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Quintessential Maine Summer Cottage with Private Shore Path

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Interior detail
Sunnymead Cottage
Sunnymead and Front Yard Swing, also showing outside deck off master suite
Kitchen
Country kitchen featuring modern appliances.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Double Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Quintessential Maine Summer Cottage with Private Shore Path

Located in Southwest Harbor, with a private right of way to the shore, this well known summer home sits on 2 acres of lawns and meadows. A typical shingled summer Maine cottage built in 1930, this home was the inspiration for the children's book, Fudgemania written by Judy Blume, and you will recognize many features of the house in the book. Warm and inviting, with exposed pine beams, pine floors, and a massive stone fireplace, this home always creates wonderful summer memories for those who are lucky to be able to spend time in it. Whether it's croquet games on the lawn, swings on the bigwooden swing hung between two of the large oak trees which anchor the front yard, walks to the shore via a private short path, bar-b-cuing in the back yard, having a lobster bake at the water's edge, or biking and hiking on the many trails of Acadia, this warm and inviting home has long been the favorite of many summer guests.The layout of the house creates spacious comfort as well as privacy for its guests. Its five bedrooms and three bathrooms, two living rooms, intimate dining room, and picture perfect setting make it a very special spot to spend your Maine summer holiday.

Keywords: Cottage

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Charming summer cottage, steps to town and Shorepath! Sleeps 10
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  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (52 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
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 # 270345vb
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
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

About the area

Southwest Harbor

Located on the waterfront, this cottage is in Seawall, a neighbourhood in Southwest Harbor. 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 power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and hiking/biking trails nearby.
View more Cottages in Southwest HarborOpens in a new window
Map
Southwest Harbor, ME

What's nearby

  • Acadia National Park - 2 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Wonderland Trail Trailhead - 4 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead - 4 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Wendell Gilley Museum - 5 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 6 min drive - 7.2 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Milagro's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Little Notch Bakery - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Jordan Pond House - ‬33 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Quintessential Maine Summer Cottage with Private Shore Path pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Quintessential Maine Summer Cottage with Private Shore Path?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Quintessential Maine Summer Cottage with Private Shore Path?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Quintessential Maine Summer Cottage with Private Shore Path?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Quintessential Maine Summer Cottage with Private Shore Path located?

Located in Seawall, this cottage is within 3 miles (5 km) of Acadia National Park, Wonderland Trail Trailhead and Wendell Gilley Museum. Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead is 2.9 mi (4.7 km) away.

Reviews

9.4

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. 15 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Quaint Maine house.

Loved the location for visiting Acadia National Park. House well stocked. Nicely furnished. Plenty of towels and bedding. Enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Sept, 2022
Thank you so Much for your kind comments. I very much enjoyed having you as guests and I am so happy to know that you enjoyed Sunnymead and your visit to Maine.
Verified

8/10 Good

Paul M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Great Spot

Beautiful location, quiet, peaceful and away from the crowds in Bar Harbor. Loved the deer, got very close. Thanks
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Jul, 2023
Thank you for your lovely comments about Sunnymead; I am so glad you enjoyed your stay and would be delighted to have you as guests again,
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barbara V.

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

Maine escape

This cottage was a great charming escape for our trip to Mt Desert island. There was a lovely welcome gift on arrival, plenty of space, and it was an easy walk to the beach. Also a picnic table at the beach for lunches. It’s located not far from Acadia trails and down the road from restaurants and town.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jun, 2024
Thank you for your lovely comments about Sunnymead. I enjoyed having you and your family as guests and I’m delighted to know that you enjoyed your stay. Please know you would be most welcome at Sunnymead again, should your travels bring you back to Mount Desert Island.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jean M.

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

Fun historic house

Although not fancy, this was a fun place to stay. The location was wonderful and within about a 30 min drive of Bar Harbor. Deer were often sighted in the yard including one taking a nap under a huge tree while it was raining. The beds were comfortable and the kitchen was fully stocked. I believe I even saw a fondue pot in the dining room cabinet. If you desire Ritz Carlton, this isn't the place for you. If you want a place that is relaxing and has charm it is!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Becky J.

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

Peaceful, Charming Bliss

We booked Sunnymead for a family trip, and oh my, what a perfect property! Plenty of room, nice room layout. Stocked with anything you could need to enjoy the perfect, relaxing Maine retreat. Kids loved the front yard swing, and watching the deer in the yard. The property is on the quiet side of the island, with plenty to do, but limited crowds. Property owner is responsive and pleasant, and even left a lovely local bakery welcome treat for our family! We spent most our trip debating if we could stay forever. Highly recommend, would book again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Jul, 2022
It always makes me feel happy when I know that my guests have enjoyed their time at Sunnymead. Thank you so much For your lovely comments. I do hope that you and your family will come back and visit Sunnymead again soon.
Verified

8/10 Good

Carol B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Expansive Seawall Cottage

In a last minute attempt to escape Hurricane Ian, my family of eight—myself, adult children, significant others, ninety plus year old parents—switched our vacation to Bar Harbor, a favorite. We found the tastefully and creatively decorated rustic cottage of Sunnymead in Seawall. We were greeted with a delicious blueberry pie from a nearby bakery and our hosted responded promptly to house issues throughout the week. The home reminded me of my parents—beautiful with years of history and physical aging. The location on the southern part of the island provided us with new hiking trails, scenery, shops, and eateries. Our favorite dining spot was Dry Dock. Even though the water was not visible, on a short meandering walk you arrive at a beautiful beach and view. We were thankful to find a place to accommodate our large group during the busy fall season
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kevin V.

