Entire home

Hard Aground - Ocean View Cottage in Southwest Harbor! Pet Friendly!!!

Photo gallery for Hard Aground - Ocean View Cottage in Southwest Harbor! Pet Friendly!!!

A deck with a round table and chairs, overlooking a grassy area and a body of water.
A living room with a view of the sea, a sofa, armchairs, a coffee table, and a striped rug.
A modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, white cabinetry, and a wooden dining area visible through an archway.
A room with large windows overlooking a grassy area and a body of water. There is a white crib with a patterned cushion and a white chair.
A spacious living room with a view of the outdoors, a fireplace, and a striped rug.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Firepit available
    One of the few properties with a dedicated outdoor firepit.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Dog-friendly
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

View map
Southwest Harbor, ME
  • Place, Acadia National Park
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Place, Wonderland Trail Trailhead
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪27 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Southwest Harbor

Located on the waterfront, this cottage is in Seawall, a neighbourhood in Southwest Harbor. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Acadia National Park's Visitors Center. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and College of the Atlantic Natural History Museum are also worth visiting. Kayaking and rafting offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and mountain climbing nearby.
View more Cottages in Southwest HarborOpens in a new window
Map
Southwest Harbor, ME

What's nearby

  • Acadia National Park - 1 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Wonderland Trail Trailhead - 3 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead - 3 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 5 min drive - 6.2 km
  • Wendell Gilley Museum - 7 min drive - 6.5 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jordan Pond House - ‬33 min drive
  • The Salty Fisherman
  • ‪Beal's Lobster Pier - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Thurston's Lobster Pound - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Hard Aground - Ocean View Cottage in Southwest Harbor! Pet Friendly!!! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Hard Aground - Ocean View Cottage in Southwest Harbor! Pet Friendly!!! ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Hard Aground - Ocean View Cottage in Southwest Harbor! Pet Friendly!!! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Hard Aground - Ocean View Cottage in Southwest Harbor! Pet Friendly!!! ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Hard Aground - Ocean View Cottage in Southwest Harbor! Pet Friendly!!! located?

Located in Seawall, this cottage is within 3 miles (5 km) of Acadia National Park, Wonderland Trail Trailhead and Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead. Wendell Gilley Museum is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) away.

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. 19 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed our stay at Robins home. It was clean and comfortable. Kitchen was well appointed.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice property and great location. Robin was a great host and was very responsive on any inquiry.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is one of the very best properties I have ever rented with vrbo. The house is quiet, in a great location, clean, thoughtfully furnished, and comfortable. You have everything you need! We would definitely come back! Five stars no question!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cleanest house I've ever rented. Excellent location. My family wants to return next summer. Many thanks to Robin.
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 27 August 2026
Martha Thank you so much for the kind review! We hope you get to come againz See you next summer! Robin
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family spent a wonderful week at Hard Aground. We enjoyed the beautiful water view, a large outdoor space and the very comfortable and fully equipped cottage. Robin was incredibly welcoming and communicative. It was clear that a lot of thought has gone into providing a perfect home base while visiting MDI.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 27 August 2026
Margaret Thank you for the lovely review! We hope you get to stay with us again. Robin
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at Hard Aground. The location was perfect—quiet, peaceful, and an ideal home base for exploring Acadia and the surrounding area. It was especially great for our family of six, with plenty of room for everyone to spread out and relax after a day of adventures. The setting felt private and tranquil, making it easy to unwind while still being close to everything we wanted to see. We would absolutely stay here again and highly recommend it to families looking for a comfortable, convenient place to experience Mount Desert Island.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Possibly the nicest place we have stayed on MDI. Beautiful views, peaceful setting, well-equipped home. Robin is an incredibly gracious hostess. We had a wonderful time sitting outside on the Adirondack chairs around the fire pit watching the deer walk by and the stars come out. I hope we can make it back one day.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 27 July 2026
Suzanna, Thank you so much for your kind words. It means so much to hear that Hard Aground was one of your favorite places to stay on Mount Desert Island. Those quiet evenings around the fire pit, watching the deer wander through and the stars come out, are exactly what we love most about the property, and I’m so glad you were able to enjoy them too. It was truly a pleasure hosting you, and I hope we have the opportunity to welcome you back to Maine again someday. Robin
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This four bedroom, 2 full bath, house was perfect for our two families. We enjoyed the water views from the back porch, large dining room table for games, kitchen and propane grill on back porch with everything we needed for home cooked meals. Robin was very responsive in reaching out to make sure we had everything we needed. We enjoyed the location, just a few minute drive to ship harbor trail and the quaint shops and restaurants of SW Harbor and 30 minutes from bustling Bar Harbor and the more populous spots of Acadia.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house and beautiful view!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fantastic home by the water!

