Guestbook
We love hearing from past guests and appreciate the insights they provide our future guests. So with that in mind, we've very much appreciate it if you could spare a few moments to leave your comments below. Thank you.
We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Our time at the Candy Cottage was perfect. Not only are the accommodations as beautiful as the pictures but every last detail was also geared toward the guest. The host, Tom, is the definition of 'hospitable'. We planned to take our teenage daughters to Acadia for the first time. We were pleasantly surprised by the private space on the lower level of the house. It was great to 'retreat' to our living room at the end of a day of hiking and then wake up to our own private coffee maker in the morning. The views are amazing, and it's a great location. This was the best rental we've stayed at, and we've stayed at many all over the country! We highly recommend this rental.
Rebecca Paquette
03 Jul 2023
If there was a total higher than 5 stars I would provide that to Candy Cottage and it's owner's. We stayed for 4 nights and wished we would have booked for longer as the house is more beautiful than the photos show and the location is perfect for hitting Acadia / Bar Harbor as well as all the other towns in the area. Make sure you find D & J Lobster on Douglas Highway as it's so worth it. Thanks for sharing your home with my family Tom. If you are looking for the perfect house hit the reserve button and stay here.
Eric Rud
19 Jun 2023
Incredible home with beautiful views. This home was the cleanest rental we have ever booked. So comfortable for 2 couples, large bedrooms and nice baths. Large kitchen with everything you need to make a great meal or just morning coffee. We enjoyed sitting on the deck in the mornings drinking our coffee and planning our day. In a great location, quiet area but just a short drive to Acadia National Park. Owner was quick to respond to any questions we had including restaurant recommendations.
Ellen G
14 Oct 2022
Perfect getaway spot! 5/5. The view was beautiful and every evening we opened the drapes and enjoyed watching deer and the beautiful bay! The house was fantastic and the host very responsive with excellent communication. Thank you for a fabulous stay!
Rhonda K
23 Feb 2022
The house is recently renovated and in a perfect condition. Spacious living room, close to the ocean. Gas "fireplace" is š. Well designed for kids. We felt safe about our 2yo running everywhere.
My only suggestion to the host is to replace white light LED bulbs with the yellow light ones. It's really small nuance though, because everything else is perfect. 5/5
Maxim
25 Dec 2021
Tom is very friendly and he is willing to help and reply when we had questions about anything during our stay.
The cottage is amazingly beautiful and spacious, and you can park 2-3 car in the parking spot. Plus, there is a gas firepit so you can make smores there. Overall, this cottage is one of the best I have stayed so far, and the place is close to Bar Harbor(45 mins) and Walmart(10 mins).
Overall, this cottage is 5/5.
Han
11 Nov 2021
Spacious house overlooking the bay. 5/5. We stayed with another couple for six nights, primarily for leaf peeping. We were not disappointed. As the week progressed, we saw more and more color. The house is located in a quiet neighborhood but in close proximity to everything the area has to offer - Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, and other towns with charming shopping and restaurants. Of course, lobster is on every corner. The host was in touch by text to ensure we were satisfied. And who, especially with a family, wouldn't be? The house formerly on this site was a "candy cottage," but it is now a new home that shows great care to make it user friendly. We enjoyed our quiet evenings, playing games, many of which are furnished by the homeowner. We all loved this house, the location, and our entire experience.
We highly recommend this as a choice selection for experiencing this part of Maine.
Susan
09 Nov 2021
This home is BEAUTIFUL! The house is clean, inviting, beautiful and comfortable. The location is perfect- just the right distance away from crowded Bar Harbor and very convenient to Ellsworth. The hosts were FABULOUS- so thoughtful and helpful!
5/5 all around!
Sara
03 Nov 2021
Beautiful home with ocean view. 5/5. Candy Cottage was wonderful. We have stayed in many rentals and this was the cleanest rental we have ever been in, truly spotless. The house was spacious and the furnishings were in excellent condition. Everything about this house was very relaxing. Mornings on the deck with a cup of coffee were the best. The property manager was very helpful and replied to our text questions almost immediately. We all wished we had booked a longer stay and would love to come back.
Ellen G
29 Oct 2021
Candy Cottage is Sweet!
5/5
We had a great time. The house is as pretty as advertised and view is gorgeous. It was as comfortable as being home with great spaces to gather - especially the fire pit!!
Thanks for making this a very memorable vacation.
Mary Ann O.
20 Oct 2021
5/5
The cottage is beautiful! It was nice and clean and you canāt beat the views. The host was excellent at communicating and provided a lot of information. The location is a little bit of a drive from Bar Harbor/Acadia but the views were worth it. I would definitely stay here again.