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

Last minute plan change turned out wonderful

We planned to go to Ireland but due to COVID-19 decided to stay state side. We weren't disappointed. House fit our large group of adult couples very well. Short walk to the water. Kitchen had everything we needed. Beds we're comfortable.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

clare d.

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

Wonderful stay!

We loved our week at Sunnymead Cottage, the house was just perfect and it was incredibly relaxing for my family. I highly recommend this home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Aug, 2021
Thank you for your lovely comments about Sunnymead. I enjoyed having you as a guest and do hope we will see you and your family again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura B.

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

Charming Maine House

House is very large, great for a group. We were a family of ten and fit comfortably. The kitchen had all the necessities. Adorable quaint town to grab food and shop a bit. When you want the hustle and bustle it’s a short drive to Bar Harbor. The host was really nice and very responsive. This home is large yet cozy, very rustic. Acadia is a beautiful vacation spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chris F.

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

5 stars

Just as lovely as when we first stayed here 13 years ago!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

tyler c.

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

Wondeful house and fantastic trip!

The house and property was beautiful and and exactly as described. Jennifer was easy to communicate with and wonderful host.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John S.

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

Sunnymead Cottage

Absolutely loved the cottage. The location, layout and furnishings were ideal. The walk to the beach down a dirt road and through the woods was magical to the grandchildren. A beautiful memory of summers in Maine.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer R.

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

Maine at its best

Our family loved Sunnymead. It has charm and character, and is well laid out. The privacy and the proximity to a private beach area were a bonus. My family had a wonderful time, created many memories, and look forward to returning to this special cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dinny B.

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

The Perfect Maine Cottage

We like "the quiet side" of Mt. Desert Island, and found a perfect Maine cottage right off the road to Seawall, with a short walk to the water, to spend a week enjoying the island. The cottage is spacious and decorated just the way a Maine cottage should be, and the kitchen is sufficiently outfitted for family dinners. The owner was very easy to work with and responded quickly to any question that arose. We would definitely rent again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar, 2020
Thank you so much for your kind words about Sunnymead. I am delighted to know that it met your expectations, and that you enjoyed your stay. I hope to have you as guests again in the future. Jennifer
Verified

8/10 Good

Kathleen B.

Lovely home with tons of character, space and warmth.

Absolutely lovely home! Tons of dishes, linens, and space. Wonderful yard and friendly neighbors. Jennifer was easy to work with, great directions and helpful ideas of things to do. The beds were comfortable as was all the furniture. My only problem was the weather, it was hot the week we went, but no worries, a great experience in all.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Archival

4/10 Poor

Beautiful location, poor management of business

My family and I checked in to this cottage and the first thing we noticed is it had not been fully laundered. Floors were filthy, the refrigerator as well. The beds had not been made. As if this wasn't disappointing enough after a 2 day drive, we found the toilets and showers had not been cleaned as well. I won't go into full detail of what we found there. So my family and I spent the first few hours after a long trip cleaning the house. We tried to salvage the initial let down, and enjoyed the next few days, as it is in a beautiful location. On day 3 (I believe) we had a strong storm come through, knocking out the internet. Considering we have teens in our family, this was a big deal. We tried everything we knew how to do as far as re-setting the wireless routers and such. Finally, my wife decided to call the owner (we had tried to not complain up until this point) to ask for help. We were told to contact the internet provider...so we had no choice but to handle it ourselves. After an hour on the phone with them, we had it back up and running. My wife had mentioned to the owner the problems we had with the place being dirty. She graciously apologized and as a token of her good will, she sent over 7 lobsters for us to cook. A nice gesture....until we tried using the lobster pot only to discover it had a hole in it. After the trip was over, I noticed that our deposit check that we had sent 6 months prior had never been deposited. We contacted the owner, who at that point said she had a copy of the deposit and the check and we should check with our bank again. We did, and no record of the check had ever been deposited. So, we contacted her again, and were simply told thanks for bringing it to her attention and please mail another check. Our bank is 1/2 hour away and we were required to cancel the check and sign the form in person. Grudgingly, we obliged and mailed out another check. A very frustrating experience indeed. We felt like we had to do a lot of work throughout the stay that paying guests should not have to. I personally am educated and 25 years employed in the hospitality industry, and this was not handled properly at all. She is fortunate we are patient and honest people. We were disheartened with our experience here, which is especially unfortunate considering we were celebrating our parent's 50th wedding anniversary. She did say that she would rectify the housekeeping problem for the future. For the next family's sake, I certainly hope so.
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar, 2020
As the owner of Sunnymead and the hostess for these guests, I was most upset and embarrassed when I learned that this year's cleaning staff who had replaced my long time housekeeper, did such an unacceptabe and poor job for these guests; on hearing of the condition of the house on their arrival, I apologized profusely and offered to rectify what I could. The guests were most kind and understanding and said it was not necessary. In addition to the welcoming gift I had left for them, I did send over a number of lobsters and a new lobster pot to them as a small apology It was the least I could do. The cleaning staff was replaced immediately, and their replacement has done a magnificent job this season. We have received only compliments which is the way it should be. The guests' deposit check somehow got lost in the mail or within the bank's systems; it has never turned up, and I expresed to them that I was most grateful to them for letting me know it had not been negotiated.The internet did go out on the island due to a storm during their stay; after contacting the provider, I was told by them that it would be more produtive if the guests, who were on site, could call them directly so that they could walk and talk them through what needed to be done, to rectify the problem. Sunnymead has provided 25 years of happy visits and created hundreds of equally happy memories for many guests and for my own family.I am so sorry that their stay was anything less than what it should have been..
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Sonya A.

