“Sunset Lodge” a traditional Maine lakefront lodge with Guest House
Built in 1919 and updated to provide all modern amenities while preserving the historic feel of a true Maine “camp,” this private end-of-the-road compound sleeps 6 in the Lodge and 4 in the Guest House. The Lodge features a first floor bedroom, den/guest room, airy sleeping loft, new eat-in kitchen, open dining/living room, updated bathroom with original claw foot tub/shower, sun porch and outdoor porch. The Guest House, with a queen bed on the 1st floor and 2 twins in the loft, provides the extra space to comfortably include another family, grandparents, in-laws or just a chance to spread out a bit and have an extra bath and porch. The water’s edge renovated “pump house” provides a perfect rainy day playhouse or additional sleeping space for and adventurous 2. Yes, the property could sleep 12, but we limit the total occupancy to 8, giving folks a chance to pick their perfect sleeping spot and spread out for their very best vacation experience.
A private dock, plus a sandy entry down a short path, and canoe and kayaks are yours to enjoy all the pristine Howard Pond has to offer - boating, fishing, swimming or just lazing on the dock . Sunset Lodge basks in the sun all day and catches the final rays and dramatic sunsets. Nightime brings incredible stargazing from the dock.
The nearby Mahoosuc and White Mountains provide world-class hiking while the Androscoggin River in Hanover village offers outstanding fly and spin fishing for trout and bass. Guide services available for a float down the Androscoggin or other outdoor adventures. Or you can walk 5 minutes down the lane and find the trailhead to Woodsman's Peak, a short but energetic hike to gorgeous lookout over the pond. Many fun trails of varying challenge within a 20 minute drive, including Step Falls with water slides!
Just 1 ½ hours from Portland and 20 minutes to Bethel (good restaurants, top notch bakery, shopping, groceries, movies, bowling, even a fabulous fish truck from the coast twice a week) this accessible yet secluded vacation spot will provide the perfect opportunity for rest, relaxation, adventure, and fun.
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3 bedroom Lake Chalet with private dock close to Sunday River Ski & Golf resort.
Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Pets not to be left alone at house; poop clean-up!
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
No open fires. No grilling on porch. No diving or jumping from the dock. The water gets deep quickly, but not deep enough to jumpe/dive at the dock.
Please respect neighbors on the pond by keeping noise at a minimum 9 PM - 9 AM.
Do not leave dogs home alone unless in a crate. Dogs will be nervous in a new place and can be destructive. Please take care to pick up poop.
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 and a first aid kit
About the area
Hanover
Located in Hanover, this cottage is in the mountains and on the waterfront. 49 Franklin and Bethel Historical Society are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Sunday River and White Cap Ski Lift. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and hunting nearby.
Is “Sunset Lodge” a traditional Maine lakefront lodge with Guest House pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at “Sunset Lodge” a traditional Maine lakefront lodge with Guest House?
As of 4 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at “Sunset Lodge” a traditional Maine lakefront lodge with Guest House on 13 June 2026 start from AU$475, 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 “Sunset Lodge” a traditional Maine lakefront lodge with Guest House?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at “Sunset Lodge” a traditional Maine lakefront lodge with Guest House?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at “Sunset Lodge” a traditional Maine lakefront lodge with Guest House?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is “Sunset Lodge” a traditional Maine lakefront lodge with Guest House located?
Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is steps from Howard Pond and 1.3 mi (2.1 km) from Androscoggin River. Androscoggin Brunswick-Topsham Riverwalk and Sunday River are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a wonderful week. The cabin is a well maintained rustic Maine camp with updates where it counts like the kitchen. We liked the canoe and kayaks provided. Just far enough off the main road. It’s positioned to get great sunsets.
My two week stay at Sunset Lodge was perfect in every way. The house was beautiful, well appointed and very comfortable. I felt right at home from the moment I arrived. The camp is authentically Maine, beautifully decorated, but with plenty of modern amenities. I stayed for two weeks with my dogs who thoroughly enjoyed the spacious yard - plenty of room to play outdoors - and easy access to the lake from the dock or from the shoreline. Howard Pond is crystal clear and perfect for swimming. And the sunsets do not disappoint! Even on the cloudy days the views are amazing. We enjoyed use of the kayaks and Lisa had many chairs available for lounging and sunning in the yard and on the dock. My parents joined me for a few days as well and felt right at home staying in the smaller guest camp which was absolutely beautiful and just perfect for the two of them.
