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Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock

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A well-maintained garden with a paved pathway leading to a white house with a porch.
A cozy nook with a built-in bench, a window with curtains, and a shelf with decorative items.
A covered deck with a view of a lake, a chair, and a small table.
A two-story house with a porch and a wooden fence with the number 122.
A cozy seating area with a blue sofa and patterned cushions, a round mirror, and a view of a green landscape through large windows.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
7 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 16

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washing machine
  • Onsite parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Tremont, ME
  • Place, Acadia National Park
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Place, Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 16)

2nd Floor Front

1 Queen Bed

2nd Floor Twin

2 Single Beds

2nd Master - 2nd floor

1 Queen Bed

3rd floor back bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3rd floor bunkroom

4 Single Beds

3rd floor front bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom - 2nd floor

1 Queen Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

2nd floor hall bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

2nd master bath

Toilet · Shower only

3rd floor Jack & Jill

Toilet · Shower only

First floor bathroom

Toilet

Master Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock

Apple Cove is a spacious, 4100 square foot, three story home built in 1883 that has been updated with all the modern amenities while maintaining the detail and beauty of the Victorian era, including remarkably high ceilings, detailed woodwork, and beautiful wood floors throughout. We are located on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island, with 139 feet of private shoreline on Bass Harbor. The home features a wrap around porch with stunning views of the harbor, including a screened-in section with a large dining table for outdoor meals as well as comfortable chairs and rockers for relaxing while bird watching or enjoying the view. Walk right down from the porch to our private dock, where you can put your kayak in with ease, or hunt for treasures on the rocks at low tide; or linger in the backyard, which makes an ideal spot for lawn games. Be sure to take advantage of the backyard seating area with a fire pit perfect for evening oceanside campfires.

This house is truly a treasure; it's been featured in the New York Times magazine (August 2016), as well as Maine Boats & Harbors (March 2004), and has been used on multiple occasions in advertising for LL Bean. The Southwest Harbor Library digital archive is full of pictures of the house from the late 1800s, when it was the Osborne Milton Kittredge house and store. If you're looking for the essence of coastal Maine, full of history but updated for modern comfort, you'll find it here.

The first floor features a large kitchen centered around a rustic farmhouse table with all the amenities needed for large family meals. Granite counter tops, new stainless appliances, Keurig coffeemaker, stoneware dishes, ample cookware and utensils along with harbor views make this kitchen a delight. The kitchen features double doors that exit to the wrap around porch, as well as another exit to the screened-in dining area.

Also on the first floor is a large living room with built-ins, including a cushioned window seat with ocean views. A flat screen smart TV, large coffee table and plenty of seating make this the perfect space for watching movies, playing games or just relaxing. Open to the living room is a large formal dining room with decorative fireplace.

The main entry to the home features a grand staircase that leads to the second and third floors. This formal entryway also leads to the library, an office and a half bath. The library is equipped with chairs for reading as well as a table for work, games or puzzles. The adjoining, private office has a desk for working and a side chair for reading or taking phone calls. Both the library and office are filled with books (classics, popular book club selections, mysteries, Stephen King, novels for both elementary and young adult readers) and a selection of games and puzzles. WiFi is available throughout the home.

The second floor features a master bedroom with queen bed, en suite bath with claw foot tub, sitting area, large closet, smart TV and private balcony with gorgeous harbor views and comfortable seating. A back staircase gives this master suite additional privacy from the rest of the second floor.

A second master with ocean view, queen bed, en suite bath, sitting area, smart TV and walk in closet is also on the second floor. Two more bedrooms, one with a queen bed and one with a daybed with trundle complete the second floor which also features an additional large bath with claw foot tub.

The third floor features a large bunk room with 4 twin beds, and ocean views. Sharing a Jack and Jill style bath with the bunk room is another room with a queen bed, cushioned window seat, ocean views and private staircase. Finishing off the third floor is an additional room with queen bed and sitting area.

Apple Cove is located on the quiet side of the island, just over 2 miles from downtown Southwest Harbor, and 2 miles from the Bass Harbor lighthouse. Thurston's Lobster Pound is about a mile away by car; for those who choose to, you can kayak from the backyard right over to Thurston's dock in a few minutes. Commonly visited places in Acadia National Park are also not far from home; the Seawall, as well as Wonderland and Ships Harbor trails, are about 4 miles away, and Echo Lake is about 10 minutes away. Acadia Mountain, one of the most popular (and most rewarding) hikes in the park is also within a 10 minute drive.

