We could tell you our vacations homes are wonderful, and list the many reasons you should plan your next vacation with us, but
Our Guests Say It Best!
I wanted to take a minute and let you know that we all enjoyed our stay at your post and beam rental property on August 13-20, 2022. We loved all the amenities, full stocked kitchen with all the basic necessities – truly was a wonderful experience. I hope that when we go back to ME again, we will be able to re-book this rental. Thank you for being a wonderful host.
Tara, 8/2022
This is a wonderful location with amazing views, located a short distance from Bar Harbor town center. We were able to relax in a quiet setting and enjoy sunsets on the deck. Brenda provides great bath towels, lots of blankets and all you will likely need in the kitchen. We had a wonderful and relaxing time and would love to return to Brenda’s place soon.
Lydia, 5/2022
It fit our family perfectly. We did everything on the island and enjoyed each day. Thank you for providing such a clean and well-stocked cabin.
7/2022
Taylor E. 6/2022
From start to finish, working with Brenda was a breeze. Brenda was professional, responsive and accommodating. The Cottage at which I stayed at EXCEEDED expectations. It was beautifully situated on the water and was exactly what I was looking for – a quiet retreat. There are too many amenities to name and so many personal touches with the thoughts of guests in mind. Did I mention – Beautiful?! I will definitely return and would not hesitate to do business with Brenda again.. She is honest, professional, and a very warm personality with a quality product A++ Brenda’s rentals are the place to stay near Bar Harbor and Acadia!
Kendra 6/2021
Your cottage was absolutely gorgeous and so well-stocked. There wasn’t a thing missing that we needed. I don’t even think I’d mind being snowed in at the cottage. The place was just beyond breathtaking.
Again. many thanks from us we have nothing but good memories.
Trish and Alan, 10/2021
A close enough drive to Bar Harbor but far enough away to have peace and quiet. Brenda was very willing to share tips of what to do locally and everything was spot on!
Jesse, 10/2019
Kathryn, 9/2019
James, 9/2019
We loved this property and would definitely stay here again. The sunset view from the deck was amazing and the location, while very private, was convenient to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. It’s a great location from which to explore all of Mt Desert Island. Additionally, Brenda was very accommodating, getting us in on short notice after our other rental had some issues that made it uninhabitable.
John C., 9/2019
We stayed for a week and it wasn’t long enough. Great location, with water about 3 minute walk downhill. Wooded area and a few mornings we walked the loop and saw deer and redheaded woodpeckers. There is another cabin close by but we never heard the people staying there. The porch on the main level overlooks foliage and water, and is a great place for morning coffee and afternoon tea. The sun hits the porch in afternoons. There are 2 queen beds in loft, but no real closet. Two separate bedrooms on main level have a queen bed and small closet. Bottom level has a sofa and TV and could sleep 2 more. The bottom level does open out onto ground, but we never used that opening. Central heating will warm the basement, but heats the upper levels almost to excess, so put those who feel the cold in the loft! Two good sized bath rooms, one on main floor and one in basement (which share the full sized washer-dryer). There is a gas stove to take chill off main level, and it adds to the coziness of the place. Main level kitchen, dining, and living area is a nice open plan. Kitchen is adequately appointed for meal prep should you choose. We loved this place and didn’t want to leave. Brenda was very responsive to our questions and provided great info so we could be more like locals than tourists. We also learned that with a 5 minute walk we could ride the free bus into Bar Harbor, but keep an eye on the time as you don’t want to miss the last bus! Absolutely delightful place to stay.
D.D., 9/2019
The entrance to the Park lies between the house and town. Since the town sometimes seemed very crowded, it was nice not to have to have driven through there on our way to go for a hike each day. However, it is only a short drive further into town for shops and restaurants. The house is located in the forest, off the road, and was a haven of peace and quiet after the busy-ness of sight-seeing. There is a lovely deck with a great view of the water. There are three separate bedroom areas, each with a full bath – upstairs, main floor, and daylight basement. This was perfect for our party of three couples. The house was very clean and well-supplied. A great home base for exploring the Park and the island!
Nicola, 9/2019
You have to stay here. Off the beaten path, peaceful surroundings, views that keep on going, awesome. The owner Brenda was great to work with. You want a great place,, you found it.
