Capacious Coastal Villa for Memorable Moments Along Coast of Maine

Marge and her extraordinary family are always welcome at our home! We may even pay THEM to come back! Her communication was timely and thorough. Her manner kind and gracious. Exceptional guests do exist- and Marge & Co. modeled behavior every host dreams about but rarely encounters. They left the property better than they found it and found the humor in its eccentricity. It is guests like this, akin to that perfect winning 50-yard golf putt that keeps us going as hosts. Marge is the Arnold Palmer of guesting! We hope they return- or send similar friends & family!!

Yours was a lovely group. Thank you for choosing our home for your friends & family!

Dear Guy and his guests- Thank you for choosing our lovely property for your family retreat. We have shared our home with over 150 families for almost two decades- treating our home as if it was their own. However, you are the rare guest that did not. Your review is erroneous and spiteful. You’re guests destroyed a family heirloom: A beautiful 9x12 wool/silk rug that we received as a wedding present- only five years ago! We pride ourselves on presenting a well maintained and well appointed home- and have done so for 18 years. We’ve achieved ‘Premier Host’ status and almost always get FIVE star ratings. Why: because we go to great extremes to ensure everything is perfect! Your review is an outstanding anomaly. (Future guests can confirm that by scrolling the other reviews) And, I belive your review is a thinly veiled effort to deflect blame for ruining a carpet and damaging a mahogany floor. By your own words, after THREE inquiries that went unanswered, you stated that the french doors to balcony off of the primary bedroom “did not close properly and swung open during a torrential rainstorm whilst you were away for the day.” Uhm. This was not mentioned in review or to me for several days (after departure) after multiple texts, emails, and calls. We’re left unanswered. The doors work fine, always have, no one has ever mentioned an issue. Operator error happens - simple tele call and I could have explained: you just need to lift the handles up to lock into place. Super simple. You dragged the drenched rug down two flights of stairs- soaking wet- and left in a heap on first floor!?! (And two others that were not damaged, nor smelled). Never once did you alert me to this “smell” concern or that you did not know how to secure the French doors properly. You did not call or text or email with ANY concerns at all that week but instead ignored my inquiries asking if all was well. Only upon departure did you text me that you’ve left a note explaining your “disappointment”. Just to be clear: I have a handyman that literally lives next door. My ‘Clean Team’ are only 30 minutes away and available to resolve any issues. Furthermore, although I live a few hours south if the concern is great enough I am more than willing/ able to drive north and resolve. It is not fair for you to make false claims- “smells” and pet concerns when in fact a simple mistake aggravated by weather turned our turnover day into a nightmare as we had little time to resolve rug concern before next guests arrived. We rarely have dogs at property, no dogs reside there from Sept-May, and cats have never been allowed! All rugs are professionally cleaned 3-4 x /year! Moles- never seen one. Spiders: guilty as charged- especially this wet summer; albeit harmless ‘Daddy long-legs’. In other words Guy- I apologize for having to make an insurance claim (damage exceeded $$8,000 between the ruined rug and damaged floor) but it does not give you the right to post false claims. (BTW: I have only filed 3 insurance claims in 18 years of renting our home! We often overlook slight or accidental mistakes such as broken chairs, china or vases. ‘Ship Happens’ as we say in the maritime community). But, when it is egregious and you exhaustingly claimed it smelled of dogs yet would not answer WHY it was soaking wet- for three days- and resented that I was posting our exchange by text to VRBO I was left with no alternative. Furthermore leaving a 9x12 wool/silk area rug in a heap, preventing it from drying, essentially is what ruined it- that and the fact it absorbed stains from the hardwood floors. Rugs dry if cared for thoughtfully and immediately. We all make mistakes, if I had been notified when it happened; seemingly several days before your departure, I could have had our handyman transport to a rug cleaner and for a few hundred dollars the problem would have been fixed. Guy, you had a responsibility to let me know what happened - early and in detail. You also had a responsibility to leave a fair and impartial, fully told review. Yours was clearly written out of spite deflecting blame to others. It has been our experience that dogs and their human companions are -more often than not- better guests than … some people: present company included! Regrdless, I wish you and your family continue to travel the world safely and that your hosts are as conscientious and thoughtful as we are. Woof, woof.

Kim and her family were the type of guests we all imagine are mythical. She proved us wrong- great effusive communicator, thoughtful and appreciative of the little and large touches, she and hers are welcome at our home anytime! May other hosts reading this know: Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus -and leprechauns, and unicorns! If Kim comes knocking open your doors wide!!

More please, thank you! Fred was one of our most fond guests. He and his family, from the first conversation, we’re fun and easy! They clearly enjoyed the cottage - and left it spotless!! Some days, usually by late August I wonder if renting is worth it- then I read a review like Fred’s and realize this is a major reason we do it. It’s wonderful to share something special- that means a lot to your own family- with another family! Fred and his family are welcome back anytime! And, if you’re reading this, YOU are too- if you’re like Fred;)!