Entire home

A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage

Photo gallery for A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage

Beach nearby, sun loungers
Exterior
2 bedrooms, desk, free WiFi
Dining
View from property
Reviews
9.8

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedroomsSleeps 452 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendlyPet friendly
  • Fireplace
    FireplaceFireplace
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Washer
    WasherWasher
  • Dryer
    DryerDryer

Explore the area

Map
New Harbor, ME
  • Popular LocationPemaquid Point Lighthouse Park10 min drive
  • Popular LocationBoothbay Harbor Marina50 min drive
  • Popular LocationBarrett Park52 min drive
  • AirportRockland, ME (RKD-Knox County Regional)66 min drive

Most relevant reviews

About this property

Entire place

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

A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage

The perfect setting for your summer vacation on the Maine coast!

Leave the city behind and step into this one-of-a-kind authentic Maine cottage. On the inside of this cozy cottage, you’ll fall in love with the painted floors, bookshelves, stone fireplace, and original paned windows.

Located near the quaint fishing village of New Harbor, the Laughing Gull Cottage is close to restaurants and gift shops, ice-cream parlors, a general store for grocery shopping, a gas station, historic lighthouse, library, and just down the road from one of the most beautiful beaches in Maine. The cottage itself is located on coveted Pemaquid Trail—a paved, yet private lane for walking, biking, and jogging.

The cottage has two bedrooms: The main bedroom has a queen-sized bed, dresser, and closet. The second bedroom has two twin-sized beds and a dresser. The cottage is also equipped with a living room sofa that can pull out into a full-sized bed. The eat-in kitchen is on the east side of the cottage. A bathroom, complete with shower, is just off the kitchen. Since this is a Maine camp rental, please bring your own towels and linens. Bedding, pillows, comforter. and bed spreads are provided. Minimum stay: 3 nights (during shoulder season); maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights.

The Laughing Gull Cottage was one of the original oceanfront cottages on Pemaquid Trail—a paved yet private lane along the ocean for walking, biking, and jogging! In March of 2020 the cottage was moved across the street (and a bit to the north) to a one-and-a-half acre lot about 500 feet from the coastline. First and foremost, the new location offers an abundance of privacy and wildlife. Although still a Pemaquid Trail address, the long and winding drive takes you well off the hubbub of “The Trail,” but still allows for broad distant views of the ocean from the farmer’s porch, kitchen, and one of the bedrooms. There is access to the ocean and beaches within walking distance of the cottage. The setting is picturesque, open and sunny and surrounded by wildflowers and the Maine woods. In the summer months, the tiny village of New Harbor (minutes away by car or bike) is bustling. It has a general store, post office, family run grocer, restaurants, a gas station, bank, gift shops, ice-cream shop, art galleries, a bakery, fisherman’s warfs and Hardy Boat cruises. The historic Pemaquid Point Light House (a short trip down the peninsula) and Pemaquid Beach (at the beginning of Pemaquid Trail and one of Maine’s prettiest beaches) are perhaps the most visited destinations in the area. Many of the reviews posted are from when the Laughing Gull Cottage was located directly along the ocean.

Keywords: Cottage, Ocean, Maine, Midcoast, New Harbor, Bristol, Pemaquid, Beach, Cabin, Camp, Private, Guest House

Property manager

Thomas & Laurie

Languages

English, German

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach
  • Beach sun loungers

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Paper towels

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms

Bathrooms

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player
  • Books
  • Video library
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washer/dryer
  • Near laundromat

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 1 stairs to reach property
  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: no smoking incl. marijuana anywhere on theproperty

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a hospital
  • Near outlet shopping
  • Near the bay
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Golfing on site
  • Swimming nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Marina nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby

Safety features

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

General

  • Unit size: 560 sq ft (52 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

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

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Note from host: One dog 50 lbs max, two dogs 70 lbs max combined

