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Classic Family Cottage, Ocean View from Porch, Peaceful Rural Location

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Exterior
Exterior
Ocean view from the porch
breakfast and sparkling sea
Exterior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Portland, ME
  • Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • East End Beach
    ‪32 min drive‬
  • Sand Beach
    ‪50 min drive‬
  • Portland, ME (PWM-Portland Intl. Jetport)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub

Bathroom 2

Shower only

outdoor shower

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Classic Family Cottage, Ocean View from Porch, Peaceful Rural Location

Available May 1 - Columbus Day. Full-week rentals only, Saturday-Saturday July 1 - Labor Day. Three-day minimum otherwise.

The house is simply but completely furnished and colorfully decorated, for family use, not as a 'rental property.' Virtually everything in the cottage has some sentimental value, having been either handed down from parents and grandparents or repaired, purchased, or brought back from a journey by the current generation of the family… if it didn’t come with the house when our family purchased it in the late 1970’s.

We do not provide linens. If you do not bring your own, you can rent them from a service on the island.

The cottage is perfectly suited for a quiet family holiday. It is not appropriate for large groups or noisy parties.

Recently the house was re-shingled and insulated from the outside, to preserve the “cottage feel” inside. All the windows and screens were replaced and interior walls and trim freshly painted. Floors were sanded and varnished. A new full bath with shower and laundry room were added off the kitchen.

The house sits at the end of a quiet road, high above the sea, about 100 yards through the woods from the rocky shore of Josiah’s Cove. Though the cottage is not on the waterfront, from the porch you can see the ocean sparkling. A short steep walk down through what our grown children long ago dubbed 'The Magic Woods' brings you to the back yard of our other cottage.

The cottage is open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.



First floor

There is a wrap-around porch, perfect for breakfast, cocktails and afternoon reading or napping.

The comfortably furnished living room has windows on three sides and a pass-through to the kitchen. There's a daybed for napping, a table in a corner perfect for Scrabble. For safety and insurance reasons we do not allow guests to use the fireplace.

To reach the kitchen one passes through a small, formal dining room with built-in china cabinet.

To the right of the dining room is a new, large master bedroom with a queen-sized bed, a rattan love seat and coffee table, big skylights, pine floors and paneling, and windows all around. It’s beautiful! Awaking to the ocean view is truly special.

The kitchen is fully equipped with pots, pans, and plenty of china, flat ware, sharp knives, and other tools. There is a gas range, a refrigerator with freezer, a microwave and a built-in dishwasher. The refrigerator, washer and dryer are in a new utility room just around the corner from the kitchen, to the right.

To the left beyond the kitchen is a new bathroom with shower. And on the way out to the woods there is wonderfully powerful outdoor shower, closed in up to about six feet but open to the trees and the sky above.

Second floor

On the second floor there is a small full bath with clawfoot tub, but no shower.

Off a central hallway there are four bedrooms, two with double beds, two with two twin beds each.

All have bureaus and closet space.

Keywords: cozy, well-equipped, sleeps 8, ocean view, quiet, outdoor shower, new bath

The cottage is perfectly suited for a quiet family holiday. It is not appropriate for large groups or noisy parties. Comfortable occupancy is 8, please inquire if your party is a bit larger.

Property manager

Woody and Pauline Halsey

Languages

Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, Italian, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Ocean view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children of all ages love Peaks island.
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Events

No events allowed
We count on guests not to disturb our neighbors.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
The damage deposit is not refundable in case of cancellation. We do return it within 7 days if you leave the house as found.
To avoid any misunderstandings we ask all guests to sign a simple contract and agree to the "House Rules and Tips" document that we send separately.
Guests are not allowed to use the fireplace.

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: We count on guests not to disturb our neighbors.
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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Peaks Island

Located in Peaks Island, this cottage is by the sea. State Theatre and Thompson's Point are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Maine Mall. Travelling with kids? Consider Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and Museum and Portland Observatory. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
Map
Portland, ME

What's nearby

  • Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal - 30 min drive - 7.0 km
  • State Theatre - 32 min drive - 8.1 km
  • East End Beach - 32 min drive - 8.4 km
  • Thompson's Point - 35 min drive - 11.3 km
  • Sand Beach - 50 min drive - 10.3 km

Getting around

  • Portland Transportation Center - 50 min drive
  • Portland, ME (PWM-Portland Intl. Jetport) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪Scratch Baking Co. - ‬36 min drive
  • ‪North43Bistro - ‬37 min drive
  • ‪Twelve - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪Speckled Ax - ‬31 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Classic Family Cottage, Ocean View from Porch, Peaceful Rural Location pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Classic Family Cottage, Ocean View from Porch, Peaceful Rural Location ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Classic Family Cottage, Ocean View from Porch, Peaceful Rural Location ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Classic Family Cottage, Ocean View from Porch, Peaceful Rural Location located?

This family-friendly Peaks Island cottage is located by the sea, within 2 mi (3 km) of Casco Bay, Umbrella Cover Museum and Fifth Maine Museum. House Island is 1.9 mi (3 km) away.

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. 33 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joyce H.