We purchased this home in 2017 after visiting Mount Desert Island every summer for more than 20 years, and are thrilled to be able to share it with others. We have paid attention to details in order to provide our guests with a well-stocked, welcoming, comfortable home in which to share time with family and friends and enjoy the gorgeous harbor setting and all that beautiful Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park have to offer.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 5:00 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
Small events may be permitted with pre-approval
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
$450 refundable security deposit due 60 days in advance.
$50 per person for parties over 12 people

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4812310
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Small events may be permitted with pre-approval
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Bass Harbor

Located in Bass Harbor, this holiday home is on the waterfront. 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. Travelling with kids? Consider College of the Atlantic Natural History Museum and Naturalist's Notebook. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling, ice skating and sledging.
Map
Tremont, ME

What's nearby

  • Acadia National Park - 1 min drive - 0.2 km
  • Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead - 4 min drive - 5.4 km
  • Wonderland Trail Trailhead - 5 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Wendell Gilley Museum - 6 min drive - 6.1 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • The Salty Fisherman
  • ‪Beal's Lobster Pier - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Thurston's Lobster Pound - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Upper Deck - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock located?

This family-friendly Bass Harbor holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Acadia National Park, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse and Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead. Wonderland Trail Trailhead and Wendell Gilley Museum are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 96 out of 102 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 102 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 102 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 102 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 102 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I rent this property every year and we love it more and more each visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a beautiful home. Our sibling trip was perfect. The space is absolutely amazing.
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely charming home! Was a great home base for our trip to Acadia. You are on the quiet side so it’s a little drive over to the craziness of Bar Harbor. So many places to explore in both areas. House is well appointed with anything you might need, beds are comfortable and there is so much room to spread out. The back porch was our favorite spot for the week - so relaxing!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great gathering place

Enjoyed our stay very much
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

An amazing stay at Apple Cove!!

Perfect location with a beautiful view. Plenty of room for a large family and a superb host!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was perfect for my family of 15 people, ( our 3 children, their spouses and their children). The kitchen had everything we needed and more! The house was very clean and the grounds were beautiful. We enjoyed several nights by the firepit as well as several games of scattegories in the dining room. We really liked that there was room for everyone to eat either at the table on the enclosed porch or in the dining room.It was a perfect trip and just as I imagined!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely farm house with stunning views. The pictures are deceiving, it is much larger than it appears. Lots of beds, plenty of room for our group of 12 . I think the best stocked rental we’ve ever stayed in , they have everything you need. They even have all the supplies for cooking lobsters. The property manager was delightful. A great family get together spot. It was nice to be on theauiet side of the island . Lots of good hikes close by.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful for Families!

Great location with beautiful views! Clean and comfortable with plenty of space for our group of 11 adults!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house! Great for family gatherings!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is my 3rd year renting this beautiful house and each year it gets better and better.
Dinner on the porch
Yoga on the lawn
Sunrise hike on Cadillac MTN
Lobster Dinner!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Our family vacation

It was a a beautiful home with a beautiful setting.. I would definitely recommend this property..
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a fantastic stay at Bass Harbor. The house was perfect for a summer family vacation and had everything we needed. We played frisbee in the yard, sat 13 people at the dining table for dinner, and spent many hours on the porch, enjoying the view. When it was time to check out, we didn't want to leave!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had such a lovely stay at this historic home in Tremont, Maine. Each year we do a family trip and gather as many relatives as possible for a vacation. This year we had a pretty big group and needed a big home to fit us all. This huge home was the perfect fit for our family! Inside was the coolest maze of bedrooms on the upper 2 levels, plus a very large, comfortable living area downstairs, including a big kitchen, living room, outdoor and indoor eating areas with massive tables, a music room, and a library. The kids loved getting to stay in the "secret" room upstairs on the 3rd floor. The home was clean and comfortable for our 1-week stay. The one downside I don't think could be avoided was the mosquitoes. I'm sure that, being by the water, it is inevitable to have mosquitoes, but there were a lot, and we were all bitten from head to toe over the course of the 7-day stay. Besides that, the home was perfect! We would definitely stay there again. We made so many wonderful memories together there.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home in a great location

