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Apartment

Idyllic 1 BR Beachfront Apt, Close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

Photo gallery for Idyllic 1 BR Beachfront Apt, Close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

Mother-in-law apartment over garage
Deck, looking southwest
Mother-in-law apartment from my boat
Herb Garden
Vegetable Garden and front of house

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Steps from the shore
    Top-rated for its nearby beach, ideal for sunbathing and swimming.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Garage parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View map
Bass Harbor, ME
  • Place, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Place, Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Wonderland Trail Trailhead
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪29 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Idyllic 1 BR Beachfront Apt, Close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

We only rent from Saturday to Saturday.

A secluded 'mother-in-law' apartment adjoining new construction private home situated 95 feet from mean high water. Breathtaking views and sunsets...

The serene twelve acre wooded property enjoys 300 feet of rocky beachfront and abuts Acadia National Park and the famous Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Bar Harbor and other sections of the Park are a short drive.

The tastefully decorated apartment has one bedroom with a queen-size bed, bathroom with shower, kitchenette and living/dining area overlooking the water. Private phone and 24" HDTV. For internet service we have Spectrum cable. We are in fact on the grid and the speed is acceptable to us. There is a private entrance and parking in the finished garage below, which also features a washer and dryer and full-size refrigerator. His and her single speed bikes provided.

Outside; enjoy the quiet serenity of oceanfront estate living and lovely gardens. From the deck, (@ 50 paces walk outside) adirondack chairs or hammock; listen to offshore bell buoys, smell the salt air, look for shells, watch a harbor seal glide by or an eagle pass overhead.

No smoking nor pets. Maximum two adults.

Keywords: 'Mother-in-law' apartment

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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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
We only rent from Saturday to Saturday in weekly increments

Important information

You need to know

Property # 85130vb
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 deadlock
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

Map
Bass Harbor, ME

What's nearby

  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead - 2 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Wonderland Trail Trailhead - 2 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Acadia National Park - 4 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 30 min drive - 35.1 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Milagro's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Little Notch Bakery - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Clark Point Cafe - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Idyllic 1 BR Beachfront Apt, Close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Idyllic 1 BR Beachfront Apt, Close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Idyllic 1 BR Beachfront Apt, Close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Idyllic 1 BR Beachfront Apt, Close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Idyllic 1 BR Beachfront Apt, Close to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park located?

Situated on the beach, this apartment building is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse and 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Acadia National Park. Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead and Wonderland Trail Trailhead are also within 2 miles (3 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. 39 out of 41 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 41 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Malgorzata P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place with millions dollars view, very friendly and very helpful host Dianne and Andrew. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angela P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home on the water! Great hosts. Beautiful sunsets, chairs on the beach and quiet. Easy walking distance to the Bass Harbor light house. The apartment had everything we needed. Enjoyed the gardens and overall peace. Highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dominic Y.

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

Incredible

Great view and incredibly clean. The place had such an amazing scenery every morning and night. It was conveniently located next to the water and the lighthouse. Our hosts were also very welcoming and helpful people. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The view and location is worth the fee alone! It is a privilege to have someone share their home with strangers let alone such an incredible location, the view from the living area, the trees, the ocean and sky, the birds along with the deer, just beautiful. This is not the tourist area of Bar Harbor, it is where the locals live and privacy abounds.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allen H.

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

Quite shoreline retreat

Apartment sits above a couples garage. If it wasn't for there cars being there you wouldn't know they were there. Very nice property that sits right on the oceans edge. Very clean and cozy apartment. Many hikes and sights to see very close.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erin S.

