Pondfront Home on MDI with direct access to Acadia National Park.
DIGBY LODGE is pink. The summer home of Caroline Duhring Baltzell, mother of University of Pennsylvania Professor E. Digby Baltzell, Chair of the Department of Sociology and creator of the term WASP, is nestled within Acadia National Park with a 15-minute drive to Bar Harbor--you have direct access to Park trails, and Norumbega Mountain is directly across the reservoir (no swimming allowed). The trail around the pond is a leisurely thirty minute walk. The house faces west, and the sunsets are lovely. There is an expansive deck where you can read, rest or just watch and listen to very active loons and bald eagles.
Built in 1895, it is a Victorian that has a formal dining room and three working fireplaces. The kitchen has a six burner dual-fuel convection range. The dishwasher is in the pantry. There are two full baths upstairs; one with a wood rail antique copper tub, and the other with a modern steam shower. The basement contains two washers dryer sets. Amenities include two Samsung flat screen smart TVs . The living room also has DirecTV. There is hi speed WiFi and a wireless printer. Cell phone service is generally excellent. There are canoes available. All occupants are required to have a personal flotation device ("pfd" i.e. a life jacket). Paddles and lifejackets can be found in the closet and drawers of the boathouse. It is now run by her grandson Francis Baltzell and his partner Gabriella Irazabal who live in an adjacent house on the property and are available if needed. We are surrounded by Acadia National Park and do not have any neighbors.
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Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Max 2, short haired, under 50 lbs, $100 per pet.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
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 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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
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
Northeast Harbor
Located in Northeast Harbor, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. 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. Naturalist's Notebook and George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 20 min drive - 21.5 km
Getting around
Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 19 min drive
Restaurants
Jordan Pond House - 12 min drive
Shell - 8 min drive
Archie’s Lobster - 21 min drive
Circle K - 16 min drive
Milagro's - 16 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Pondfront Home on MDI with direct access to Acadia National Park. pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Pondfront Home on MDI with direct access to Acadia National Park.?
As of 10 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Pondfront Home on MDI with direct access to Acadia National Park. on 23 May, 2026 start from S$1,185, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Pondfront Home on MDI with direct access to Acadia National Park.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Pondfront Home on MDI with direct access to Acadia National Park.?
Check-in begins at 4:30 PM.
What time is check-out at Pondfront Home on MDI with direct access to Acadia National Park.?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Pondfront Home on MDI with direct access to Acadia National Park. located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Asticou Azalea Garden and Acadia National Park. Islesford Market and Thuya Garden are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had such a wonderful time at Digby Loge. The house is absolutely beautiful, comfortable and has all the amenities one can hope for. The location is unbeatable and we had so much fun exploring Acadia. Gabriella and Frank were wonderful hosts and we hope to have the privilege of staying there again.
Thibault F.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug, 2025
Thank you and look forward to seeing you in the future.
Our stay at Digby Lodge was wonderful. Frank and Gabriella's home is magnificently located right in the woods on Hadlock pond. There is nothing quite like waking up to the tranquility of nature-- just the sounds of birds and the sight of beautiful water and pine forest. The house is charming and clean and full of art, books and loveliness. We enjoyed walking the 30 minute loop around the pond, canoeing in the pond, biking into downtown northeast harbor, direct access to the carriage roads, and driving a short distance into the other harbor towns and villages (including Bar Harbor) and all the amazing parts of Acadia-- we hiked Gorham Mountain, Cadillac Mountain, enjoyed Echo Lake beach, Sand Beach, kayaked in Long Pond, ate tons of seafood, and the list goes on!! Thank you, Frank and Gabriella!
This is a beautiful home in a very special place. The pond provides a peaceful, lovely view and a magical morning walk! We loved every minute we spent in Digby Lodge on Lower Hadlock Pond.
My family of five thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this lovely, well-maintained home. The setting is fantastic and was a great escape from the crowds on the eastern side of the park. Gabby and Frank are very thoughtful and attentive hosts.
Kevin O.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul, 2023
Thank you for your wonderful review hope you are all safe and healthy.
My wife and I and our dog loved the house (spacious, cozy, clean, great porch). Great location embedded in Acadia with direct access to the teals and carriage roads. Very private being the only property on lower Hadlock pond
Alan M.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul, 2023
Thank you. Hope we see all of you again 😉
Frank & Gabby
Charming time capsule
Experience
in a impeccable older home
Stylish in a period manner with a twist of eccentricity and history
In a private and privileged
Location with genuine tranquility
TONY S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul, 2023
Thank you for your delightful description. It was a pleasure to have you, and thank you also for leaving the house impeccably clean. Please come again.
The house is perfectly located for hiking, biking, walking, sight seeing and relaxing. It is the perfect get-a-way. You take a few steps from the porch and you are on the hiking trails. Walk to the carriage road for miles of walking or biking. It is an active persons oasis!!! On our last morning, while hiking around the pond, we came face to face with a beautiful deer (Buck). I would definitely recommend this property. The first night we were a little concerned about the heat upstairs for the kids rooms but it warmed up and there are plenty of blankets.
cynthia r.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul, 2023
Thank you. Happy you had a “perfect-get- away” and wishing you a safe and healthy holiday season.
