The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU!

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Overview
Rooms
Location
Policies

Exceptional

Popular amenities

Parking available

Pet-friendly

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Free WiFi

Explore the area

Sumner, ME

Snow Falls

19 min drive

Worthley Pond

21 min drive

Shagg Pond

24 min drive

Auburn, ME (LEW-Auburn - Lewiston Municipal)

53 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Dining

Exterior

About this property

Welcome Sunday River skiers! Secure now for Total solar eclipse on April 8th 2024! The Tortoise and The Mare Self-Keeping Inn -- Offering unparalleled space and freedom! This immaculate 1786 farm house offers guests the privacy and flexibility that they deserve! Guests reserve the ENTIRE Inn to enjoy in complete privacy .Spacious and stylish , open and flowing floor plan - all on 140 private acres of unbeatable mountain views, wooded nature trails and open fields.

. Guests will have use of all grounds, deck off the "lounge", firepit.. Inn is fully equipped and all rooms are thoughtfully appointed by. The Edgar Allan Poe room a favorite! Secluded but not remote Four bedrooms and two full bathrooms, kitchen, living room,three season lounge, and deck.

Ideal for entertaining. Quiet retreats or elaborate outdoor events, including weddings, honeymoons,reunions, vacation stays and holidays! Let your unique-ness unfold!.Artists' and musicians' paradise! IDEAL for holidays!. Wonderland for sports enthusiasts year round. Hiking, biking, sledding, skiing, snowmobile, ATV's - the ITS connector trail begins on the farm!Close to lakes for swimming, boating, fishing. 25 minutes from Bethel and Norway. Robert's Farm preserve offers FREE rentals for the day to enjoy snow shoeing and X-C skiing!

For additional accommodations, ask us about our additional guest houses, located down the lane from the Inn - perfect for those who desire even more privacy, yet are still able to enjoy and access entire property! One is a sweet, Christmas cabin and the other is a super, sexy shipping container home! All homes boast spectacular mountain views, inside and out! Freedom and flexibility - peaceful or playful ~ it's up to YOU!!

. High speed internet, Pet friendly! Discounted corporate rates available! . Large events - serious inquiries please! Weddings and events please visit us on The Knot for additional info including contact information

Property manager

laura falconer

Languages

English

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Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Parking available

Similar properties

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

House Rules

Flexible check-in available (contact host in advance of arrival)

Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed

Outdoor only. Info at thetortoiseandthemare.com

Pets

Pets allowed

Pet friendly!

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Designated smoking area outside

Please no pets on furniture. Must be leashed outdoors and supervised indoors. Children must supervised at all times. Designated smoking area outside.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.

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

Cashless transactions are available

Parties and events are allowed on site

Note from host: Outdoor only. Info at thetortoiseandthemare.com

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sumner

Located in Sumner, this farm stay is in a rural area and in the mountains. The Willows Flea Market and Auburn Mall are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Worthley Pond and Shagg Pond. Travelling with kids? Consider Roy's Driving Range, or check out an event or a game at Oxford Plains Speedway. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Sumner, ME

What's nearby

Snow Falls - 19 min drive
Worthley Pond - 21 min drive
Mt. Abram - 35 min drive
Oxford Casino - 42 min drive
Sunday River - 46 min drive

Getting around

Auburn, ME (LEW-Auburn - Lewiston Municipal) - 53 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU! pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

Where is The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU! located?

Located in the mountains, this family-friendly farm stay is within 12 mi (20 km) of Worthley Pond, Shagg Pond and Snow Falls. North Pond and Androscoggin River are also within 20 miles (32 km).

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Donald P.

21 Aug 2023

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

Excellent hosts, property and location

Our hosts were above welcoming! Property was exquisite in space and ambience. Location was beautiful and drivable to all that Maine has to offer.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

c E.

10 Aug 2022

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

Beautiful views, very peaceful

Can't beat the views from the porch. Lovely walks all around the property. Host is attentive and thoughtful.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ellie G., Trumbull, CT USA

8 Aug 2022

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

An Exquisite Property AND friends for life!

