Loon Cove Cottage

Loon Cove Cottage is the kind of place that makes you forget your phone password - tucked into Maine woods on a quiet lake, far enough from the highway that the only sounds are loons calling at dusk and water lapping the private beach. The four-bedroom vacation home sits on its own slice of shoreline in Ellsworth, 25 minutes from Acadia National Park's main visitor center, making it a rare blend: secluded enough to feel like your own cabin, close enough to squeeze in a park hike before dinner.

This is a working lakefront property, not a polished resort. The rooms are comfortable rather than trendy, the kitchen is real (not decorative), and the outdoor spaces - picnic area, fire pits, canoes - are meant to be used, not photographed. Groups and families return here repeatedly because the place actually functions as advertised, and the hosts respond fast when something doesn't.

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Direct lake access with canoes included. Most vacation rentals promise "water views"; this one delivers canoes in the boathouse and a private beach to launch from. Guests specifically praised the ability to paddle out and explore the cove without fighting a public boat ramp or sharing the shoreline.

Truly secluded but not isolated. The property sits far enough back in the woods that you feel removed from the world, yet the hosts are responsive - one guest noted a quick fix when technology failed. The seclusion isn't accidental; it's deliberate design, with trails leading down to the water and trees screening the property from neighbors.

Built for groups and multi-family stays. The four-bedroom layout with two full bathrooms works logistically for up to eight adults or a mix of adults and children. All three reviewers were groups or extended-stay travelers, and all rated the spaciousness as a strength. One noted the cottage was "beautifully presented" - clean, well-stocked, and thought through.

Walking distance to hiking trails and fishing. The private trail system on the property connects to broader lake-area trails. Fishing (canoeing out to deeper water) and cycling are on-site activities, making this a good base if you want to be active without leaving the grounds.

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Loon Cove Cottage operates as a single four-bedroom vacation home rather than split units. The layout centers on a large living area with a dining table, sitting room with a sofa and desk, and a full kitchen opening onto a patio. Bedrooms are distributed to give multi-family groups privacy - at least two separate bathrooms, with the second-bedroom cluster isolated from the master suite.

• Four-Bedroom Vacation Home (full cottage rental): Sleeps up to 8; one twin bed (noted as noisy), queen and double beds in other rooms. Lake views from multiple rooms.

One practical note: reviewers flagged the twin bed as lumpy and one mattress/pillow protector as worn. If you're booking for a family with young kids, request the room assignments during check-in.

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Outdoors & Water: Private beach area · Canoes included · Picnic area · Patio with dining furniture · Barbecue · Fire pits

Kitchen & Dining: Full kitchen with stove, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave · Coffee maker · Dining table · All cookware and serving pieces included

Living Spaces: Sitting area with sofa and desk · Flat-screen TV with DVD player · Books and DVDs for children

Bedrooms & Bathrooms: Private bathrooms · Bathtub and shower · Free toiletries · Linens provided · Hairdryer in each bath

Practical: Washing machine and dryer · Iron and ironing board · Heating system · Smoke-free property · Safety equipment (fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detector)

Recreation: Hiking trails on property · Cycling · Fishing from canoe · Children's playground

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The private beach and canoeing are the signature here. The cottage owns a small dock area, canoes, and a picnic zone with outdoor furniture and a working barbecue - meaning you can cook dinner looking at the water. One guest called it "fabulous views across the lake," and the secluded woods setting means you're unlikely to see other cottages from your patio. Fire pits and blankets are set up for evening use.

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Fall (September–October): Peak season for this property. Water is still warmish for swimming or wading; foliage is vibrant. Loon activity peaks in late September. Expect the cottage to book early; this is leaf-peeping season for the region. Two of the three reviews were September–October stays.

Summer (June–August): Lake is warmest and swimming is comfortable. All water activities (canoeing, fishing) are ideal. Acadia is crowded, but Loon Cove's seclusion means fewer day-trippers. The property likely operates at full occupancy.

Spring (April–May): Open but quiet. Lake water is cold for swimming, though canoeing is fine. Trails are muddy; foliage is emerging. Good for birdwatchers and anyone wanting solitude.

Winter (November–March): The property description notes heating; no indication of seasonal closure, but winter in Maine means no swimming, lake activity is minimal, and road access could be weather-dependent. Confirm with hosts if booking December–February.

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"Charming cabin, loved walking the trail down to the glorious, refreshing lake."

• Lisa, United States · Group traveler · 10/10

"Lovely cottage, beautifully presented with excellent facilities and fabulous views across the water. The use of canoes was great, and being tucked away made it very peaceful and quiet."

• Joanne, United Kingdom · Group traveler · 9/10

"The location is beautiful - tucked away in the woods. If we had an issue, quick response from our host."

• Wendy, United States · Solo traveler · 9/10

What guests noted as concerns: Two reviewers mentioned mattress or bed issues (one twin bed described as noisy and lumpy; another noted pillow protectors needed replacing). One guest had trouble with the TV remote and WiFi connectivity during their stay - both resolved with host contact, but worth knowing if you rely on streaming. The cottage is well-maintained overall, but these are older vacation homes with occasional quirks rather than newly renovated properties.

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• Acadia National Park Visitor Center (25 miles, 45 minutes): Main entry point for Acadia, 9.3-rated national park with carriage roads, coastal trails, and Jordan Pond.
• Bar Harbor town (20 miles, 35 minutes): Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain summit road, park loop drive all start here; restaurants, shops, ice cream on the water.
• Ellsworth downtown (8 miles, 12 minutes): Casual restaurants, art cinema, antique shops, local grocery stores for restocking the cottage kitchen.
• Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (14 miles, 20 minutes): If flying in; direct connections to Boston.
• Mount Desert Island scenic drive (30 minutes): Park Loop Road circumnavigates the island's coast - stop at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, or Otter Cliff.
• Canoeing and kayaking launches (5–10 miles): Several public access points on nearby lakes if you want to explore beyond the private dock.
• Golf (within 2 miles): Local course accessible by a short drive or cycling.

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Is Loon Cove directly on the water? Yes, it has a private beach area and dock with included canoe access. The property backs onto a cove on a quiet lake; most rooms have water views.

Is breakfast included? No. The cottage is a vacation rental, not a bed-and-breakfast. A fully equipped kitchen is provided for self-catering, and the nearest restaurants are in Ellsworth (8 miles, 12 minutes).

How far is it from Acadia National Park? The visitor center is 25 miles away (45-minute drive). The park loop road and main attractions are accessible in under an hour from the cottage.

Can you bring kids and pets? The property has a children's playground and books/DVDs for kids, signaling family-friendly design. No mention of pets in the booking.com listing - contact the host directly to confirm pet policy.

What's the WiFi situation? One reviewer had connectivity issues during their stay, which the host resolved. If reliable internet is essential (work calls, streaming), confirm signal strength and router status before booking, or plan for it as optional.

Can you fish from the property? Yes. The private dock and canoes make it easy to paddle out for fishing. One review mentions this as a draw for the property.

Is there a restaurant or bar on-site? No. The property has a kitchen and picnic area for self-catering. The nearest restaurants are in Ellsworth or Bar Harbor (20+ minutes away).

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