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Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me

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Outdoor dining
Outdoor dining
Exterior detail
Private kitchen
Private kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 61140 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Southwest Harbor, ME
  • Place, Wendell Gilley Museum
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Acadia National Park
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Twin Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me

The newly built, custom cottage is located on the 'Quietside' of Mount Desert Island, just minutes from downtown Southwest Harbor, Bass Harbor Lighthouse, and Acadia National Park. Designed and built by a well-known local builder, everything is handmade, including cabinetry, tables, lamps, ships ladder to the loft, bed frames, and more. Ideal for couples and families, there are two bedrooms downstairs with attached bathrooms and a sleeping loft upstairs.

The large covered porch has mahogany floors and dining and sitting areas, with the option of screened-in or glass windows. Custom cabinetry throughout, radiant floor heat in bathrooms, white-washed pine board walls, rustic pine floors, and a western red cedar exterior complete the look.

55-inch LG TV, WiFi/cable, high-end kitchen appliances with gas cooktop, electric oven, microwave, and mahogany counter tops. Weber grill outside, Sono speaker in living and kitchen area.

Close to downtown Southwest Harbor, you will find an array of fine dining, cafes, coffee bars, and famous lobster pounds. Acadia National Park is only a quick 5-minute car ride with several hikes to choose from for all levels of hikers.

The location is less than 1 mile from area restaurants, galleries, shops, tennis courts, library, and playground. You can walk downtown, however there is a slight stretch without a sidewalk. It is only a five-minute drive to Acadia sites like Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Seawall Beach, Somes Sound, and Echo Lake.

Bar Harbor is a 20-30 minute drive, depending on traffic.

The Island Explorer features eight bus routes linking Southwest Harbor with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers. Clean, propane powered vehicles provide island visitors with free transportation to hiking trails, carriage roads, island beaches, and in town shops and restaurants. The closest stop is less than 1 mile from the cottage in downtown Southwest Harbor. There is a bike shop downtown called Southwest Cycle where you can rent bikes daily or weekly. The Island Explorer has racks for you bikes so you can bring them with you everywhere on the island.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 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

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
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the neighborhood

Southwest Harbor

Southwest Harbor is home to this cottage. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Acadia National Park's Visitors Center. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History are also worth visiting. Kayaking and motor boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and mountain biking nearby.
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Map
Southwest Harbor, ME

What's nearby

  • Wendell Gilley Museum - 2 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Acadia National Park - 3 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co - 21 min drive - 30.1 km
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 23 min drive - 27.9 km
  • Cadillac Mountain - 32 min drive - 35.8 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jordan Pond House - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Milagro's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Little Notch Bakery - ‬16 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me?

As of Apr 29, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me on Mar 14, 2027 start from $390, 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.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me located?

Situated in Southwest Harbor, this cottage is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Wendell Gilley Museum and 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Acadia National Park. Flying Mountain Trailhead and Long Pond are also within 6 mi (10 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. 11 out of 12 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 12 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 12 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Great family vacation

The cottage was the perfect place for a family base camp. The location was ideal for the park visits and ocean time. We would come back again for sure.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had six adults, plenty of space! The cottage was well equipped for our needs! We absolutely loved the screened in porch for our evening meals and would definitely go back!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tim M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The host was great. Very responsive to all messages. The house is very well located and was very clean and comfortable. We enjoyed our stay and highly recommend this house.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house on a secluded side street just outside of Southwest Harbor. Everything you need for a great Acadia vacation is here. Host was outstanding, including checking in with us during the stay to make sure all was well (it definitely was). House was very clean and amenities were as described. Would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas Gary L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our stay at Madsen. The cottage is very well built and had pretty much everything we needed. It’s a quiet, tranquil setting and located perfectly for exploring Acadia and Bar Harbor. We would definitely recommend it. Our host was very attentive.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brad N.

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

Wonderful

We simply wanted a place to stay to explore Acadia, but this cottage ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. Unique craftsmanship and details around every corner. Great communication from the host as well. Our family had a very enjoyable stay and hope to return someday!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristyn-Anne P.