From the very beginning Lisa was in touch with me and very responsive. From booking to check in to check out, it was all very simple. While at Sunset Lodge, Lisa was very responsive to any queries and there was plenty of information in the guest Guide Book. I greatly appreciated the wood stove on cold evenings (we had a few!) and the washer/dryer was great to have on hand. We even indulged in a few movies on the rainy days. The house is perfect for one or a bigger family with plenty of activities on the lake or in the surrounding areas. Peter and Lisa are gracious hosts and I look forward to returning to Sunset Lodge again soon!
Alicia B.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Sept 2021
Thank you, Alicia. We are so happy you enjoyed Sunset Lodge and Howard Pond. You were such a thoughtful tenant and took great care of the house. It was sparkling clean on your departure, which is so helpful to us. You are most welcome back anytime!
Peter and Lisa were the best hosts! Had the fire roaring in the wood stove at check in when it was chilly and raining. Quintessential Maine cottage on a crystal clear lake! Hiked woodman trail, kayaked, enjoyed beautiful sunsets! Played golf at bethel country club and mini golf! Lots of lake floating and laughs! Rented the guest house which was amazing for my son and daughter-in-law! Lots of memories made at this wonderful cottage compound! Highly recommend!
Our family vacation at Sunset Lodge was by far the best 2 weeks of our entire summer. The lodge was EVERYTHING that our family was looking for in a vacation. We spend endless hours on the pond; swimming, fishing, kayaking and paddleboarding!
Our boys loved all the old movies, loads of books, and games that the house offered. They were entertained from sun up til they passed out in the kids loft shortly after sundown!
We also took advantage of the guest house and it worked out perfect for my sisters family to join us but also have their own place to retreat to when the little kids needed naps or a break from the fun.
And no one enjoyed it more than our dog cruz! He hiked, swam, chased the fish and paddle boarded with the kids. And when he needed a break he perched up on the sun deck overlooking the lake so he could still watch his boys!
Lisa was a wonderful host and available if we needed anything, both throughout the whole planning process and vacation.
Words cant even describe how absolutely beautiful and peaceful this location is! We cant wait to start planning next summer's vacation already!
Plenty of space for families, friends, pods. Thoughtful details.
This was our first stay at Sunset Lodge and we were very impressed with all of the thoughtful touches by the owners that really made us feel welcome. Be sure to check out the Welcome binder with all kinds of detailed info on local activities. This was not our first time visiting the area and yet we were not aware of the amazing swimming holes, hikes and bike rides nearby, all detailed in the Welcome binder. We found that very helpful. We rented the guest cottage for our stay as well and it was perfect for friends coming to visit, and when friends weren't visiting, we used it as an office for work zoom calls where we needed some quiet and privacy. This was a perfect set up for the working vacation. Plenty of fans on hand to keep the air moving on those hot days. We enjoyed having a fire in the wood stove on the cold nights. Beds are comfortable. Kitchen has everything you would need. We'd love to come back!
The property was beautiful and so well maintained. The kitchen had everything you could possibly need. The home was very clean and accommodated my large family. The views are gorgeous from the two porches. Love, love love!
Perfect in every aspect. We had a wonderful early fall stay. The property is beautiful and very private. We especially enjoyed the amazing sunsets right on the private dock. The guest cottage is perfect for a bit of privacy when needed, if you have a large group. Lisa was very responsive to any questions I had and check in/out was a breeze! Can’t wait to stay again!
We had a great stay at "Sunset Lodge." The sunsets are truly magnificent, as are the stars afterwards- we brought our son's telescope along :) The space is amazing and huge; it allowed us to spend time with family we haven't seen in months. Peter and Lisa are gracious hosts. They responded to our questions and concerns promptly and conscientiously. It's clear they take a lot of pride in their camp, and they are simply delightful. We loved that it had the rustic feel of a traditional Maine camp, but was appointed with modern conveniences (full kitchen, wi-fi, tv, etc.). And the pond is absolutely pristine. We would absolutely return!