Vacation of a lifetime

Our family enjoyed this vacation more than we could have possible imagined. We arrived after dark so waking up at Sunnymead and discovering all the special things about the house and grounds was like Christmas morning! The three bedrooms in the main house were perfect for our son and his children, who are super-early risers. The rest of us (4 adults) were more than cozy and comfortable in our lovely rooms; the house provides so much space for an active family. It was the perfect home-base for all of our park activities (hiking, biking, climbing, etc) as well. Jennifer's delightful touches - the gazebo set for dinner, fresh flowers around and a personal note - made us feel like special guests. We read "Fudge-a-mania" by Judy Blume while there and especially enjoyed identifying the settings Blume referenced in the book. We visited Charlotte's Lobster Pound twice - it was so much fun and DELICIOUS! We appreciated being able to prepare and eat our meals at "home" when we were not out at one of the fabulous eateries. (Beals for lobster, Grumpy's for breakfast) We picked up fresh blueberry pies, fresh crabmeat and more. Heaven! We loved walking to the beach and exploring tidal pools. Truly, we could not have chosen a more perfectly "Maine" cottage and will remember this trip forever.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Linda R.

Perfect family vacation spot!

Our family use to camp on Mt. Desert Island years ago. We decided it was time to return but with real beds instead of tents and sleeping bags. Sunnymead is so charming and has such character. With adult children, we needed a house for everyone to have their own space. Our family of eight fit nicely here. The house is older and more like a real Maine cottage. It is well maintained and very clean. There are plenty of towels and bathrooms for everyone! The bedrooms are good size and the beds comfortable. We loved all the windows to open for the magnificent Maine breezes. The house is well supplied with dishes, glassware, pots and pans. The grounds are very nice with a good sized yard for children, surrounded by tall, lush trees. Our grandson LOVED the swing! We enjoyed dinner in the gazebo as well has taking our lobster dinner to the private shore area that is a brief walk from the house. Just remember flashlights if you stay til dark to stargaze. There are several picnic tables at the shore. Our grandson loved the history of the house as it relates to the book Fudgmania, and had fun looking for all the items mentioned. The house has one TV but you are in Maine and on vacation so I encourage you to not think about that! There is Internet available. The owner is so helpful. We had a minor issue in the first day and she was easy to contact and it was handled immediately. The house is not far from Southwest Harbor and is just off the road so it is very quiet and peaceful. Check out Cookies and More just up the street, or Little Notch Bakery for breakfast pastry in town. I hope it doesn't take me another 15 years to return!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

The Best Decision

"Maine, the Way Life Should Be" certainly described our holiday at charming Sunnymead. It was an ideal match for our family's quest for the quintessential Maine cottage expereince. So well appointed and so cozy. Spacious grounds. Our family's favorite?-- our private right of way to the ocean's edge. Some days we stayed to read books, have a picnic and watch the boats and some days we enjoyed the golf and fabulous hiking. All in all--a perfect spot. Highly recommended.

About the host

Hosted by Jennifer Richardson

Host profile image
I am originally from Maine, but spent a good part of my life in The West Indies, where my husband and I owned and operated a private island resort. Now, I have four shops in the neighboring town of Northeast Harbor during the summer. I split my year between Florida and Maine, but my favorite place on the entire planet is at the shore just down the dirt road and private path from my house. The view is amazing, and the sense of peace, calm, and beauty never fails to inspire me. My second favorite place in the world is on the swing in my front yard in Maine.

Why they chose this property

We weren't even looking for a house to buy, but when I saw this one, I was instantly captivated., and we bought the house within a week of having seen it for the first time. Ii welcomed me with its warmth and charm and made me feel comfortable and peaceful; that first impression has lasted with me since then, and it seems to have the same effects on all of my guests as well. There is something about a house that has created so many happy moments and memories for so many. People comment on it often and say you can almost "feel" it the minute you walk in for the first time. I must admit, partial as I am, I have to agree with them.

What makes this property unique

To be able to have breakfast at the water's edge, or to walk down and explore what the sea has brought in along the beach, is a wonderful plus to this property. The magnificence of the scenery takes your breath away.

Languages:

English, French
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