Entire home

Quintessential Rustic Maine Oceanfront Cottage on MDI near Acadia National Park

Cottage with kitchen, near Acadia National Park

Photo gallery for Quintessential Rustic Maine Oceanfront Cottage on MDI near Acadia National Park

View from dining area onto deck and overlooking Blue Hill Bay
Shoreline from cottage
View from deck overlooking Blue Hill Bay to Swans Island
Cottage from driveway
Front entry door, view through to Dining room and deck

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7102.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Tremont, ME
  • Place, Acadia National Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Seal Cove Pond
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Loft

1 Double Bed and 3 Single Beds

Master bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Quintessential Rustic Maine Oceanfront Cottage on MDI near Acadia National Park

Perched just feet from the waters of Blue Hill Bay on the quietside of Mt. Desert Island, our cottage will provide the respite you're looking for. Whether you spend your days on the deck reading a book and gazing out at the sweeping southwest view across the water, or come home to watch the sunset after a day of island exploring, you can't help but feel restored.

Originally built by the Rich brothers as their fishing shack, the Lyford family added to the original structure over their 90 year ownership. The cottage retains its rustic character with white-washed exposed structure throughout, living room with wood-burning fireplace and cathedral ceiling, sleeping loft, and windows looking out to the ocean from every room.

The cottage has a well equipped kitchen, large living room with wifi, TV, DVR, & radio, and a dining room, with a water view that is hard to look away from.
The cottage is filled with books, and has plenty of games for rainy days, or for when you don't feel like leaving this little corner of paradise.

Outside, the deck overlooking the water is perfectly situated for soaking in the sun's rays and watching the resident loons fishing, seals frolicking, mink scurrying along the water's edge, eagles soaring, and celebrating the setting of the sun at day's end.

The cottage is in a private setting. You have access to the entire cottage, the deck, and the surrounding grounds, including the rocky shore in front of the cottage.

The cottage can sleep 7 people:
The bedroom located on the 1st floor, has a queen bed, with direct access to the bathroom.
The 2nd floor loft consists of 3 sleeping areas (no doors between) with a double bed, 2 twin beds, and 1 built-in twin bed.
A pack-away crib is also available upon request.
A maximum of 2 pets are permitted with permission and fee.

The cottage is rented week to week, from Saturday to Saturday. It is strictly a no-smoking area. Pets are permitted with prior approval and a fee. We are available to answer any questions you have about our cottage before or after arrival.

Getting There
The cottage is located on the southwestern quiet side of Mount Desert Island, 10 minutes beyond the town of Southwest Harbor, in Tremont. Prior to your rental period, we will provide directions to the cottage.

About the area
Getting around by car is most common; the closest Island Explorer Bus stop is in Bernard. The town of Southwest Harbor with its restaurants and shops is 10 minutes down the road. Bass Harbor and Thurston's Lobster Pound is also conveniently (& deliciously) only 10 minutes away. Numerous beautiful quiet-side mountain hikes are a short drive away, including the Wonderland, Ship Harbor and Beech Mountain trails. Wonderful swimming can be found within a 15 minute drive in Long Pond and Echo Lake.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1) We have a small house on the other side of the property. There is a thick stand of trees between the cottage and the house however, such that you cannot see from one structure to the other. It is possible that we would be around during your stay, but the cottage is extremely private, and we respect your privacy and will not interfere with your stay. If you are interested in meeting however, we'd be happy to say hello!

2) The cottage has NO CENTRAL HEAT, is NOT INSULATED, and is open stud construction. Note that depending on the year, there can be chilly days and nights particularly in May and Sept/Oct.
There is a fireplace in the living room, and wood can be purchased at roadside shacks on the island. There are two electric space heaters , but they will not heat the entire cottage; one will heat up the bedroom nicely.
On a sunny day, the cottage will warm up nicely due to its southwesterly orientation, but heat will dissipate once the sun goes down.
There are plenty of warm blankets.

3) The cottage is old and rustic. Although we do our best to keep pests and mice out of the cottage, the old construction makes it impossible to guarantee that those unwanted guests won't come visiting. We ask that you help in keeping mice away by storing all food in closed containers and not leaving dirty dishes lying around.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Water view

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Swimming in ocean from property is not permitted
default

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
Max of 11 people allowed on property per lease
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 9 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
With permission and for an additional fee $150/225
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Please review all information in the cottage's information binder upon arriving. It has important info for your stay, including check-out instructions.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Swimming from the property is not permitted per our insurance.

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 7
Note from host: max of 11 people allowed on property per lease
This property uses solar energy
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Bernard

Located in Bernard, this cottage is by the ocean. Wendell Gilley Museum and Maine Granite Industry Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Atlantic Brewing Company and Perpendicular Trail. Naturalist's Notebook and Wild Gardens of Acadia are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Tremont, ME

What's nearby

  • Acadia National Park - 4 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Seal Cove Pond - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead - 8 min drive - 7.9 km
  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 8 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Wonderland Trail Trailhead - 9 min drive - 8.3 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Beal's Lobster Pier - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Upper Deck - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Nor’ Easter Pound & Market - ‬30 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Quintessential Rustic Maine Oceanfront Cottage on MDI near Acadia National Park pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Quintessential Rustic Maine Oceanfront Cottage on MDI near Acadia National Park?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Quintessential Rustic Maine Oceanfront Cottage on MDI near Acadia National Park?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Quintessential Rustic Maine Oceanfront Cottage on MDI near Acadia National Park?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Quintessential Rustic Maine Oceanfront Cottage on MDI near Acadia National Park located?

