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Cottage by the Bay

Photo gallery for Cottage by the Bay

"The Castle On The Bay"
The outdoor stone patio with fireplace
The living room
Room
Room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Franklin, ME
  • Place, Sullivan Harbor Farm
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Tidal Falls
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Donnell Pond
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Cottage by the Bay

Vacationers come to Maine for many reasons. Here is one more. Secluded on 37 acres with 1000 feet shore front this immaculate post and beam cottage has been referred to as "The Castle On the Bay". The pictures tell why. We have found that one of the most liked aspects of renting here is the outside fireplace with it's two gas fired lobster cookers as well as a large gas grill.

A great spot for cooking and family get togethers. Some of the following check mark info's does not cover everything such as the fact that the cottage is on an estuary of the ocean and therefore has very calm waters for kayaking and exploring the shoreline. The cottage sits alone on this 37 acre spot therefore has a great deal of privacy. There is a gate that you can lock at night for total privacy.

Keywords: Cottage on the salt water

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House Rules

Check in after 1:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 9:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 293354vb
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Franklin

Located in Franklin, this cottage is by the ocean. Acadia National Park and Tidal Falls reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Prayer Labyrith and Seacoast Fun Park. Downeast Scenic Railroad and Grand Theatre are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
View more Cottages in FranklinOpens in a new window
Map
Franklin, ME

What's nearby

  • Sullivan Harbor Farm - 13 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Tidal Falls - 17 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Donnell Pond - 17 min drive - 12.3 km
  • Wild Mountain Man Ray's Chainsaw Show - 18 min drive - 15.9 km
  • Abrams Pond - 18 min drive - 19.4 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 37 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ruth & Wimpy's - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Chippers - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪The Galley - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪YU Take Out - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Itty Bitty Cafe - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottage by the Bay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Cottage by the Bay?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cottage by the Bay?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Cottage by the Bay located?

Situated by the ocean, this cottage is within 9 miles (15 km) of Tidal Falls, Donnell Pond and Sullivan Harbor Farm. Wild Mountain Man Ray's Chainsaw Show and Black Beach 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 70 out of 70 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 70 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 70 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 70 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 70 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christina s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Maine getaway.Beautiful views of the bay.Loved having the kayaks available for our use
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

louis n.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We genuinely loved our stay here and were so pleased with all aspects of the cottage. Tina was an excellent host and made sure to check that we were content and happy with our stay. We cannot wait to come back to Maine as this was a great jumping off point for everything down east Maine has to offer.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debbie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Cottage was beautiful, clean and was equipped with everything we needed. Very peaceful with excellent views and awesome sunsets every night!! Had many bird and a few deer visitors we enjoyed watching. Excellent communication with the host who was extremely helpful. We will try to coordinate another stay for next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

MELISSA R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tina’s place was absolutely amazing. We enjoyed hiking everyday in Acadia and then coming back to the cabin to kayak and watch the sunset. We saw seals everyday while kayaking, which was one of the highlights of our trip. We enjoyed fires every night and watching the twinkling stars. We all had a great time and will be a memory with us forever.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Caleb D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the best VRBO experience we have had yet. Not only was the cabin in a beautiful, peaceful location, but it was remarkably clean. Tina, the host, had remarkably good communication which was thorough and sincere. The location of the stay makes a vacation, and this made our vacation wonderful. Thank you for a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matt D.

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

Great property and host

The cabin is wonderful and the view is beautiful. Tina, you are a generous and gracious host. Such a perfect place to stay and make memories with our kids.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom M.

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

Family Holiday

We had a very relaxing week in nature at Tina’s wonderful house. It is located on a quiet lane on the edge of Franklin. It is a wonderful spot in the middle of a quiet forest along the waters edge. The house was well appointed with all the things we needed to have a comfortable week with our family of six. Thanks again Tina!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ross S.

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

Private - Great Sunset and Wildlife!

We didn't want to leave! It was a great stay, beautiful sunsets and tons of privacy. Highly recommend.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Edgars Z.

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

Perfect Maine Retreat

The house is set on the waterfront with lovely sunset views across the water. Enjoyed the special setup outdoors for lobster boils and evening fireplace sessions.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Simon D.

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

Lovely cottage

Great location by the bay, the whole family enjoyed it very much. Kayaking is a must, the lobster pot kit and the outdoor kitchen / fireplace is a nice setup for the perfect Maine lobster dinner. Clean and comfy, Tina was very helpful and answered our questions quickly.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine V.

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

Peaceful & Private

This amazing cabin afforded us the peace, quiet, privacy & nature, with the amenities of home, that we look for. Having use of the kayaks during our stay was an added bonus.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anna Maria P.

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

Fabulous 1st Visit to Maine

Cottage by the Bay is a special place. The peace and tranquility of the location is amazing. Tina was extremely responsive to any questions or concerns that were raised. Hope to visit again soon.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian P.

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

Excellent

The property was amazing, would definitely stay there again. Tina was an excellent host. Thanks
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen B.

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

Exceeded our expectations

The Castle on the Bay was a beautiful oasis. Nestled in a lush forest, it is a destination itself. Sit back and enjoy the view and the wildlife. Outdoor kitchen and kayaks are added treats. Convenient to Bar Harbor, Acadia and many other sites.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marjorie W.