My family and I stayed at Digby Lodge for a week over peak foliage and we it was STUNNING! We had such a wonderful, relaxing time and Gabby and Frank were both so kind & helpful :) There are tons of trails right that start right out back the property that were so much fun to explore! Our favorite memories are playing games by the fireplace in the living room, taking baths in the copper bathtub, canoeing in the pond outback, drinking coffee overlooking the pond, enjoying fresh lobsters & lobster rolls, and of course hiking through Acadia. Book your stay here at Digby Lodge, you won't be disappointed! Oh and don't forget to try the ice cream at Mount Desert Ice Cream, its some of the best we've ever had!
We stayed at Digby Lodge from Monday September 4 through 11, 2023. We had a fabulous time! The location was amazing. We were able to jump on the carriage trail right from the house. We were able to hike the trails around the Lower Hadlock Pond right from the house also. We were only 20 minutes from Bar Harbor, only 5 minutes from Northeast Harbor and 30 minutes from Southwest Harbor. The hosts Gabby and Frank are amazing, really endearing! They live right next door, but gave us privacy. They quickly resolved any issues we encountered. They provided wonderful books and ideas for exploring the area. We would stay with them in a minute. The house is very historic and gorgeous, very peaceful and serene. The bathrooms and kitchen were renovated, beautiful granite and upgrades.
If Acadia is your goal, you can't ask for more than this spot
First, the house is lovely. Old Vic, replete with antiques and family ancestor portraits, the place has great charm. Not to mention its best feature: a big, deep porch looking right out over Lower Hadlock Pond.
And the Park's trails start at your property line, as well as there being an entrance to the Park's carriage paths across the road. Talk about an ideal location!
Finally, Frank and Gabby are delightful and interesting people, and I look forward to getting to know them better on future visits.
If I had to find a grump, its the double bed in the master. Coming from a king, a double does make it harder to toss and turn as my wife and I tend to do. But so much more about Digby Lodge makes that one thing insignificant.
We would love to come back.
Our visit to the Digby Lodge was fun, relaxing and enjoyable due to the wonderful property, the great location and our hosts, Frank and Gabby.
The location is very convenient to the Northeast Harbor. It is maybe a mile drive, where there are some small shops and a local grocery store. It's about an 18 minute drive to Bar Harbor, which we also found convenient and visited several times over our 10 days. Also of note is that Digby Lodge is one of a couple houses on Lower Hadlock Pond, and abuts a large system of trails. We walked the Reservoir Trail (half hour) daily, as it was accessed from the property. Acadia's famous carriage trails can be accessed less than a quarter of a mile away - again, great and convenient access.
The house itself is beautiful, filled with many cool details. The three bedrooms have comfortable beds, and if you'd prefer, you could also sleep in the one-room cottage by the pond, or on the sprawling window seat in the living room - as our daughter did. The bathrooms are updated - steam shower anyone! the deep, copper tub is amazing and keeps its temperature for a long time. The house is filled with built-ins. It has a butler's pantry with an old soapstone sink. It is filled with period artwork. There are filled bookshelves in almost every room. There are two sets of washer/dryers - which we thought was excessive at first, and then the girls wound up doing their laundry at the same time! One of the best parts, is the large deck that overlooks the pond. We spend most of our time there dining, reading, playing games and relaxing, and watching the loons swimming on the pond. The deck became my office away from home in the mornings. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the kitchen, which is complete with a modern fridge and stove, but also has a period sink, and the original, restored, wood-fired stove. Frank gave a brief and interesting tour of the house when we arrived and talked about the history of the house. All these details made our time there all the better.
Our hosts were always available when we needed them. We would text them with any questions. The one issue we had about slow Wifi, was rectified quickly- Frank was on it, and I was back to Zoom calls.
We're grateful to have stayed at Digby Lodge and to Frank and Gabby. We highly recommend this property and look forward to coming back one day soon.
Cheers,
Ray
Raymond L.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul, 2023
Thank you so much! Wow! What an amazing review.
Thank you,
Frank and Gabby
We had a wonderful stay - enjoying the beautiful home, wonderful views, peaceful setting and lovely hiking trails right out the front door. What made our stay extra special was the little attention to details - including very comfy beds, laundry baskets in each of the closets and thoughtful stocking of the medicine cabinet (ie.g. bandaids which were handy for a little scratch). Thank you Gabby and Frank for sharing such a special home and making us feel so welcome. (Fun note - our sons discovered many Pokémon GO stops near the house.)
The house was just lovely! The online photos do not do it justice. I would be very happy to revisit.
Other reviewers have listed the many benefits - they are correct. We did have a few glitches, but Gabby was more than responsive. Unfortunately, the service providers were not. The biggest issue was with the internet. We were able to get by using mobile data and by creating hotspots via our Verizon network. It did cost a bit, but was well worth it given all else that the house had to offer.
