Seal Harbor, Acadia Natl. Park - 'Hidden House' - Large Ocean View Summer Home - Seal Harbor

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Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

7 bedrooms5+ bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

Dryer
Fireplace
Washer
Kitchen
Barbecue grill
Parking available

Explore the area

Seal Harbor, ME

Acadia National Park
‪14 min walk‬
Thunder Hole
‪19 min drive‬
Cadillac Mountain
‪25 min drive‬
Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 6

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 7

1 Single Bed

Office

1 Single Bed

5 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 6

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Balcony

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Seal Harbor, Acadia Natl. Park - 'Hidden House' - Large Ocean View Summer Home

Tucked against the hill amid towering spruce and pine trees, 'Hidden House' enjoys a quiet location with lovely ocean views. Once the home of a Harvard president, this traditional summer cottage creates a comfortable spot for up to fourteen people. Located on exclusive Ox Hill and within walking distance of lovely Seal Harbor beach, you'll love the charm and history of this delightful home.

First Floor
-Dining room with views and a table that seats up to eight (or more with extra leaves).
-Large Living Room with fireplace, French doors to deck and wonderful views.
-Spacious fully equipped kitchen with small breakfast table.
-Three bedrooms on main floor as follows: One bedroom with queen bed and full bathroom adjacent. Two smaller bedrooms (one with double bed the other with one twin bed) and full bathroom adjacent. Study with an additional twin bed and adjacent half bath.
-Charming sleeping porch with doors leading to front deck.

Second Floor
-Four bedrooms total as follows: Master bedroom with water views, fireplace, queen-size bed and private full bath. Bedroom with two twin beds, views and private full bath. Bedroom with two twin beds and sink. Bedroom with queen bed and adjacent bath with tub.

Deck
Front deck with furniture, partially glassed-in area, gas BBQ and views of Seal Harbor, the islands and beyond.

Appliances
Standard kitchen appliances including French-door refrigerator, electric stove an oven, microwave oven, and dishwasher. Washing machine and dryer. TV/DVR/DVD. Wi-fi internet.

Keywords: Ideal for large family get-togethers

PLEASE NOTE: WEEKLY RENTALS ARE BOOKED FROM SUNDAY TO SUNDAY.
WE OFFER 15% DISCOUNT ON MONTHLY RENTALS.

Property manager

Rosemary Hopkins

Languages

English, French

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Find out more

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Outdoor space

Parking available

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Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings

We welcome use by large family groups.

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)

Well behaved pets allowed.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

No open fires, except in living room fireplace (note: firewood is provided)

NO SMOKING IN THE HOUSE

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.

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

Parties and events (including family gatherings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 15

Note from host: We welcome use by large family groups.

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Seal Harbor

Located in Seal Harbor, this holiday home is on the beach. Bar Harbor Whale Watching is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Acadia National Park's Visitors Center. Travelling with kids? Consider Naturalist's Notebook and Wild Gardens of Acadia. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Seal Harbor, ME

What's nearby

Acadia National Park - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
Otter Cliff - 13 min drive - 7.7 km
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 18 min drive - 17.4 km
Thunder Hole - 19 min drive - 15.6 km
Cadillac Mountain - 25 min drive - 15.4 km

Getting around

Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 26 min drive

Restaurants

‪Jordan Pond House Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
‪Hansen's Outpost - ‬27 min drive
‪Beal's Lobster Pier - ‬28 min drive
‪Gott's Store - ‬28 min drive
‪Tan Turtle Tavern - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Seal Harbor, Acadia Natl. Park - 'Hidden House' - Large Ocean View Summer Home pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Seal Harbor, Acadia Natl. Park - 'Hidden House' - Large Ocean View Summer Home?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Seal Harbor, Acadia Natl. Park - 'Hidden House' - Large Ocean View Summer Home?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Seal Harbor, Acadia Natl. Park - 'Hidden House' - Large Ocean View Summer Home located?

Nestled on the beach, this Seal Harbor holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Naturalist's Notebook and Acadia National Park. Hunters Beach and Bracy Cove are also within 2 miles (3 km).

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

6/10 Okay

John S.

30 Sept 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Shore house

Great location house was plenty big for our large group but it definitely in need of some updates

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Caroline C.

18 Sept 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved the view!

We really enjoyed our stay. The house was so roomy and accommodating for our family. The view was amazing and working from the desk in the main bedroom or grilling on the back deck was such a delight while looking over the harbor and islands. One thing to note is the driveway is a bit challenging as it’s gravel and on a hill, and to access the house you do need to make your way up several stairs or a steep pathway - great exercise, though! Everything worked out well for our stay. Thank you.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

George S.

30 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous stay

Hidden House is a graceful, comfortable home that embodies the charm of the legendary "summer cottages" on MDI. It has a very very large deck with great views over Seal Harbor, a huge kitchen and great beds. The hosts are wonderful.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah R.

