New summer prices at our most Perfect Acadia Getaway!

Photo gallery for New summer prices at our most Perfect Acadia Getaway!

A marina with various boats docked, surrounded by greenery and a clear sky.
A living room with a sofa, armchair, coffee table, and bookshelf.
A wooden cabin with a blue door, a small porch, and a blue mat at the entrance.
A two-story house with a white exterior and a front yard. There are two wooden Adirondack chairs and a small table in the yard.
A marina with boats docked at sunset.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
Sleeps 63 bedrooms3 beds

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

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 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

New summer prices at our most Perfect Acadia Getaway!

Head of the Harbor Overlook is a renovated cottage overlooking Southwest Harbor, Sutton Island, the Cranberry Islands, and Greening Island. This ideal spot is within walking distance of superb restaurants, specialty shops, a full service marina, galleries, and sea glass hunting. Coffee shops, an ice cream parlor, and children's playground are just a few things that are within a five minute walk. In just minutes you can drive to Echo Lake, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and many other popular Acadia National Park destinations. Don't want to drive? Load up on the free MDI shuttle that stops directly across the street! During the summer stop by the farmers market or take a sunset sail on one of the many boats offering them. There are also many opportunities to take a ferry to one of the surrounding islands for hiking or biking.

This cottage has been appointed with very comfortable accommodations in order to make you feel instantly at home. The open kitchen and dining area feature stainless steel appliances, local granite countertops, and a large farmhouse sink in order to make meal preparations quick and easy. A lobster pot, and supplies are included (Fresh off the boat lobsters are available at the marina across the street) for those brave enough to cook their own! Local antiques are scattered throughout the house to remind us of simpler times. This area is also open to the living room which features fantastic views of Southwest Harbor! The downstairs bedroom has a set of bunk beds, single on top and double on the bottom. This room is very bright with many windows, roomy closet, gaming system, TV, DVD, and best of all a great view of the harbor! The full sized bathroom is located downstairs and includes a full-sized washer and dryer so that you can keep those bathing suits and beach towels ready at a moments notice! All TV's have cable and DVD players, and WIFI.

The master bedroom is located upstairs with it's plush king-sized bed, loads of room, flat-screen TV with DVD, video library, and did I say? Fantastic View! The last bedroom features an antique double spindle bed with lots of coastal charm, TV with DVD, and ample closet space.

A crib, receptical plugs, baby toys, child gate, and a high chair are provided for those needing one, also a bathing seat and hand rail are available for those needing a bit of assisstance with accessibility.

Southwest Harbor is a quaint, pleasant coastal community that is only 15 minutes from Bar Harbor, a popular tourist destination. The closest airports are: Trenton(12miles) and Bangor International Airport which is only 55 miles away. Those interested in bringing along their boat, slips may be available upon request.

Keywords: ocean view, Southwest Harbor, park attractions

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
1-well behaved crate trained dog under 40 lbs $125
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 284064vb
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 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

Southwest Harbor

Located in Southwest Harbor, this holiday home is near a water park. 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 Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History. Kayaking and windsurfing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and hiking/biking trails nearby.
Map
Southwest Harbor, ME

What's nearby

  • Wendell Gilley Museum - 2 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Acadia National Park - 3 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co - 21 min drive - 29.7 km
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 23 min drive - 27.6 km
  • Cadillac Mountain - 32 min drive - 35.4 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 23 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jordan Pond House - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪Abel's Lobster - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Thurston's Lobster Pound - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Nor’ Easter Pound & Market - ‬21 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is New summer prices at our most Perfect Acadia Getaway! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at New summer prices at our most Perfect Acadia Getaway! ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at New summer prices at our most Perfect Acadia Getaway! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at New summer prices at our most Perfect Acadia Getaway! ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is New summer prices at our most Perfect Acadia Getaway! located?

This family-friendly Southwest Harbor holiday home is within 3 mi (5 km) of Wendell Gilley Museum and Acadia National Park. Flying Mountain Trailhead and Long Pond are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 52 out of 58 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 58 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 58 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 58 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 58 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Lynda L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was very clean and in a good location. The host was always very responsive to any correspondence.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Jul, 2026
I'm glad you found our house suited your needs! Unfortunate that you choose to not rate us based on the same parameters. We wish you a happy summer season! Be well!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house is in a great location with a nice view of the water. The house was clean and stocked with everything we could need including books and games! 3 nice bedrooms and a cozy living space. The host was very responsive and the process was super simple.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kathie Q.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The perfect Maine rental. We walked to “downtown” southwest harbor every day. You don’t need to drive anywhere if you’re staying here. You can even take the shuttle to bar harbor if you don’t want to drive. House was immaculate. Views of the marina were so beautiful. A super short drive to Acadia. A/c was great since it was hot outside. Loved the owner. Highly highly recommend.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jamila B.