Indira
16 Oct 2021
Wonderful
5/5
We rented this property for 3 couples, vacationing in the area. Beautiful location with everything you could ask for. We all felt like it was home - Comfortable, inviting and relaxing. The owners are very helpful with their intimate knowledge of the area and actively solicit feedback. We would return in a heartbeat!
Wayne
12 Oct 2021
5/5
Great location, beautiful view. Couldnāt dream a better place!
Kimberly
07 Oct 2021
Peaceful and Convenient
5/5
We stayed here Sept. 2021 as a group of 4 adults (ages 30s-60s). The property was clean and amazingly stocked. It was easy to drive to Acadia sites and Bar Harbor, and great to come back to the beautiful view each day.
Sichen S
06 Oct 2021
Wonderful
5/5
Best stocked rental ever. Wonderful view from the balcony and very relaxing sitting around the firepit. Very clean with comfortable beds. Tom was very quick to respond to questions and was concerned that everything met our expectations.
Linda S
25 Aug 2021
Candy Cottage was sweet!
5/5
We loved our stay at the Candy Cottage! The view looking out on Frenchman's Bay was beautiful and the whole setting, so relaxing. The location is great for spending time in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, as well as on Schoodic Peninsula. We had fun exploring this scenic area of Maine. Our host, Tom, was very thoughtful & responsive. The house was lovely, so comfortable & well stocked with everything we needed. It was a gem!
Janice K
19 May 2021
Magnificent view and a generous host!
5/5
With beautiful breathtaking views of the Mt Desert Narrows from all rooms, and easy access to hikes in Acadia and restaurants at Bar Harbor, Candy Cottage was ideal for a week long vacation for our family of 8. The house was clean, comfortable, well stocked, and the host - Tom - promptly responded to any questions!
We also loved that Tom shared with us a list of restaurants and places to visit! On Easter, Tom sent recommendations on best places to get a pie from and he offered that we should not feel rushed to check out! Best host ever!
Hozefa
07 Apr 2021
A nice house anyone visiting Acadia area should check out.
5/5
Our family of 8 really enjoyed the house. Recently remodeled, it looked very clean and cozy.
Warm welcome with an automatic fireplace when the temperature outside was 28.
My children really liked the room. They felt like home. Our daughters could not believe what they saw in the bathroom, something that not many property owners think of. My father-in-law loved the view of the ocean from the patio. My mother-in-law and wife loved the kitchen. I, believe me, was very relieved when they were happy.
Although most businesses in the area were closed due to Covid, we didn't feel bad for not exploring the beauty of nature around as much as we had planned. We enjoyed staying inside, which I personally called "vacation" because I didn't have to drive so much.
A Fire pit table was an amazing addition to the house. Sitting at the patio, drinking red wine and being warmed up by fire at nights were unforgettable moments.
We walked down to Candy Cottage II private beach. It was beautiful. We took alot of pictures there.
Tom True, the property owner, is such a nice person even. We didn't meet him in person but his texting before and during our stay, just enough, has made us feel so comfortable.
We highly recommend this vacation home.
James from Houston
26 Mar 2021
Beautiful view!
5/5
We (4 adults and a two year old) stayed here over President's Day Weekend. The home was tastefully decorated, stocked with everything we needed and exactly as pictured. The view was beautiful and watching the sunrise over the mountains with a cup of coffee was the perfect recharge we were looking for. Even though it was cold, we were able to take walks to the beach and take in the scenery. Tom was very communicative and checked in upon check-in and check-out to make sure all was OK. I'd highly recommend a stay at the Candy Cottage!
Alisa D
24 Mar 2021
The cottage is like brand new with terrific views and in a great location. The short walk to the beach is perfect with stairs and railings to make access extremely easy.
Charles S
10 Feb 2021
Amazing views!
5/5
We loved this cottage for our family of 4 (2 teens and 2 adults). My kids each had their own rooms and my teenage son even found novelty with the "tent" on the canopy bed. We loved sitting around the island and enjoying a hot chocolate by the fire. There is seriously nothing we needed that wasn't there. We honestly hope to come back in the summer and experience a different season at the same house.
Kristina J.
16 Dec 2020
Peaceful and Beautiful
5/5
We enjoyed this spacious home with beautiful view. Close to Acadia and shopping.
Tammy K
09 Sep 2020
A Perfect Escape
5/5
The Candy Cottage has been a favorite vacation spot for our family since the early 90ās. Year after year, the True family welcomed us and some of our very best memories are of our trips there. This past week we had the opportunity to visit Candy Cottage 2 and it surpassed our expectations.
The home is comfortable, spacious and beautifully furnished. There are mementos from the first cottage scattered throughout. The views of Frenchmanās Bay and Cadillac Mountain are spectacular. We woke early every morning just to see the sunrise. We love to cook and the kitchen has everything needed to prepare delicious meals. The bedrooms are roomy with restful beds and nice linens. Everything is very clean.
This was our first time visiting the area in the winter and it did not disappoint. We did a lot of winter hiking in Acadia National Park and saw people ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Every afternoon we would return to the house, sit next to the cozy fireplace and watch the sunset over the water. It was a perfect escape. Tom and Kathy went out of their way to ensure that our stay was comfortable. We look forward to returning in the warmer months. Instead of sitting inside by the fire, we will enjoy the huge deck, outside fire pit and walk down to the water. Lobsters and steamers will be on the menu.
R and K
24 Feb 2020
Cozy with a nice view
5/5
We stayed at Candy Cottage II at the end of November. The host, Tom, is super nice. There was a snowstorm just ahead of our stay. Before we even checked the weather, Tom pinged us and gave a headsup about the snow. Since it was not occupied, he even offered for us to check in a day or two earlier! Through our stay, Tom checked up on us and was quick with responses when we had any questions.
Our stay was very comfortable. The ocean view from the cottage is very nice. We were there during off-peak season, but there were still things to do. Here is what my tween daughter had to say in her note to the host.
āThe Candy Cottage is amazing! Everything is beautiful. The view from the window, the decorations and everything! I wish I could live here. Thank you for one of the best vacations - ever.ā
Vas
14 Dec 2019
Amazing
5/5
We just left the Candy Cottage on our way back home to Michigan. We had an amazing week in Acadia and every night it was fun to come back to a nice, new, clean, well-stocked, comfortable home and relax for the night. It had everything we needed and the homeowner was very helpful. He texted to make sure we had what we needed and offered some helpful suggestions. Worth every penny of the rental cost.
Thank you so much!!
Rick B
16 Oct 2019
We had a wonderful time. The house is beautiful and fully stocked. The view is breathtaking!
Kristine
07 Oct 2019
The Candy Cottage was a beautiful place to stay, would highly recommend!
David
01 Oct 2019
Great place for short and long stay. I will definitely come back if I have a chance to go to this area.
Wachirawich
24 Sep 2019
Beautiful house at a beautiful location. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the house. Everything is nice, new, and sparklingly clean. Three bedrooms and two baths met our needs perfectly. All appliances are new and very nice. And the view from the deck is amazing. A peaceful place to start the day sitting and taking it all in. If it's in your price range, I highly recommend it.
Steve
07 Sep 2019
This is the perfect place to spend a week exploring Coastal Maine and Acadia NP. The house is brand new, spacious, and well equipped for multiple families. We particularly enjoyed the large kitchen, and the deck with a firebox overlooking the bay and Mount Desert Island.
Itās located on a quiet road that feels remote, but if you need groceries or supplies, itās only a 10-15 minute drive to Ellsworth. The drive over to Bar Harbor/Acadia is about 30 minutes. It has rocky beach access via the staircase at the bottom of the hill, but you can also walk down to the Marlboro Beach for some easy exploring.
Tom was very responsive and personally reached out via text within minutes of us booking the reservation to pass along further details. He checked in with us upon our arrival and Iām sure if we had any issues or questions, heād have responded quickly.
All in all, this was a great trip and weāre looking forward to booking again next year!
Sam
01 Sep 2019
This brand-new home is exactly as advertised, except the view of Mt. Desert Island cannot be completely captured in a photo. It is amazing. My kids loved the deer roaming the neighborhood and exploring the cobble beach just down the hill. Itās a wonderful little slice of paradise.
Christopher
27 Aug 2019
Beautiful home overlooking the water. This house was great -- it had everything our party of 6 needed to make for a great vacation. The home was beautifully maintained, spacious, and Tom was quick to answer any questions we had. We would definitely stay here again if we ever come back to the Bar Harbor area.
Keith
24 Aug 2019
My family and I just spent a week in Maine at the Candy Cottage. My husband and I agreed that the top highlight of the trip was where we stayed (well maybe hiking in Acadia was number one). After a day of hiking, whale watching, a sunset cruise, sea kayaking and enjoying Bar Harbor we loved coming back to this beautiful home. The view is stunning from every room in this well-appointed and beautifully decorated house. The neighborhood is quiet so it was great to sleep with the windows open and enjoy sea breezes. The beds are very comfortable. Also, there is a nice beach to explore (we saw some porpoises frolicking out in the water). Tom and his wife thought of everything. Tom checked in to make sure everything was okay with the house and said he is available for any questions or problems. We had no issues.
Laura
16 Aug 2019
Great stay! This brand-new home has stunning views and is a very comfortable place to stay while exploring Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. The home is really well set up with all you need for a vacation in Maine, including a huge lobster pot, outdoor grill and fire pit. And Tom is a great communicator, so quick with responses to our questions, which was really helpful.
So appreciated being able to stay in such a wonderful home. To be able to wake up in such a peaceful place and take in the view was truly special.
Thank you, Tom!
Adams Family
15 Aug 2019
My favorite vacation to date.
My family of four stayed at the Candy Cottage with another family of 5 (that included an infant) with plenty of space. Acadia has been on our bucket list and so we had high hopes for it. Our stay exceeded all our expectations.
Some house notes: 1) The first floor feels bigger than the photos and the house is otherwise accurately represented; 2) the house is really well stocked - everything you need for a night of grilling, everything you'd need for a lobster boil; all your laundry detergent, plenty of paper products, a variety of dishes, utensils; 3) the rock beach piqued the kids' (ages 4-10) interest more that we'd have thought and they would have been happy to spend every night there exploring, and, 4) most importantly -- the pictures DO NOT do the view justice. Deck time is the best time. Coffee out there is magnificent in the morning.
The owner, Tom, couldn't have been more hospitable. Our good time was important to him and his enthusiasm inspired us to pack in as much as we could to our trip. He provided a guidebook of which we took advantage of often. We can vouch for Union River Lobster Pot, C-Ray Lobster, Jordan Pond House, Blunt's Pond (literally 5 min away), Reny's and LL Bean outlet as all being worth a trip.
We'd also add kayak rental at National Park Kayak and Canoe rental. They are right across from Long Pond in the park and it's so easy to drop kayaks there. Plus, they have a great little swimming area for when you're taking a break. You could easily spend the day there. For hiking, we preferred the quiet Beech Mountain. It was suitable for my kids and the views were outstanding with few others on the trails.
Another gem we'll take credit for finding is Martha's Diner in Ellsworth! Don't let the look of it fool you! They make their own bread and wow is it good. Great breakfast lunch spot and could easily be paired with a trip to Reny's/Shaw's as its in the same shopping center.
I'd return here in a heartbeat and with all the things we'd still love to do, we just might!!
Erin
07 Aug 2019
A beautiful, nicely appointed, comfortable home with awesome views of Acadia! The kitchen is wonderful to cook in with two big sliders off the dining room and living room overlooking Acadia. Bar Harbor/Acadia is approximately a 35min drive away. We went into town everyday! Itās not a bad ride. Some things to do while there...
1. Book a trip on Bar Harbor Whale Watching! Definitely worth it! Just take precautions if youāre likely to get seasick. We were on the boat for almost 6hrs. There were plenty of people who were extremely ill! Also...DRESS WARMLY. It will be much cooler on the boat at sea!
2. Check the tide times in Bar Harbor. 2hrs before low tide and up to 2hrs after you can walk the sandbar between the two islands! Very cool to see with lots of exploring to do. Tread lightly as to not to disturb too much wildlife. Park on Cottage Street by Jordanās restaurant and walk down Bridge Street. Itās literally right down the road. You wonāt be disappointed.
3. Acadia is just beautiful! A weekly car pass is $30. One hike that we did was Ship Harbor. Worth every step! Itās great for kids...not too long and easy. The views are breathtaking!!!
4. Check out the sunset on Cadillac Mountain! Get there early before they start closing off roads.
5. FYI...Iām vegan. If you are too, Bar Harbor isnāt very vegan friendly. One place that we went to was Paddyās. Really fun Irish bar with a few, but delicious vegan options. Service was great too!
6. Stop by Fioreās. Itās an artisan olive oil and vinegar shop with tastings! If you like to (Website hidden by Airbnb) worth the stop.
7. Pirateās Cove mini golf is a lot of fun!
8. Be sure to sit on the deck and have a nice glass of wine by the fire pit. Same thing happens with the tides by the house. Iāve never seen such drastic tide changes! Sunrise on the deck or down by the water is beautiful!!!
Tom was a wonderful host! He responds quickly to texts and is informative with any questions you may have. If youāre looking for peaceful views, a beautiful home, and easy access into town, my family and I recommend this rental. š
Laura
01 Aug 2019
My friends and I were lucky to be the first set of people to enjoy this brand NEW house and we are glad that we got the opportunity to stay in this charming place!
The House: Wonderfully setup with all necessary amenities and really clean. The views of the ocean cant be beat, whether you are relaxing in the patio, living room or the bedroom. Nestled in the footsteps of Acadia makes it an unbeatable location. The short stroll down to a private, secluded and clean beach is the icing on the cake!
The Host: Tom is an amazing host, very friendly to communicate with and really flexible. Responses to texts were very quick and glad that he was able to accommodate my group at the last minute. He checked in on us often to make sure everything was good and went the extra mile to make our stay as comfortable as possible.
Will definitely recommend Tom's house to everyone and we look forward to coming back here again!
Vid
14 Jul 2019