It is difficult to put into words how much we enjoyed our stay at The Tortoise and The Mare property. This place was built for us. We were traveling with two of our kids, 12 & 13, and 2 friends of ours along with me and my husband. It is difficult to impress my tweens but they were! We loved our private rooms and the attention to detail. Laura has so lovingly decorated each room and the entire house. My children especially loved spending time with the tortoise and the mare! Anyone with teenage kids know how difficult it is to get them away from their phones. But Chewy and Hartley put a spell on them. Watching our kids just walk around the incredible grounds or spend time staring into Hartley's beautiful, big, brown eyes made me feel like I was doing something really 'right' for my kids. We can't wait to come back and stay in the Containerminium. Laura and Steve are the most gracious, loving and open hosts. We are already planning our next trip! Friends for Life!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert G.

30 May 2022

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

Family gathering

We needed a place for a small family group to stay while in the area for our son's graduation from Hebron Academy. The Tortoise and the Mare was perfect for us. Beautifully decorated yet comfortable and homey, it was perfect for our needs. Everyone remarked at how nice their beds were for sleeping, a small but important detail. The large kitchen was great for our celebratory gathering. The vista of the hills from the closed porch and deck was a peaceful spot for coffee or a drink in the evening. Just a wonderful place to spend a few days with family. We highly recommend it.

Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bob B.

22 Feb 2022

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

Wonderful Place & People

Three generations of our family loved the Tortoise & Mare. It's a beautiful setting and was very comfortable. There was something for everyone. The kindness our hosts Laura & Steve showed us, put our stay over the top. They truly have the gift of hospitality.

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Brooke M.

9 Sept 2019

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

Rustic and cozy canin

Had a great time!

10/10 Excellent

Paul R.

24 Aug 2018

Quaint, clean, spacious, charming.

We enjoyed the privacy and vastness of the property, and the quaintness and decor of the premises. The grounds were meticulously maintained as well. A perfect fit for me and my guests.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Teri P.

14 Apr 2018

Best vacation ever!

I could not recommend The Tortoise and The Mare more highly! amazing house, incredible views with so much space and privacy.Steve and Laura are beautiful people and excellent hosts-truly inspiring! Everything was PERFECT! Exceptional place to stay! Tess Northeast , USA

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

laura f.

20 Mar 2018

Exceptional!!

After searching for the perfect place, we discovered The Tortoise and The Mare online and knew immediately that it was the place we would inevitably choose! The mountain views and large property delivered the natural, country setting we were looking for and the Inn itself made us feel right at home ~ we were in heaven! The decor is intriguing and the rooms are uniquely themed. Beyond the splendid setting though, which I can't emphasize enough, are a couple of exceptional character, who are a pleasure to meet and work with. Laura and Steve are down to earth, fun, caring, unique individuals who do a great job helping in any way they can to assure their guests are more than satisfied. We recommend The Tortoise and The Mare to anyone and everyone with no hesitation - WE LOVE IT !

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

2/10 Terrible

Rich E.

27 Feb 2018

I paid for a house with no electricity. Would you?

Here was my experience, I had intended on leaving no review at all but the owner leaves me no choice. You’ll see why. We rented this property for two nights (the required minimum stay) to do some snowmobiling in the area. Due to a warm up the day before arrival a lot of the snow here melted, but that’s no big deal, we can just trailer up north for the day and come back to the farmhouse. However, within 5 minutes of our arrival at 1pm, the electricity went out (and most importantly the HEAT, it was 15 degrees and dropping into the negatives). The owners called the power company who gave a repair time of 3:15pm. The outage was widespread throughout the area. So we waited over 2 hours, and then by 4pm had to make a decision: If you were in a farmhouse in rural Maine, with no electricity/heat/light, and there was no certain time this would change, what would you do? We did what any halfway reasonable person would do-we left. I called the owner and advised that given the situation we would need to find other accommodations as this one was not legally inhabitable under Maine state law. As it turned out we could not find any nearby accommodations due to the power outage so we made the 3 hour drive home. The next day, I contacted the owner and requested a refund for the booking as the home was uninhabitable on arrival. The homeowner would only credit one third of the total, forcing me to pay (a censored amount of money because Home Away won't let me tell you) for a house that I couldn’t stay in (including a cleaning fee!!) The owner stated that it was because we “chose” to leave, and the power came back on later “that evening” Here’s the bottom line, most reasonable adults would shake hands and agree it’s too bad an unforeseeable circumstance like a power outage happened, here’s your money back, we’ll try again next time. But these greedy people are not reasonable. So if you choose to get involved with them, good luck, you’re on your own. You’ve been warned.

