Room to Gather • 2026 Holiday Dates Open • 10Min to Old Port

Set within a beautifully restored Victorian duplex, we purposefully designed The Cornerstone to bridge the gap between the design sensibility and comfort of a boutique hotel and the privacy and convenience of a vacation rental, creating a stay that feels both elevated and distinctly Portland. Three bedrooms, two baths, two living spaces, a cook’s kitchen, and a first-floor king suite make it especially well suited for families and multigenerational stays—all just 10 minutes from the Old Port.

COZY SEASON AT THE CORNERSTONE

Late fall and the holiday season are some of our favorite times to experience Portland. Restaurant reservations get a little easier to snag, historic spaces dress up for the season, and a brisk day downtown makes coming home to a warm house something to look forward to.

Whether you’re in town for a fall weekend or visiting family for the holidays, The Cornerstone offers a comfortable home base for groups who want to gather without feeling crowded. Unwind by the electric fireplace, put a record on, or spread out across two living areas to catch Sunday football.

THE CORNERSTONE IS IDEAL FOR

• Multigenerational Families who want comfortable shared spaces, a first-floor king suite, and room for everyone to spread out
• Friend Groups looking for a welcoming home base with plenty of space to gather, cook, relax, and reconnect
• Milestone Trips celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, or simply having everyone together in one place
• Groups Who Value Both Togetherness & Privacy with generous common areas, multiple living spaces, and comfortable bedrooms to retreat to

STANDOUT FEATURES

• Two living spaces + electric fireplace → Room to gather, read, or settle in for a movie.
• A kitchen made for real cooking → Generous prep space, large island, full cookware setup, KitchenAid mixer, pantry basics, and more.
• Coffee setup for actual coffee people → Drip, Nespresso, K-cup, French Press, or Chemex
• Premium Entertainment → YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket, Netflix, Hulu, Max, and Disney+
• Layered, design-forward interiors → Warm, coastal New England aesthetic.

THE SPACE

Three bedrooms. Two Bathrooms. One very good kitchen.

The layout is built around a simple idea: space is a cornerstone of comfort.
Instead of maximizing bed count, we prioritized comfortable bedrooms and generous living areas where groups can truly settle in.

The aesthetic is a curated collection of New England charm. From hand-painted coastal murals that capture our local landscapes to an eclectic gallery of collected art. Layered lighting throughout sets the tone, from bright, easy mornings to slower, more ambient evenings. With two distinct lounges, your group has options: gather for a celebratory dinner or long conversation in one, then drift to the secondary lounge for a movie or a nightcap.

In the kitchen, old-world-contemporary aesthetics meet real utility. It’s a space for those who love to cook; well-equipped, intuitive, and ready for anything from a quick breakfast to a full dinner. Spend your morning at Rosemont Market, Pat’s Meat Market, or the Deering Oaks Farmers' Market, then come home to a kitchen that makes meal prep part of the experience.

At the end of the day, retreat to bedrooms designed with rest in mind, complete with layered bedding and thoughtful comforts to help you recharge for another day on the Maine coast.

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS

Comfortably sleeps 7, with flexible sleeping arrangements for up to 8 guests.
For larger groups, the den can be closed off as an additional sleeping space with a queen air mattress available upon request.

All bedrooms include
• Smart TV with Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, and YouTube TV
• Full-length mirror
• Sound machine
• Standing or desktop Fan

Bedroom 1 — King Bed (First floor) Primary bedroom with en suite bath. Inspired by Maine’s rugged history, this primary suite features vintage photography of Maine's logging industry.
• King mattress, hotel-quality linens, Pacific Coast goose feather duvet
• En suite bathroom with heated flooring and heated bidet
• Room-darkening curtains + light filtering sheers
• Makeup vanity
• USB + USB-C bedside charging

Bedroom 2 — Queen Bed + Twin Trundle (Second floor) Calm and whimsical. Featuring a hand-painted mural of the Scarborough marsh, soft sage trim, reading chair, and upholstered queen daybed with twin trundle.
• Queen daybed + twin trundle, hotel-quality linens, Pacific Coast goose feather duvet
• Room-darkening curtains + blinds
• Reading chair with lamp
• Nightstand with built-in USB + USB-C charging
• Additional folding side table for flexibility

Bedroom 3 — Queen Bed (Second floor) Sleep under a Victorian-style canopy in a space inspired by the deep blues and soft greens of Maine’s coastal marshes. Corner windows bring in natural afternoon light, while an oversized mirror makes getting ready with a group effortless.
• Queen mattress, hotel-quality linens, Pacific Coast goose feather duvet
• Room-darkening curtains + blinds
• Reading chair with lamp
• Nightstand with built-in USB + USB-C charging

THE KITCHEN

Our favorite room in the house!

