Entire home·Private host

Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me

2.0 star property

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Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel cot, free WiFi
Smart TV, books, music library, stereo
Smart TV, books, music library, stereo

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathrooms106 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
Southwest Harbor, ME
  • Place, Acadia National Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Asticou Azalea Garden
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪27 min drive‬

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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me

The newly built, custom cottage is located on the 'Quietside' of Mount Desert Island, just minutes from downtown Southwest Harbor, Bass Harbor Lighthouse, and Acadia National Park. Designed and built by a well-known local builder, everything is handmade, including cabinetry, tables, lamps, ships ladder to the loft, bed frames, and more. Ideal for couples and families, there are two bedrooms downstairs with attached bathrooms and a sleeping loft upstairs.

The large covered porch has mahogany floors and dining and sitting areas, with the option of screened-in or glass windows. Custom cabinetry throughout, radiant floor heat in bathrooms, white-washed pine board walls, rustic pine floors, and a western red cedar exterior complete the look.

55-inch LG TV, WiFi/cable, high-end kitchen appliances with gas cooktop, electric oven, microwave, and mahogany counter tops. Weber grill outside, Sono speaker in living and kitchen area.

Close to downtown Southwest Harbor, you will find an array of fine dining, cafes, coffee bars, and famous lobster pounds. Acadia National Park is only a quick 5-minute car ride with several hikes to choose from for all levels of hikers.

The location is less than 1 mile from area restaurants, galleries, shops, tennis courts, library, and playground. You can walk downtown, however there is a slight stretch without a sidewalk. It is only a five-minute drive to Acadia sites like Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Seawall Beach, Somes Sound, and Echo Lake.

Bar Harbor is a 20-30 minute drive, depending on traffic.

The Island Explorer features eight bus routes linking Southwest Harbor with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers. Clean, propane powered vehicles provide island visitors with free transportation to hiking trails, carriage roads, island beaches, and in town shops and restaurants. The closest stop is less than 1 mile from the cottage in downtown Southwest Harbor. There is a bike shop downtown called Southwest Cycle where you can rent bikes daily or weekly. The Island Explorer has racks for you bikes so you can bring them with you everywhere on the island.
During your stay at this cottage, you'll be within walking distance of Wendell Gilley Museum. Laundry facilities are available. Free WiFi and a kitchen are available in the cottage.
  • Air-conditioned cottage with kitchen, washing machine, and 2 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Just a 5-minute drive from Acadia National Park and a few minutes from Wendell Gilley Museum
As a guest of this cottage, you'll find barbecue grills, a garden, and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Southwest Harbor cottage is smoke free.


Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Gravel flooring in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Garden
  • Locally-owned and organised tours and activities
  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 1,140 square feet
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Reviews

Marsden Cottage - custom-built exquisite cottage located in Southwest Harbor, Me Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 12 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 12 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 12 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia S.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had six adults, plenty of space! The cottage was well equipped for our needs! We absolutely loved the screened in porch for our evening meals and would definitely go back!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tim M.

Liked: Cleanliness
The host was great. Very responsive to all messages. The house is very well located and was very clean and comfortable. We enjoyed our stay and highly recommend this house.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful house on a secluded side street just outside of Southwest Harbor. Everything you need for a great Acadia vacation is here. Host was outstanding, including checking in with us during the stay to make sure all was well (it definitely was). House was very clean and amenities were as described. Would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allen A., Medina, OH, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Prime location for exploring Acadia National Park.This house was ideal for two couples. We were there for four nights which gave us plenty of time for a leisurely exploration of Mount Desert Island. Being in Southwest Harbor worked out well, as we were a bit more central to the island, as compared to Bar Harbor over on the east side. We were only 20-30 minutes away from the places we explored during our stay (Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, Cadillac Mountain, Ship Harbor, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Beech Mountain). Plus there were good dining options in Southwest Harbor (Upper Deck is highly recommended due to the variety on the menu). The house was very clean and had everything we needed for our stay. The kitchen area is small, but we were not planning on cooking any gourmet meals, but it was fine for simple breakfasts and preparing our hiker’s lunches. The bathrooms were well laid out and had a nice amount of space.We all enjoyed the outdoor space and walking in the area around the house. The neighbors are very quiet (there is a cemetery adjacent to the house). We saw deer everyday around the area, and I spent time each morning enjoying the many birds in the yard and along the roads around the house.Check-in and check-out were a breeze. Great communication with the owner and caretaker.We had a wonderful stay. We really enjoyed the house and the location. I would stay here again the next time we visit Acadia National Park.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Should have stayed longer! One of our friend is a custom builder and he was very impressed with the workmanship of the cottage, especially the corner shingles on the outside. He said flawless. The cottage was very clean and quiet. We loved the twice a day visit from a deer family walking through the small field in front of the cottage. The showers were fantastic and plenty of water pressure for a great shower. The beds were comfortable and having a bath for each bedroom was awesome. Would not hesitate to stay there again! Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas Gary L., Charleston, SC 29492

Liked: Cleanliness
We really enjoyed our stay at Madsen. The cottage is very well built and had pretty much everything we needed. It’s a quiet, tranquil setting and located perfectly for exploring Acadia and Bar Harbor. We would definitely recommend it. Our host was very attentive.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Katherine M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A lovely, well maintained property in Southwest harbor area. Overall it has what you need, but it does not have a dishwasher and the a/c unit is only in the living room. It was not hot, so that wasn't an issue. It is very quiet and relaxing.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Great family vacation

The cottage was the perfect place for a family base camp. The location was ideal for the park visits and ocean time. We would come back again for sure.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sue M.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Marsden Cottage was a perfect Haven for my family for our Acadia Park vacation. Our host was wonderful and offered us a full kitchen of pots, pans, spices, and several other things. The laundry room was stocked with extra towels, detergent and fabric softener. We had a super sweet outside, eating area and a smokeless fire pit! The house is nestled back off the main road with lots of wildlife, mainly deer as visitors. My family and I definitely would return and we really hope to do so.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brittany G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing!

We stayed for 4 nights with our 4 kids. The house was clean, beautiful, and “soooo cool!” (The kids reaction) haha It was a quiet retreat that was the perfect distance from everywhere we wanted to go. The owner was great to work with!!! We will definitely be staying here again in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brad N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful

We simply wanted a place to stay to explore Acadia, but this cottage ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. Unique craftsmanship and details around every corner. Great communication from the host as well. Our family had a very enjoyable stay and hope to return someday!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristyn-Anne P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful and cozy cottage

The cottage was beautiful, clean, and features gorgeous craftsmanship. The owners are responsive and helpful. Thank you for an excellent stay. Our children kept saying they want to live there!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025