Pond House - Donnell's Pond in Franklin, Maine

Photo gallery for Pond House - Donnell's Pond in Franklin, Maine

A modern kitchen with white cabinetry, a wooden island, and bar stools.
A master bedroom with a view, featuring a large bed, a nightstand with a lamp, a bedside table with a clock, and a wall-mounted telephone.
A calm lake with clear water, docks, and boats.
A living room with a sofa, coffee table, and a ceiling fan. There are large windows with a view of trees.
A wooden deck with a round table and four chairs, surrounded by a wooden railing.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Refrigerator
  • Washing machine
  • Internet
  • Onsite parking available

Explore the area

View map
Franklin, ME
  • Place, Donnell Pond
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
    ‪50 min drive‬
  • Place, Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co
    ‪55 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom #2

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Brand New Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Franklin

Located in Franklin, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Bartlett Maine Estate Winery and Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Downeast Scenic Railroad and Grand Theatre. Rooster Brother Coffee Roasters and Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co are also worth visiting. Kayaking and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and cycling nearby.
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Map
Franklin, ME

What's nearby

  • Donnell Pond - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Acadia National Park - 37 min drive - 44.5 km
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 50 min drive - 61.4 km
  • West Street Historic District - 54 min drive - 66.1 km
  • Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co - 55 min drive - 67.2 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Black Sheep - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪The Galley - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Project Mayhem, Waltham Division - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Downeast Cheesecakes - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Honeybee Cafe - ‬21 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Pond House - Donnell's Pond in Franklin, Maine pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Pond House - Donnell's Pond in Franklin, Maine?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Pond House - Donnell's Pond in Franklin, Maine?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Pond House - Donnell's Pond in Franklin, Maine?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Pond House - Donnell's Pond in Franklin, Maine located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Donnell Pond and within 12 miles (20 km) of Spring River Lake and Tidal Falls. L.L. Bean Shopping Outlet and Downeast Scenic Railroad are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 62 out of 65 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 65 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 65 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paula's Pond House provides the perfect balance of being tucked away in a quiet corner of a pond - for those total peace and quiet unplugging days - and a rather easy, scenic drive to MDI, Schoodic Peninsula, and all the surrounding towns for exploring, shopping, and dining. We arrived expecting to be in Acadia most of the trip, but in the end the kayaks, firepit, hammock, and overall warmth of the place kept us close and content a lot more than planned - and we're very thankful for it!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
If you’re looking to unplug and enjoy quality time with loved ones in a peaceful and beautiful setting, the pond house is absolutely perfect! My husband and I celebrated our 30th anniversary at this property and enjoyed exploring Acadia, the Schoodic Peninsula, and relaxing on the pond. I highly recommend reserving a canoe or pontoon so you can enjoy the pond to its fullest. The water is crystal clear. We loved it.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lake Life

We had a blast staying at the pond house! We really enjoyed staying there.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was our second visit, and we had a wonderful time! It was a joy to wake up every morning to the beautiful foliage and calm pond. Can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing house and location. The pond is wonderful, and we loved the kiaks. Very quiet place. Paula, the host, was great and very thoughtful.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was everything we were hoping for. Access to lake was great. The house itself was very clean and everything was very thought out in terms of what was supplied. Would stay again
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at this property! The sunrise over the water was absolutely breathtaking one of the highlights of our trip. The location is peaceful and beautiful, with easy access to the Schoodic Peninsula, which I highly recommend visiting. It’s also an easy drive to Bar Harbor and Ellsworth, making it a perfect spot for exploring the area, especially in the fall. The setting was ideal for our family getaway, and we left with so many special memories.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic! The lake it beautiful. We loved the yard, kayaking, and fishing. The park is close is enough for day trips, which we liked. The Pond House was clean, well equiped, and comfortable. The views were spectacular.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfection and beauty

This anniversary getaway was absolutely perfect due to this amazing home. The views from the backyard was full of spectacular. All the essentials of home provided to make it a wonderful stay
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was wonderful! There wasn’t one thing that wasn’t thought of, we had more than everything we needed. The view was amazing and the house was very clean and comfortable. We will definitely be back. Thanks for making our first trip to Maine an amazing experience.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Maone Get Away

This was exactly what we were looking for in our first time to Maine. It was peaceful and quiet and a great place to unplug.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 June 2023
The Davis family were perfect guests and I would be happy to have them come back any time. Paula
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family of four had a wonderful time at the Pond House! Modern, comfortable, convenient and all the small, thoughtful touches made our stay feel extra special. Our host was responsive and helpful, and the location was perfect for relaxing and as a base camp for fun on Mount Desert Island. The ultimate recommendation came from our two teenagers, who gave it five gold stars. They loved it!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Private - yet still close enough to everything

The pond house is beautiful, private and very well stocked. The host communication could not be better. Perfect stay. You won’t regret this one.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect quiet getaway in Maine

Great place to stay in Maine. Clean, comfortable beds, and everything you need to make your stay enjoyable. Perfect setting on the "pond". Made full use of the 2 kayaks and stand up paddle board, swimming in the lake and the fire pit. Perfect location to be off the beaten path when you want or take the short drive into Acadia which we did often. When we come back to Maine we will definatley stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful spot for a Maine vacation!

We had a wonderful stay at the Pond House. The property was clean, well organized, and cozy. We loved having the pond right outside the back door to fill in those lazy moments between excursions to Acadia, Bar Harbor, and the surrounding area. Communication with the host was great, and we would absolutely stay here again. If you are willing to venture off the beaten path, and if your tastes lean more towards outdoor adventures, it’s a great base for a Maine vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

An amazing week at Pond House!

