There have been some renovations over the winter and some new appliances were put in last year. Everything is ship-shape for the summer 2018 and the porch, deck, and balconies are waiting for you to come and enjoy the view! Rentals are for one week at a time and run from Saturday afternoon to the following Saturday morning. This is a house designed by the architect husband of the owner. There are 3 bedrooms and a full bathroom upstairs and a study/bedroom and full bathroom on the first floor. There is an open plan kitchen/dining/living room. There is an office studio space in the roof-top look out tower. The house sleeps 6. There is a washer/dryer. The house is currently being used mostly as a rental so there is not much family clutter. The kitchen is well outfitted and there is a charcoal briquette grill that can be used on the back porch. There are outdoor chairs and tables. Linens and towels are provided. There is space for 2 cars to park right out in front. This is a non-smoking house.
Architect's Harborview Dream
- Cottage1200 sq. ft.
- Bedrooms4
- Sleeps6
- Bathrooms2
- Half Baths0
- Min Stay3 - 7 nights
3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, views of harbor, short walk to lighthouse
Bedrooms
Owner
Camilla Lofving
- Speaks:
- english, danish
- Calendar last updated:
- Oct 2, 2018
About Camilla Lofving
My grandparents first started spending summers on the island in the 1890s, my mother first visited in the 1930s and eventually decided in the 1970s to get her own house. I've spent most summers on the island while my children were growing up. I will soon be a grandmother myself and my son plans to bring his child to the island next year, making it the 6th generation to visit the island in the summer.
Camilla Lofving purchased this Cottage in 2002
Why Camilla Lofving chose Swans Island
When my parents decided to go looking for their own summer house on Swans Island she picked this property in the fog not realizing that the view was unbeatable and the location convenient to the harbor where her husband could moor his boat. Unfortunately the original house burnt down 1998 but she and my father decided to rebuild, creating a house with the charm of cottage and all the modern amenities. Swans Island has the charm and romance of living on a small island with scenery comparable to Acadia National Park without the traffic and crowds.
What makes this Cottage unique
From this home's vantage point you can keep track of the activity in the harbor. During the summer season there are weekly visits from schooners, lobster-men coming and going, and visitors on yachts. The wide front porch provides shade and space to enjoy a meal, the rear porch provides a private place to enjoy the sunshine. It is a modern house with up to date heating, bathrooms, and kitchen. It was built to be used year round so it is snug in a storm. The lighthouse is only a short walk away, the back deck allows some privacy, and if you want to hide out from everyone else you've brought along, you can go up to the top look out tower.
Amenities
- No Smoking
- Heater
- Pets Welcome
- Washer & Dryer
- Children Welcome
- Parking
Bathrooms
- 2 Bathrooms
- Bathroom upstairstoilet, combination tub/shower, Bathroom is entered from hallway and shared by all bedrooms
- Bathroom downstairstoilet, combination tub/shower, Bathroom can be accessed from hallway and study/bedroom
- 2 full bathrooms, both large with tub/shower and window. Downstairs bathroom has two doors so it can be accessed from the hall and the bedroom/study. This provides privacy for anyone staying in the bedroom/study since they will not have to go out into the hall to get to the bathroom.
Location Type
- Near The OceanYou can walk to the lighthouse to see the open ocean and view to some other islands. You can drive/bike all over the island to see views of the ocean or back towards Mt Desert. There are beaches!
- RuralThis is an island 5 miles south of Mt Desert Island (Acadia National Park). It is not attached to the mainland, there is a 45 minute ferry ride to get there and only one small grocery store.
- Monument ViewSmall WW2 memorial across the street
- Ocean ViewViews of the harbor and islands from the house. You can walk up to the lighthouse to see the open ocean (the Atlantic). There are many places around the island where you can get great ocean views
- WaterfrontViews of harbor, lobster boats, sail boats, visiting schooners, Minturn, and small islands.from the porch, the balconies, living room, bedrooms, and the studio in the cupola.
Meals
- Guests provide their own meals
General
- HeatingModern central heating.
- Linens Provided
- Washing MachineSmaller size, ordinary launder detergent provided. I try to make sure there is unscented options available.
- Clothes DryerThe washer/dryer are those smaller sized stacked ones. You can only use one at a time. There is an old fashioned laundry line in the back yard.
- ParkingTwo cars fit in front, more can be put in the drive but cars would have to be moved to get the other cars out.
- Towels Provided
- Iron & Board
- Living RoomThe sofa can be turned into a full size bed. It can also be slept on without undoing it.
Kitchen
- DishwasherBrand new last summer.