25 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden Heaven

We love this house! It’s perfect for an intergenerational family vacation - spacious bedrooms and lots of space to gather. The location is perfect too; we walked to the beach and ice cream shop, rode bikes into the park, and it’s an easy drive to the other towns on MDI. We can’t wait to come back!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Paul J.

21 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The house shows its age and lack of tender care.

The property manager was responsive and flexible to accommodate our schedule. The house is located in a great spot. Unfortunately, it shows its age. A very small investment, e.g. replacing a missing shower curtain or a stained bedsheet, would make a difference. Much more would be needed to justify the rental price.

Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jane D.

28 Jun 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Live like the rusticators

Fabulous old house with lots of character and space. All ages loved it. We didn’t need a thing except food. Park minutes away and not as crowded as we had expected. We would definitely book again.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joseph P.

19 Jun 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden House was exceptional!!!!

Our once in a lifetime family vacation was made exceptional certainly by the location of Bar Harbor, Maine but next in line was the incredibly quaint and beautiful Hidden House near Seal Harbor. The turn of the century construction, the wood work, the views of the Harbor, the fascinating books selections, the history, the true feel of an authentic Maine Harbor home made everything perfect for our family. The rooms were decorated perfectly, not overdone but tasteful. The range of diverse rooms as well allowed our adult children and wives to feel they had a personal room for them different from the others. Beds were comfy, baths attached were well located and everything was very clean. The kitchen was amazing and had dual sinks which accommodated our large group with the up to date appliances a real blessing. The surrounding neighborhood was very quiet and quite beautiful away from the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor. But what made it special was the incredible hosts Dave & Rosemary Hopkins. They went out of their way to help us secure their property being flexible on the dates after we'd lost another property for some crazy reasons. They saw our special need and took care of us from the very beginning. Communication was exceptional, clear, thorough and prompt. All in all we'd definitely come back to their home and know we'd be receiving class A service and an incredible property with amazing charm and character. Highly, highly recommended _ it was an amazing location!!!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jill R., Avon

14 Sept 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden House Heaven

Our family had a wonderful stay at Hidden House. In truth, it was much more spacious than our 7 family members needed. We loved spreading out, and we didn't even use 3 of the 7 bedrooms. Great porch, well- equipped kitchen (and we had a couple serious cooks among us), lovely views, peaceful, comfortable, great location for easy access to ANP, Bar Harbor, NEH, etc. We have been coming to MDI for decades and would definitely recommend this property!

Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

George S.

30 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful family vacation

Very comfortable home with plenty of space, plus a large deck with great views

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Roy R.

30 Jul 2023

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good

Property is good, but aged... furniture is well used.

Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda W.

5 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Great location to everything Mt Desert Island has to offer. Plenty of space for a large family. Though take note is you are traveling with anyone elderly or handicapped it does take a flight of steps to get in and out of the home. My mom walks with a cane and she struggled a bit.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dean H.

4 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Seal Harbor: Quieter and Better

On this, our first trip to Acadia National Park, my original inclination was to find a property in or near Bar Harbor. I'm glad I failed. Hidden House, with seven bedrooms and six bathrooms was perfect for accomodating our large family gathering (10 adults, 2 children). AND, Seal Harbor is full of charm and not full of bustling tourists. We loved the area. Hidden House is within an easy walk of the beach, and the Seal Harbor "high street" has several high-quality shops. Two especially helpful features: we were able to get all twelve of us around the dining room table, and the living room was also large enough for us to sprawl out and hang out together. The house is old, meaning not everything is perfect, but the perfection of the layout, and the workability of the houes for our group more than compensated for a few minor inconveniences.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Marsha G.

3 Jul 2023

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location!

Character of the old house did not disappoint! Wavy glass windows, vintage doorknobs, screened door in the kitchen. Lovely! The location was great and the trails to the beach area are wonderful for exploring. Woke up with a turkey making it's call daily! Lots of wildlife to be seen! The house does need a little refreshing and updating. Wonderful time for everyone!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jackie P., Leawood, KS

14 Jun 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely wonderful stay!

Better than even expected to stay in this majestic home full of history and comfort. Very welcoming for large groups as the home was built solidly and with zones to contain privacy and noise. Heat very responsive! Beautiful views across the huge south deck with wicker seating, tables and very nice grill. All the appointments were very welcoming. Rosemary was extremely responsive! The home is magical! We are grateful!

Stayed 14 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane A.

30 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

September in Seal Harbor

This is such a great location. We were able to walk to the trails and the ocean. The views were beautiful. The house was neat and clean. We used the kitchen and the two sinks were great.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Mary M.

20 Sept 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Maine Get Away

The only little issue was the house was not clean when we arrived for check in-but a cleaning crew was sent right over and after a couple of hours we were all set. Location great, house size perfect for 10 people: meals, game playing, relaxing on the deck, enough space for all. Easy drive to Northeast Harbor and Bar Harbor. Walk into the park no problem. Would stay there again especially with a group this size,

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

vandana p.