Gary S., 8/2019
James, 8/2019
Sheila T., MD 8/2019
Thanks and we hope to be back in the future!
Dave 8/2019
Property was as described in a incredibly convenient location for those looking to spend time in Acadia National Park. Brenda provided a great experience with only a couple days notice. We will be back for sure, the sunset from the balcony and Hadley beach is addicting!
Jeff S., 7/2019
I wish we could have stayed longer! It was beautiful, spiritual and restful. Thank you and bless you.
CM, 6/2019
Thomas, 5/2019
Carol, 5/2019
The house gets TONS of sunshine through the very large windows in the main living area. There is a very nice suite in the lower level. Was perfect for us. We parents stayed upstairs. Kids on the main floor, and grandparents downstairs. Very comfortable space for everyone. Lots of good common space, or the ability to retreat to the suite for privacy.
We will definitely be coming back.
Eran E., 1/2018
P.R., 1/2018
Richard S., 8/2017
John L., 8/2017
Everything we expected and then some. The log chalet was well maintained and very relaxing. Plenty of room to unwind and relax after a long day of hiking or to get out of the bad weather and play games or watch tv with the family. Brenda was great to work with. She went above and beyond to make sure our stay was perfect. One thing I recommend is book your stay for as long as possible. There’s so much to be seen and endless places to eat. Will definitely be back.
12/2018
Thank you for everything. Cheers!
10/2018
10/2018
Brenda’s place is a perfect stay for people who want to explore Acadia National Park. The location is amazing just couple minute drive from Bar Harbor. Her wealth of knowledge in the area was a huge plus for our group. Love every bit of this trip and this property. Communication was super smooth, Brenda is very responsive. We will definitely be back!
10/2018
9/2018
We just returned from a week in this fabulous log home. It was exactly as pictured, well-appointed, comfortable and in a great location. The view from the deck is stunning, right on the water. Brenda (the owner) was very helpful and great to work with. We can’t think of anything that would make it better, (except a wine opener)!
9/2018
Ideally situated near the park and towns but very private and quiet. We’d go back for sure!
9/2018
This was such a beautiful home! Cozy and impeccable, with amazing views and great amenities, too! Quick drive to Acadia, which we enjoyed so much! Host provides a book with so much information about things to do around. Everything was just perfect. Thank you, Brenda!
9/2018
This was our first visit to Maine and we could not have asked for a better place to stay. The log home is well-appointed with everything we needed for a relaxing week — except a wine opener! Our family of 5 spent a lot of time on the deck and on the big rocks on the beach. Oh, how my teenagers loved those rocks. The sunsets are breathtaking! Brenda, the owner, was super easy to work with and we really appreciated the restaurant ideas and points of interests she emailed to us prior to our visit. Kayak rental is a must!!! You can put your kayak in the water right in front of the house.
7/2018
My family and I spent an extra long weekend here and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house is in a great location. It is in a very quiet and peaceful area, away from traffic, but close to restaurants, Bar Harbor and the National Park. The house has awesome views on all three levels. We enjoyed watching the birds (we saw an eagle), the boats, and the awesome sunsets. We had fun eating messy lobsters on the deck. The house itself has lots of room, was well stocked, and was even better in person than the pictures. The owner was great to work with. Overall, it is a highly recommended rental and we will definitely return here in the future.
5/2018
The chalet was wonderful. Me and my family of 7 stayed here for a week. It had everything we needed even though it was off-season and a lot of stuff was closed for the season, we had a great time in the cabin playing games and spending a lot of bonding time together, made a lot of good meals. Kitchen had everything we needed. All in all was great.
3/2018
Three friends and I stayed at the Log Chalet for a week in September. The cabin looks just like the picture and is clean and beautiful. The kitchen is well-stocked with pots, pans and dishes. There is also a grill, which we didn’t use, but it appeared to be in good working order. The location is wonderful and overlooks Frenchman’s bay. We saw several sunsets from the deck. It’s great having laundry facilities in the cabin as well so that we didn’t have to pack much luggage. The beds were all comfortable and there are plenty of towels. There is cable TV and wifi available for your use. From the cabin, you can get to almost anywhere on the island in less than 20 minutes — Northeast Point, Acadia Park, Bar Harbor, and Trenton. Booking was easy with Brenda. I will definitely stay here again.
9/2017
We had reserved the Cedar Chalet last year for a family vacation with our adult children. Our daughter then decided to get married at Acadia National Park while we were there, so the groom’s family rented the log cabin down the hill from us. It was a small (15 people) wedding and we had the reception in the Chalet. The space worked perfectly for our family trip and the family wedding. We used a catering company for the wedding dinner and they set up the space perfectly. Brenda was great to work with. Our son runs his own business online and needed good internet and she spent time making sure the internet was working well and even offered another of her cottages for his use, if needed. We had great access to the park and Bar Harbor and would stay here again. It was peaceful and quiet and well equipped. We would highly recommend it.
8/2016
We spent the Fourth of July week in this home, and enjoyed our stay very much. This is a relatively new and very nicely built home (log walls, central forced hot air heat, Gas Jotul stove to take the chill and damp off on rainy days, Pella windows), very well maintained, and exceptionally well provisioned. And everything was very clean. Staying here was more like borrowing a friend’s house than staying at a vacation rental. Everything was provided: Coffee maker, of course… but WITH a large supply of coffee filters. A dish washer… AND dishwasher soap… Gas grill… WITH propane tank and instructions on how to get (free) refills. Every manner of kitchen appliance. Reasonably nice furnishings (a big table for a get-together or on which to do a puzzle). VERY comfortable beds, with very little wear on them. The house is superbly located: About 15 minutes from downtown Bar Harbor, 10 minutes from Acadia National Park. It’s located directly adjacent to 3 other properties owned by the same owner, so the house isn’t isolated in the woods, but neither are the other houses are so close as to be bothersome. This house is not directly on the water, but there IS a nice water view from the deck through the trees. A flat screen TV (36″ or so) is downstairs in a comfy media-room/playroom. If you want to send the kids off to play and watch the tube while you relax on the main floor with a couple of beverages, this is a good thing. Not having kids, I wished there was a TV on the main floor, so I could put on the ballgame in the background while chilling on the deck. But this, really, is a quibble. Oh, the WiFi connectivity is excellent and provides good download speeds. Worked well for streaming content. Also, the house is definitely pet friendly. Our two dogs (a Bernese Mountain Dog and a German Shepherd) approved of the place. Again, the whole experience was much more like staying a friend’s place than a rental property. Communication with the owner was good (if not stellar) and reasonably prompt. Every email I sent was responded to within a day or so. The owner (who owns a total of six houses in the area, I believe) is clearly a professional who knows what she’s doing. I’d definitely recommend this house, and would return, without any hesitation.
7/2016
Excellent location with great accommodations. Very roomy and very clean. Everything you want for a terrific vacation.
7/2016
The Cedar Chalet was great met all of my needs, quiet, overlooking the water. Close to Bar Harbor and park entrance. and especially pet friendly!
are looking for in a vacation home. My girls were happy with the WiFi.
We had reserved the Cedar Chalet last year for a family vacation with our adult children. Our daughter then decided to get married at Acadia National Park while we were there, so the groom’s family rented the log cabin down the hill from us. It was a small (15 people) wedding and we had the reception in the Chalet. The space worked perfectly for our family trip and the family wedding. We used a catering company for the wedding dinner and they set up the space perfectly. Brenda was great to work with. Our son runs his own business online and needed good internet and she spent time making sure the internet was working well and even offered another of her cottages for his use, if needed. We had great access to the park and Bar Harbor and would stay here again. It was peaceful and quiet and well equipped. We would highly recommend it.
6/2016
This home is an amazing place to spend a waterfront vacation in Acadia. The home has wonderful views of the bay with plenty of windows. Close proximity to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are benefits with location along a private wooded road remote from any summer congestion. Cleanliness and home amenities are exceptional. Unique log home design is memorable. Exterior deck terrific for eating, relaxing, and reading.
Clare B,, Groton, MA, 6/2016
My family has rented the log cabin for a week every summer for the past five years. It sleeps 6 very comfortably and is attractively decorated and very clean and well maintained. It includes all the amenities you’d need (wi-fi, cable t.v., grill, washer/dryer, iron, fully provisioned kitchen, etc.) and has access to the water as well as a beautiful view of sunsets over the bay (great for evening cocktails on the deck after activity filled days!). It’s doggie friendly so the whole family can come on vacation – which is very important to us! The location is quiet and safe on its own private road and very conveniently located to Bar Harbor, Acadia, and Ellsworth. The owner is very reasonable and responsive to requests. We love it here and would never stay any place else in Bar Harbor!!!
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, 9/2015
The log chalet was beautiful — even more than we had expected. Located just five minutes from the entrance to Acadia, our family of four — empty nest parents and their two 20-something boys were close to whatever anyone wanted to do, separate or together. The chalet had floor to ceiling windows with a large outside deck that had a full view of the bay, the lobster boat that worked its traps each morning and the trio of foxes that paraded around the property. Inside the house was well-appointed, a good size, not too small, not too big and very cozy with modern amenities. The boys loved the downstairs with its large TV and its full ability to accommodate the Xbox that came along on the trip while the parents enjoyed the more quiet upstairs. Brenda, the owner, was pleasant and very easy to work with, and we actually had an opportunity to meet and talk with her during our week — she provided excellent information on the area and takes great pride in her property and seeing that her tenants are comfortable. Because of the short drive to the entrance, we spent most of the week in the park, sea kayaking, hiking, bicycling, eating at Jordan Pond, shopping, and just relaxing. Our family has included the location and log chalet in the “favorite vacation ever” list and we fully intend to return to this beautiful home.
Suzie F, Florida, 2/2016
Laura G., Kimberton, Pennsylvania, 10/2015
We rented this chalet when we were traveling with another couple. It is spacious and very comfortable. The chalet is located about 10 miles (15 minute drive) from Bar Harbor and Acadia. The chalet seems quite new. You enter into a great room (living and dining rooms) with 2-story ceilings. The kitchen is roomy and has all the cooking and dining implements we needed. All the appliances were clean and in good condition. On the main floor are 2 good sizes bedrooms (one with a TV) and a full bath. Upstairs is a large loft with 2 beds. Downstairs there’s a family room with TV, full bath and laundry room. The furniture is comfortable and homey. There’s a large deck on the back of the main floor of the chalet with comfortable chairs to relax enjoy the beautiful view. A short walk through the trees and down a stairway takes you to the shore of Mt. Desert Narrows. We took a fun and interesting hike along the beach. I would definitely recommend this property for a large family or group of friends.
10/2015
My family has rented the log cabin for a week every summer for the past five years. It sleeps 6 very comfortably and is attractively decorated and very clean and well maintained. It includes all the amenities you’d need (wi-fi, cable t.v., grill, washer/dryer, iron, fully provisioned kitchen, etc.) and has access to the water as well as a beautiful view of sunsets over the bay (great for evening cocktails on the deck after activity filled days!). It’s doggie friendly so the whole family can come on vacation – which is very important to us! The location is quiet and safe on its own private road and very conveniently located to Bar Harbor, Acadia, and Ellsworth. The owner is very reasonable and responsive to requests. We love it here and would never stay any place else in Bar Harbor!!!
Boston, Massachusetts, 9/2015
What a great place. Cabin was spotless when we arrived. Family of 6 adults fit comfortably along with our dog. Great sunsets and an awesome deck with grill that we used often. Location is perfect for all of Acadia, MDI, and easy access to the mainland for groceries. Brenda was perfect to work with, making everything easy. Definitely recommend!
Massachusetts, 9/2015
I deeply enjoyed my stay at the Log Chalet. Although I was visiting Acadia in the off season and much of the park/Bar Harbor were closed, I found that I was happy just relaxing at the cabin. Although there were only two of us, there’s easily space for a large family. We loved the view of the sound and the cabin’s seclusion, despite the proximity to major attractions. The kitchen was well-stocked with pots, pans, and utensils; there was a washer and dryer in the finished basement; the bedrooms were simple, but very clean and spacious. One of our favorite features was the gas fireplace – great when you want to lounge around and relax. Highly recommended.
Saratoga Springs, New York, 4/2015
We rented the Cedar Chalet for two weeks this year instead of our usual one. It is without a doubt the nicest house to rent if you want to spend time in Bar Harbor and explore Acadia. The house has everything you need, beautiful views and is nestled in the woods for peace and quiet. It has 3 floors – each with a bathroom and shower and perfect for three couples. We would never stay anywhere else. The owner is efficient and a joy to work with.
