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"Old River House", FAMOUS HISTORIC ELEGANCE. Waterfront/Crashing Ocean Sounds

Family fun on the beach, with water park, near Dock Square

Photo gallery for "Old River House", FAMOUS HISTORIC ELEGANCE. Waterfront/Crashing Ocean Sounds

The Old River House of 1848
Horse Carriage rides at the Old River House.
Front Porch: A Sailing day view of Water & Silas Perkins Park.
Twilight and Full Moon over the Old River House, Kennebunkport.
In town on the Kennebunk River with 13' tide

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
10 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 20650.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View map
Kennebunkport, ME
  • Place, Kennebunkport Village Green
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Dock Square
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Kennebunkport Harbor
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Airport, Portland, ME (PWM-Portland Intl. Jetport)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

10 bedrooms (sleeps 20)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 6

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 7

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 8

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 9

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 10

1 Double Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

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

Bathroom 2

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

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bathroom 4

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

Bathroom 5

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

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

"Old River House", FAMOUS HISTORIC ELEGANCE. Waterfront/Crashing Ocean Sounds

Old world elegance. Built in 1848, this fully restored, approximately 7500 sq ft. ten Bedroom Estate on world famous, Ocean Ave. sits just 0.2 of a mile from beautiful Dock Square, and a 30 second drive to the Ocean. Enjoy morning & evening Beautiful Sunrise & sunsets over the River and crashing wave Ocean sounds.

The 'Old River House', sits on the Kennebunk River next to the Arundel Yacht Club. Two public parks sit in front of and along side the Estate.

'The Old River House,' is nestled among the many old Captain's Mansions of the 18th Century. An almost $800,000 renovation in 2010 brings this grand old Captain's mansion back to its original grandeur. Antiques throughout the many rooms and the frequent passing of the Kennebunkport horse drawn carriage brings one back to that slower, more quaint part of American history. Morning coffee and evening drinks on the porch are just perfect for watching the river boat traffic and the children taking sailboat lessons at the 'Arundel Yacht Club' next door.

''The Old Rigging Loft'( Barn) is now, a separate apartment, with Care-takers, and owner / operators, Scott & Cheryl Mahoney on site and available 24 hours for the convenience and comfort of 'Old River House' Guests. We make every effort to assure your 5 Star vacation stay. Just ask !

There are four stair cases, and three levels of living space. New rugs, new bed mattresses, new curtains, new furniture, custom gardening, newly added European and American antique furniture throughout, are a hallmark of the Old River House.

STR License: STR21-00168

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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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
Supervised or Lease Violation. Will result termntn
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Events

No events allowed
NO WEDDING EVENTS, GROOMSMEN, BRIDESMAIDS STAYS.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
NO SMOKING, Candles, Fireworks in or near house.
NO WEDDING STATEMENT: No Guests attending any Weddings. TOILET PAPER ONLY. NO Tampons, Diapers, Easy-wipes in toilets. NO GREASE IN SINKS.
WINDOWS: DO NOT OPEN Please. Heat Pump System and A/C system are on constantly
CHECK-OUT: Empty all Refrigerator, and cabinets, countertops of all food, etc. PLACE IN BAGS, and place outside in large Garbage Cans.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: NO WEDDING EVENTS, GROOMSMEN, BRIDESMAIDS STAYS.
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number STR21-00168

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Kennebunkport

Located in Kennebunkport, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the beach. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Engine, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Ogunquit Beach and Marginal Way. Travelling with kids? Consider Gardens at Historic Wallingford Hall and Bette-Jean's. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Kennebunkport, ME

What's nearby

  • Kennebunkport Village Green - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Dock Square - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Kennebunkport Harbor - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Colony Beach - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Gooch's Beach - 3 min drive - 1.8 km

Getting around

  • Wells Regional Transportation Center - 15 min drive
  • Sanford, ME (SFM-Sanford Seacoast Regional) - 23 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Alisson's Restaurant - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Federal Jack's - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Pilot House - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪The Clam Shack - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Mornings in Paris - ‬11 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is "Old River House", FAMOUS HISTORIC ELEGANCE. Waterfront/Crashing Ocean Sounds pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at "Old River House", FAMOUS HISTORIC ELEGANCE. Waterfront/Crashing Ocean Sounds ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at "Old River House", FAMOUS HISTORIC ELEGANCE. Waterfront/Crashing Ocean Sounds ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at "Old River House", FAMOUS HISTORIC ELEGANCE. Waterfront/Crashing Ocean Sounds ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is "Old River House", FAMOUS HISTORIC ELEGANCE. Waterfront/Crashing Ocean Sounds located?

