Hotels & GuesthousesBoothbay Harbor

Boothbay Haven

Boothbay Haven: A Five-Bedroom Harbor Retreat in Boothbay Harbor

Groups
a living room with a couch and a table at Boothbay Haven in Boothbay Harbor
a living room with a couch and a table at Boothbay Haven in Boothbay Harbor

Why Stay

Why Boothbay Haven

Boothbay Haven is built for the kind of trip where space matters - where six or nine of you need room to spread out, cook together, and retreat to your own corner when the day calls for it. This five-bedroom, two-bathroom house sits a short walk from Boothbay Harbor's downtown, meaning you can leave the cars parked and move through the village on foot. The kitchen is full enough for group dinners; the patio has a grill and picnic table; the living areas don't feel cramped even when all bedrooms are occupied. Reviewers consistently mention the location and the clean, well-stocked setup - the kind of place that feels organized rather than improvised.

The property pulls most of its traffic from groups, and the reviews reflect that reality. Families of 6 to 9 people are the norm here, not the exception. A few small issues surface across the feedback (limited air conditioning, only two bathrooms for five bedrooms, Wi-Fi strain with multiple users), but none of them overshadow the core appeal: proximity to everything, enough room for everyone, and responsive hosts who make check-in and logistics feel smooth.


Walking distance to Boothbay Harbor's downtown. The house sits close enough to the village center that you can leave your car behind for the day. Shops, restaurants, and the harbor itself are a short stroll. Reviewers mention this repeatedly - not as a nice-to-have, but as the reason they booked in the first place.

Spacious layout with a full kitchen. Five bedrooms and a kitchen with a dishwasher, full stovetop, oven, and refrigerator means groups can cook breakfast together or prep dinner without feeling like you're working in a closet. There's a dining table to gather around, and the living areas have enough seating for downtime.

Patio and outdoor space for group meals. A barbecue, picnic area, and outdoor furniture turn summer evenings into the kind of moments people remember from group trips. No restaurant reservation required; just fire up the grill.

Responsive and communicative hosts. Multiple reviewers specifically mention clear instructions, easy check-in, and good communication. The reception team speaks eight languages, which speaks to an openness to guests from different backgrounds.


Rooms

The rooms

Boothbay Haven operates as a single five-bedroom rental, not as a hotel with individual room types. The layout includes two full bathrooms - a constraint worth knowing if your group tops eight people, though reviewers generally managed by staggering morning routines. All bedrooms have clean linens and private access to shared bathrooms.

  • Five-Bedroom House - The main rental. Flat-screen TV in the living room, private entrances, and a desk for those who need a workspace.

One honest note: reviewers mention the beds and pillows as less memorable than the overall space - don't expect luxury bedding, but expect clean and functional. Air conditioning is limited to two bedrooms; the rest rely on cross-ventilation and fans. This is typical of older Maine coastal houses, and several reviewers arrived prepared and found the weather cooperative.


At a Glance

At a glance

Best for

Groups, families, multi-generational trips

Price tier

Mid-range for groups (nightly rates not disclosed in reviews, but space makes it economical per person)

Open

Yes, though many local attractions close seasonally

Guest score

8.5 Very Good

Standout amenities

Walking distance to Boothbay Harbor downtown; full kitchen; spacious layout

Details

Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
Parking: On-site (implied; reviewers mention leaving the car)

Check-in / out

Check-in15:00 – 22:00
Check-out07:00 – 11:00
ReceptionOpen 24 hours

Amenities

On-site amenities

Kitchen & Dining · Full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, stovetop, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, and complete kitchenware · Dining table and kitchen island setup for group meal prep · Outdoor picnic area and dining space

Living Spaces · Flat-screen TV with cable and satellite channels · Sofa and sitting area · Desk for work · Streaming services available (Netflix, etc.) · Books, DVDs, and music for children

Outdoor Spaces · Patio with outdoor furniture · Barbecue and grill · Picnic area · Space for outdoor activities and gathering

Comfort & Utilities · Washer and dryer for multi-night stays · Heating system for off-season · Private bathrooms with showers and bathtubs · Free toiletries and towels · Hairdryers in bathrooms

Recreation & Proximity · Hiking trails nearby · Cycling accessible from the house · Fishing access (both charters and general angling)


Seasons

When to visit

Summer (June–August) Peak season. Warm water, busy harbor, all restaurants and shops open. Book early. Air conditioning limitations are most tolerable with good weather. The grill gets heavy use.