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

A Slice of Heaven on Earth

This generational family owned home on Peaks Island was every bit as wonderful as we were hoping it would be. Spacious, enough bedrooms, clean, in a beautiful quiet location - there wasn't anything we lacked! Owner Woody was responsive and helpful throughout the entire process & during our stay. Our hands down favorite place was the wonderful front porch with a stunning view of the ocean - sunrises are magnificent! If you are looking for a quiet family vacation, we highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean R.

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

Wedding weekend stay

Great!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Whitney F.

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

The view is stunning!

Woody's cottage was great, the views are beautiful and was perfect for our needs.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Abigail P.

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

Peaceful and Cozy

My family stayed here for a week and had a wonderful time. The location is away from the higher-trafficked areas of the island which made for an extra peaceful stay. Our favorite place to hang out was on the huge wrap-around porch, just watching and listening to the ocean. Plenty of space for numerous guests without feeling too cramped, and the place was equipped with everything we needed during our stay. Would stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott P.

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

Peaks Island Cottage with Character and a Lovely View

This cottage has a nice elevation with a view of the ocean and woods. We enjoyed reading, drinking coffee, and generally relaxing on the front porch. The place has a lot of character and is obviously loved by the Halsey family. Woody was a thoughtful host who communicated with me and answered my questions prior to our arrival. Everything about the cottage was as-described. We hope to come back.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Faye C., Portland ME

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

Perfect family cottage in the trees!

This is a big old, comfortable family cottage, up above the ocean, facing east for the sunrise. There is plenty of room for eight adults, with many bedrooms upstairs and a lovely modern master suite on the bottom floor. We ate on the large porch facing the ocean many times, especially breakfast and lunch, and enjoyed the cosy dining room at dinner. I can honestly say we never went out to eat. Great family time for a week in this quiet location, highly recommend this side of the island. Biking is wonderful for exploring all over. Hope to return again, many thanks for sharing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carleigh K.

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

Perfect Peak's Island Home!

Beautiful place with a great host!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline K.

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

Summer vacation

We enjoyed our stay at this Peaks Island rental. The cottage was charming and the view from the front porch was beautiful!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jamie C.

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

Beautiful home above the sea

Wonderful home - it was well appointed with any cooking utensil you could need, a spacious refrigerator and lots of warm, cozy blankets! While it is a true "camp" house (no insulation or heat) there were many space heaters that we used to warm up, as well as blankets to keep us toasty at night. Quiet, restful place! Would definitely stay there again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Patrick F., North Yarmouth, ME

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

We had a fantastic weekend and enjoyed this property!

We rented thus house for our wedding weekend and loved the house and spot!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lori M.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great views!

We were a group of 8 adults on the island for a wedding. Plenty of room for conversation and cards, views off the front porch are amazing. Owner answered all our questions on info for the area!! Would stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrei K.

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

Liked the house and the location.

Liked the house and the location.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rebekah F.

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

Could't have asked for a better stay!

We spent a week on Peak's Island with our group of 4 adults and 1.5 year old twins in June. If anything, the house is even more charming in person and the surrounding property was full of gorgeous plants and flowers and backs up to the forest. The house is at the end of a quiet, dead-end road with incredibly kind neighbors across the drive. You can hear the ocean waves from inside the house when the windows are open and you have an amazing view of the water from the wrap around, covered front porch! Every corner of the house felt lovingly cared for and thoughtfully arranged. There was a pack n play and a high chair provided at the house (though we brought our own since we have twins!) and we found great spots to take a picnic and splash around in the shallow tide pools with our toddlers a ways down on the rocky beach. There are some steep staircases in the house, however, so if you have little crawlers / new walkers, you'll just need to keep an eye on them. We had no problems with that. One of our other favorite things about the house was the outdoor shower! We all preferred it to the indoor shower option. We drove and had our car with us, but it costs $70 round trip to ferry the car to and from the island so we left the car on the island all week and only drove it to get to the ferry if we wanted to go into Portland, which we did several times and explored on foot. There were plenty of walkable shops, restaurants, coffee shops, etc from the Casco Bay ferry dock in Portland so not having our car on those days wasn't much of an issue. We loved our entire stay and found the island to be full of charm, gorgeous houses and beaches, and friendly people. Would go back in a heartbeat!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Beautiful property!!

Celebrating our "70" birthday with 7 young ladies! It was a perfect spot for us!! The view is spectacular Very clean, comfy, and a family feeling!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Denise H.

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

Quiet, rustic and quaint beach house.

Was the perfect getaway for our group of 7 mature ladies celebrating the bride to be. The house was a bit more rustic than expected and lacked any sound proof but was charming and comfortable. Our group really enjoyed exploring the island and would visit again. Was fun to take the ferry from Portland to the island and back. Just plan to arrive an hour early if taking a car on the ferry. Great trip, thanks to our hosts!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

James Joseph R., Upstate NY

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

Peaks Island Heaven

My partner and I would definitely name this home, “Heaven”. Despite the spotty, rainy, cold, typical Memorial Day Weekend Weather we were beyond grateful to be here. Absolutely stunning property just a short walk from the main Route around the Stunning views off Peaks Island. This home was a diamond you’d want to mine for. We will definitely be back ! -The Rosenfield’s
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Fredrica P.

