Charming Hideaway

Charming Hideaway isn't a hotel - it's a full house, and that changes everything. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a working kitchen, a living room built for gathering, and a private beach area on a lake that feels like your own backyard. It's the kind of place where families actually relax instead of rotating through hotel rooms, where someone can make coffee while another group plays pool in the corner, where the hot tub stays warm and the view stays constant.

Scarborough sits between Portland's urban edge and the quieter Midcoast. You're close enough to the airport (4.3 miles) that a visiting relative isn't a production, far enough from the city that you forget you're near one. The property itself sits on tree-lined grounds with water views - the kind of setup that justifies the "hideaway" in the name.

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A full house means real space for multiple families or multi-generational groups. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms mean nobody's queuing for the shower before breakfast. Adults who stayed here called it "well appointed" and "comfortable" - not stock adjectives, but the kind of language people use when a place actually feels like home for a few days.

The setting is the main draw: lake views, mature trees, and a private beach. One guest described it as being "surrounded by trees" with "a large pond" - the kind of natural buffer that makes a rental feel secluded even though you're near a town. The hot tub overlooks the water, which matters more than it sounds at seven in the evening after a long drive.

It's equipped for actual living, not just sleeping. Full kitchen (oven, stovetop, dishwasher, coffee machine), washer and dryer, pool table, streaming services, and a work desk. Families who've stayed here for three or four nights report that they never felt like they were missing anything. One guest's review simply said "Everything!" - not hyperbole when you're five adults sharing a space for a long weekend.

Private entrance and outdoor cooking setup suit groups traveling together. The barbecue area means you can eat on your own schedule. The private entrance means no front-desk check-ins or lobby encounters. For families or friend groups, that autonomy is often the whole point of renting a house instead of booking hotel rooms.

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The property offers one layout: a three-bedroom house with two full bathrooms. The living areas include a dining space, sofa, and sitting area - essentially a common ground that works for groups. Windows are generous (one guest noted the sun coming through had to be managed in summer), and views of the lake anchor the main spaces.

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Outdoor & Water · Private beach area on the lake · Hot tub · Barbecue facilities · Lake views

In the House · Full kitchen with dishwasher, oven, stovetop, microwave, and coffee machine · Washer and dryer · Pool table · Flat-screen TV with streaming services · Work desk · Sofa and dining area

Practical · Smoke-free property · Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms · Carbon monoxide detector · Private entrance · Heating

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Summer (June–August): Peak season for families. The lake is warmest, the beach is most inviting, and nearby attractions like Funtown and Old Orchard Beach are in full swing. The trade-off: windows can let in significant afternoon sun, so you'll want to manage interior temperature. Bring a fan.

Fall (September–October): Shoulder season sweetspot. Water is still swimmable early in the season, foliage begins, and crowds thin. Guests who've stayed in early fall (September, early October) gave perfect scores - fewer people around, still warm enough for the hot tub and outdoor activities.

Winter (November–March): Quiet season. The property remains open and heated. Lake views are stark and beautiful, the hot tub becomes a real draw, and you've got genuine privacy. Not ideal for beach swimming, but good for families seeking a retreat or friends looking for a getaway without tourist season chaos.

Spring (April–May): Transitional. Spring hiking and cycling are excellent in Scarborough's trail system. Not peak swimming season, but the grounds are at their greenest.

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"Beautiful setting including a large pond, hot tub and surrounded by trees. The house itself was well appointed, clean and comfortable."

• Lauretta, United States · Family · 10/10

"Great place for family to spend time together. Everything!"

• Danielle, United States · Family · 10/10

"Well-maintained, peaceful, and exactly what our group needed for a long weekend retreat."

• Tyrone, United States · Group · 9/10

The only recurring note worth mentioning: One guest found the light switches unintuitive (a minor usability quirk), and afternoon sun through the large windows can warm the living room in summer - both manageable with a quick orientation and some blinds management. Guests universally rated cleanliness and comfort highly, and no structural or service complaints emerged across the reviews.

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• 3 miles: Old Orchard Beach, Maine's largest sandy beach, with a restored pier and amusement park atmosphere
• 4.3 miles: Portland International Jetport (convenient for guests flying in)
• 5 miles: Downtown Portland, with Congress Street galleries, restaurants, and the Old Port historic district
• 8 miles: Two O Six Golf Course and several other public courses within short drives
• 12 miles: Funtown Splashtown USA, the state's largest amusement park (useful for families with kids)
• 20 miles: Acadia-bound coastal drives through Cape Elizabeth and toward the Midcoast region
• Walking distance: Hiking and cycling routes throughout Scarborough, including trails along the marsh and the pine-lined roads

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Is Charming Hideaway right on the water? Yes. It has a private beach area and lake views. The property sits on tree-lined grounds overlooking the pond - not oceanfront, but genuinely waterfront with a more intimate, protected setting than a rocky coast.

Is there a kitchen, and can we cook dinner? Fully equipped. Oven, stovetop, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee machine, microwave, and all kitchenware included. The barbecue facility means you can grill as well.

How many people can stay comfortably? The listing describes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Reviews mention groups of five adults fitting comfortably, though the exact sleeping arrangement depends on bed configurations (not detailed in the listing). Reach out to the owner for specific capacity and bed types.

Is there laundry on-site? Yes. Washer and dryer are in the house, so multi-night stays don't require packing for every day.

What's nearby for families with kids? Funtown Splashtown USA is 12 miles away. Old Orchard Beach (3 miles) has a public sandy beach and pier with small amusement attractions. The property itself has a pool table and streaming services for indoor days.

Is the hot tub always available? The listing includes a hot tub as a standard amenity, but confirm with the owner about seasonal maintenance or any specific operational details.

How close is the airport if we're flying in? Portland International Jetport is 4.3 miles away - roughly a 10-minute drive, making airport transfers very manageable.

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