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lisa D.

2 Jan 2018

Farmhouse is absolutely beautiful inside and out. The views from every window are gorgeous.

My husband and I rented the Farmhouse for New Year's weekend to go snowboarding and snow mobiling with our 2 boys; 15 and 12 years old. Steve and Laura are probably two of the kindest and most accommodating hosts and people we have met. The Tortoise and the Mare farmhouse is so beautiful inside. They keep it so clean and decorate it so nice in every room. Each bedroom has a theme which was really cool. Loved the wood burning stove in kitchen and the beautiful back room, which we used the most for hanging out, that had panoramic views of mountain sides. From mints on the pillows, champagne and glasses set for us to toast the new year and there in a second when we needed a tow out of a gully we slid into....Steve and Laura are people you want to know and meet. You will feel comfortable the moment you step into their Farmhouse and will enjoy every minute of your stay. We even got to bring our Golden Retriever, Bella, which for us was a huge relief that she could enjoy our get away too!! Fantastic time and fantastic place to stay!!!

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Casey G.

1 Jan 2018

A winter wonderland in Maine, and it's all to yourselves!

We rented the Tortoise and the Mare Inn for our Christmas vacation and could not have asked for a better experience. The property was absolutely gorgeous and Steve and Laura were the most gracious hosts. Setting: The Inn is located on 140 acres of property and it feels all to yourselves. Throughout the property there are picturesque views and plenty to do outside. We had over 12" of snow while we were there, which was perfect for playing in the snow and great for snowshoeing through some of the trails around the property. The Inn: We had 8-10 people throughout our stay and there was plenty of room for all. The kitchen is one of the largest rooms in the house and we spent lots of time in there gathered around the table and having a great time. There is an old wood burning stove that kept the kitchen plenty warm and was fun to keep the fire going in. Hospitality: You won't find better hosts than Steve and Laura. When we first arrived there were chocolates on every bed, the Inn was beautifully decorated for Christmas, the kitchen had a basket full of cookies and other goodies, and they left out treats and bowls for our two dogs. Throughout our stay, we got to know Steve and Laura, which was a real delight. If we needed anything at all, they were willing and ready to help. Steve even made these beautiful ice vessels with candles that he lit at night around the property. We absolutely recommend the Tortoise and the Mare Inn and are very grateful to Steve and Laura for making our stay perfect.

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amanda H.

24 Sept 2017

Absolutely Lovely

We stayed at the Inn for 10 days this past August with our two-year old and our dog. We could not ask for better hosts in Laura and Steve. Our daughter fell in love with Heart who has to be the sweetest horse in Western Maine. The availability of nearby hiking and swimming meant we always had something fun to do. The town of Norway is another gem, also easily accessible. We had wonderful dinners as a family each evening on the porch. And we spent many hours exploring the books, and yes . . . toys scattered around the house. Each room has been thoughtfully decorated--everything from Curios George to tortoises and mares. The one downside is there is no laundry on the premises, but Laura and Steve were more than willing to take our clothes into town to have them washed and folded.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

15 Sept 2016

A Beautiful Venue for a Beautiful Day

Recently, my wife and I were married and held our reception at The Tortoise and the Mare. We and our Bridal Party stayed in the amazing farmhouse and used the lands and the barn for our big event. Steve and Laura, the owners, are by far the kindest and most welcoming people we have ever met. They were willing to work with us to make our special day perfect. We cannot recommend this property enough for your special day or for a relaxing family retreat. We have decided that The Tortoise and the Mare will be a family tradition for years to come.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Hannah U.

