Skip to main content

The Riverhouse in Orland, ME

Photo gallery for The Riverhouse in Orland, ME

A two-story house with a gabled roof, a chimney, and a front porch.
A compact kitchen with wooden cabinets, a white refrigerator, a stove, and a sink.
A two-story house with a front porch, a small deck, and a grassy yard.
A bedroom with a bed, a chair, a wicker basket, a door, and a small table with a lamp.
A cozy living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a dining table. There are windows with curtains, a door, and a view of the outdoors.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Sledding nearby
    A rare find — snowy slopes for sledding are just minutes away.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Sleeps 3•2 bedrooms•2 beds

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View in a map
Orland, ME

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1 - first floor

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Riverhouse in Orland, ME

The Riverhouse - an all season rental is a small shingled cottage located along the Penobscot River. Completely renovated in 1987, the cottage affords our guests views of the river and bay. A walk through fields and adjoining shore path leads you to a secluded beach where you can fish, sunbathe, swim or walk. Located along Maine's mid coast region, it provides a perfect 'place of port' for day excursions. The many antiques shops and fine restaurants in the neighboring towns provide the visitor with many avenues of enjoyment. Or, you may choose to relax, read or just take a nap in the afternoon sun on the deck surrounded by lawns, fields and gardens. Whatever you choose, a visit to this property will assuredly be a memborable one. The Riverhouse caters to those visitors who are accustomed to the conveniences of today's requirements in an atmosphere of history, comfort and grace.

Whether you arrive by motorcar, helicopter, seaplane, or motorlaunch, the Riverhouse will afford you the simple elegance that New Englanders have come to expect.

Keywords: riverhouse, cottage, scenic views, beach, comfort, boating, swimming, fishing, kayaking

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Property grounds
The Best of Maine: Waterfront home/private beach on Penobscot!
Stockton Springs
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (11 reviews)
The Best of Maine: Waterfront home/private beach on Penobscot!

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please leave the house as you found it regarding cleanliness.
Total booking amount for January 1st to April 5th is $450 for 3 nights
Guests are asked to NOT move furniture about inside the cottage

Important information

You need to know

Property # 340400vb
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
Long-term renters welcome
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

Orland

Located in Orland, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Northeast Historic Film and Jonathan Fisher House are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Jonathan Buck Monument and Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory. Blue Hill Books and Blue Hill Co-op Community Market are also worth visiting. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as sledging and snowmobiling.
View more Cottages in OrlandOpens in a new window
Map
Orland, ME

Getting around

  • Belfast Station - 35 min drive
  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hancock Pour House - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Bucksport House of Pizza - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Club - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪Crosby's Drive-In - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Riverhouse in Orland, ME pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Riverhouse in Orland, ME?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Riverhouse in Orland, ME?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Riverhouse in Orland, ME?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Riverhouse in Orland, ME located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Penobscot River and within 9 miles (15 km) of Alamoosook Lake and Jonathan Buck Monument. Bucksport Golf Club and Buck Memorial Library are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 36 out of 46 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 46 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 46 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jay L.

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

Beautiful Stay

Quaint house and beautiful area to explore!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay and can’t say enough about our host, Dan. He truly went above and beyond to make us feel welcome from the start. He checked in on us throughout the trip, recommended some excellent local restaurants, and even took the time to research fishing spots for my son, which meant a lot to us. The house was cute and just perfect for our stay. That level of care and attention really made our trip special. Thanks again, Dan, we really appreciate everything you did!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Scott T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing stay in a period setting. Dan was so welcoming and informative
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Beverly B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cottage was comfortable and adequately supplied. The grill and back deck were great. The only drawback we experienced was the very close proximity to a busy highway-noise most of the day.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

John F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful little property! Wonderful owner! The peace of sitting on the back deck and watching the deer graze in the field is hard to put into words. The perfect Maine experience.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mark

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

Enjoyed our stay

We had a very pleasant stay at Riverhouse. Dan is a wonderful host. We had great conversations with him and appreciated his suggestions as to places to visit and things to do. We would definitely visit again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Zachary F.

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

Had a great stay in this small cottage.

Had a pleasant stay here. No issues with property and owner was very nice. Good views and location, situated between plenty of small towns and tourist spots. Thanks!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Windsor L.

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

Orland River House

Wonderful location! Very convenient and close to so many beautiful towns. Dan was very attentive and made sure everything went smoothly!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kwan-Li L.

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

Great place

Well managed and well maintained. It has everything. But a little close to road with traffic noise.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mark W.

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

Quintessential Maine Getaway

We had a wonderful time at the Riverhouse. Dan was a great host. The property is gorgeous and is nicely located between acadia/mid-coast Maine and cities like Portland or Bangor
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

kelvin m.

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

Great

Dan was fantastic, house was just as described, are looking forward to another stay at the River House.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Connie E.

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

Great location - good for two

The River House was in the perfect location for us. We were able to get to Acadia, Ellsworth, Blue Hill, Deer Isle and Castine. The house is good for two or three with a lovely view. Everything we needed was provided and Dan was very helpful. The price was a good deal.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Riverhouse

Lovely house with nice touches. Plenty to see on the peninsula—Castine, Deer Isle, Stonington, Blue Hill to name a few of the beautiful spots. Dan, the host, had some excellent suggestions for local restaurants, too.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Frank G.

