My family and I have been coming to Rangeley for over 40 years, and this beautiful area holds a very special place in our hearts. We have rented through Morton & Furbish numerous times over the years and have always looked forward to our visits.
We recently spent eight nights at A Beauty at Sunrise, and I want to begin by saying that we absolutely loved this home. The spacious layout, beautiful setting, and overall atmosphere were everything we were hoping for. It is genuinely one of our favorite homes we have rented in Rangeley. Unfortunately, several issues significantly affected our experience.
Cleanliness was a major disappointment. Both bathroom shower curtain liners had extensive visible mold-like buildup, which we documented with photographs. There was also thick dust throughout the home. The high window in the living room had an accumulation of flies and lady beetles that appeared to have been left untouched during cleaning. These were not minor oversights and left us questioning how thoroughly the property was cleaned and inspected before our arrival. Unfortunately, cleanliness has been a recurring concern during our stays at other Morton & Furbish properties as well.
The insect problems extended beyond the living room. The upstairs bathroom had large numbers of insects entering around the skylight and shower window, making the bathroom unusable for us. The kitchen window facing the pond had a round hole in its screen, and insects were also entering through gaps around the window seals. The screen door leading to the deck had a large vertical tear, creating another potential entry point for insects. These are maintenance issues that should be addressed, particularly in an area where insects can be a significant problem.
Several other areas of the home needed attention. The toilet seat in the main-floor bathroom was old and appeared to need replacement. We also noticed what appeared to be water damage on the ceiling near the kitchen. Although we cannot confirm the cause, the area should be inspected.
A serious safety concern was an unmarked hole in the yard near the entrance of the home. There was no caution tape or protective barrier warning guests of the potential hazard. When we contacted Morton & Furbish, they were unaware of the hole. Although the safety concern was subsequently resolved, we were left questioning how something like this could have gone unnoticed during a pre-arrival property inspection.
We also experienced an unexpected visit from a septic company after dark. We had received no advance notification that workers would be arriving and requesting access to the inside of the rental. This was an uncomfortable and unnecessary disruption. Guests should be informed beforehand when contractors require access to an occupied vacation property.
To Morton & Furbish's credit, they voluntarily refunded our cleaning fee and offered a credit toward a future rental. We appreciated the gesture. However, compensation does not replace the need for consistent cleaning standards, thorough inspections, and proper maintenance.
After reporting the maintenance concerns, we were informed that the owner would discuss the repairs with his family. Unfortunately, we have not received confirmation that the necessary repairs will be completed.
We genuinely loved A Beauty at Sunrise and would absolutely consider returning if we could feel confident that the property had been thoroughly cleaned, inspected, and properly maintained. It is disappointing that such a beautiful home was overshadowed by problems that should have been addressed before our arrival.
After more than four decades of visiting Rangeley, we know how special this area is and want other families to have wonderful experiences here as well. We sincerely hope Morton & Furbish and the property owner take these concerns seriously and make the necessary improvements.