Gorgeous House on Highland Lake

Highland Lake has a particular quiet. The sort of Maine lake where the water sits flat and glass-clear in the early morning, where the tree line feels less like a boundary and more like a embrace. The Gorgeous House on Highland Lake sits right into that landscape - a three-bedroom apartment designed less as a hotel stay and more as a home you're borrowing for a week or a weekend. It's the kind of place where families unfold across multiple rooms, groups spread out without bumping elbows, and the kitchen actually works because someone thought about how people cook together.

At 9.3 / 10 Wonderful across 3 reviews, and with particular praise from both families and couples, this rental hits the rare overlap between practical comfort and genuine lake-living ease. Guests have called it spotless, spacious, and exceptionally well-thought-out - the kind of feedback that comes when a property works the way its blueprint promised.

The location sits you exactly where you want to be on Highland Lake. The address on North High Street puts you steps from Highland Lake Beach, just 1.2 miles away - close enough for a morning walk, far enough that you don't feel the day-tripper crowd. That same proximity means kayaking, swimming, and fishing access without the complexity of a resort booking. Summer visitors have marked this advantage clearly: you're on the water's edge, not tacked onto it.

The apartment itself is built for multi-generational or group living. Three bedrooms, a full kitchen, a separate dining area, and a sitting room mean that parents, kids, grandparents, or friends can all sleep soundly and gather comfortably without the awkwardness of hotel-room proximity. One reviewer, who stayed with a group, noted the layout was "practical" - a word that rarely appears in travel copy because it's not marketable, but it matters when you're actually trying to cook dinner and nobody's in your way.

Clean and well-maintained translates into peace of mind. Multiple guests used the word "spotless" - not exaggerated praise, but relief. The kitchen is fully equipped with a dishwasher, stove, oven, microwave, and all the small tools that make meal prep easy rather than a chore. If you're feeding a family or cooking for a group, this matters more than any resort amenity list.

The outdoor space gives you four walls and a view. A patio with outdoor furniture, a working barbecue, and lake views from the garden means summer mornings with coffee and the water, and evenings with grilled food and no restaurant bill. It's the difference between a vacation and a retreat.

Adam, the property contact, is genuinely attentive. Multiple guests mentioned the owner by name and his helpfulness - the kind of detail that suggests this is someone's home first, rental second, and it shows.

The property offers a three-bedroom apartment with one bathroom - straightforward and scaled for groups or families rather than couples seeking ensuite luxury. The Three-Bedroom Apartment is the only listed accommodation; it features hardwood or parquet flooring throughout, adequate heating and air-conditioning, and linens and alarm clocks in each bedroom. The living area has a sofa and sitting space with a TV and video games, making it functional for downtime. Windows offer garden and lake views. Expect traditional rather than resort finishes - this is a residential space, not a hotel room - which is exactly the point.

Kitchen & Dining - Full-size refrigerator, stovetop, oven, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer · Dining table · Coffee and tea maker · Complete kitchenware and cooking utensils · Cleaning products supplied

Outdoor Space - Barbecue and BBQ facilities · Patio and outdoor dining area · Outdoor furniture · Garden with lake view

Bedrooms & Bathrooms - Three bedrooms with linens and alarm clocks · One bathroom with bathtub and shower · Free toiletries, hairdryer, towels · Private bathroom · Toilet paper supplied

General Comfort - Free WiFi throughout · Air-conditioning and heating · Hardwood or parquet flooring · Iron and ironing board · Clothes rack · Flat-screen TV with video games

Safety & Practical - Free parking · Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms · Non-smoking property

Summer (June–August) - Peak season for Highland Lake swimming, beach days, and outdoor entertaining. The patio and BBQ are in constant use. Shawnee Peak's summer chairlift operates, and all regional attractions are fully open. Expect the warmest weather and the busiest shoreline.

Fall (September–October) - Foliage season brings excellent hiking in the White Mountains and brilliant color around the lake. Weather is mild, mosquitoes drop, and the rental is ideal for groups gathering before the holidays. Story Land remains open weekends through October.

Winter (November–February) - Shawnee Peak opens for skiing and snowboarding; the lake freezes solid for ice fishing and ice skating. The apartment's heat and full kitchen make it a cozy base for winter sports trips. Access depends on snow conditions; confirm road status with Adam before booking.

Spring (March–May) - Mud season runs through May in Maine; roads and trails can be rough. However, spring is the quietest, most affordable time to rent. White Mountain hiking opens gradually in May. Useful for budget-conscious travelers and those seeking solitude.

"Excellent location, very clean and comfortable." - Jaak, United States · Family · 10/10

"Spacious, very clean, practical." - Frederick, United Kingdom · Group · 8/10

"Adam was very nice." - Brewer, United States · Couple · 10/10

With only three reviews currently published, the feedback is uniformly positive. No substantive criticisms appear in the review data, and the consistent praise for cleanliness, space, and practical layout suggests this property delivers on its promise. First-time guests to any rental should expect minor personal preference differences (furniture style, thermostat setting, shower pressure), but nothing systemic or negative has surfaced here.

• Highland Lake Beach - 1.2 miles · public sand beach with swimming and picnic areas
• White Mountain National Forest - 19 miles · hiking, camping, and scenic drives in the White Mountains
• Story Land - 30 miles · amusement park in Glen, New Hampshire, popular with young children
• Downtown Bridgton - roughly 1 mile · shops, galleries, and restaurants on Main Street
• Shawnee Peak - 7 miles · skiing in winter, scenic chairlift rides and hiking in summer
• Sebago Lake State Park - 12 miles · swimming, boating, and camping on Maine's second-largest lake
• Portland - 40 miles south · Maine's largest city with museums, Old Port dining, and craft breweries
• Portland International Jetport - 40 miles · regional hub for flights

Is the apartment directly on the water? The house is steps from Highland Lake, with direct access to the beach 1.2 miles away. The patio and garden have lake views, though the property itself sits on North High Street rather than a private shoreline. Swimming and water access are immediate and easy.

Is breakfast included? No. The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen with stove, oven, dishwasher, and all dining utensils, making it ideal for groups who want to cook their own meals. Coffee and tea maker provided.

Is there free parking? Yes. Free parking is included with the rental, and there is no on-street permit requirement in Bridgton.

Is the WiFi reliable? Yes, free WiFi is provided throughout the apartment. Given the rural location, confirm speed requirements with Adam if you need high-bandwidth work capability.

How far is it to Portland and the coast? Portland is roughly 40 miles (1 hour drive) south, home to galleries, restaurants, and the historic Old Port. The Atlantic coast and multiple rocky coves are within 1–1.5 hours of Bridgton.

Can I use the barbecue in winter? The barbecue is listed among facilities, though practical use depends on snow cover. Winter guests typically use the full indoor kitchen. Ask Adam about winter accessibility when booking.

Are there activities for children? Yes. The property includes video games and flat-screen TV indoors. Nearby Story Land amusement park is 30 miles away (family-friendly, seasonal). Swimming and beach play at Highland Lake Beach are the primary warm-weather draw for families.