12 Sept 2016

absolutely amazing

I can't stress enough what a beautiful home this was. The kitchen was amazing and perfect size for 8 people to hang around the island. Honestly, if I could design a "dream kitchen" it would look a lot like this one. Every room is furnished with beautiful handmade wooden furniture and every touch seems thoughtful. The bedrooms were clean and spacious, all with a different theme. My favorite was the edgar allen poe room, just a little creepy and cute!! I loved all the knick knacks and books. Our one complaint was that we couldn't find any extra toilet paper, luckily I had packed a roll!! The back porch, where we spent most of the weekend, gave us incredible views. The mountain in the distance was just breathtaking. Drinking my morning coffee on the porch was just so peaceful and beautiful. The property itself was spacious and secluded, with a trail into the woods and a few large rolling fields. We loved seeing the beautiful mare just trotting around in her enclosure. Lastly, Laura and Steve were wonderful people. You can immediately tell the love and care they put into their inn. I cannot stress enough what a lovely couple they are. They immediately made us feel welcome and right at home. They were flexible about checking in and out which was very nice. I will be renting from them again, because my experience was so magical. I highly suggest the tortoise and the mare to anyone visiting maine.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tyler F.

17 Aug 2016

Wonderful Property - Great for families!

We are a family with 2 young children (ages 7 and 9) and a 2 y/o yellow lad. The Tortoise and the Mare Inn was our home away from home this past winter. It was the perfect base camp for skiing at Sunday River, but the Inn the property and the proprietors, Laura and Steve made it so much more. The Inn itself is a perfect blend of classic Maine farmhouse-complete with a large eat-in kitchen comfortably warmed by a Glenwood wood-burning stove with a personality of it own- and a touch of modern decor. The themed bedrooms were big hits with the kids, and they loved the Tortoise and the Mare room with its stuffed animals and the reading nook. Even the beautiful photos on this site don't do the interior of the Inn justice. The property is all you could ask for an authentic Maine vacation. Open fields for dog exercising, woods with plenty of hiking and snowshoeing trails easily accessible from the property, beautiful mountain views, rustic barns, and abundant oversized windows allows you to take in the outdoors from the comfort of the Inn. Finally, the owners, Laura and Steve, take great care of you during your stay. They make everything easy so you can relax and enjoy, they pay attention to all the small details (from making sure the house was warm for our arrivals, to Steve's signature ice bucket candles lighting up the driveway at night), and they strike the perfect balance of giving you space a privacy to enjoy your vacation, while still always being there when something was needed (which wasn't often since they had usually thought of it ahead of time). We've recommended the Inn to friend and family, and have already booked our return trip for next year. Can't wait!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

17 Aug 2016

Love this place

We rented the farmhouse for an extended period this winter and can't say enough about how great it's been. (Less than two weeks left and we're not looking forward to it being over.) Between the postcard setting, the comfortable accommodations and, most enjoyable of all, Laura and Steve's attention to details and welcoming nature, we couldn't have asked for a better experience. The home and property are imbued with history you can feel but it's a living history, which Steve, Laura, Heart (the horse), Michael (their dog) and Chewy (yes, the tortoise) continue to build on everyday. Setting aside the history and heart of the Tortoise and the Mare, the home itself is super comfortable. For a family, the kitchen with readers and the back porch is great for the views and watching a little basketball apres ski while noshing on nachos. Not least there are the themed rooms, including, my favorite, the Edgar Allen Poe room. Creepy, but not too creepy! Perfect Poe. There's something for everyone and no real reason to pay a bunch of money to hang on the mountain after your riding is done. (And when things went slightly wrong - pipes froze on a ridiculously cold day - Steve and Laura put in double time to make sure we were OK and the problem was fixed asap.) And then there's everything that surrounds the home, including the wide open fields, the old barns, and the Robert Frostesque road less traveled leading deep into the woods. For snowshoeing and cross country skiing it's the perfect base camp. But, at the risk of being repetitive, it's Laura and Steve who make this house a home. They're around when you need them (they have a smaller home on the property where they stay) but hardly overbearing. They even made sure the kids got some time with the tortoise and made sure we knew when the International Space Station was passing overhead; a great and inspiring for everyone to see. We felt like we were in our own home (including wanting to keep it as nice as it was when we first showed up) even though the owner was right next door. Seeing them both was always a pleasure and usually a source of some new piece of information about the property, their lives and the natural setting around us. No way to overdo this. This place is great.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marcelle C.

