunsets every night!! Had many bird and a few deer visitors we enjoyed watching. Excellent communication with the host who was extremely helpful. We will try to coordinate another stay for next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the best VRBO experience we have had yet. Not only was the cabin in a beautiful, peaceful location, but it was remarkably clean. Tina, the host, had remarkably good communication which was thorough and sincere. The location of the stay makes a vacation, and this made our vacation wonderful. Thank you for a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property and host

The cabin is wonderful and the view is beautiful. Tina, you are a generous and gracious host. Such a perfect place to stay and make memories with our kids.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tina’s place was absolutely amazing. We enjoyed hiking everyday in Acadia and then coming back to the cabin to kayak and watch the sunset. We saw seals everyday while kayaking, which was one of the highlights of our trip. We enjoyed fires every night and watching the twinkling stars. We all had a great time and will be a memory with us forever.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Private - Great Sunset and Wildlife!

We didn't want to leave! It was a great stay, beautiful sunsets and tons of privacy. Highly recommend.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Maine Retreat

The house is set on the waterfront with lovely sunset views across the water. Enjoyed the special setup outdoors for lobster boils and evening fireplace sessions.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage

Great location by the bay, the whole family enjoyed it very much. Kayaking is a must, the lobster pot kit and the outdoor kitchen / fireplace is a nice setup for the perfect Maine lobster dinner. Clean and comfy, Tina was very helpful and answered our questions quickly.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful & Private

This amazing cabin afforded us the peace, quiet, privacy & nature, with the amenities of home, that we look for. Having use of the kayaks during our stay was an added bonus.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous 1st Visit to Maine

Cottage by the Bay is a special place. The peace and tranquility of the location is amazing. Tina was extremely responsive to any questions or concerns that were raised. Hope to visit again soon.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

The property was amazing, would definitely stay there again. Tina was an excellent host. Thanks
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Holiday

We had a very relaxing week in nature at Tina’s wonderful house. It is located on a quiet lane on the edge of Franklin. It is a wonderful spot in the middle of a quiet forest along the waters edge. The house was well appointed with all the things we needed to have a comfortable week with our family of six. Thanks again Tina!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceeded our expectations

The Castle on the Bay was a beautiful oasis. Nestled in a lush forest, it is a destination itself. Sit back and enjoy the view and the wildlife. Outdoor kitchen and kayaks are added treats. Convenient to Bar Harbor, Acadia and many other sites.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A piece of heaven

We have stayed here a number of times and we are never disappointed. The whole family can kayak or canoe, the kids are so excited when harbor seals pop their heads out of the water, eagles flew by or landed in the trees almost every day, it is close to Acadia National Park and BarHarbor. A wonderful experience and many memories made here.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Vacation

Picturesque house on water with views of harbor seals. Super clean. Great response from hostess. The hostess wants you to feel at home with plenty of extra amenities.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 9, 2023
Thanks for staying at our cottage so glad you enjoyed yourselves
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Bay !!!!!

Excellent cottage!! Clean, efficient, spectacular outdoor activities from the property. Host was amazing. All essentials needed for a great stay. Great cottage location for daily sight seeing adventures in surrounding areas. Great fishing from the bay in front of house. Wildlife viewing from the house. Bear, deer, seals, turkey, porcupine, eagles and many more.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just WOW!!!!

This beautiful home is exactly what we were looking for. Close to Acadia and Bar Harbor it allowed us to enjoy the area and then come home and relax. The view of the bay is impressive. The outdoor fireplace provided the perfect spot to relax. Tina is an amazing host. We can’t wait to come back! Thank you Tina for sharing your treasure with us!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

My Happy Place

This cottage is close to some of the most beautiful areas in Maine. We love going kayaking as a family on the bay. Our grandsons always want to go back. They even love shopping in Bar Harbor. They love it at the cottage. Tina is so accommodating and easy to work with. The cottage is always spotless and well stocked. This is my happy place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 18, 2024
Thank you for your kind words , so glad you are making lasting memories at our cottage 😊
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great home!

This property is wonderful. It has everything you need plus the surroundings just make it exponentially better! You can watch the seals from the deck swimming around. Enjoy the outdoor fireplace every night. My family and I have zero complaints. The pictures on VRBO do not do it justice. It’s so peaceful and relaxing. I hope we are able to come back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is truly a beautiful home and setting which made for a very peaceful and quiet getaway. The canoe/kayaks were another highlight of the property; we frequently saw seals playing and feeding while out kayaking. The kids loved that. The patio, grill and fireplace were nice to cook and relax by at night. The property worked well as a base for our Acadia National Park exploring. We did day-trips to Acadia each day; took about 40 minutes to get to ANP on Mt Desert Island and about 30 minutes to ANP on the Schoodic Peninsula. A few incidentals unfortunately arose during our stay but Tina was quick to respond and assist.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

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