Unforgettably beautiful!

Perfect cottage in a perfect location.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2023
I’m so glad you loved SWH as much as we do!!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

AnnMarie H.

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

Great location

This was our first trip to Maine, and we absolutely loved it. The cottage was in the perfect location, well stocked and clean. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dawn K.

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

Maine is beautiful

We had a great time at the house and on our excursions. Highly recommend the whale watch in Bar Harbor and Acadia park.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amy B.

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

Family Vacation

Good location, Southwest Harbor is a small town and stuff was not always open when you, but it was quite and relaxing compared to Bar Harbor. The house itself is perfect for a family with young kids. We had a great trip.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Gracemarie C.

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

Lovely view

Great view
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sandy F.

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

Wonderful Stay!

We had an incredible view of the harbor and absolutely loved staying here. We biked and kayaked right in Southwest Harbor. The host is great and every little thing you can think of is included. We loved the blueberry pancakes we had a long with the lobster. We will definitely stay here again on the quiet side of Mt. Desert Island!
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Russ L.

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

Stay in southwest Harbor, ME

All was great and exactly how it was described. The owner managed the property and the process perfectly. We would contact her for sure if staying in the area again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Shawn W.

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

Wonderful Maine Vacation!

The house was perfect for our needs, and was in a beautiful location. We were able to purchase lobsters from the nearby pier, which we were able to prepare in the fully stocked kitchen. This was a wonderful treat! We also loved the local restaurants and shops, as well as the access to Acadia for hiking and sight seeing. We will definitely return!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2023
So glad you enjoyed our region as much as we do! Hope to see you again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Linda M.

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

Great place!

The house is very clean and perfectly appointed, with a well stocked kitchen, comfortable beds and nice touches like a complimentary bottle of maple syrup. Christie was very responsive and flexible. Highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jillian B.

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

Fantastic Family Stay

We loved this cottage for our family of 5. It is the perfect house with a great location. The view from the living room is a must see. Coffee with the sunrise was a highlight of our trip! The house is really well stocked and has a great layout for a family. The beds are comfy, the water pressure is great, and it had everything we needed. I really appreciated that the house came with all of the little things (like spices, aluminum foil, etc) that you don't always remember to bring. I highly recommend this house to anyone with kids of any age!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dake A.

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

Great Host

Enjoyed our stay. Very responsive host, answered our questions in minutes. Asked for a water boiling kettle, got one next day. House is clean, kitchen well equipped, great living area. Convenient location to different trails in the Acadia NP. A bit of early morning traffic to get used to. We left a set of keys behind, host mailed it to us in a few days. Thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Archival

8/10 Good

John A.

Southwest Harbor September 2016

This was our first trip to Maine to experience lobster, Arcadia Nation Park, and the coastal views. Our cabin was well equipped and Christie was a pleasure to communicate with. She left several hiking resources and booklets to help us enjoy the park. The cabin has great amenities, cookware, utensils, supplies, everything you need for a nice stay. We stayed 12 days. So much to see. The King Bed was comfortable. The multiple TV's, movies, books, etc were welcome and provided entertainment during down time.
Stayed 11 nights in Sep 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2023
We're happy that you had a nice visit! We just live SWH and are very happy when new folks come and enjoy it too! Thank you for choosing to stay at Head of the Harbor!
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Trish A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Accessibility

Steep entrance into house, steep narrow stairs to bedrooms in attic, no light bulbs in lamp in bedroom. Not ideal for older people
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Oct, 2023
Thank you guests' for your candid review. We do strive to meet all of our guest's expectations, unfortunately without a bit of feedback or questions prior to booking, or even during your stay, we can't always meet that standard. Our modest home is a typical 2-story cape style home w/two bedrooms upstairs( not the attic) and one downstairs w/ bath which is described and depicted with photos. We provide many extra supplies, including replacement lightbulbs( closet at the bottom of the stairs), batteries, spare blankets, cleaning, cooking supplies & flashlights/lanterns. And most importantly we are local hosts, not a management company. We live within 1/2 mile of all 10 of our vacation homes and can generally be on site within minutes of a phone call/text. I regularly help guests find the most ideal lodgings for their circumstances, including multiple 1 level units, and am very happy to help sort these kinds of things out. With more than 1/2 of our seasonal bookings being repeat guests, had this guest simply just reached out I'm sure we could have found more suitable accommodations for their status, especially during this quieter time of year. As mentioned, our goal is to cultivate our summer community with guest's who want to return year after year! Our region is addictive and we love seeing new guests fall for it just as much as we have!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