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

A piece of heaven

We have stayed here a number of times and we are never disappointed. The whole family can kayak or canoe, the kids are so excited when harbor seals pop their heads out of the water, eagles flew by or landed in the trees almost every day, it is close to Acadia National Park and BarHarbor. A wonderful experience and many memories made here.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joseph J.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is truly a beautiful home and setting which made for a very peaceful and quiet getaway. The canoe/kayaks were another highlight of the property; we frequently saw seals playing and feeding while out kayaking. The kids loved that. The patio, grill and fireplace were nice to cook and relax by at night. The property worked well as a base for our Acadia National Park exploring. We did day-trips to Acadia each day; took about 40 minutes to get to ANP on Mt Desert Island and about 30 minutes to ANP on the Schoodic Peninsula. A few incidentals unfortunately arose during our stay but Tina was quick to respond and assist.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dawn K.

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

Amazing Vacation

Picturesque house on water with views of harbor seals. Super clean. Great response from hostess. The hostess wants you to feel at home with plenty of extra amenities.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 9 July 2023
Thanks for staying at our cottage so glad you enjoyed yourselves
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Danny B.

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

Peaceful Bay !!!!!

Excellent cottage!! Clean, efficient, spectacular outdoor activities from the property. Host was amazing. All essentials needed for a great stay. Great cottage location for daily sight seeing adventures in surrounding areas. Great fishing from the bay in front of house. Wildlife viewing from the house. Bear, deer, seals, turkey, porcupine, eagles and many more.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary F.

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

Just WOW!!!!

This beautiful home is exactly what we were looking for. Close to Acadia and Bar Harbor it allowed us to enjoy the area and then come home and relax. The view of the bay is impressive. The outdoor fireplace provided the perfect spot to relax. Tina is an amazing host. We can’t wait to come back! Thank you Tina for sharing your treasure with us!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marjorie W.

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

My Happy Place

This cottage is close to some of the most beautiful areas in Maine. We love going kayaking as a family on the bay. Our grandsons always want to go back. They even love shopping in Bar Harbor. They love it at the cottage. Tina is so accommodating and easy to work with. The cottage is always spotless and well stocked. This is my happy place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 18 July 2024
Thank you for your kind words , so glad you are making lasting memories at our cottage 😊
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen K.

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

Perfect location to relax and reconnect as a family

Everything is as described in the listing and then some. The setting is gorgeous! My family of 4 with 2 teenagers enjoyed kayaking, watching the eagles and seals, cooking some meals in the very accommodating kitchen (we had everything we needed in dishes and cookware), and hiking nearby Acadia and the Schoodic Peninsula. The host let us know about Schoodic Beach which is stunning, not crowded at all and a beautiful sandy/gravel spot to swim. Note that it's about 1/2 mile easy hike to beach from the parking lot. We also loved eating out in Ellsworth (Airline Brewery, Morton's Ice Cream, Srendib, Zeppa's Pizza--all delicious!) and Musquito Harbor Brewing in Winter Harbor near Schoodic--a much less crowded part of Acadia. The house was clean and welcoming, the setting stunning, and it was a terrific week for relaxing and spending time together. Thank you for such a lovely vacation spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

A great home!

This property is wonderful. It has everything you need plus the surroundings just make it exponentially better! You can watch the seals from the deck swimming around. Enjoy the outdoor fireplace every night. My family and I have zero complaints. The pictures on VRBO do not do it justice. It’s so peaceful and relaxing. I hope we are able to come back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Adam W.

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

Underrated property

Excellent host, quick / instant to communicate via texts, property is nicer than pictures indicate, even the TV has been updated; a bit of a drive to Acadia, but totally manageable. It was great to come back and relax in total privacy by the outdoor fireplace, go kayaking, and relax in a nice living room with wall to wall windows. The only minor issue we encountered were fruit flies already there when we arrived, but it's not something the host could control. Overall, an amazing stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Aug 2024
Thank you for your nice review and I’m so glad you enjoyed yourselves sorry about the fruit flies I didn’t encounter them when I cleaned the day of your arrival darn pesky things
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Beautiful cottage by the bay.

This was our first trip to Maine. The location of the property was great. Close to Acadia but private. We loved the cabin and land. We saw bald eagles in the trees on the property. The owner of the property is prompt to answering messages and kept in touch with us to make sure are stay was great. She had s’mores supplies in the fridge for us to enjoy. We plan on goi g back to Maine again and we will definitely stay here.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kriston T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at Tina’s cottage! The home was exactly as described—clean, comfortable, and well equipped with everything we needed. The setting is beautiful and private, with amazing water views. We loved sitting by the fire pit (with plenty of wood provided), using the kayaks and canoe, and watching wildlife—bald eagles calling daily and even seals on the rocks at low tide.The location is peaceful yet convenient, just a short drive to Ellsworth for groceries and restaurants. The large propane grill was great for easy meals at the cottage.Tina was a fantastic host—responsive, caring, and incredibly helpful. When we had a car accident, she went out of her way to provide local contacts and even drove us to pick up a rental car. Her kindness and thoughtfulness made a difficult situation so much easier. You can truly tell this is a much-loved family cottage, not just a rental.We highly recommend staying here and would love to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

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