Located in Kennebunkport, this beachfront holiday home is in the city centre and within a 10-minute walk of Kennebunkport Village Green and Dock Square. W. Robert Paine Gallery and Northlight Gallery are also within 5 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 114 out of 129 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 129 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 129 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 129 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 129 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Beth P.

Huge, unique house...Perfect for larger gatherings!

We loved our stay at the Old River House! Ten members of our local book club enjoyed an overnight stay at this beautiful home and we loved every minute of it. Close to the ocean, shops, restaurants and all that makes the Maine sea coast wonderful. Our only regret is that we did t stay longer...We’ll be back!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Donna K.

Always Fun!

Our third time at Old River House, it was fun as usual. Great location, walk everywhere and best front porch! Thank you Cheryl and Scott for sharing your home.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2018

2/10 Terrible

Edward C.

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in, communication

Don’t recommend staying here

Would not recommend staying here if you appreciate privacy from owners.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nicki M.

AMAZING

The Old River House did not disappoint! Scott and Cheryl were very accommodating. The house was very old, which was very neat to stay in. Lots of great antiques to look at in the house as well. Plenty of space in the house as well and location was perfect! I hope to travel back to Kennebunkport in the Future. Thank you for sharing the Old River House with our group. -Wurth Electronics Distribution Team (US & Europe)
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Libby O., Brownsville, Texas

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

Maine Home

We had a wonderful time in Kennebunkport and the hosts could not have been more gracious and helpful. I thought it might be intimidating to have their family next door, but there are different entries to the two houses, and it did not conflict with feeling that we had the "place to ourselves." The yards/parks across 2 sides of the house were very useful for the kids and for the adults to sit and watch the boats go by. It was expensive, but if that is not an object, this is the place to stay in Kennebunkport with a large group.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Thomas D., Metro Boston, USA

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

Charming house, terrific location

We are a group of several families who have traveled together for years. The Old River House was perfect for us. It's close enough to the village to walk to restaurants and shops. The river, right across the street, is a great place to put in a kayak, which we did several times. There are jogging and walking opportunities everywhere. We enjoyed wondering about days past in this truly historic building. The kitchen is well appointed. Scott and Cheryl are very responsive hosts and took care of anything that came up. We would (and hope to) come again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

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

Perfect location

We rented this house for a group of ten getting together for a college reunion. Scott was easy to work with, the house had everything we were looking for and was close to town so we could park our cars at the beginning of the weekend and just leave them. The house is a crazy cool old house with a lot of history that was fun to get lost in. Everything creaks so make sure you are comfortable with your travel mates schedules lol! Scott left us a nice welcome gift and everything was just perfect!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wendy S.

Wonderful Girls weekend away!

10 of us enjoyed our annual Girls weekend away at this wonderful house... The Old River House has a fantastic location in Kennebunkport, across the street from the river, wonderful views, walking distance to town (just down the road and this makes it easier for decision making with large groups!), restaurants, beaches. The house has everything from bedrooms with comfortable beds :) for all of us, to a fantastic kitchen, dining room and living room space. Decorated with comfortable, tasteful and elegant furniture. Perfect for family reunions, large families or women get away weekends! And as a bonus, a wonderful shady porch with chairs for all to gather for breakfast, coffee with many laughs! The Arundel Wharf Restaurant is a must, a two minute walk! Parking for at least 8 cars so parking is not an issue! Definitely 5 stars!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anne S.

WONDERFUL STAY and Generous Owners

We stayed at the Old River House for a long weekend over Labor Day for a friends wedding in town. The house is very quaint and beachy. It was a perfect picture of Kennebunkport! There was plenty of space for our group of ten. There is beds for 17 as noted in the description. Each room has its own sink or bathroom so everyone had plenty of their own space even with such a large group (although there are only 2 showers). Scott and his wife stopped by to greet us on Sunday and were very welcoming and excited to have us. There was a mishap with one of the window screens, and Scott was gracious enough to not have us pay extra for the damages. Additionally, when they are in town, Scott and his family reside in the apartment space next to the home, so they were there when we needed to ask for rice for a wet phone as well! The location is perfect about a block away from town and from the beach! I would highly recommend staying at the Old River House!!! I hope that we can come back sometime soon!

10/10 Excellent

Jilli A.

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

Fantastic stay - incredible location!!

Staying at the Old River House in Kennebunkport was an absolute delight for me and my eight friends. From the moment we arrived, Scott and Cheryl were incredibly gracious and generous. Although we knew all the bedrooms were on the second and third floors, they went above and beyond by setting up a bed in the spacious dining room for one of our guests who couldn’t manage the stairs. Our friend mentioned it was an extremely comfortable bed! The house itself was immaculate, adorned with beautiful antiques and furnishings. Each room having its own sink was a wonderful surprise and added convenience. The kitchen was fantastic, equipped with amazing appliances, and conveniently located next to the main porch. This made it easy for us to grab a snack or refresh our drinks while enjoying the beautiful view from the porch. Plus, the Nespresso machine available to us was a nice touch! And the location of the Old River House is unbeatable! Whether we were heading out for our Pineapple Ketch sail or making multiple trips into town for breakfast, shopping, or dinner, everything was just a short seven-minute walk away. We are incredibly grateful to our hosts for making our four-day weekend so memorable. I wholeheartedly recommend this VRBO to anyone looking for a large home centrally located in the heart of Kennebunkport that can accommodate many people while still providing everyone with their own bedroom. Cheers!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne G.

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

Perfect location

Spacious antique home with all the amenities for a fun family stay. It was comfortable, scenic and within walking distance of shops, restaurants and boating.
Beautiful porch
Such a pretty view
Home big enough for our large group
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dan P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location - across the street from river park, very short walk to restaurants and shops.Comfortable gathering areas in living room and dining room for larger groups. Well equipped kitchen. Nice porch sitting area. Bathrooms are adequate. Ample onsite parking.Nice owner. Scott was helpful in preparing for our stay and responsible be to any needs.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Burton G.

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

Gove Memorial

Wonderful experience whole family was together! Couldn't ask for more! Thanks
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Meaghan S.

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

Excellent to bring family together - something for all ages!

We had a great extended family getaway weekend at Old River House! We had family members ranging from 2 yrs to 86 yrs old and there was something for everyone. The location is amazing, close to everything and was walkable to shopping etc for ALL of us. The hosts were so helpful and responsive when we needed, and otherwise let us enjoy our time. The house is thoughtfully furnished and included everything we needed. The small park area across the street was great for letting the kids get some energy out, and the house had games, puzzles and books to keep people occupied as well. Amazing, priceless memories made, thank you so much to Scott and Cheryl!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dalton E.

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

Golf Weekend

12 old friends do a golf weekend in KPT every fall. This property is fantastic for a large group; 10 bedrooms (real bedrooms) and spacious kitchen, living and sitting room; large deck. Best of all, short walk to downtown KPT. Owner lives next door and was so accomidating. An older home, but well maintained and so much charactor.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara R.

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

Ideal family reunion site

The 10 bedrooms, generous indoor and outdoor space, made this perfect for our family reunion. We loved being able to visit snd share meals on the veranda or indoors in the ample living space. An added benefit was the location—an easy walk to shops and restaurants in one direction or the ocean in the other direction. The historic house and views of the river were another plus.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew F., Durham, North Carolina

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

Great historical charm, ideal location

This house is perfect for a large group that appreciates the history of the Kennebunkport area. You can't beat the location - river views and a 5 minute walk to everything in Dock Square. Scott and Cheryl are terrific hosts, very responsive and welcoming. Our big group loved the house!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Donna K.