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

a very lovely place

It was a very quiet and relaxing stay in a lovely house in a beautyful countryside. The host welcomed us warmly and gave us some very valuable tips. If you are searching for a calm and relaxing place, this is the right one for you. There are nice places to visit: Acadia National Park - about 1 h by car; Castine (15 min );Hothole valley (north and south entry - about 20 min. ; Deer island (about 40 min)). Thank You Dan for the nice stay!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Richard M.

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

Clean, Quiet and everything you need.

The property was was quiet and very clean and the owner met with us to see if there was anything that we needed. He lives only 2 doors down from this cottage. I would highly recommend this cottage. This place had everything we needed. Ty Mr. Brooks.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kris R.

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

Lovely Riverhouse Retreat

Dan is a top- notch host. He’s easy to communicate with, flexible, and super friendly. The house feels like an Irish B&B in its decor. Very comfortable! Highlight is sitting on the deck, overlooking the meadow toward parts of the Penobscot River in the distance. Frequent visits from a pair of bluebirds was a special treat.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Ellen A.

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

Charming house

We really enjoyed our stay in this rental. Dan responds quickly to questions and is pleasant to work with. Everything you need is at this rental: the kitchen is fully stocked, there's a room AC on the 1st floor and large fans on the 2nd floor, and the linens and towels are provided. It's a 45 min. drive to Acadia, and there are many quaint harbor towns in driving distance.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Terry Z.

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

Off the beaten path

It was a cute cottage. No air conditioning upstairs made it a little uncomfortable during a high humidity week. Furniture waa a bit too used and worn. It was a good location for traveling to lighthouses in Mid Maine. We had a great time finding lighthouses and eating lobster ar Glenn's Restaurant.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ashley s.

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

Absolutely Amazing

This was the perfect place! The house was beautiful and right on the water with a private beach just down a walking path! It's about 45 minutes from all the main attractions which was perfect for us because we didn't want in the hussle and bussle, we wanted that relaxing and true vacation feeling which is what you will get when you stay here. Dan was pneoumonial and was there to welcome us when we arrived to ensure we had everything we needed. Will definitely be back and will work with Dan!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

grace w.

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

Best and most wonderful host

Extremely thoughtful host. He thinks of everything and has it ready. A comfortable and cozy home away from home. It was a perfect tiny house. Fabulous view and clean and large shower. I inquired about the famous Maine midges and he thoughtfully made a point of greeting us when we arrived and brought a variety of repellents for me to use. It was a very convenient location to explore all over the beautiful area. He was easy to reach with any questions. I can’t say enough good things.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Christine R.

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

Cute House

Dan was super pleasant and friendly. House is cute, but dated; clean, but not squeaky clean. Recliners are worn and uncomfortable, towels are old, and shower curtain liner needs replacing. The weather was perfect for opening the upstairs windows at night, and having access to the internet is a plus. The location suited our needs and we would stay again.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Sept, 2024
The house is professionally cleaned between guests so not quite sure what the term "squeaky clean" means. I'd be interested to know more. Furnishings are evaluated each year for updating so there is a "plan". I do appreciate guests taking the time to write a review and I always take suggestions seriously. My Best
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

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

Nice house

We stayed at the River House last week, and had perfect weather for our first trip to Maine. The house is centrally located for near by attentions. It was a 45 minute drive to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. Fort Knox is close by. Dan met us shortly after we arrived and gave us a run down on the house and surrounding area, that was very helpful to us. We recommend this rental, and will be returning again. Thank you Dan !
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jun, 2023
They were incredible guests!!! Can't wait for them to return.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tim M.

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

Nice house near bay/river shore

The house is very nice & well kept with a nice view of the Orland River valley. It’s about 12 minutes from Castine, 12 minutes from Bucksport, & 1 hour from Bar Harbor. It’s a short walk on their property to the shore of the Orland River. There are several fishing/tourist towns to visit within a hour (Searsport, Belfast, Lincolnville, Camden, Rockland, Blue Hill, Ellsworth, Trenton, Bar Harbor, & others). There are many lakes nearby too. Dan is very nice & informative too.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

George W.

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

Perfect Home, Perfect Host

It has been our STR experience that sites that are individually owned and locally managed provide the most enjoyable stays. Dan Brooks is the perfect example. The Riverhouse is everything it is represented to be: well-located for exploration of the region, delightfully and thoughtfully furnished, and, in a word, charming. Dan is an involved veteran host who, from prior to arrival to departure, is there to ensure that your visit is completely what you anticipate and more. His experience and pride in his native area are boundless and Dan shares his knowledge joyfully. The title says it all: Perfect Home, Perfect Host.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Diana B.

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

First Trip to Maine

The Riverhouse was the perfect cottage for our first trip to Maine. It gave us the country cottage feel while being close enough to the grocery, restaurants and things to do. Our host, Dan, was absolutely amazing!! He contacted us several times to make sure we had the correct directions to the cottage and to make us aware about changes in the weather. Due to travel delays, we were VERY late arriving but he had the light on for us. He met me the next morning to go over any questions we had and to share with us the history of the area and the house. Dan is a true "inn keeper" sharing his love of the area, the history and making sure his guests have a memorable vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Dan Brooks

Host profile image
I am originally from Orland (two houses away) and am now living back in Orland in my ancestral property. I am now retired from the corporate world and spend my time working on the property, as well as my Bangor home.

Why they chose this property

I grew up 2 houses away and delivered papers to the owners as a kid. When the property became available, I knew I wanted it! Since the house needed 'everything', I decided to gut it to the shell and start over -- thus the pics display the finished product.

What makes this property unique

peace, quiet and relaxation

Languages:

English
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback