Kenway Ranch

Kenway Ranch is a three-bedroom detached house in Southwest Harbor that sits at the exact sweet spot most visitors to Acadia are looking for: close enough to the park and Bar Harbor to make morning hikes, far enough away that you're not living in a parking lot. The property occupies a wooded lot on Salem Towne Road, a dead-end street where deer wander through yards and the sound of traffic is a rarity. You get a full house to yourself - kitchen, living room, three bedrooms, full laundry - without the personality-free bluntness of a hotel room.

The property manager, Geoff, runs it with genuine attentiveness. Guests consistently mention his responsiveness to questions, his willingness to arrange last-minute fixes, and his genuine interest in whether you're having a good time. That kind of hospitality doesn't hide in the booking details; it shows up in review after review, which says something real about the place.

This is a house for families and small groups, especially those planning to spend serious time in or around Acadia National Park. Couples often rebook immediately. The value proposition is straightforward: space, quiet, a kitchen where you can actually cook, and the kind of location that lets you choose between rugged park time and slow mornings by the coffee machine.

---

Location between quiet forest and Acadia's less-crowded trails. The house sits on Mount Desert Island's south side, which gives you easy access to the quieter eastern sections of Acadia National Park - the loop road, Schoodic Peninsula hikes, Jordan Pond. You're roughly 30 minutes from Bar Harbor's main attractions, which means you can be at a trailhead without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and still grab dinner downtown if you feel like it. One guest described it as "excellent location on the South side of Mount Desert Island with easy access to less crowded hikes."

A whole house means a real kitchen and no shared walls. Three bedrooms, living room, dining area, full kitchen with dishwasher and all the standard equipment. Reviewers consistently praise the fact that the kitchen is stocked - toaster, coffee machine, microwave, full cookware set - so breakfast at home is genuinely easier than eating out. You can cook, eat as a group, spread out across your own rooms. No one else is audible through the walls, no strangers checking in at 11 p.m.

Peaceful, woodsy setting where wildlife is part of the view. Multiple guests mention waking up to deer in the yard, the quiet of the wooded lot, the total absence of road noise. If you're coming to Maine for the landscape and not the mall, this setting delivers. One reviewer noted: "Quiet neighborhood, friendly people, well kept property." Another: "It felt like the home I grew up in."

Owner responsiveness that actually matters. Geoff answers the phone, arranges repairs the next morning when something goes wrong, and sends clear instructions before you arrive. When one guest mistakenly used the wrong door PIN, Geoff picked up on the first ring. That level of attention prevents small problems from turning into vacation-ruining frustrations.

---

The house is a single three-bedroom unit. All reviews reference the same "Three-Bedroom House." Bedrooms are described as spacious with comfortable beds; linens are provided and fresh. The property is detached, ground-floor, and entirely wheelchair accessible. A wood-frame construction gives the house character - and, a few guests note, a woody smell that dissipates once fans are running.

• Three-Bedroom House - Full house with living room, dining area, and kitchen. One bathroom shared among all guests.

One consistent caveat worth knowing: The house occupies a concrete-slab foundation in a coastal climate, and a handful of reviewers have flagged humidity and resulting dampness, especially in carpeted areas. If conditions are damp during your stay, running fans and cracking windows is the standard workaround. One guest suggested dehumidification would improve the environment long-term. Most visitors don't mention it; those who do tend to arrive during high-humidity periods (late July through August).

---

Outdoor & Grounds · BBQ facilities (gas grill in the backyard) · Picnic area · Patio · Outdoor dining area · Outdoor furniture · Parking (free, on-site)

Kitchen & Dining · Full kitchen with dishwasher, stovetop, oven, microwave, refrigerator · Coffee machine, toaster, blender · Dining table and area · Kitchenware and dishes · Laundry facilities (washer and dryer on premises)

Living & Entertainment · Sofa and living room · Flat-screen TV · Cable channels and DVD/Blu-ray player · Radio (including bathroom radio) · Board games and puzzles

Practical · Free WiFi · Private check-in and check-out · Pet friendly · Non-smoking property · Heating · Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detector · Child safety socket covers

Activities Nearby · Hiking · Cycling · Fishing · Golf course within 2 miles · Horseback riding · Canoeing · Water park access

---

Summer (June–August). Peak season. The house is most in demand June through August, especially mid-July through August. Acadia is fully open, trails are busy but accessible, and the weather is warm and dependable. Expect the humidity mentioned above to be more pronounced during late July and August. Book early; many repeaters reserve for the same week year to year.