Loved our stay here! The kids were able to play kickball in the backyard while the adults relaxed on the back deck overlooking the water. Picture perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 11 August 2024
Kathryn so glad you had a wonderful time! We hope you will come again to Hard Aground and MDI!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hard Aground was the perfect fit for our family trip to MDI. The house easily accommodated our 3 couples, 1 child and dog. The area is very dog friendly and it was important for us to find a pet friendly house to be able to include ours on our trip. The ocean view is beautiful from the back yard and deer roamed the yard and adjacent field daily. Bar Harbor is about 30 minutes away and Southwest Harbor is only 10 minutes so most of our activities were no more than a 30 minute drive. Check in/out was a breeze and Robin was very quick to respond to the couple of questions I had. If we stay near Southwest Harbor in the future, it will most definitely be another stay at Hard Aground.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2026
Francis, It was so lovely hosting your family and thank you so much for a wonderful review! We would love to host you and your family again. Robin
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Hard Aground

Beautiful quiet property with a view of the ocean. Close to Acadia and Bar Harbor. It was the perfect spot for us while we explored Maine. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 September 2024
Meghan, we are so glad you had a wonderful time and would love for you to come back!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was easily one of the best stays for VRBO ever! Robin is an out of this world host! Communication was almost instantaneous despite her traveling. Instructions for check in and check out, the home layout and an extremely helpful guidebook on all things Southwest Harbor and a lot of things Acadia were provided from a local perspective which was immensely helpful. The property itself is an amazing cottage, beautifully renovated and with all facilities you could ask for. Us being a multigenerational travel group and traveling with kids with dietary restrictions - had to cook several meals on site and all basic necessities, all sorts of pots and pans were available. Robin also had bowls set out for our pup which was so thoughtful! Hard Aground offers amazing sunrise / sunset and moon views reflecting off the shimmering bay waters and the grounds offer plenty of space for kids to run around, family picnics and just time to relax under the vast Maine skies! Will 100% love to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cottage was beautifully and recently renovated. Extremely clean and fresh. Big windows allowing for views of the sea. Extremely and wonderfully comfortable king size bed in the master. We watched the moon rise over the water from the bed at night! AC units helpful on the hotter days. Porch was peaceful in the morning with coffee watching the boats drift by as the sun rises. Kitchen very well stocked and we cooked a few meals in. Daughters loved the upstairs rooms with great views and very cute. Loved the infinite supply of toiletries towels blankets and cleaning supplies. Nice fireplace with plenty of wood and fire starters. Firepit in the back a nice touch. Overall a really great stay.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely house on the Quiet Side

Hard Aground was the perfect place for our family - 3 adult kids and parents. The house had been thoughtfully renovated, and the furnishings gave it a great vacation vibe. Robin was so helpful and attentive when we had questions! For our previous 7-8 trips to Acadia, we stayed closer to Bar Harbor, so it was a fun adventure to visit another part of the island Running to (and on) the Wonderland trail was a highlight for me, as was skipping rocks at the pond near Seawall. Southwest Harbor has some nice restaurants (Rogue!!) and shops, which made is a fun place to visit on a rainy day. There are also some nice trails on that side of the island.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 August 2024
Anne, I am so glad to hear you had a great time! I also love walking to Wonderland Trail and Seawall and back its a great workout! I also am so excited you and your family enjoyed the “Quiteside” of the island and we hope you will come back someday!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Stunning Ocean View Property Near Acadia National Park

Our stay at this beautiful ocean view property near Acadia National Park was nothing short of spectacular. The property is perfectly situated, offering a serene and peaceful environment that made our vacation truly relaxing. The house itself is well-maintained and tastefully decorated, with all the modern amenities one could ask for. The kitchen was fully equipped, making it easy to prepare meals, and the spacious living area was perfect for family gatherings. We particularly enjoyed the large deck where we spent morning watching the sunrise over the ocean. The location is ideal for exploring Acadia National Park, with easy access to hiking trails, scenic drives, and the charming town of Bar Harbor. We loved being able to return to such a comfortable and inviting home after a day of adventure. The hosts were incredibly welcoming and responsive, ensuring that we had everything we needed for a perfect stay. Their attention to detail and hospitality truly enhanced our experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

SPECTACULAR EXPERIENCE AT HARD AGROUND

Hard Aground was a perfect location for our group. Robin was very responsive to all communications from the start of our booking process through to the day of and after our departure. Everything we needed was provided. No one in our group of 8 adults ever said, wish we had this or that. The house was immaculate. Plenty of towels. Everyone slept comfortably. Plenty of room to spread out. The kitchen was very well appointed with everything needed to prepare meals. Large dining room table accommodated our group for meals and game playing. Enjoyed the wildlife (deer & turkeys) through the large picture window, as well as the sunrise. Close to town for restaurants and groceries. A few great, shorter hikes just down the road and easy commute into Acadia National Park. Don't hesitate to book this comfortable home.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 7 November 2024
Deanna, We are so glad you enjoyed your time at Hard Aground! Hearing positive feedback is always exciting because we really do want everyone to enjoy their time here. We hope you all get to return someday!! Robin
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family of 6 adults, 2 children, and 1 dog had the nicest time here. The home is beautiful with a lovely view of the water, very clean with nice rooms to accommodate us all. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need for mealtimes. The deck was a great place to sit out and watch the deer, turkeys, and the kids playing corn hole, and enjoying the firepit.The home is 1/2 hour drive to Bar Harbor, hiking trails, and a short drive to the quaint shops in Southwest Harbor.Robin is a fantastic host. There were beautiful fresh flowers on the dining room table which was lovely to see. She is very reponsive with questions you might have. Such a sweet and thoughtful person. I cannot say.enough about our stay here or our host. Hope we make it back again and would definitely stay at Hard Aground again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was perfect. Clean, had everything we needed. Peaceful and quiet. Would definitely recommend staying there.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 3 July 2026
Andrea, Thank you so much for being fabulous guest! We hope you visit us again!! Robin
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