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

Love KPT and Old River House

Wonderful as usual, great for large families, absolutely best porch/view in KPT.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tim M.

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

SFC

Great trip. Again
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeanmarie L.

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

Family Fun

Had an awesome time having a family reunion. Great house with lots of places to stay in a fabulous porch to hang out on.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan C., Portland, ME

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

Location, Location, Location!

The Old River House is an historical building within walking distance of everything Kennebunk and Kennebunkport have to offer. Scott and Cheryl are there to meet you upon arrival, and are always available for all questions/concerns. Check in/check out is very well laid out and very little is left to chance. Although the property is well maintained and the beds are very comfortable, keep in mind that this is a very old house: steep stairs, a little musty, no modern decor, etc. If you have old relatives, there is no first floor bedroom, and it may be difficult for them to climb the stairs. We were a group of college friends 50+, and it was perfect for us; however, for a family with small children or one with elderly parents, this may not be the ideal place for you.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kristin C.

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

Perfect Location

Old River House is perfectly situated within walking distance to town in one direction and along the ocean in the other. It has a nice porch with a view of the harbor. The house is large and ramshackle in a charming way. It is a nicely set up with 3 pretty large rooms downstairs (unusual in a old house). We thought the major drawback down stairs was the furnishings which were mostly antique but not well-suited to a big group. Like all old houses, this one requires maintenance but certainly nothing to keep you from having a wonderful time at the historic Old River House.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Family reunion

Great place for a larger group. Porch is perfect for family time.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tim M.

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

Great spot for anytime of the year

House is awesome Location is perfect and the house welcomes you
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sue A.

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

Old River House

Close to town. Lots of room. Porch is great.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Scott Mahoney

Host profile image
Inkeepers, Scott and Cheryl Mahoney have 8 wonderful children from 25 down to 5. 5 boys and 3 girls means they are very busy all the time. They have been married 27 years. Scott grew up in Lexington, Ma, and Cheryl in Farmington, CT. Scott moved to South Glastonbury, CT at age 8 and meet Cheryl at a 'Mixer' (dance) Senior year at her private school. Cheryl became best friends with Scotts mother (Gloria), so when they broke up, Scott would come home and hear Cheryl laughing with Gloria, her best friend. Cheryl, a year behind Scott, transferred to Scotts College, Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ) . They went out with other people, grew up, and realized that they should be together and 27 years later, they still are. They have lived in Atlanta for 20 years. Scotts brother, Chris, worked at the Colony Hotel as a Busboy during College. Scott worked at the grand old 'Marshall House' in York Harbor, Me as an Elevator Boy one summer, and as a Bellman the next summer. The Marshall House has been torn down several decades ago. The Mahoney's vacationed here and in York Harbor, Me. Cheryl vacationed at her family's vacation home in Old Saybrook, CT.

Why they chose this property

The Old River House has fast access to launch your Kayaks or go to the Ocean beach ! It is in the very heart of Kennebunkport, in town elegance and ease. No hassle finding parking in the 'Port,' just walk. Walk or drive to the beach. The adjacent Town Parks are very well maintained and used by locals and vacationers. Kennebunkport really is Fun and Happiness. Its a great place for Families and Kids.

What makes this property unique

Breakfast in the morning, by the wall of windows, looking at the Lobster boats going out to sea and the Sea Gulls following. You can smell the ocean when the tide goes out (approximately a 13 foot tide!) and the sun bakes the sea weed. In the evening, sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch, with a glass of your favorite beverage, makes for a great and relaxed day. Finally, when going to sleep, the evening breeze temperatures get into the 50's to 60's, making for the best sleep you will have and great Ocean wave sounds.

PARKING: 52 Ocean Ave. driveway. Capacity; 6 cars side by side. (Back driveway for Landlord)

Languages:

English
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