Situated by the ocean, this cottage is 1.9 mi (3 km) from Acadia National Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Seal Cove Pond and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead and Wonderland Trail Trailhead are also within 6 miles (10 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. 11 out of 11 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 11 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

James T.

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

Great Vacation Spot

A very well equipped cottage in a very quiet and peaceful setting with a wonderful water view. We had a very comfortable and restful vacation. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ronald B.

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

Beautiful Spot on MDI

This was a great spot for a quiet getaway right on the ocean. Very private and beautiful view. Great cottage with a lot of history. We would recommend this as a great place to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

maggie p.

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

Perfect Vacation

My brother and I had a perfect stay. We hiked, ate lobster and so enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Our host Tom and Sylivia were so awesome in every way. The cottage was so spotless and had everything we needed. Highly recommend this property on your next Maine vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

John M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lyford Cottage was perfect for a week on Mt Desert Island. What a beautiful view of Blue Hill Bay. At night the moon hangs over the water and the sound of gentle waves are heard in the bedroom. The cottage is decorated with original artwork and offers a generous selection of books. Everything is very clean and well maintained. The outdoor shower overlooking the water is a treat. Great bird and butterfly watching. Close to a few good seafood restaurants and a short drive to Bar Harbor.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dan K.

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

Great Time at Lyford Cottage... Again

This was our second time staying at Lyford Cottage (which speaks for itself), and the first time visiting Mt. Desert Island in early June. We had a great time! The "Quiet Side" cottage, which has a classic feel and offers privacy, provided the perfect launching point for day trips around MDI or to just hang around and relax. The cottage sits right above a rocky shoreline, offers a path down to the water, and has porch for watching wildlife, photographing the setting sun, or just relaxing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristen T.

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

Restful and peaceful week

My husband and I had a wonderful week at Lyford cottage. The kitchen was well equipped and the space lovely. We enjoyed the water views and took advantage of fishing and kayaking off our water front. Our dogs swam daily too. Having the mountains and ocean at your fingertips was wonderful. We hiked daily and took advantage of the local seafood offerings. I would stay here again and highly recommend it to someone who is looking for a quiet retreat.

10/10 Excellent

Valerie B.

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

Quaint Maine cottage

This was among one of our favorite places we have stayed in over the years!! The cottage is in a lovely, quiet setting, yet not a far drive from the National park. The character of the cottage makes it feel like an authentic Maine experience. My daughters enjoyed writing and drawing on the rocks and catching crabs. My husband and teen son spent a lot of time fishing from the rocks, catching many mackerel and pollack. We enjoyed several fresh fish dinners. The deck was a great place to relax with a cup of coffee and listen to the birds or watch the tide come in, but there was also plenty of comfortable space to spread out indoors on the rainy, misty Maine days. Kitchen was nicely stocked with the basics for cooking.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carrie K.

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

Perfect Maine Getaway

My family of 5 stayed here in August and absolutely loved our visit. The location is beyond stunning - quiet and secluded with your own slice of gorgeous rocky Maine shoreline, yet a quick drive to anywhere on the island. We loved the quirkiness of the cottage (a former artist's dwelling and studio), and there was ample room for our family to comfortably spread out. The whole cottage is very thoughtfully appointed, even with a popover tin, so our eldest enjoyed serving us hot popovers one morning! Our evenings were spent watching gorgeous moonrises on the water and gazing at the star-filled sky. I don't think we've ever stayed at a more peaceful place. Most our our days were spent exploring Acadia, and Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor are short drives away. Sylvia was welcoming and easy to communicate with. I would wholeheartedly recommend this gem of a vacation home!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Natalie A.

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

Peaceful beyond comparison

The peaceful location was perfect to gather to celebrate the marriage of our daughter. Just what we needed! Excellent communication by the owners, exactly as described and pictured. Lots of laughter and memories from this trip. We’ve already recommended Lyford to lots of friends who couldn’t wait to come. I hope we can return again one day to this little wedge of paradise.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Matthew M.

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

Historic, rustic, charming.

Wonderful property. So many special, unique details. We'll be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

John L.

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

A Charming Cottage Right on the Water

Lyford cottage almost could not be closer to the water and the million dollar view stretches for miles out to Swans Island. The kitchen is very well equipped with everything clean and in good condition. Same for the linens.. It is very private and quiet; a perfect getaway. A few more outlets would be helpful, but a couple of outlet multipliers would solve that issue. Overall, a great place for those seeking peace and quiet and a spectacular water view.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

About the host

Hosted by Sylvia & Tom

Host profile image
After decades of coming to MDI we were fortunate to find this sweet oceanside cottage to share with others.

Languages:

English, French, Italian
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback