Most importantly, a very comfortable bed! We stayed here during the last week of June when the weather can be a surprise. It was two days we had heat and other days were down in the 50s. Loved having the skylights and also an air conditioner, a wonderful owner, and a deck that made us feel we were indeed in a birds nest!
Cute place with an awesome view of the wilderness! It is small, so it would be hard to function for tall people. The room could use a full length mirror. The owners are next door.
The Bird's Nest was tops! Beautiful setting and everything you need. Susan was very communicative and even made a few minor repairs even though we did not ask that they be done during our stay. We hope to return.
The property was well appointed with everything you need if you choose to cook in the kitchen. The space is utilized really well for its small size. My favorite part was sitting on the deck and looking at the beautiful view of the ocean. It is notable that the big house in front of this property is a rental, as well and may have a housefull of people, as was the case when I stayed there.
Small but nice. Beware tall people, slanted ceiling. My husband says men should be comfortable sitting down in the bathroom due to the slanted ceiling. Nice view from the deck. Trail to town was like a little hike - look for the orange blazes on the trees that mark the trail. Local guide books were handy. There was a drip coffee maker with filters too.
My family used Island Watch for a family vacation, and it was perfect for our big group. We had a couple dogs with us and they loved the open space! There was a small issue with water when we arrived, but Susan and Andy immediately informed us upon arrival and had already figured out a temporary solution. (Apparently the last group had run the well dry, and they were in the middle of getting access to the town's water supply.) Susan and Andy are close to the property, so they were very helpful and accessible when there were issues!
The Bird's Nest was better than I expected--cuter and newer than the photos seemed. The walls are shiplap, the decor adorable in blues and whites, the furniture and bed comfortable, the deck a partly-obstructed (by the main house) but truly gorgeous view of the harbor. The place is small (but larger than I thought it would be) but headroom is only an issue in the short hallway connecting the living space to the bedroom (and I'm 5'9" and felt it wasn't difficult at all, even for a tall person). Such a beautiful place!
I couldn't get over the unique touches for travelers--cubbies and drawers for storage, a suitcase rack, places to hang clothes and towels, A/C and a fan, local information, lamps, games, books, kitchenware, outlet and end tables by the bed. Absolutely lovely; I didn't want to leave.
Coffee lovers should note: there is a drip maker and a French press (so bring coarse grinds if, like me, you want the better cup of coffee...or have Little Notch bakery grind you a bag, as I did).
The photos don't do this place justice. Perfect for a quiet getaway!
Although the unit is small, it is well laid-out and is suitable for individuals who occupy limited space. Itâs close to hiking trails on the quiet side, and just a short walk into downtown Southwest Harbor via the private trail from the property. The deck with a nice view allowed us to be outdoors during our relaxing times. So, we didnât actually spend much time inside.
The owners were great to deal with â very responsive. We will definitely consider for any future trips to the area.
Thank you Susan and Andrew for sharing your property with us! We very much enjoyed the peaceful surroundings and beautiful views during our stay, and were happy we chose to stay on the âQuieterâ side of the island. Even though the property is small, it is so cleverly arranged to make the most of every inch. Our favorite adventures were hiking nearby Beech Summit and Parkman mountain (we enjoyed less people but just as fantastic views), and walking along Ocean Path to the gorgeous overlooks. The best meal we had was the lobster ravioli at Eat-a-Pita in Southwest Harbor â so so good!!!! We also enjoyed breakfasts and coffee from nearby Milagro cafe. It was the perfect mountain getaway and one we will remember forever. Thank you again!
This property was in an absolutely perfect location for us. Quick drive to Acadia and into Bar Harbor and less than an hour from Bangor. Southwest Harbor itself was a hidden gem with cute shopping and good food. The property itself was immaculate and just as described and the hosts are great. (The only caveat would be if you're tall, you may want to look into something different).
Itâs a cute unit, with a nice view. The trail leading into town is a huge plus. We would definitely stay again.
The unit is small, as described and pictured. For us, however, the positives easily outweigh the negatives.
âą Owner was great to deal with (very responsive).
âą The unit was very clean and attractively done.
âą The unit, while small, was well thought-out. Space was well utilized. It took a minute to figure out where to put things, but as you look around, there are many cubbies, and much floor space where the A-frame meets the floor.