Fantastic location on a beautiful, clean pond. The kids loved catching frogs, crawfish and tadpoles along the water’s edge. We only saw a few loons, but I’m sure if you’re there the right time of year they are more prevalent. Lisa was extremely responsive and helpful with whatever we needed. Although we didn’t venture out much there are some cool sights nearby in Grafton and Bethel. Great area for hiking, mountain biking, fishing. The Sunday River Brewery has really good food and beer. Overall we loved the experience, the view, the birds and the cabin. Would definitely recommend as a place to stay with friends or family. Look forward to going back.
Kristen P.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 July 2020
Loved having Kristen and her family. Great communications, very respectful of the property, quiet and pleasant to deal with. Five stars for a terrific job cleaning up on their way out. Happy to welcome you again anytime, Kristen!
This was our second stay at Sunset Lodge. Having multiple little outbuildings to stow our ever growing family is a real blessing. My young adult children love being here, reestablishing their family ties while still being able to retain their new found autonomy. The "Pump House" is right on the waters edge with plenty of windows to let in the cool pond breezes. The little cottage is close enough to offer a quiet respite from the bustle of the entire family but still be close enough to not miss out on any spontaneous Lodge activities. Sunset Lodge easily accommodates our family. There is plenty of room for 8 of us to play cards in the evenings or just sit on the porches and catch up with one another. The VCR selection is outstanding when you need a bit of down time. The water if clear and its temperature perfect. The pond is quiet, mostly consisting of a few kayakers, paddle boarders or canoers. Maybe once every few days a motor boat will zoom some kids around for a half hour or so. The loons are inquisitive and pop up to look at you when you are swimming or kayaking. Up close they are surprisingly large! Their songs are delicate and beautiful. This is really a jewel of a property. Peter and Lisa are fabulous hosts. They are very accessible and take great pride in their property and in the area in general. If I could give this 11 stars, I would!
Casey F.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
Thanks so much, Casey. So happy to hear of the good family times at Sunset Lodge. Gives us great pleasure to have you there.
This is a beautiful, rustic Maine camp at the end of a dirt road with everything we could want including beautiful sunsets. The private fireworks displays over the pond on July 4th were great! Plus, we appreciated the offset, sandy entry into the water. We had a wonderful time. Thanks Lisa and Peter!
My husband and I were so happy to have a found a place like this in which to stay. We stumbled upon this listing when we realized we could get away for a week in mid-June and looked to see what would be available. Well, this place is booked solid the rest of the summer and we understand why! It is perfect! It had everything we needed. Every meal was out on the screened in porch (our favorite spot), the kitchen was great to work in, and the hiking was spectacular...Grafton Notch is RIGHT there! We read books, watched sunsets, canoed a bit, hiked a lot and thoroughly relaxed. Thank you, Lisa and Peter, for sharing your place!
Cynthia E.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
michelle k.
26 Aug 2018
Perfect Retreat
We had a wonderful stay! It was peaceful, beautiful, and comfortable. The owners have thought of everything. It was particularly nice to have both kayaks and the canoe. Our 11 & 13 year olds spent hours kayaking around the pond.
michelle k.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Casey F.
8 Aug 2018
Tranquil beauty
We just got back from spending 2 weeks on the pond. The cottage is lovely. I loved the simplicity of everything and it brought back good memories of growing up on a lake this size. The pond is clear and clean. Once you move out beyond the rocks, it gets deep. My teenage kids spent hours floating around together. We loved the canoe and saw lots of wildlife. The loons are curious and pop up next to you when you are swimming and canoeing. The cottage is away from the main roads around the pond, in fact it is at the end of the road. Everyone on the pond was friendly to us. We look forward to staying again.
Casey F.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2018
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Kristen H.
13 Feb 2015
Our Favorite Week of the Year!