cheryl p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The host was responsive and delightful. The property was beyond expectations. Definitely would stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Aug, 2026
Glad you enjoyed your time here in SWH! Enjoy the rest of your summer Cheryl! Thank you for choosing to stay with us this summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Peter G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our stay on the quiet side of the island! The home was really thoughtfully appointed with all we needed to be comfortable. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Jul, 2026
Glad you enjoyed your stay! We love it here as well! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Darby M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
excellent location, even cuter in person than in the photos, and beautiful view! the place had everything we needed, and christie was very responsive and helpful. i’d definitely stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This cottage is adorable. It sits right at the harbor with gorgeous views from the living room and bedrooms. Walking distance to the little town with shops and restaurants as well as the pier immediately in front of the cottage, this is an excellent location and more than fair price for the size, location and amenities. We are already looking into booking again, perhaps at one of their larger properties because my family loved it so much. The kitchen is fully stocked and the grill had a full tank and all of the tools necessary for a bbq. Everything was clean, quaint and tasteful. Perfect lodging for a family vacation. The host even had maple syrup, pancake mix and coffee pods for the keiurig. I cannot think of any downsides to this cottage, this was the best family vacation we have ever had.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jun, 2026
So happy that you and your family enjoyed our little piece of the world! Folks do fall in love with Southwest Harbor! We look forward to hosting your group again! Happy Summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

carole w.

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

Manset cottage

Enjoyed this cute, clean cottage. Short walk to town and great jumping off point for all Mt. Desert Island sightseeing.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Garvin J.

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

Great Cottage on the Quietside of Acadia

This little 3 BR cottage is a charming gem just outside of Main St Southwest Harbor. We came to MDI largely to visit Acadia, but wanted to stay away from the fray of Bar Harbor and the crowds. This place is perfectly located to walk into Main St Southwest Harbor (although the traffic on the road can be a bit fast/sidewalk narrow at times) and the Island Explorer would stop for us right across the street for a 30m ride into Bar Harbor. The cottage has a nice open concept with beautiful morning sunshine in the front windows. Well equipped kitchen and a lovely patio/sitting area out back were nice for the nights we stayed in for dinner. The stairs to the upstairs two bedrooms are steep and a low ceiling at the top. Fine for us, but could be an issue for some larger folks or those prone to slipping. We very much enjoyed the large bedroom upstairs with windows looking out onto the harbor. Christie was very responsive and communicated everything we needed to know, and equipped the place with all the essentials and some extra lovely touches. We'd definitely stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Amy P.

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

Great time!

We loved our stay. Well stocked home, nice linens, good proximity to Acadia.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Heather G.

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

Mother/Daughter vacation in Maine

We enjoyed our stay at the cottage. Good home base for exploring Acadia NP away from the crowds in Bar Harbor. Cottage was well stocked and nice extras for guests (coffee, pancake mix, spices, cleaning supplies, etc.) Should note it is on a busy street, so expect some road noise.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Melanie M.

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

Perfect base camp for visiting Acadia

This location was perfect for visiting Acadia. The east side was way too crowded, but the west was mostly quiet. We hiked many trails within 5-10 minute drive. We also walked into town a few times to visit the shops and pick up cookies at Little Notch Bakery. We loved watching the sun rise over the harbor right from the Adirondack chairs in the front yard while drinking our morning coffee. Lobster pounds are nearby, and our favorite was MDI Lobster Company. The home was a quaint cottage, and the property owner Christie was very responsive.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

About the host

Hosted by Christie Dysart

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

We just love this area of MDI! There's hiking, biking, boating, exploring just minutes away. Southwest Harbor is just a little bit quieter than BarHarbor and the kids can walk or bike anywhere. There's restaurants and a great ice cream shop just a hop, skip, and a jump away.

What makes this property unique

This house has fantastic views of Southwest Harbor from almost every room in the house. There's a great marina directly across the street where you can view amazing boats, and a fun restaurant that is across the street that has outdoor seating right on the shore.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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