We had a fantastic week at Digby Lodge! My family of 4 and my father stayed during an absolutely gorgeous week in October. Frank and Gabby were incredibly easy to communicate with during the booking process - even directing us to the best place to pick up fishing poles for our 2 boys who were eager to fish on the gorgeous pond! They greeted us and showed us around the property. Frank gave us the history of his family’s home, which has been impeccably maintained, including some wonderful bathroom updates (the steam shower and soaking tub were well used by our group!). The property could not be more gorgeous! We did the beautiful hike around the lake and took the canoes out every day. And the sunsets from the porch with a glass of wine were magical! It was also conveniently located to everything we had on our itinerary. We would love to visit again!
This is a beautiful property in a unique and spectacular setting! All the comforts of home, literally on the edge the national park, with Lower Hadlock Pond and Norumbega Mountain right outside the door. Frank and Gabby were terrific. Thanks for sharing this wonderful spot with us!
We have stayed at many places on MDI but Digby Lodge, by far, was our favorite place. The house is wonderful, w great spaces for hanging out during the days and comfortable bedrooms for the night. We especially enjoyed relaxing on the porch, enjoying views of Lower Hadlock Pond and the sounds of bullfrogs and loons. The house was extremely private but conveniently located to Acadia trails and BarHarbor restaurants. Gabby and Frank were excellent hosts w great stories about the island. We are looking forward to going back!
Don P.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul, 2023
Thank you. What a nice review! We look forward to having you again. Stay safe.
We had a delightful stay. The house is well appointed and comfortable, and the setting on the pond is delightful. The owners were both gracious and inobtrusive. We particularly enjoyed being able to walk from the house right onto the hiking trails in the park.
I stayed here for the week with my 22 year old son and his friend. The house is so charming...even better in person than on the website and the setting is magical. The hosts Frank and Gaby were on the property behind us and available for anything we needed. I would definitely stay here again!
Michelle M.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul, 2023
Thank you, we enjoyed having you and look forward to seeing again.
We fell in love with the house as soon as we saw the listing. It was a bit more than we were planning to spend, but it was the annual family trip and we wanted it to be special. So we booked it. And it was special. Frank and Gaby were generous, discrete, and very kind hosts. The house was beautiful and comfortable. The kitchen was great to cook in and the bedrooms very comfortable. Sitting on the porch was just like the photos--dreamy. The only thing I'd want others to know is that the lake is actually a reservoir and thus not for swimming. Aside from that very, very small disappointment--the lake was still beautiful for boating on and contemplating--we had a perfect time.
Frank and Gabby were wonderful hosts and their historic home is the only one set on Lower Hadlock Pond, which make u feel like u have the 35 acre pond all to yourself.
My wife and I stayed here for a week, and it was everything we wanted and more! This was our first time to Maine and I genuinely worry we've spoiled the rest of the state for ourselves by having our first trip be here. You're just minutes away from the Acadia loop and have some trails literally outside your door. We (and our dog!) loved it here...between canoeing, hiking, and sightseeing it was just a wonderful week away. Frank and Gabby were very responsive for the one or two things we had questions about, and even reached out to see how our dog Wesley was handling any potential stresses due to 4th of July fireworks. Making the trip was an 8 hour drive for us, but we would gladly do it again in the future to stay here. We were just commenting today about how we wish we could have done two weeks instead of just one. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Unique, beautiful, lovingly maintained property. Super clean and comfortable, stocked with everything you might need. A stone’s throw to Acadia, yet Digby Lodge is a destination on its own. Thanks to Frank and Gabby for hosting our family getaway and sharing this slice of heaven.
Sara F.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul, 2023
Thank you and come again!
About the host
Hosted by Francis Baltzell
Hi! Gabby and I love Mount Desert Island, and those that love it too. This is a special place--come see for yourself.
Why they chose this property
This has been in the family for three generations. Grandmother purchased it in 1934, and had it painted pink in 1937. If you want to be near all that makes Mount Desert Island so special, you can't do much better than being on Hadlock Pond. It is entirely possible to park your car and not use it for days, with so much nearby yet set off and private. A perfect spot for families to come together to cook delicious meals, quietly explore nearby trails, mountains and carriage roads and enjoy the abundance of offerings that has long defined Maine as the true "Vacationland".
What makes this property unique
Digby Lodge has world-class views of Hadlock Pond and nearby Norumbega Mountain. We are within easy hiking distance to the village of Northeast Harbor, making it safe and inspiring for all ages. You can explore the interconnected trails on the way. There is a 30-minute walk that takes you around the pond at water's edge and meets the trailhead for Norumbega mountain. If you cross the main road, there is the entrance to the carriage roads--great for long walks, biking to Jordan Pond house for tea and popovers or to Bar Harbor and/or Seal Harbor or for a longer rides up/down the mountains of Mount Desert. There is no limit to what you can do on this island; only limited by your own imagination.