Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock

Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock

Photo gallery for Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock

View of the house, backyard and private dock taken from the water
Front entrance, walkway and gardens in early summer
Sunset from a kayak on the harbor
Backyard, apple trees, hammock, dock and harbor as seen from master balcony
Fully appointed kitchen with two sink areas and stainless steel appliances

Overview of Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen

Check out the area

Map
Tremont, ME
  • Popular LocationAcadia National Park2 min walk
  • Popular LocationBass Harbor Head Lighthouse5 min drive
  • Popular LocationAcadia National Park's Visitors Center22 min drive
  • AirportBar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)25 min drive

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 16)

2nd Floor Front

1 Queen Bed

2nd Floor Twin

2 Single Beds

2nd Master - 2nd floor

1 Queen Bed

3rd floor back bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3rd floor bunkroom

4 Single Beds

3rd floor front bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom - 2nd floor

1 Queen Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

2nd floor hall bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

2nd master bath

Toilet · Shower only

3rd floor Jack & Jill

Toilet · Shower only

First floor bathroom

Toilet

Master Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock

Apple Cove is a spacious, 4100 square foot, three story home built in 1883 that has been updated with all the modern amenities while maintaining the detail and beauty of the Victorian era, including remarkably high ceilings, detailed woodwork, and beautiful wood floors throughout. We are located on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island, with 139 feet of private shoreline on Bass Harbor. The home features a wrap around porch with stunning views of the harbor, including a screened-in section with a large dining table for outdoor meals as well as comfortable chairs and rockers for relaxing while bird watching or enjoying the view. Walk right down from the porch to our private dock, where you can put your kayak in with ease, or hunt for treasures on the rocks at low tide; or linger in the backyard, which makes an ideal spot for lawn games. Be sure to take advantage of the backyard seating area with a fire pit perfect for evening oceanside campfires.

This house is truly a treasure; it's been featured in the New York Times magazine (August 2016), as well as Maine Boats & Harbors (March 2004), and has been used on multiple occasions in advertising for LL Bean. The Southwest Harbor Library digital archive is full of pictures of the house from the late 1800s, when it was the Osborne Milton Kittredge house and store. If you're looking for the essence of coastal Maine, full of history but updated for modern comfort, you'll find it here.

The first floor features a large kitchen centered around a rustic farmhouse table with all the amenities needed for large family meals. Granite counter tops, new stainless appliances, Keurig coffeemaker, stoneware dishes, ample cookware and utensils along with harbor views make this kitchen a delight. The kitchen features double doors that exit to the wrap around porch, as well as another exit to the screened-in dining area.

Also on the first floor is a large living room with built-ins, including a cushioned window seat with ocean views. A flat screen smart TV, large coffee table and plenty of seating make this the perfect space for watching movies, playing games or just relaxing. Open to the living room is a large formal dining room with decorative fireplace.

The main entry to the home features a grand staircase that leads to the second and third floors. This formal entryway also leads to the library, an office and a half bath. The library is equipped with chairs for reading as well as a table for work, games or puzzles. The adjoining, private office has a desk for working and a side chair for reading or taking phone calls. Both the library and office are filled with books (classics, popular book club selections, mysteries, Stephen King, novels for both elementary and young adult readers) and a selection of games and puzzles. WiFi is available throughout the home.

The second floor features a master bedroom with queen bed, en suite bath with claw foot tub, sitting area, large closet, smart TV and private balcony with gorgeous harbor views and comfortable seating. A back staircase gives this master suite additional privacy from the rest of the second floor.

A second master with ocean view, queen bed, en suite bath, sitting area, smart TV and walk in closet is also on the second floor. Two more bedrooms, one with a queen bed and one with a daybed with trundle complete the second floor which also features an additional large bath with claw foot tub.

The third floor features a large bunk room with 4 twin beds, and ocean views. Sharing a Jack and Jill style bath with the bunk room is another room with a queen bed, cushioned window seat, ocean views and private staircase. Finishing off the third floor is an additional room with queen bed and sitting area.

Apple Cove is located on the quiet side of the island, just over 2 miles from downtown Southwest Harbor, and 2 miles from the Bass Harbor lighthouse. Thurston's Lobster Pound is about a mile away by car; for those who choose to, you can kayak from the backyard right over to Thurston's dock in a few minutes. Commonly visited places in Acadia National Park are also not far from home; the Seawall, as well as Wonderland and Ships Harbor trails, are about 4 miles away, and Echo Lake is about 10 minutes away. Acadia Mountain, one of the most popular (and most rewarding) hikes in the park is also within a 10 minute drive.