Early Fall (September–early October). Second-best time. Fewer crowds in Acadia, cooler nights, lower humidity. Foliage begins in late September at higher elevations; full color arrives mid-to-late October. The property receives strong bookings through October.

Shoulder Season (April–May, Late October–November). Quieter on the island and in the park. Trails are open but may be muddy in spring. Some Acadia facilities close seasonally. Late October through early November is excellent for foliage and solitude. Winter is possible but less common; confirm heating and road access before booking December–March.

Winter (December–March). The house is open year-round, but reviews don't mention winter stays. Confirm road access and heating functionality if traveling in deep winter. Mount Desert Island roads are maintained, but the woods setting means greater weather exposure.

---

"Comfortable little house, laundry on premises, peaceful - away from the bustle of Bar Harbor." - Laura, United States · Family · 8/10

"Nice house with plenty of amenities such as dishes, toiletries, a radio in the bathroom, washer and dryer, TV and couch, everything you need in a house." - Henry, United States · Group · 10/10

"Very scenic, in the middle of the nature. Great barbecue in the backyard. Very peaceful and quiet, we saw deer in front of the house." - Lukas, Austria · Group · 9/10

"Spectacular location! Quiet neighborhood, friendly people, well kept property and property owner was fantastic." - Kim, United States · Family · 10/10

"Lovely place, excellent location on the South side of Mount Desert Island with easy access to less crowded hikes. Spacious bedrooms and very clean!" - Jacques-henri, United Kingdom · Couple · 10/10

"Quiet location. A short drive to downtown Southwest Harbor. We had a family of deer visiting us in the morning. The place was clean and cozy." - Jessica, United States · Group · 10/10

Most guests have straightforward stays. A small number have reported humidity, musty odors tied to dampness, or occasional cleaning inconsistencies between guests. One guest in August 2023 arrived to an unsatisfactory turnover and received a response from Geoff disputing the review - the exception rather than the rule, but worth noting that even responsive owners can have off days. A couple of reviewers flagged aging fixtures (shower controls, some dated décor) and one mentioned a lingering smoke smell. These are the exceptions; the typical review emphasizes location, cleanliness, and owner responsiveness. If you're sensitive to humidity or older-house character, confirm conditions before booking peak summer months.

---

• Acadia National Park (15–25 minutes) - Jordan Pond Path, Schoodic Peninsula, and quieter eastern loop accessible from here without Bar Harbor traffic.
• Bar Harbor (20–30 minutes) - Downtown, harborfront, restaurants, galleries, and the main park visitor center.
• Southwest Harbor village (3–5 minutes) - Local restaurants, a working harbor, and a smaller version of the tourist bustle found in Bar Harbor.
• Schoodic Peninsula (20 minutes) - Often called Acadia's quietest section; scenic loop drive, Echo Lake, and excellent hiking with a fraction of the crowds.
• Fishing (on-site access via local outfitters) - Saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities within 10–20 minutes.
• Mount Desert Island cycling (on-site) - The island has miles of quiet roads; mountain bikes can be rented in Bar Harbor or Southwest Harbor.
• Hiking trails (15–20 minutes) - Pemetic Mountain, Beehive, Parkman Mountain - most less congested than the main park attractions.

---

Is the house really 30 minutes from Bar Harbor? Yes. Southwest Harbor to downtown Bar Harbor via Route 102 is roughly 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and exact destination. Acadia's main park entrance is 20–25 minutes away. The "far from the bustle" appeal is intentional; you're not in Bar Harbor, but you're not remote either.

Is breakfast included? No. There is no breakfast service. The house has a fully equipped kitchen, so cooking breakfast yourself is straightforward. Coffee machine, toaster, refrigerator, and basic cookware are provided. Many guests cook to save money and enjoy the flexibility.

Are pets allowed? Yes. The property is pet-friendly. Confirm the pet policy and any fees directly with Geoff when booking. At least one guest's review mentions residual animal hair, so the house does accommodate pets.

Is there WiFi? Yes, free WiFi is included. Streaming and video calls work normally. A few guests mentioned cable TV options and streaming app compatibility; Geoff has replied with technical guidance in previous reviews.

What's the cancellation and booking process? The listing is on Booking.com. Review terms there for cancellation flexibility. Geoff sends a property guide and door code via email before check-in; double-check the email with the actual PIN (not the Booking.com PIN) to avoid lock-out confusion, as one guest discovered.

Is the house wheelchair accessible? Yes. The entire unit is located on the ground floor and is wheelchair accessible. The facilities list notes this explicitly. Confirm specific access needs with Geoff before booking if you require particular accommodations.

---