âą The kitchen has a nice sink and two-burner stovetop with ample cooking tools and supplies (but we didnât see a corkscrew).
âą The deck has nice views with trees in the foreground and water in the distance.
âą The private trail made it very convenient, allowing us to keep our car parked when heading into town for dinner. (We liked the Upper Deck which has outdoor seating with a nice view of the harbor. Likewise, MDI Lobster has a nice view of the harbor with counter service, picnic tables, and BYOB.)
âą There is a small gas grill on the deck. Although we didnât use it, it was clean, and we will likely take advantage of it the next time.
âą The unit is conveniently located near Acadia on the âquite sideâ.
We do think it is important for prospective tenants to be aware of the limitations. As for the smallness, at roughly 5â6â tall, we bumped our heads more than once. And, if we were overweight, getting on and off the toilet could have been challenging because of the close proximity of the bathroom sink. Also, the internet was not secure. We did experience lack of water pressure. But, when communicating with the owner at checkout, she was going to address that issue immediately.
Again, the positives easily outweighed the negatives. Weâre very much looking forward to visiting again.
The birdâs nest provided an easy home base for our Acadia vacation. It was clean, cute, and had a great view. The space was definitely small, with slanted ceilings and a tiny bathroom. Not great for particularly large or tall people but did the trick for what we needed it for.
We were very happy with having chosen to stay at this property. We really enjoyed the deck/view, the hike down through the woods to town and having a little kitchen to make breakfast. It was very quiet with the only neighbors we could see or hear being those at the main house. Southwest Harbor had everything we needed...a bakery, small market, lobster pound and Coda, Red Sky and Rogue for nicer dinners, etc.
The Bird's Nest is a cute and cozy place to stay during your visit to MDI. The location is nice for Southwest Harbor, but a bit of a distance to Acadia and Bar Harbor. The apartment has everything you need and Susan is very friendly and responsive. Please be aware that it isn't a suitable place for larger people or those with physical limitations. The bathroom is very tiny and there are 2 flights of exterior stairs. The Wi-Fi access is great and the view is spectaular!
Bird's Nest is an appropriate name for this cozy and clean A-frame type apartment. It is good for 2 people that enjoy each other's company and was a great location for home base from which to explore Acadia NP. Andy and Susan were pleasant and responsive. We saw deer, turkey and even a pileated woodpecker from the deck and pictures of the harbor view are accurate. Significantly less hustle & bustle in SW Harbor than nearby BH, but town has everything you'd need. Recommend Beal's Lobster Pier and sunset at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
We could not have picked a better place to stay to celebrate our anniversary. The apartment is perfect for two people and was fully stocked with everything we needed for the week. We really enjoyed sitting on the porch in the mornings and evenings watching the boats come in and out of the harbor. The property is minutes from the center of Southwest Harbor which has many nice restaurants and is the starting point for Maine State Sea Kayaking which I highly recommend. Itâs about 20 minutes to the main part of Acadia and 30 to Bar Harbor. Our hosts were amazing and even brought us a freshly steamed lobster on our last night which was the perfect was to end our week in maine.
We had a great experience here, the apartment had everything we needed and was a great location to Acadia and Bar Harbor. The deck was a great place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Caution to any tall people...this may not be the spot for you, the bathroom was kind of cramped. Also the bed was not very comfortable but didnât ruin our stay. Very pretty wooded walk down to Southwest Harbor and lots of good little spots to eat and get coffee. Overall great stay.
Wonderful little place. We enjoyed sitting outside and hearing nothing but the breeze and birds singing. The location is great. Quick drive to town. Pretty views. The space is small but for 1 or 2 people it is fine. Susan and Andy were very responsive when we had a question or needed anything.
The Birds Nest was perfect for a couple to experience Acadia but
avoid the crowds at Bar Harbor. Perfectly
appointed with
everything you would
need for cozy escape.
The views from the deck
are breathtaking as is
the nighttime sky.
Marjorie and Kevin the
owners were warm
welcoming but not
intrusive. Our first trip to
Acadia couldn't have
been better and we look
forward to retuning next
summer.
Bird's Nest is a wonderful place for a couple to unwind. It makes a good base camp from which to explore the queit side of Acadia National Park and surrounding area. Please contact us before booking your stay.