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

Wonderful Location and hosts

We loved this property on the 'quietside' of things-launched our kayaks right from the beach, walked to the very-popular lighthouse right down the street, rode our bikes into Bass Harbor to explore, enjoyed the sunrises and sunsets from the beach. The little kitchen served us well in cooking all of our own meals. Dianne and Andrew are lovely hosts. If you love dogs, that will be a bonus as their dog Sophie will greet you with a wag :)
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dionis W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our stay was wonderful- walk to the Bass Harbor lighthouse with your coffee in the morning and enjoy the most beautiful sunsets on the island. The hosts are wonderful and so helpful- the place is extremely clean and quiet with incredible views of the water and has everything you could want or need. We enjoyed walking through the gardens to the chairs and hammock at the waters edge to watch the boats. Drive 5 minutes for amazing rosemary and sea salt bagels, fresh bakery items, blueberry pie, coffee, and the best ice cream shop and restaurants! Enjoy hikes and views in Acadia and catch a boat close by to explore the outer islands. We loved our stay and can’t wait to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2025
Thanks so much for your kind words We enjoyed your stay and Sofie misses you!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert F.

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

Adjust your expectations-UP

When you think of a perfect stay, what you are thinking of is not quite as nice as this place. The location is unbelievable. The hosts are friendly, well informed, and accommodating. The apartment is tidy and well-furnished. Views and sunsets are out of this world. I can't recommend this place highly enough.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Z.

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

Our September vacation 2022

Big thank you to Andrew! Your suggestions and advice was great! We felt comfortable and lucky to have had such a great vacation. The yard and shoreline views were unbelievable. eagles in the morning and deer always. Would definitely come back. Clean private apartment was great to relax in after hiking all day.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher W.

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

Beautiful Stay, Right by the Sea

We enjoyed our stay immensely. The apartment is just a few yards from the sea, with a spectacular westerly view from the large windows. Lobster boats come put-putting by occasionally. The apartment is comfortably and tastefully decorated, and intelligently equipped, considering it has a kitchenette rather than a full kitchen. The owners were friendly and responsive, without being intrusive. The grounds show loving care. A highlight for us was sitting in Adirondack chairs by the sea, reading and watching the sea birds.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy W.

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

Beautiful Spot!

We loved our stay...small apartment over the garage with beautiful views of the water. We had access to the the whole property and although we were gone during the day most of the time, it was a wonderful spot to come back to and walk the rocky private beach and watch the deer munch on lovely gardens!. Lobster boats came by at all times of the day and you can listen to the the bell buoys. Not appropriate for those with mobility issues or someone who wants to be in the business of Bar Harbor. It was perfect for us who like to enjoy the quiet and beauty of the area. Good local hikes nearby and Acadia was an easy drive.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey S.

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

Quiet side of Mt. Desert Island

Immaculate small upstairs apartment overlooking the water between Bass Harbor and the lighthouse on the southwest side of Mt. Desert Island. Beautiful sunsets over a private rocky beach. We saw many cormorants, a couple of loons and a bald eagle during our week’s stay. Near to Swan’s Island Ferry and Southwest Harbor. Private entrance, use of garage with washer/dryer and full size refrigerator (the apartment has only an under-counter fridge). A hot plate, toaster oven and microwave allow for some food preparation, but full meals are a challenge, and the tiny kitchen area is rather sparsely equipped, so bringing your own implements and a few pans and bowls is advised if you plan to eat in. Owners are very friendly and helpful, and highly COVID-conscious (currently renting the apartment only every other week to allow for thorough cleaning in between guests). 15-30 minute drive to most of the major Acadia hiking trails. There are enough eateries nearby that there’s no need to go into Bar Harbor to eat out, but if you do go it’s possible to take relatively untrafficked roads to get there (once you get there, however, good luck!). The lighthouse gets some road traffic especially in the evening, but otherwise this side of the island is relatively quiet. It’s a short walk to the lighthouse from the property, and you can stroll past all the cars lined up waiting to get into the parking lot at peak times. Very pleasant stay, and we’d return in the future if our travels bring us that way.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shawn O.

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

Location was fantastic

It was an in-law apartment above a garage as advertised, very clean rental, safe location, access and all. Right on ocean bay as described was wonderful, nice sunsets. Only complaint is an out of date tube tv with no usable channels, but worse no modern day inputs to stream from my devices so I had to use my laptop for news, weather streaming. WiFi was Good. Oh and hot plate for cooking was dated, slow to heat.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allison R.

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

Bass Harbor - August 2021

Dianne and Andrew were the perfect hosts for our week in Acadia National Park - offering suggestions for things to do and places to eat. Their waterfront property is beautiful and the in-law apartment was a quiet and comfortable space to return to at the end of each day. We were so glad to be on the quieter side of Mt. Desert Island! We had easier access to trails and food while still being close to Acadia’s park loop and downtown Bar Harbor when we wanted to explore it. We couldn’t have asked for a more relaxing and fun week!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Awesome seaside stay

This was excellent and relaxing vacation stay for my wife and I. It is a small but very cozy apartment. Superior view to ocean from your window or from the backyard. A lot of food options nearby. Live lobsters are sold within 10 minutes. National Park main area is about 30 minute drive, so is Bar Harbor. Highly recommend this property to everyone seeking a relaxing stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachele L.

Beautiful views in a peaceful setting

This mother-in-law apartment is small but contains everything you need to enjoy a quiet vacation for two. The apartment was very clean, with a comfortable bed. While there is not a full kitchen, my husband and I successfully cooked meals on the hotplates,outdoor grill, and toaster oven. There is also a microwave and coffee maker to use. The view from the large picture window is exceptional. While this location in Bass Harbor is approximately 30 minutes from Bar Harbor, it is close to many great hikes, Southwest Harbor, and one of the best lobster pounds, Thurstons. Diane, Andrew, and their dog Lulu were excellent hosts and we would not hesitate to book again on a return trip to Mount Desert Island.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Garry D.

Fabulous retreat from the Texas heat.

Beautiful location right on Bass Harbor. We sat for hours and watched the tide go in and out and just enjoyed the weather. Also enjoyed watching the lobster boats and marine life. Andrew and Diane were very warm and friendly.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ronald B.

The views out our window were absolutely breathtaking.

We chose this location because it was on the quiet side of MDI. The Apartment was clean and met all of our needs. The owners who live on the property were lovely ,extremely accommodating, and gracious enough to share their little piece of paradise with us. We were able to kayak right off the property as it has a long stretch of private beach. In the evening we grabbed a bottle of wine and chairs and went down to the beach and watched the gorgeous sunsets. Park transportation was a 5 minute walk up the street at the camp. The Bass Harbor lighthouse was also a short walk away.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patricia R.

Private Retreat

My husband and I stayed here for the week of 6/23-6/30/18. Dianne and Andrew, the owners, are very gracious and friendly, ready to offer advice or answer questions on where to find the best lobster dinner or what to see on the island. Nestled at the end of a long driveway, this is the perfect place to relax, slow down, and take in the beautiful scenery. It is located on the edge of Bass Harbor, where you can watch the lobster boats checking their traps, enjoy the cool breeze coming off the water, and take in the serenity of beautiful sunsets. We even saw a deer swimming across the water and climbing up on land! The apartment is on the second floor with a huge picture window facing the water. It comes fully stocked with anything you might need, and everything was very clean and comfortable. The two-car garage is included in the rental, where you have access to a washer and dryer. We really appreciated this, since my husband had spent a week fishing on Lake Champlain before we traveled to Maine, and had a bag full of laundry! Although we were attached to the main house, we enjoyed the privacy of the backyard and felt like we were in our own little paradise. We especially enjoyed watching the antics of two little squirrels in their efforts to get to the birdseed in the feeder. Dianne has numerous flowerbeds and an impressive vegetable garden on the property, which added to the tranquility of the setting. Even though we were on the "quiet side" of the island, it was just a short drive to Acadia and Bar Harbor. Public buses are available at no cost, although we did not take advantage of this. Overall, we had a wonderful time during our week here! If you are planning a vacation to Acadia National Park, this is definitely the perfect place to stay!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Vivian P.