Our family of 11 had a great week in this beautiful home. We loved watching the tides roll in and out and our family meals on the screened in porch.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

One of the best homes I have ever rented

This house is perfect for a group or large family. Beautiful view and lovingly restored. Owner and property management are very responsive and easy to work with.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We (adult siblings and wives) had a wonderful, relaxing time! Perfect launch spot for Bar Harbor (whales) and Acadia National Park. We cooked, we kayaked, we biked, we hiked and made full use of the fire pit in the evening and the front porch for coffee and conversation in the morning. Thank you!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Stay at Apple Cove

We couldn't have been happier with our stay at Apple Cove. The home is simply beautiful and the setting on the cove is fantastic. The grands enjoyed fishing while the adults were able to kick back on the back porch. I would certainly recommend this home without any hesitation.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Gorgeous, spacious, quiet location

In 10 years of taking a large girls family trip, our week at this home was by far our favorite. The house is amazing –spacious, very well stocked, and well kept. The grounds and views are gorgeous. Ideal location on the quiet side of MDI. No one wanted to leave!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

50th year class reunion

5 couples for 5 wonderful days catching up on 50 years. Wonderful venue for sitting around the table and going for walks in nearby park areas. Plenty of room for privacy and for communal time.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful farmhouse, great location!

Beautiful refurbished farmhouse sitting right on the water. Lots of space - bedrooms/bathrooms to accommodate big groups. Great areas to congregate, lots of puzzles/books/magazines to entertain and beautiful outdoor porch/sunroom/fire pit to enjoy the views! On the quieter side of the island but still only 15-20 minutes to Bar Harbor.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location. The view over the sea was ever changing and interesting. We rented kayaks and had a great time. Archie’s was great. Dairy bar was great. Both walkable. We had a group of 14 family. All the spaces worked great. We spent lots of time on the deck and in the garden.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful Stay

The home is beautiful and very clean, and includes everything you need and more. The location and view are exceptional. The rooms are comfortable and spacious and there is plenty of space to gather together as a family. The view from the back porch is truly breathtaking. We highly recommend this home and look forward to returning again. Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fabulous family reunion

Lovely home, wonderful views, space is perfect for a large group, (8 grownups and 6 kids) grownups and kids enjoyed playing in the back yard and the fire pit, porch was my personal favorite, and a lovely garden. Property manager was very responsive and helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing home away from home

The house was charming and spacious. Our large group of 14 fit comfortably with room to spare. There was plenty of seating inside and out. It was very peaceful sitting on the back deck overlooking the water and hanging out around the fire pit at night. Just a short drive to Acadia park entrances and visitor center as well as downtown Bar Harbor. The property manager was very responsive when we had questions. Highly recommend this gem of a property!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome Week Away

We had a great time at Apple Cove! The house was perfect for the 11 of us with plenty of space for everyone to spread out. Loved the location right on the water and the fire pit was great at night. The third floor was warm some evenings but cooled down with the help of the fans provided. The house is filled with pretty much everything you could need! We really enjoyed our stay and made great family memories at Apple Cove!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Colleen Shapiro

Host profile image
We live in Massachusetts with our three children, and have been coming up to Mount Desert Island every summer for the past 20-plus years. Our first visit was in 1996, when we were first married, and we fell in love with it. We used to camp at the Seawall campground, making the drive up in the middle of the night to get a prime spot in line in the days before the campground took reservations. Over time, as our family grew, we began renting various houses on the quiet side of the island for our vacation. Finally, in 2017, we took the plunge and purchased this house.

Why they chose this property

We were staying in a rental home over by the Seawall, and Rob kept running by the house on his morning runs. Out of curiosity, we decided to contact the realtor and take a look, figuring it would be for entertainment as much as anything; we'd always talked about buying a home up on the island, but never really imagined it would happen. Once we were inside, we were hooked. All the old house charm, the high ceilings, the woodwork, the natural light, and the size big enough for our extended family made it an instant winner. Throw in the incredible views of Bass Harbor and the sound of running water from the stream that runs along the property and into the harbor, as well as the countless birds to watch and listen to, and we couldn't say no. We know you'll love it as much as we do.

Languages:

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