We purchased this home in 2017 after visiting Mount Desert Island every summer for more than 20 years, and are thrilled to be able to share it with others. We have paid attention to details in order to provide our guests with a well-stocked, welcoming, comfortable home in which to share time with family and friends and enjoy the gorgeous harbor setting and all that beautiful Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park have to offer.

Property manager

Colleen Shapiro
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 9:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed
Small events may be permitted with pre-approval

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
$450 refundable security deposit due 60 days in advance.
$50 per person for parties over 12 people

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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: Small events may be permitted with pre-approval
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Bass Harbor

Located in Bass Harbor, this farm stay is on the waterfront. Bar Harbor Whale Watching is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Acadia National Park's Visitors Center. Travelling with kids? Consider George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History and College of the Atlantic Natural History Museum. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Tremont, ME

What's nearby

  • Acadia National Park - 2 min walk
  • Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead - 4 min drive
  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 5 min drive
  • Echo Lake Beach - 10 min drive
  • Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 22 min drive

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Tan Turtle Tavern - 26 min drive
  • Beal's Lobster Pier - 7 min drive
  • Thurston's Lobster Pound - 4 min drive
  • Colonel's Restaurant - 24 min drive
  • Hansen's Outpost - 8 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Spacious historic oceanfront home on Bass Harbor - stunning views - private dock located?

This family-friendly Bass Harbor farm stay is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Acadia National Park, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse and Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead. Wonderland Trail Trailhead and Wendell Gilley Museum are also within 3 miles (5 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. 67 out of 73 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 73 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 73 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 73 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 73 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kaitlin C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome property
The house and property looked amazing online while was even better in person. It is a beautiful view, as well as a great space inside for our whole group. The house was fully stocked with what we needed to grill, have a fire in the fire pit and play yard games. It was an easy drive to Acadia for hiking with some great food spots around, including a lobster roll place you could walk to. The only part that was not ideal was the landscapers/gardeners showed up at 8am the morning of check out, which woke people up as they needed cars moved and prevented us from enjoying the final morning in the yard. It’s an early check out as is so was disappointing we could not sit in the yard with our coffee for the last morning and they likely should not have come until we checked out. Otherwise it was amazing and we would already love to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jean C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family reunion
The house was beautiful very clean and perfect for our reunion. The only problem is the goose poop all over the yard. That’s the only problem we had.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alicia P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful for Families!
Great location with beautiful views! Clean and comfortable with plenty of space for our group of 11 adults!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Roberta S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great gathering place
Enjoyed our stay very much
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erin R., Oswego, NY

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great family location
Beautiful stately home with plenty of room for extended family! We were traveling to Acadia for our son's wedding and brought the extended family to stay! Fall in Maine is beautiful but the weather is very unpredictable. We were able to enjoy the porches in the nice weather and Colleen was prepared for the power outage with flashlights and lanterns when the power went out (tropical storm knocked out power to the island). The games and books in library and music room were a hit! The home was large but had many cozy spots. The downfall was the slanted ceiling in thecstairwell up to the 3rd floor. It made it challenging for adults to climb up (there is always the back staircase to use, as well). We stayed for an extended weekend but would love to stay for an entire week! So much to do and enjoy without ever leaving the house! Thanks for the great memories Colleen!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Colleen Shapiro

Host profile image
We live in Massachusetts with our three children, and have been coming up to Mount Desert Island every summer for the past 20-plus years. Our first visit was in 1996, when we were first married, and we fell in love with it. We used to camp at the Seawall campground, making the drive up in the middle of the night to get a prime spot in line in the days before the campground took reservations. Over time, as our family grew, we began renting various houses on the quiet side of the island for our vacation. Finally, in 2017, we took the plunge and purchased this house.

Why they chose this property

We were staying in a rental home over by the Seawall, and Rob kept running by the house on his morning runs. Out of curiosity, we decided to contact the realtor and take a look, figuring it would be for entertainment as much as anything; we'd always talked about buying a home up on the island, but never really imagined it would happen. Once we were inside, we were hooked. All the old house charm, the high ceilings, the woodwork, the natural light, and the size big enough for our extended family made it an instant winner. Throw in the incredible views of Bass Harbor and the sound of running water from the stream that runs along the property and into the harbor, as well as the countless birds to watch and listen to, and we couldn't say no. We know you'll love it as much as we do.

Premier Host

Premier Host
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