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

Beautiful and cozy cottage

The cottage was beautiful, clean, and features gorgeous craftsmanship. The owners are responsive and helpful. Thank you for an excellent stay. Our children kept saying they want to live there!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brittany G.

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

Amazing!

We stayed for 4 nights with our 4 kids. The house was clean, beautiful, and “soooo cool!” (The kids reaction) haha It was a quiet retreat that was the perfect distance from everywhere we wanted to go. The owner was great to work with!!! We will definitely be staying here again in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Katherine M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A lovely, well maintained property in Southwest harbor area. Overall it has what you need, but it does not have a dishwasher and the a/c unit is only in the living room. It was not hot, so that wasn't an issue. It is very quiet and relaxing.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Should have stayed longer! One of our friend is a custom builder and he was very impressed with the workmanship of the cottage, especially the corner shingles on the outside. He said flawless. The cottage was very clean and quiet. We loved the twice a day visit from a deer family walking through the small field in front of the cottage. The showers were fantastic and plenty of water pressure for a great shower. The beds were comfortable and having a bath for each bedroom was awesome. Would not hesitate to stay there again! Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sue M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Marsden Cottage was a perfect Haven for my family for our Acadia Park vacation. Our host was wonderful and offered us a full kitchen of pots, pans, spices, and several other things. The laundry room was stocked with extra towels, detergent and fabric softener. We had a super sweet outside, eating area and a smokeless fire pit! The house is nestled back off the main road with lots of wildlife, mainly deer as visitors. My family and I definitely would return and we really hope to do so.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allen A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Prime location for exploring Acadia National Park.This house was ideal for two couples. We were there for four nights which gave us plenty of time for a leisurely exploration of Mount Desert Island. Being in Southwest Harbor worked out well, as we were a bit more central to the island, as compared to Bar Harbor over on the east side. We were only 20-30 minutes away from the places we explored during our stay (Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, Cadillac Mountain, Ship Harbor, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Beech Mountain). Plus there were good dining options in Southwest Harbor (Upper Deck is highly recommended due to the variety on the menu). The house was very clean and had everything we needed for our stay. The kitchen area is small, but we were not planning on cooking any gourmet meals, but it was fine for simple breakfasts and preparing our hiker’s lunches. The bathrooms were well laid out and had a nice amount of space.We all enjoyed the outdoor space and walking in the area around the house. The neighbors are very quiet (there is a cemetery adjacent to the house). We saw deer everyday around the area, and I spent time each morning enjoying the many birds in the yard and along the roads around the house.Check-in and check-out were a breeze. Great communication with the owner and caretaker.We had a wonderful stay. We really enjoyed the house and the location. I would stay here again the next time we visit Acadia National Park.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

About the host

Hosted by Bernard Jeanfils

Host profile image
In November 2020, Yasmina and Bernard were actively searching for a seasonal rental for their daughter's summer job at Acadia National Park when they found a one-of-a-kind cottage for sale. They instantly fell in love with the property and decided to travel to Maine - in the middle of winter - to check it out.

While enjoying their stay in Southwest Harbor, they met with their hosts, Richard and Kristen. Richard and his team imagined, constructed, and designed the cottage. Richard has worked on projects worldwide, and after settling in Maine, he established a company that has built and renovated homes for over forty years.

The two couples immediately hit it off, sharing a good bottle of wine and lively discussions about art and architecture.

Marsden56 Cottage was born!

Why they chose this property

Close to downtown Southwest Harbor, you will find an array of fine dining, cafes, coffee bars, and famous lobster pounds. Acadia National Park is only a quick 5-minute car ride away, and there are several hikes for all levels of hikers.

What makes this property unique

Designed and built by a well-known local builder, it features handmade cabinetry, tables, lamps, a ship's ladder to the loft, bed frames, and more. Ideal for couples and families, it has two bedrooms downstairs with attached bathrooms and a sleeping loft upstairs.

Languages:

English, French, Italian

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They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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