1/2015
If you are looking for an immaculate well kept vacation rental property close to Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park and all of Mt. Desert’s attractions, I highly recommend the Bayview cottages. My extended family of 7 (four generations) enjoyed the privacy, woodsy location and water views of Frenchman’s Bay from our “log chalet”. Besides enjoying the perfect well kept accommodations, the making of the rental arrangements with Brenda Harp were easy and top notch. Her personal accessibility and professional dealings by both phone and e-mail were flawless and second to none. In addition to the attractions of Mt. Desert Island, the seafood, and the nature walks along the ocean, the Bayview Cottages vacation rentals, rather than just a place to stay, are an attraction in and of themselves and another reason to go to Mt. Desert Island.
Ed, Tampa, FL. 12/2014
This was our second stay at this vacation home, with the first time ten years ago. It was very comfortable and has a wonderful full knotty pine interior. We also enjoyed the gas fireplace, which took the chill off in the living area. Watching the sunsets of the bay was great, as was sitting out on the deck with a glass of wine and a good book. Very good wireless internet access. The location is great…about ten minutes drive to Bar Harbor, where there is a good grocery store, lots of restaurants, and other attractions. However, we didn’t actually eat at any of the restaurants, as the choices at the grocery were good and the lobster at C-Rays (5 minutes away) was fantastic. Easy access to Acadia National Park, and pleasant drives to Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor. Be sure to take a good camera. It’s roughly an hour from the Bangor Airport, which makes it convenient to get there.
10/2014
Absolutely gorgeous cabin, perfect for the extended family or for friends. Loved the spaciousness and home-away-from-home feel of the cabin. I, my wife, infant son, dog, parents and in-laws all loved it. Very convenient for exploring Acadia Nat’l Park and Bar Harbor.
10/2014
Steve and Joanne, 9/2009
Thanks, Colette and Jeff, and Donna and Greg 6/2003, 6/2009
Charleen G. of PA.
12/2003, 12/2004, 12/2005, 6/2006, 6/2009
What a GREAT place to stay! And I mean GREAT. From the minute we walked into Brenda’s place we felt like we were at home. The home is well appointed and probably the cleanest rental I have ever been in. There were 5 adults staying in the home and there was plenty of room for everyone. Mornings began with coffee on the deck and ended with star gazing at night. There are 4 homes on the property, but you would never know it – it was always peaceful and serene. Everything was in working order – dishwasher, full size washer and dryer, and more, which made it easy and comfortable to relax in. I guess the best recommendation was when my 3 adult sons (and 1 daughter in law) asked upon our departure – can we PLEASE do this again next year?- SAME PLACE- same time. Be sure not to miss the sand beach that is a short walk or drive from the home. Our last night we watched the sunset from the beach and had a bonfire. It was the perfect ending to our vacation. Thanks Brenda for sharing your rental home with our family – I hope to see you again next year.
Harrisburg, PA, Morgantown WV, Austin TX (yeah, we are all over the place and flew in to be together), 8/2010
Your place is awesome. Our trip was wonderful – thanks for sharing your slice of paradise!
Nancy H.
We have rented from you for over 8 years, and each time we are so pleased with how clean the property is, and how well-equipped (including having laundry detergent and dryer sheets). And the location of the homes is perfect (we have stayed in one of the log chalets, and the Cedar Chalet). There’s easy access both to Bar Harbor and the main part of Acadia National Park, but also to the “quiet side” of Mt. Desert, which we love. We always spend part of the week with another family, and the layout of the Cedar Chalet is perfect for both mingling and spending some quiet time apart. And if there’s a stretch of bad weather, there’s plenty of space to hang out without getting cabin fever. We especially loved, when our daughter was still quite small, that there’s so much to enjoy without having to drive anywhere. Kids love walking down to the water from the house and playing on the shore, watching hauled-out seals, all sorts of seabirds, and of course the resident bald eagle on “the Twinnies.” Our Harp-Hawkins rentals are a huge part of why we have such wonderful vacations each year at Mt. Desert!
Beth S., Portland, Maine