2BR Apartment in Southwest Harbor
2BR Apartment in Southwest Harbor: A Downtown-Adjacent Home Base on Mount Desert Island
![a living room with a couch and a table at 2BR Apt w/ 3 min Walk to downtown SWH - [Low Tide] in Southwest Harbor](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftazwqoqmfurozsbubrhr.supabase.co%2Fstorage%2Fv1%2Fobject%2Fpublic%2Fcms-images%2Fhotels%2Fsouthwest-harbor-2br-apt-low-tide%2F0.jpg&w=3840&q=70)
Why Stay
Why 2BR Apartment in Southwest Harbor
Downtown Southwest Harbor sits on the working waterfront - lobster boats, galleries, ice cream shops all within arm's reach - and this two-bedroom apartment puts you three minutes from the action without the noise. It's the kind of place built for couples and small families who want a kitchen and a real living room, not a hotel box. Two full baths, free parking right outside, and the whole second floor of a residential building means you won't hear neighbors through the walls. The price is honest for the square footage and location; the finish is lived-in rather than designed-to-impress.
Guests have consistently rated cleanliness and proximity to downtown as the main reasons to book. A few recent stays flagged minor issues - a slow bathroom drain here, some WiFi buffering there - but nothing that overshadowed the core appeal: a proper apartment where you can actually cook and spread out.
Three minutes on foot to downtown shopping and restaurants. The Main Street location means you're genuinely in the village. Dock Square galleries, local shops, and places like The Seafaring Witch are a short walk. Summer crowds won't hem you in - step away from Main Street and the residential streets are quiet.
Full kitchen and laundry in-unit. You can cook real meals: full oven, stovetop, dishwasher, refrigerator. The washing machine and dryer (when operational) make a week-long stay practical for families. Several guests mentioned this as a major convenience factor.
Genuinely spacious for two couples or a multi-generational group. Two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a living room with a desk mean nobody's tripping over anybody. Groups of four sleeping comfortably was the norm in positive reviews.
Recently refreshed appliances and fresh paint. The apartment was noted as having new appliances and a clean, updated feel - not dated beachside digs, but not luxury-boutique either. Comfortable middle ground.
Free parking included. A rarity this close to downtown on Mount Desert. You can leave the car and walk the village, or have it right there when you need to drive to Acadia National Park or Bass Harbor Head.
Rooms
The rooms
This property offers a single room type: a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that occupies the second floor of a residential building. Both bedrooms include comfortable beds (guests specifically praised their comfort). Living areas have a flat-screen TV, desk, and board games. The full kitchen is separated from the main living space, and each bathroom is independent - important if you're traveling with another couple or a family.
One housekeeping note: ventilation in the kitchen is minimal. If you're planning to cook fish or use the stovetop extensively, be aware that smoke and cooking smells linger without a window for cross-ventilation.
At a Glance
At a glance
Best for
Couples, families, groups of up to 4
Price tier
Mid-range (vacation-rental pricing)
Open
Year-round
Walk to downtown
3 minutes to Main Street shops and restaurants
Guest score
8.8 Excellent
Standout amenities
Downtown walkability · full kitchen · two bathrooms · free parking
Details
Check-in / out
Amenities
On-site amenities
Kitchen & Utilities: Full-size refrigerator · Oven and stovetop · Microwave · Dishwasher · Tea and coffee maker
Laundry & Housekeeping: Washing machine · Dryer (subject to occasional outages) · Laundry service available
Living & Entertainment: Flat-screen TV · Board games and puzzles · Desk · Iron and ironing board
Outdoor & Parking: Free parking · Outdoor seating area · BBQ facilities (grill available)
Climate & Safety: Air conditioning · Heating · Smoke-free property · Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms
Seasons
When to visit
June–August (Peak Summer): Warmest weather, all amenities operational. Downtown is lively with tourists and seasonal businesses fully open. Book early; rates peak. Ideal for families seeking active days in Acadia and waterfront meals.
September–October (Shoulder & Early Fall): Pleasant temperatures, smaller crowds. Foliage peaks in mid-to-late October. This is the sweet spot for couples and groups who want the Maine coast without summer gridlock.
November–April (Off-Season): Quiet, cold, some local businesses close seasonally. Heating included; AC not needed. Hiking and coastal drives are peaceful. Good for solo travelers and couples seeking solitude.
May (Late Spring): Warming trend, wildflowers starting. Not quite peak season, so rates are reasonable. Parks and trails open; village shops reopening after winter.
Reviews
What guests say
"Close to the center, very clean and spacious." - Francesca, United States · Couple · 10/10
"Good value for money. Clean, cozy and has all utilities you need." - Koren, Israel · Family · 9/10
"Nice size. Comfortable for two couples." - Doreen, United States · Group · 8/10
"Location and quietness of neighborhood." - Ray, United States · Group · 9/10
"Clean and comfortable. Beds are pretty comfy too." - Ging, United States · Solo · 8/10
"Clean, cozy and accommodating. Freshly painted and new appliances." - Jayne, United States · Family · 7/10
Minor Issues to Know: A handful of guests flagged slow bathroom drainage, mildew on a bathroom ceiling, TV connectivity glitches, and WiFi buffering during streaming. These aren't consistent across all stays but worth noting if you're sensitive to bathroom or tech reliability. The kitchen ventilation is genuinely limited - cooking creates lingering smoke and odor. The dryer has had occasional downtime. None of these kept guests from recommending the place, but they're honest trade-offs at the price point.
Location
Things to do nearby
- Downtown Southwest Harbor shops and restaurants: 3-minute walk · galleries, ice cream, coffee, casual dining
- Dock Square: 5-minute walk · heart of the village waterfront
- Ship Harbor Nature Trail: 4.3 miles · easy woodland loop with stream, popular with families
- Acadia National Park (main park entrance): 13 miles · carriage roads, Jordan Pond Path, mountain views
- Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse: 11 miles · dramatic coastal viewpoint, sunset classic
- Frenchman Bay: 15 miles · scenic drives and kayaking opportunities nearby
- The Abbe Museum: 14 miles · indigenous Wabanaki history, Bar Harbor location
- Thunder Hole: 20 miles · famous wave-crash phenomenon in Acadia
FAQ
Good to know
Is this apartment right on the water? No - it's downtown, three minutes from the waterfront on foot, but not oceanfront. The trade-off is walkability and access to shops rather than a view from your window.
Is WiFi reliable? Free WiFi is included, but a few guests reported buffering during streaming and one stay without internet access. Don't count on it for work that demands a stable connection.
Can we use the kitchen to cook full meals? Yes. Full oven, stovetop, dishwasher, microwave, and refrigerator. Grocery stores are walkable. Know that kitchen ventilation is weak; cooking odors linger.
Is air conditioning included? Yes, and heating too. Good for shoulder seasons and hot August days. No additional fees for climate control.
Do we need a car? Not strictly - downtown is walkable - but one is useful for Acadia National Park day trips and distant attractions. Parking is free and included.
Is breakfast included? No. The apartment has a full kitchen, so you prepare your own or eat out at downtown cafés.
Are there amenities for kids? Yes. Board games and puzzles in the unit, a quiet neighborhood, and easy access to nature trails (Ship Harbor is 4 miles away) and Acadia family activities like carriage roads.
Guides