At the Farm

We enjoyed staying at the "Farm"... Everything was immaculately clean, bright and fresh. The view was beautiful and the location was quiet and within walking distance to Harbor Headlight.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2017
Archival

8/10 Good

Joe P.

Comfortable apartment on scenic Bass Harbor coast with easy access to Acadia National Park

Stayed for a week in September 2017. Comfortable upstairs apartment with necessary amenities. Besides the apartment we had the spacious garage to ourselves along with its full-size refrigerator and washer/dryer. Plenty of blankets for cool autumn nights. Loved looking out living room windows watching lobster boats and sailboats leave Bass Harbor on crispy/foggy mornings. Nice short walk to Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Property is very well located on Maine Central Coast a short drive to Bar Harbor and the main loops of Acadia National Park. Walk to the Bass Harbor ferry and take a ride to Frenchboro Island. Slightly nervous prior to arrival regarding privacy issues staying for a week in an apartment attached to a private home but the owners quickly put my wife and I at ease. They are good people and were very gracious, helpful, and accommodating to a couple of landlocked mid-westerners.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Ellen B.

WONDERFUL

Thoroughly enjoyed the property. Andrew and Dianne were wonderful host and hostess. Cannot say enough good things. You have to experience it!!!!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Lisa B.

Perfect!

Living room looks right out to ocean-heard the ocean waves and lobster boats through the open windows. Beds and linen super comfortable. Enjoyed the hammock and chairs down by the ocean's edge and the deck off the back. Perfect being on the quiet side during the busy summer months, enjoyed plenty of hikes and restaurants nearby. Kitchenette was great for breakfast and making lunches for our hikes. Will definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Lori S.

This is the perfect private private getaway with the most incredible view of the water anywhere

We spent a glorious week enjoying the wildlife, birds, and amazing views. Dianne was the perfect hostess and the apartment had everything we needed for a wonderful stay. She had a treasure trove of pamphlets, maps etc. for everything imaginable to do on Mt. Desert Island. The rocky beach is easily accessible and one of our favorite things was looking for beautiful rocks and shells. The hammock is close enough to the water to hear the waves crash on the shore. The location is also perfect for sightseeing. It's a short walk to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse and our favorite place to eat lobster and crab cakes (Thurston's) was less than a 10 minute drive. Southwest Harbor is less than 15 minutes away and offers great restaurants as well as shops with all sorts of beautiful (and reasonably priced) art all made by Maine artisans. The best thing of all was enjoying the breathtaking sunsets at the end of the day. Don't miss this one!!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Suzan and Ray S.

Perfect getaway

This was our first experience with Homeaway and this apartment, overlooking the water was perfection for my husband and I. It was quiet, peaceful, beautiful..a short walk to the light house. A great spot to get away from the crowds when you wanted to be away from it all. Owners were very pleasant and willing to assist with anything. Very clean. We enjoyed everything in SW Harbor and beyond. We canoed on a lake, kayaked on the ocean, ate lobster repeatedly, hiked, biked, and just enjoyed every minute.

About the host

Hosted by Andrew and Dianne McMullan

Host profile image
Andrew retired from the Navy in 1994, and we moved back to Maine to enjoy a quiet lifestyle. We designed and built our dream house, including the 'Mother-in-law' apartment for Dianne's Mom. (Hence a lot of privacy was designed in). Andrew is a 747 Captain flying freight literally all over the world. Dianne is a retired nurse and avid gardener.

Why they chose this property

Mount Desert Island has been a destination summer resort for centuries due to it's majestic natural beauty. Acadia National Park is the second most visited Park in the U.S.

What makes this property unique

Quiet, vewy, vewy quiet! Fantastic sunsets!!! The famous Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is our only neighbor to the south. Several picturesque ocean trails of Acadia National Park are within walking distance.
The majority of ANP is about a 25 minute drive.

Languages:

English, French
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