15 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

4 parents and 5 teens to Acadia

Pros: This home has a superb location for families visiting Acadia National Park. It was within walking distance of a free Island Express Shuttle to downtown Bar Harbor and a 0.2 mi drive to one entrance to Acadia. The home has many many rooms and beds. Great home and would rent again! Rosemary, the host, was excellent at communicating with us and the house was as promised in the description. There is a great view of the water as the house is located on Ox Hill which overlooks Seal Harbor....just beautiful. My husband and I would drink our morning tea on the front porch and head our for a walk along the harbor every morning....quiet, peaceful, friendly people. Cons: Poor wifi and cell service (we have verizon) is almost absent at the house. Dated kitchen and house. For us, the cons meant we spent more time disconnected and truly together as a family. The age of the home was noticeable but nothing was uncomfortable....I think it fit in with the charm of being in New England. Overall...5 stars and I would recommend this property.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah R., Boston, MA

10 Jul 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful classic Maine house

Everyone in our family, from 2 to 68 years old, loved this house. There were days when we didn’t want to leave for planned activities in the park because it’s such a great place to hang out. There were 11 of us and plenty of space to sleep and spread out. We ate all but one meal outside on the porch, and the kitchen was well stocked and had everything we needed. Communication with the hosts was always quick and easy. Would recommend or stay here again with hesitating!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lynn M.

8 Jul 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spectacular view and ideal location

Beautiful Seal Harbor summer cottage with privacy and gorgeous views of Seal Harbor. This is a home that retains its original character and interior.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laura M.

28 Jun 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Special Place!

Hidden House was everything we had hoped for. Lots of space for family to gather together or to spread out if desired. Lots of charm and character. It's old so not everything works perfectly but the owners were quick to address any little issue that popped up. Loved the comfortable family feel of the place and loved being in Seal Harbor! Planning to visit again in a few years.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Sharon L.

22 Jun 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion

The location and neighborhood were great with close proximity to Acadia National Park as well as to Bar Harbor. There was plenty of room for our family and the deck was especially beautiful with wonderful views.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Peter L.

14 Jun 2022

Liked: Communication, location

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in

Nice big house but needs updates.

Enough BRs and BAs for large groups. Nice location to Acadia and Bar Harbor. However, house needs many updates and maintenance. Not enough glasses and coffee cups.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathy B.

8 Jun 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location, beautiful view

Hidden House reminded me of the cottage I vacationed in as a child on Lake Huron. The ambiance is nostalgic and homey, with beautiful antiques in this large house. The view is beautiful, whether from the deck or living room or many bedrooms. The location is very convenient to Acadia’s carriage roads and the Seal Harbor beach.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lourdes M.

15 Oct 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic Second Visit at Hidden House

This was our second time at Hidden House. It was just as amazing as we remembered. The house is so cozy and the views are incredible. Highly recommend!

Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michael J., Friendswood

30 Sept 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time

We had a group five couples enjoyed a wonderful week. The owner was very responsive to resolve one minor issue.

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

About the host

Hosted by Rosemary Hopkins

We live in Palo Alto, California for most of the year, but I have been spending part of my summers in Seal Harbor since I was 12 years old. Now we use the house for yearly vacationing with our children and grandchildren.

Why they chose this property

My father, who was President of Harvard University at the time, purchased the house from John D. Rockefeller, Jr., in 1954. It has served as the ideal family vacation gathering spot ever since.

What makes this property unique

Large, comfortable home in a prime location with all the amenities one needs for a relaxing time with friends and family. Proximity to Acadia National Park allows for unlimited opportunities for hiking, bird-watching, etc. Seal Harbor itself is a protected harbor popular with Maine lobstermen and summer home owners.

Languages:

English, French

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Seal Harbor, Acadia Natl. Park - 'Hidden House' - Large Ocean View Summer Home

Photo gallery for Seal Harbor, Acadia Natl. Park - 'Hidden House' - Large Ocean View Summer Home

Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Bedroom 5

Bedroom 6

Bedroom 7

Office

5 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Bathroom 6

Spaces

About this property

Seal Harbor, Acadia Natl. Park - 'Hidden House' - Large Ocean View Summer Home

Property manager

Languages

Protect your payment — always book on Vrbo

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Have a question?

Similar properties

Seal Harbor, Acadia National Park - 'Hidden House 2'

Seal Harbor, Acadia National Park - 'Hidden House 2'

House Rules

Children

Events

Pets

Smoking

Important information

You need to know

We should mention

About the area

Seal Harbor

What's nearby

Getting around

Restaurants

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Exceptional

9.0/10

9.8/10

9.8/10

10/10

9.6/10

Reviews

6/10 Okay

John S.

Shore house

John S.

10/10 Excellent

Caroline C.

Loved the view!

Caroline C.

10/10 Excellent

George S.

Fabulous stay

George S.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah R.

Hidden Heaven

Sarah R.

8/10 Good

Paul J.

The house shows its age and lack of tender care.

Paul J.

10/10 Excellent

Jane D.

Live like the rusticators

Jane D.