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Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town

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A rustic cabin with a wooden exterior, a window with a view of the forest, and a table with chairs outside.
A wooden house with a screened porch surrounded by a garden with various plants and flowers.
A wooden interior with a dining area, bookshelves, and a dog.
A cozy living room with a fireplace, wooden walls, a sofa, a coffee table, and a bookshelf.
A dining area with a wooden table and chairs, a window with curtains, and a door leading outside.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
Located near the sea, this 6-bedroom vacation home accommodates 13 guests. It includes 1 bicycle, games, and access to a porch. Enjoy water sports at the nearby marina and explore adventure options like windsurfing and ice skating. Visit the Wendell Gilley Museum and Beech Cliff Loop for family-friendly activities.

Highlights

  • Cook, dine, and unwind
    Top-rated for its fully equipped kitchen, perfect for every meal.
  • Pickleball on-site
    A rare find — enjoy pickleball without leaving the property.
  • Walkable and wonderful
    Guests love the walkable location for its easy access on foot.
6 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 13

Popular amenities

  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • Washing machine
  • Garage parking available
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View map
Southwest Harbor, ME
  • Place, Wendell Gilley Museum
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Acadia National Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 1 (First Floor)

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2 (Second Floor)

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3 (Second Floor)

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4 (Second Floor)

1 Double Bed

Sleeping Porch (Second Floor)

1 Double Bed and 2 Single Beds

Study & Twin Bedroom (Second Floor)

1 Single Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Full bathroom with bathtub (Second Floor)

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Hair dryer

Full bathroom with shower (First Floor)

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Full bathroom with shower (Second Floor)

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Powder Room (for guests in first floor bedroom)

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town

Greetings Prospective Renters -

This is our fourth year posting the "Knollen" on VRBO. Please see our profile of the "Knollette" on VRBO for ample reviews of the smaller home on this family land.

In 1937 our great-grandfather built the Knollen on three acres of land . At that point in the island's history, innumerable island plots were available to him, including many oceanfront properties, but he chose this spot. The location is wonderful.

The property includes a big grassy field, beautiful woods, and a much smaller cottage (the Knollette, also available for rent on VRBO). While the Knollen has not undergone any major renovations (including the kitchen and bathrooms), it's large (offering ample bedrooms), lovely, quiet, comfortable, and full of simple amenities. With extended family members living here for months at a time, we can attest to its high level of functionality, comfort, and charm. The living room can accommodate large family gatherings. Two particularly special spaces include a first-floor, screened-in porch with traditional wicker furniture and a large, second-floor "sleeping porch" - both of which offer close, peaceful connection to the surrounding woods.

The Knollen is located on a quiet, private lane. Walk 5 minutes and you will discover the causeway at Norwood Cove - a spot that offers wonderful vistas of the ocean & mountains; dramatic tidal activity; opportunities for swimming, SUPing, canoeing, kayaking; peaceful sitting spots; and spectacular night skies. Walk 5 minutes in the other direction to the center of Southwest Harbor, a small quaint town where you will find shopping, dining, art, crafts, a bike rental store, and a wonderful public library. You'll also find access to the Island Explorer, the free shuttle to all parts of MDI and Acadia National Park.

Acadia National Park is a playground for walking, hiking, biking, swimming, boating, and picnicking. Explore scenic ocean trails, carriage roads, beaches, mountains, lakes, and nearby islands. There are also opportunities to rent boats of various sizes; play tennis, pickleball, or golf; antique hunt; visit museums and art galleries; eat ample fresh seafood; and more.

Keywords: large cabin, large wooden house, quiet private lane, near ocean, near town, Southwest Harbor, Causeway Lane, Norwood Cove, Acadia, Mount Desert Island

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 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, service animals permitted
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and return the keys
If you used the mini-split for AC or heat, please turn it off.
It’s always very helpful when guests get a head start on laundry - particularly if you are a large group. Thank you!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Our wood floors and furniture are vulnerable to dampness. Please hang up all damp towels, bathing suits, etc... and use coasters.
If you use the outdoor barbeque, please do a thorough job cleaning the grill and tools. Thank you!

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3202773vb
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
Long-term renters welcome
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
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

Southwest Harbor

Located in Southwest Harbor, this holiday home is by the sea. 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. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating and snowmobiling.
View more Holiday homes in Southwest HarborOpens in a new window
Map
Southwest Harbor, ME

What's nearby

  • Wendell Gilley Museum - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Acadia National Park - 2 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co - 20 min drive - 28.0 km
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 21 min drive - 25.8 km
  • Cadillac Mountain - 31 min drive - 33.7 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jordan Pond House - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪Shell - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Thurston's Lobster Pound - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Upper Deck - ‬18 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Large house on 3 acres in woods, 5-minute walk to ocean, 5-minute walk to town located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Wendell Gilley Museum and 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Acadia National Park. Flying Mountain Trailhead and Somes Sound are also within 3 miles (5 km).

About the host

Hosted by Adair Fox

Host profile image
Our family has enjoyed MDI since 1937 when great-grandparents built the Knollen, a large wooden house on the property. Since then, it has been a treasured gathering place for our large, multi-generational family. During the summer, family members often live in the Knollen while renters enjoy the smaller house (the Knollette, built in 1980). During non-summer seasons, we live in Washington DC, Denver, and Copenhagen, though those of us who have flexibility in our schedules increasingly enjoy visits during the fall, winter, and spring, too.

The Knollen is not modern in any regard, but it is clean, well-stocked, quiet, gracious, comfortable, and peaceful. There's no mistaking the fact that it's a home with ample family history. Favorite spots? The screened-in sitting porch on the first floor & the sleeping porch on the second floor.

Over the years, we have enjoyed hosting family, friends, and renters. We feel incredibly lucky to have inherited this property. It feels good to pay the joy forward. Moreover, there's a certain amount of vicarious pleasure in offering guidance to newcomers; we tap into cherished memories and excitement for our next stay.

Why they chose this property

The Knollen couldn't be in a more perfect location: a 5-minute walk to the natural beauty of Norwood Cove; a 5-minute walk to the quaint town of Southwest Harbor; a 5-minute walk to the Island Explorer free shuttle bus; and a short drive to innumerable gems in Acadia National Park (5-30 minutes away depending on the spot you are visiting). With the Knollen as base camp, it's possible to explore spots near & far without use of a car - a boon for many.

The house is a great space for a small family reunion. The grassy field is perfect for family games. The kitchen is not updated but it's highly functional and amenable to cooking for large groups; it has two refrigerators; abundant cookware & serving materials; and a dishwasher. The dining room table can be extended for larger groups. The living room is big and comfortable -while there are other special spaces to enjoy and spill into (a screened-in porch, a sleeping porch, a small tv room, extra bedrooms).

What makes this property unique

At the base of South Causeway Lane is Norwood Cove and its little footbridge (the causeway). This cove offers expansive vistas of Somes Sound and sweet spots for daydreaming, reading, sketching, painting, canoeing, kayaking, SUPing, fishing, and picknicking. Around high tide, adventuresome folks jump off the bridge and body surf under the bridge. At low tide we enjoy exploring shells, stones, and shoreline marine life. Meanwhile, our peaceful property is a lovely place for playing on the field, exploring the woods, making fairy houses, and observing deer.

Languages:

English
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