We LOVED everything about the property! The view was amazing, we spent every morning on the dock listening to loons. The house was very clean and had everything we needed and even some things that most rentals don’t have. Paula was very responsive. We made a ton of memories and hope to come back again in the future!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely Pond House

We thoroughly enjoyed our time on Donnell pond. While the drive to the main part of Acadia was a bit long (but as described, so no surprise), we loved hiking Schoodic mountain, and biking the one way lightly travelled road around the Schoodic Peninsula. We would return happily and recommend to anyone who wanted to stay on a pond and be in the area around MDI.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Thank you for a enjoyable week

This is a very cosy place to stay for families. The entire house is vey clean with everything you needed and beyond. There is a dock for fishing, boating, and swimming. Unfortunately there it rained 5 out of 7 days. Fortunately there is also a fire pit that brought warmth in unseasonably cold weather. If you come in a warm, sunny week, it would be even better.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect week

The pond house was a relaxing escape from the Texas summer heat. All amenities were available, including games that we played after dark. Although we toured Acadia NP for a short day, we had more enjoyment paddling at Donnell Pond, taking a small puffin tour out of Steuben, and heading up the coast for nature areas with few people. We loved our visit to Maine. The pond house was a great location. We also easily rented two extra kayaks from Water’s Edge so we could paddle as a family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property is a gem! Wonderfully clean and comfortable property with direct lake access and plenty of parking. Meal prep was simple in the well designed and fully stocked kitchen that included quality cookware. The open concept floor plan allowed for everyone to interact while cooking, assembling a puzzle, or playing one of the may games available. The bathroom was a nicely sized and included an updated tiled shower. We made full use of the 2 Kayaks and SUP. Paula was prompt, responsive, and easy to communicate with. The property is about 45 minutes from Bar Harbor, but the short ride was worth it to enjoy the quite lake and beautiful mountain views from it.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Spectacular nature getaway

Genuinely one of my new favorite places to be! We got emotional leaving because it is such a special place. The lake is gorgeous, and we even had two days of rain and it was no issue or detraction from the serenity of the pond house. The host Paula was exceptionally nice and accommodating, always available if you needed help and provided an abundance of resources for the area. Ellsworth itself is so very cute and you’re only about 45-50 mins from Acadia- we went three out of our four day trip and the drive was pleasant! I can’t recommend staying here enough- I know there are a lot of options to choose from but you definitely won’t regret staying here!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Pond House was very well stocked and accompanied for our week stay! Pictures don’t do it justice- the view of the lake and outdoor living are glorious. The lake is so peaceful and quiet. I’m an open water swimmer, and that’s the clearest water I’ve seen in a lake. Sleeping arrangements were great for our family of 5. There is a single air conditioner in the main living area, so if you are used to central AC (like we are) it can be a little warm some nights in the bedrooms. We cooked dinner most nights (bought our groceries in Ellsworth and Bar Harbor). We made day trips to Acadia/Bar Harbor and Schoodic Point. Everything was about an hour each direction from the house, and we didn’t mind the drive. 5 stars all the way around!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Immaculate, fantastic, perfect

We wanted something near the tourist sites that would still let us do some glamping on a lake/ocean/waterfront. It was this and more. It was extremely easy to find. It was beautiful inside and the host thought of everything. Dishes, cookware, assorted spices, utensils, even left candy. The outside was gorgeous. The grill had utensils, we had a couple campfires, and we thoroughly enjoyed breakfast at the upper level deck. Roughly equal distance drive to Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and Schoodic (Winter Harbor). Quoddy was slightly farther but still an easy drive. Other reviews have cited the owner (Paula) as being terrific, and they were completely accurate. We absolutely had a fantastic time at the Pond House and would definitely go back.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Modern and comfortable place!

Pond House is a Great Lake rental. I especially loved the super well-stocked kitchen and expansive area for food prep. Paula is the most responsive host ever. We had a bit of a hard time getting in the lake because it’s very rocky (large rocks) and in no time she had a ladder installed at the end of the dock, which really helps. There are some lily pads to swim through but you get through them quickly. The kayaks are smallish and plastic but with the shoreline I think those are the best (only?) choice, and they work fine. The living room is comfortable and has a nice view. Be sure to drive to Schoodic Beach for an amazing swim (takes about 30 minutes to get to that part of Donnell Pond due to the roundabout driving route). Our friends rented Memory Cove next door, which makes for an awesome “compound” vacation!
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 August 2022
GreT guest Welcome back anytime.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Vacation paradise

Our family of five stayed At the Pond House for a much needed family vacation. We can’t say enough good things about the Pond House and Donnell Pond. The house was located about 20 minutes from Ellsworth the nearest large town on Donnell Pond. The house itself was beautiful, clean and had all the amenities you could possibly want on a vacation. We use the kitchen every day to cook, and spent many days in or on the lake using the kayaks and the floating dock. My three teenagers Were able to spread out in the house but mostly wanted to sit down by the lake or be on the hammock. My husband and I are avid runners and cyclists and went to Schoodic point, about 30 minutes away a few times to cycle and run. We highly recommend the Pickeled Wrinkle restaurant for their delicious food and craft beer. We spent three days at Acadia which was about a 50 minutes drive. Honestly the drive was very easy and we didn’t mind as we loved being able to go back to the pond house at the end of the day. The Pond House is a true gem and Paula, the owner was an incredible host. We would highly recommend this property and can’t wait to plan our next vacation to go back!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022
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