15 Aug 2016

A great stay

We spent five wonderful summer days at The Tortoise and the Mare. The Inn is a very beautiful house, very large, and full of antique treasures (decorations, stove, books...). The view on the mountains is incredible; we spent a lot of time enjoying it from the large deck. The place is very quiet, a little paradise. The owners are very kind and helpful. We definitely recommend this place for summer or winter stays.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Toni W.

4 Aug 2016

Destination Wedding

Our family and friends had an amazing time at the Tortoise and the Mare. Our daughter was married in Norway, Maine and this property accommodated several of our family members. The property has been beautifully restored and cared for and you can see the love that goes into it from Laura and Steve. Lots of attention to detail and our guests were very comfortable. My niece, who is a writer, plans to write a novel using this property as inspiration :) Personally being from Florida, I would recommend bringing a fan. We visited in July and the weather was unseasonably warm and humid. The barns added to the charm and the swing on the property is an added bonus. We spent a lot of time enjoying the beautiful views from the back porch/deck area. We seen several deer in the meadow (even some babies). The mare is beautiful and such an amazing animal! Laura and Steve were such a pleasure to meet and their energy and spirit truly amazed and inspired us! They definitely have passion for this beautiful piece of heaven! Thank you so much for sharing it with our family, we made some wonderful memories. The candles and syrups for sale in the mud room were a nice added touch, I purchased a few because they reminded me of the beautiful smells in Maine .We hope to see you again in the future!! God bless you!!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

25 Aug 2015

Weekend Stay

We enjoyed our stay as short as it was. The grand children loved the themed rooms/beds. They also loved the horse and seeing the deer every evening. The barns are amazing, especially when you see the 24 to 30in wide floor boards. Trees that they came from must have been not only wide but really tall. Makes you appreciate what the old farmers must have gone through to build them. You just don't pick up a 30inch wide 10 or 12ft board and throw it on your shoulder. The workmanship in those old buildings you will not see today.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Antonio R.

22 Aug 2015

Mini Family Vacation

Owners Steve and Laura made us feel like we were part of the family. The place was very clean and comfortable. All of the animals were a plus to our stay. The children loved the attention they provided. Mountain view gorgeous, night view of the stars wonderful. Each room had its own style. The feel of the kitchen felt like home. I will be staying here again might be soon Laura but definitely by next year. Much appreciated for the hospitality. Thank you very much. GREAT STAY!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ninua Q., Kapoho, Hawaii

17 Aug 2015

Beautiful Old Farmhouse

I stayed here for a month and has a wonderful experience. The owners live on the property in a separate house and they were the perfect blend of giving me my privacy yet being available for whatever I needed, including checking out after 6 pm. The sunroom and it's wooden porch stretch across the back of the house and face North. I spent many happy hours there, watching the mountains across the valley, seeing the sun rise and set, enjoying the way mist wafts up from the Androscoggin River far below. There is the old farmhouse that has been somewhat modernized but still has character with it's four bedrooms (one w twin beds, the others w double or queen) and there are two old barns, one from the 1700s, which are just unbelievably beautiful, and a small maple sugaring house. I took lots of great photographs. It was quiet and peaceful day and night, really beautiful stars. A great get away from it all kind of place.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

15 Jul 2015

One of the best sunrises i have ever seen.

If you like old farms, a quiet atmosphere, stellar mountain views right from the windows as soon as you poke your head up in the morning. This is the place for you. There is no check in or check out time. No one interupts what so ever. Its like i owned a home away from home. As soon as you drive in. The place sells its self. If the oppertunity presents it's self again, i know where ill be staying.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

13 Jul 2015

Our stay

Our stay here was very relaxing,peaceful,the view is beautiful.The owners were very accomendating.Each room has its own personality very nice touch.I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a nice quiet get away.I will definitely be back.