This isn't a standard rental kitchen stocked with the bare minimum. It's a home cook's setup complete with: a KitchenAid mixer, Ninja blender, Chemex, French Press, Nespresso, K-cup, and drip coffee maker, and the kind of well-chosen tools that make cooking feel like the point, not just a means to an end.

Whether you’re making breakfast for the group, baking something for the holidays, or putting together a full dinner, there’s plenty of room to prep, cook, and gather.

• Large island with generous prep space + seating for four
• A variety of coffee and tea options provided
• Olive oil + basic spices stocked so you’re not starting from zero
• Full set of pots + pans
• Baking sheets, mixing bowls, measuring tools + everyday cooking essentials
• A thoughtful mix of everyday and specialty glassware

WHAT'S PROVIDED

We’ve stocked the home with high-quality essentials so you can pack a little lighter. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, lotion, paper products, plus cleaning supplies are provided, including dish soap and Tide Free & Gentle laundry detergent pods. Our bath and body products are sourced from Public Goods, known for simple, well-designed products that are sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

The Deering Highlands is a beautiful, residential neighborhood, removed from the bustle of the Old Port, while still being close to everything.You can walk to coffee, run the Baxter Woods trails, or drive downtown in ten minutes.
• Getting around:
• Portland Jetport (PWM) → 10 min drive
​​• University of New England (UNE) Portland → 3 min drive / 10 min walk
• University of Southern Maine (USM) → 5 min drive / 20 min walk
• Deering Center (Dining & Shops) → 15 min walk / 3 min drive
• Baxter Woods Trails → 15 min walk
• Back Cove Trail → 7 min drive
• Old Port + Downtown Portland → 10 min drive
• Eastern Promenade → 10 min drive

Groceries nearby Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Rosemont Market & Bakery, Pat's Meat Market. If you're here on a Saturday morning, the Portland Farmers Market is worth a stop.

Forgot something? The South Portland retail hub is just 10 minutes away. You’ll find Target for the quick essentials and HomeGoods for a rainy-day browse

BOOKING CONSIDERATIONS

To help plan your stay, please note:

• Neighborhood & Gatherings: The Cornerstone is located in a quiet residential neighborhood and is best suited to guests looking for a comfortable home base while enjoying Portland. We’re happy to host family trips, friend weekends, celebrations and getaways, but the house is not a good fit for parties or late-night gatherings. We ask that guests keep outdoor noise to a minimum between 9 PM and 7 AM. Smoking or vaping is not permitted indoors, and the primary booking guest must be 25 or older.

• Duplex Transparency: We love the character of this duplex, but it does come with the occasional soundtrack of shared living. We’ve placed sound machines and fans in each bedroom to help buffer sound transfer between floors. Most guests find it minimal, but we prefer to let you know ahead of time.

• Stairs: There are stairs at each exterior entrance and between all living levels.

• Laundry: A private washer and dryer are available for guest use in the unfinished basement, and detergent is provided. Like many historic New England homes, the basement is more practical than polished, with a more utilitarian feel than the main living spaces.

• Parking: Guests have access to off-street parking, with additional easy street parking available in the neighborhood. A standard exterior plug is also available near the driveway for guests traveling with a camper or RV who may need access to power while parked.

• Guest Interaction: We live on-site in the adjoining unit with our family and our two dogs. While the guest experience is designed to be completely private, we’re close enough to share a restaurant tip or answer a quick question whenever you need. Think of us as helpful neighbors here if you need us.

MEET YOUR HOSTS

Welcome to Portland! We’re Mary and Andrew—Portland locals, design-build partners, and collectors of things with a past. The Cornerstone brings together vintage pieces we’ve collected with the thoughtful, modern comforts we value when traveling.

We hand-painted murals and sourced artwork to give the home a sense of place and connection to Maine. When we’re off the clock, you’ll likely find us on a trail, at a local brewery, or wandering antique markets with our dogs, Ace & Koda.

STR Host License Number: STHR-007181-2025