For the past 4 summers, my family has been traveling from Maryland to Maine to enjoy a relaxing week at Sunset Lodge on Howard Pond. Sunset Lodge is a quintessential Maine cabin that has been restored to perfectly capture how simple life can be in Maine's beautiful outdoors, while also providing modern amenities to keep life easy. The main lodge and guest house are clean and well-kept and can comfortably accommodate multiple families. The loft is spacious and has been the perfect spot for our older kids to spread out. We have also taken advantage of the furnished pump house on the waters edge, which has room for 2 to spend a quiet night and capture the early morning call of the resident loons. Our children have enjoyed countless hours fishing off the dock, swimming in the wonderfully sandy swimming/wading area, and canoeing and kayaking on the quiet pond. On the occasional rainy day, there are plenty of games, movies and books provided in the cabin to keep everyone entertained. We were delighted last year to also have the opportunity to enjoy a campfire under the stars in the newly added fire pit. The lodge is aptly named as sunsets on the porch overlooking the pond are spectacular. Peter and Lisa are the perfect hosts - they extend plenty of privacy, but are available at a moments notice if necessary. The week always goes by too quickly. We look forward to our next trip up to Sunset Lodge!
Kristen H.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Lynne G.
17 July 2013
Outstanding!
All the prior 5 stars reviews were very accurate. It has a rustic ambience with modern amenities.
We loved the simplistic layout with little nooks, cozy corners and plenty of comfortable sleeping options. The kitchen and bath updates blended well with the original interior. It was spacious but warm and welcoming. The well considered amenities were appreciated - quiet dishwasher, gas cook stove, washer/dryer, internet access. For lodge entertainment, we found plenty of good books, some favorite magazines, fun games and a respectable collection of movies.
I think the only thing we didn't like was leaving!
Lynne G.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Doug and Celeste C.
3 Oct 2010
True Gem
We really enjoyed our week at Sunset Lodge. It was everything we hoped it would be—it had the ambience, the charm and the privacy we were looking for. The place even had a romantic feel to it. The loft was perfect for our 11 year old as he had that huge space to himself, and our older son enjoyed the pump house right near the water (there was ample room in the cottage but he liked the privacy of the pump house). The pond itself is breathtaking, and we particularly enjoyed the inlet we discovered on the other side of the pond (and the loons). And the sunsets are unbelievable. You have a very beautiful cottage and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a perfect, tranquil getaway.
Doug and Celeste C.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Lisa H.
20 Aug 2009
breathtaking
we have stayed at sunset for two years now. we love the pond and the mountains. the cottage is perfect..the whole family was able to share in dinner making and sleep restfully to the singing of the loons
Lisa H.
About the host
Hosted by Peter and Lisa Adams
We have enjoyed Howard Pond since 1990. It gives us great pleasure to share it with our guests, their friends and families. In our free time, when not relaxing at the pond, we enjoy traveling and have had the chance to stay in great homes around the country and overseas. We bring back from our travels ideas about how to improve Sunset Lodge and always welcome feedback for improvements, too.
Why they chose this property
You will feel very remote, but in fact are just a 20 minute drive from the lovely village of Bethel, which boasts a fabulous bakery and a twice weekly fish truck from the coast. The lake and mountain views are fabulously beautiful, as are the spectacular sunsets from the dock or porches. We spend part of our summertime at Howard Pond and know how to fully enjoy the pond and the surrounding area. We try to provide you with everything you need to make the most of your precious vacation time.
What makes this property unique
The unique feature of this property is the opportunity to experience Maine's authentic "camp" life (as we call our mountain/lake hideaways) but with all the modern amenities! Sunset Lodge has gorgeous open stud construction and hardwood floors throughout. You can venture out for world class hikes and explorations of Western Maine, or you can greet the day with coffee on your dock, dangling your feet in the water, spend time reading, kayaking, watching and listening to the loons, hike up Woodsman's Peak with a trailhead just a 5 minute walk from the house for a look at the surrounding hills, the pond and the Androscoggin River, pick blueberries on the property for a pie (mid-July early August) , take a nap in the hammock, start the grill for dinner, watch a sunset that sometimes don't feel real, and make a final trip to the dock for a little stargazing far from city lights.