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

Long weekend getaway

What an absolutely delightful oasis for our first post covid getaway. Everything from the ferry ride , the postcard perfect location with beautiful sunrises , the charm, cleanliness and spaciousness of the house was just perfect. We enjoyed several walks around the island and never got in the car until we left Monday. Saturday night we took the ferry into Portland for a wonderful and enjoyed the moonlight ferry ride back to Peaks. We could not have designed a more perfect home and getaway to chill and decompress after these past 15 months. Thank you for sharing your home with us and for being such a communicative and gracious host. We will be back!!! Ricky P
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brittney F.

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

Great, remote stay!

We had a lovely stay at the property. The home is very spacious and we enjoyed many meals on the wraparound porch. The views are wonderful. We do recommend bringing bikes or renting a golf cart for getting around the island (i.e. to the beach and to the store). Peaks Island is such a gem, we loved getting cinnamon buns from Peaks Cafe, ice cream from Down Front, and lobster rolls from Island Lobster Company (with great views!). We also really enjoyed taking the ferry over and having some meals in Portland, or taking a day trip up/down the coast.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nikki B.

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

Lovely experience.

If a picture's worth a thousand words, the photos of this property speak for themselves. Vintage class. Comfortable, clean, welcoming. Exceptionally beautiful master bedroom...spacious, wood -covered, airy. Great family place with 'nooks' for reading, playing cards, gathering together, or finding a moment of solitude. We looked east over the ocean and could hear the surf beyond the trees. An easy walk to the seashore road that curves along the shoreline where the waves crash over the rocks. Perfect for strolling, running, watching the sunrise or the tides change. Great Maine experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Mary G.

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

Enchanting House on Peaks Island, ME

This seaside property was oozing with charm and had a cozy, family decor with a spectacular view of the ocean. We were there during an October Nor’easter and had a real adventure! We would stay here again in a heartbeat!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Erica A.

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

Vacationed October 2019

The house was just as described and comfortable. Communication with the owners was great! They always answered my questions promptly. We had so much fun walking down the steep trail down to the water and just sitting. Using the ferry back and forth was very simple and a pleasant ride. Theres a great restaurant on the Island to go to and the grocery store is good in a pinch when u forgot something. Thanks again for sharing your home with us...we had a great time. E. Arnold
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sarah G.

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

Perfect Family Getaway

We had the most wonderful time here, and really hope to be back soon! It's a magical home and the location is perfect. Can't recommend highly enough.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

darlene b.

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

Off the grid!

Great to unplug from the world, get away and enjoy peaks island! Serene existence enjoying the views, preparing delicious local cuisine. Relaxing!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ardith P., Lawrence, Kansas, USA

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

A beautiful, well organized cottage

This is a high quality home with a short walk to the ocean. It is beautifully decorated space with lovely view.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann C.

So glad to be be able to return for our second visit & counting the days to our return next year!

We love tradition and we love that we can celebrate our Peaks tradition in such a welcoming environment. It was so nice to be able to come "home!" Our first day found us relaxing around the fire, napping on the day bed, and baking in the kitchen. It was a day of rejuvenation. Saturday we enjoyed a schooner ride in the bay that was amazing with strong winds and bright sun. Sunday we took out the bikes and once again enjoyed the island roads and majestic ocean vistas. Our son, who recently had surgery, joined us on a rented golf cart and we were so glad we were all able to enjoy this special time together!!! We all agreed that our favorite activity was enjoying the sunrise from the amazing porch as we sipped coffee and enjoyed the peace and solitude of the quiet side of the island. We look forward to many many years maintaining this special tradition! Thanks for sharing your slice of heaven. I cannot think of a better home from which to enjoy this special island.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

About the host

Hosted by Woody and Pauline Halsey

Host profile image
Now that our parents have passed away, my sister and I are maintaining this special property for the benefit of our children, our grandchildren and our guests.

Why they chose this property

Our parents chose Peaks Island because it was the perfect spot for family summer vacations.

Peaks Island is a family summer paradise offering beaches, sailing, fishing, tennis and bicycling on safe roads. You'll see cars, but will enjoy stunning ocean views as you pedal or walk around the island. Visitors can shop at the local market or lobster shack and enjoy home-made meals on the porch, eat out at one of three restaurants on the island or sample the broad range of fare offered by chefs (some nationally known) in the city of Portland. Car and passenger ferries make the 20-minute crossing back and forth between mainland and island approximately every hour. Guided tours of the island via golf cart are available, and a visit to the museum dedicated to the Fifth Maine Civil War regiment is a must for history buffs.
The cottage is perfectly suited for a quiet family holiday. It is not appropriate for large groups or noisy parties. Guest limit is 8.

What makes this property unique

Quiet relaxation in an unspoiled natural setting that is surrounded by the sea and yet close to the shopping, entertainment and first-class restaurants of Portland, one of America's most vibrant small cities. Chosen by Bon Appétit magazine as "Restaurant City of the Year" in 2018.

Languages:

English, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin)
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