Spring (May–early June) Shoulder season. Coastal Maine Botanical Garden opens in May; wildflowers are good. Fewer crowds, easier reservations, still plenty of daylight. Expect a few cool nights; the lack of central air is less of an issue.

Fall (September–October) Leaf-peeping season starts mid-September. Harbor and town remain lively through October. Weather can flip from warm to cool; layers are your friend. Good for groups planning a quieter trip than summer but who still want restaurant options and open attractions.

Winter (November–April) Quiet season. Most seasonal restaurants and shops close or reduce hours. The house's heating works well, but the social scene shrinks. Best for groups seeking privacy or off-season pricing, not for those counting on walkable nightlife.


Reviews

What guests say

Great communication with owners. Spacious, equipped, clean. Close to everything.

  • Risa, United States · Group · 10/10

Walking distance to downtown, plenty of room for 6 of us.

  • Frances, United States · Group · 9/10

This provides plenty of space and beds are comfortable, nice and quiet.

  • Eric, United States · Group · 10/10

Very clean and great location! Clear instructions, easy to get in, nice area, good communication with the host.

  • Aida, Mexico · Group · 9/10

Our family enjoyed our stay at Boothbay and having a nice place to stay made being together a fun one.

  • Mary, United States · Family · 7/10

Across reviews, minor friction points emerge: two bathrooms for five bedrooms can feel tight with nine people; Wi-Fi falters when multiple users stream; the front lock takes practice. None of these are deal-breakers, but they're worth knowing. Air conditioning absence is noted several times, though reviewers acknowledge it's typical for the area and age of the house. Stock fans help, and good weather - common in summer - makes the open layout feel like a feature rather than a constraint.


Location

Things to do nearby

  • Boothbay Harbor downtown - 5-minute walk. Restaurants, ice cream shops, galleries, and the working waterfront all within easy stroll distance.
  • Boothbay Harbor State Park - 10 minutes by car. Walking trails, picnic areas, and views over the water.
  • Coastal Maine Botanical Garden - 2.4 miles away. 270 acres of cultivated gardens and woodland paths, open May through October.
  • Dock Square and the pier - 5-minute walk. Watch lobster boats unload, grab a lobster roll, browse the seasonal shops.
  • Boothbay Railway Museum - 1 mile south. Historic rail cars and a narrow-gauge train ride through the woods if you're visiting with kids.
  • Cycling the coastal loop - Boothbay Harbor and the surrounding Boothbay Peninsula are solid for easy bike tours. Rentals available in town.
  • Fishing charters - Multiple operators run half-day trips from the harbor for stripers and mackerel. Book the morning, be back by lunch.

FAQ

Good to know

Is Boothbay Haven right on the water? No - it's a short walk (about 5 minutes) from Boothbay Harbor downtown and the waterfront, not directly waterfront. You get proximity and walkability, not beachfront views or your own dock.

How many bathrooms are there for five bedrooms? Two full bathrooms serve all five bedrooms. Groups of 6–8 manage well; groups of 9+ should plan staggered morning routines or book elsewhere.

Is there air conditioning? Two of the five bedrooms have AC. The rest rely on fans and cross-ventilation. This is standard for older Maine coastal properties. Reviewers who arrived in summer with good weather reported it wasn't a problem; plan accordingly.

Is breakfast included? No. The full kitchen and dining setup are meant for you to prepare your own meals. Coffee machine, dishwasher, and full cooking equipment make group breakfasts easy to manage.

Is Wi-Fi reliable? The property has Wi-Fi, but reviewers report it can strain when multiple users stream video simultaneously. Good for email and browsing; less ideal if your group includes several people wanting to work or binge simultaneously.

What's the check-out time? Early check-out is standard here. The hosts are friendly about specifics; clarify your departure time during booking. One reviewer noted the early time was "understandable" given the rental turnover.

How close is this to other Midcoast attractions? Coastal Maine Botanical Garden is 2.4 miles away. Boothbay Railway Museum is about 1 mile south. The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse and Bath are 30–40 minutes by car for day trips.


Guides

Hotels

Great basecamps

All Hotels