- Refrigerator
- StovePurchased in summer of 2016. Electric, fairly basic model.
- OvenA stove/oven combo, purchased in summer of 2016.
- MicrowaveSmallish.
- Coffee MakerIn addition to an regular coffee maker there is also a French press and bean grinder. There is a large selection of teas in the house.
- ToasterThe usual kind, can fit bagels!
- Pantry ItemsA variety of spices, baking supplies, dry goods. Renters are welcome to use anything.
- Dishes & UtensilsFull set of dishes, etc. plenty of cooking and baking pots and pans.
- KitchenOpen plan kitchen with windows wrapped around the corner facing the harbor. Door that leads out to porch allows for easy access to outdoor dining. Large kitchen table that can sit 6.
Dining
- Dining Area
- DiningLarge table in kitchen. Great view of the harbor. Porch has table and chairs and is easily accessed from the kitchen door. You can move the front porch tables to the back porch any time you want.
- comfy seating for 6 people
Entertainment
- BooksFeel free to read any that you find on the shelves. You can also get books at the library.
- Game RoomThere is a lovely room in the cupola. There are some board games. Writers have spent time enjoying the view and working on novels. It also has a balcony and you can sit out there and enjoy the view.
Outside
- Lawn / GardenWe have a caretaker who keeps the lawn mowed, cleans the house in between tenants, and helps out if there is any kind of problem. When my daughter-in-law visits she trims the bushes.
- BalconyTwo balconies. There is balcony off the second floor master bedroom with views of the harbor. The third floor studio has a balcony with sweeping views of the harbor.
- BicyclesThey're old and basic but my son and his wife get around on them. I can't vouch for their condition but they were working when we stashed them in the basement at the end of last summer. :)
- Outdoor GrillWeber charcoal grill. Please use it in the back on the concrete slab in front of the shed.
- Deck / PatioCovered porches with tables and benches on two sides of the building, sunny deck in the back of the building that provides some privacy and can't be seen from the road.
Suitability
- wheelchair inaccessibleFor people who are somewhat mobile and would be able to (with some help) into the house, it would be possible to stay on the first floor as there is a bedroom and bathroom. I have had both my parents stay in the house this way. Neither had trouble using canes and walkers to get around and they were easily able to get out on to the back deck and porch.
Notes
- House is cleaned once a week between rentals, this includes taking the garbage to the local dump so you don't need to worry about that. Lots of basic cooking things -- spices etc.
House Rules
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Cancellation Policy
100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date. 50% refund if canceled at least 30 days before arrival date.
3 Reviews
delightful!
After spending 32 years in a home just down the road we were reluctant to sleep in a different bed. We couldn't be happier with our new address on Swans. Bright, cheery, comfy, perfect view and perfect location to all the wonders the island has to offer. 4 stars vs 5 stars? It isn't the Ritz!
Great time to relax
The house is wonderful, very comfortable and well equipped. We loved the quietness of the island.
Beautiful house great view
The perfect place to get away and relax. The house is clean and spacious, with great views. Owner is quick to respond to questions. Security deposit was refunded within days of departure. Would definitely return. There is no Wi-Fi at the house which was not a problem at all for me depending on who your cell phone provider is you may not have data. Was very nice to get away from it all for a few days.
Map
This house is on an island 5 miles off shore in the Gulf of Maine. The island is just south of Mt Desert Island where Acadia National Part and Bar Harbor are located. The car ferry from Bass Harbor on the southern end of Mt Desert Island goes 6 times a day and takes approximately 45 minutes. There is a small grocery store but you should plan on bringing groceries onto the island. This is a dry island, you will need to bring any alcoholic beverages onto the island yourself. This is a good place to visit if you want a real getaway and few distractions. There is a lovely fine sand beach that requires a short walk to get to from a parking lot and a not quite as fine sandy beach that you an park next to. There is a lovely lighthouse a short walk away from the house with sweeping views of the ocean and other islands. There are a two very small museums that are related to the history of the island. The house is on a street that runs along the side of the harbor at a slightly higher elevation from the water. This means that there is a great view from the porch and the upstairs' balconies. The house is on the opposite side of the island from where the ferry arrives. There are people that manage to get around on bicycle but I would recommend that you come on to the island with a car since it would make sense for you to do your shopping on the mainland. You can of course bring bikes to use once on the island. There are lots of places to access the ocean from and it is very easy to find a way to get easily into the sea with your kayaks. There are some small stores with souvenirs and local artwork. There is a folk music festival in August, local theater, an Odd Fellows breakfast every Sunday morning, and regular church suppers and fairs.