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

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
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
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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Absolute Maine Classic Storybook Cottage Spectacular Ocean Views
Absolute Maine Classic Storybook Spectacular Ocean Views
Absolute Maine Classic Storybook Cottage Spectacular Ocean Views
Absolute Maine Classic Storybook Cottage Spectacular Ocean Views
Absolute Maine Classic Storybook Spectacular Ocean Views
Vrbo Property
A Historic Storybook Maine
An Absolute Maine Classic Storybook Cottage
A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage New Harbor
A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage Private vacation home

About the neighborhood

New Harbor

Located in New Harbor, this cottage is in a rural area and near the beach. Boothbay Region Land Trust and Boothbay Harbor Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore La Verna Preserve and Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve. Pemaquid Craft Co-op and Penobscot Marine Museum are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park - 10 min drive
  • Boothbay Harbor Marina - 50 min drive
  • Opera House at Boothbay Harbor - 50 min drive
  • Barrett Park - 52 min drive
  • Cabbage Island - 54 min drive

Getting around

  • Wiscasset, ME (ISS) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Footbridge Brewery - ‬49 min drive
  • ‪Boothbay Lobster Wharf - ‬52 min drive
  • ‪Shaw's Fish & Lobster Wharf - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪East Boothbay General Store - ‬53 min drive
  • ‪Red Cup Coffee House - ‬50 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.

What time is check-in at A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage located?

Situated near the beach, this cottage is 1.5 mi (2.5 km) from Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site and 1.9 mi (3.1 km) from Pemaquid Craft Co-op. Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park are also within 6 mi (10 km).

A Historic Storybook Maine Cottage Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 88 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 98 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

M M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mary M.
Great location!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Laughing Gull
What a great traditional Maine cottage. Just as described, and one of best equipped we've ever stayed at. No need to bring pans, sharp knives, working coffee pot...you know what I mean. The view to the bay is perfect and the privacy unheard of in an ocean view. "Laurie's Picks" were spot on, and you're close enough to town to try some of the restaurants if you feel the need to branch out from the nearby lobster coops -- but who would? The dogs never left the best porch in Maine. Would definitely return.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

George B., Averill Park, NY

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice quiet neighborhood
This was a very cozy cabin. The porches were a great add on to enjoy. The view of the ocean can be seen from the front porch while rocking. The stone fireplace was very enjoyable. A complimentary fire is laid for you which was very nice. Due to the rainy nights, we purchased wood elsewhere to use. The wood you paid for at the house was pretty damp, and we didn’t want to potentially smoke up the house. There are two beautiful trails to be taken on Pemaquid Trail rd., one to the rocky shore, and another, before the campground, to the far end of Pemaquid beach. Both great finds. Reilly’s, a great store in town, is a great place for sandwiches and drinks. So many hiking trails to choose from. The location is a great place to explore.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Pemaquid
It is a lovely, classic, well cared for Maine cottage. Quiet and tucked back from Pemaquid Trail, a neighborhood of assorted homes and cottages. Host and hostess there for check in and check out, responsive to questions and needs. Pemaquid Beach right around the corner. Quiet and restful, enjoyed the front porch and lawn area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

John C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Week
Great cottage all solid wood from floor to ceiling (no dry wall) with a stone fireplace and chimney. Located right beside a beautiful spruce dense natural forest. Perfect walking deadend road winding along the side of John's Bay. Terrific eating places in the neighborhood. New Harbor, a small working harbor with a lob and fish landing along with it's super food and service in reztaurant. A cottege to revisit again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen H.

Perfect cozy change of scenery
I spent a week at Laughing Gull and thoroughly enjoyed it. I work remotely and just wanted a change of scenery so I packed up the dogs and my laptop and headed for New Harbor. Everything was great. My colleagues kept asking about my cool new virtual background. All were jealous when I told them I really am in a cozy little cabin on the coast of Maine.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Diane C.

Beautiful spot
We absolutely loved the area our host was great to deal with. Peace quiet and a beautiful view it’s a cozy cottage,.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Laughing Gull Cottage
We had a great week. Cottage was perfect for the 2 of us. Very close to Pemaquid Beach which we went to several times. Will return. Thank you Thomas and Laurie.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen Q.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing time
We enjoyed our stay very much
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic view and location
We enjoyed our stay at this cozy camp on the Pemaquid trail. The location was fantastic (close to the beach and the village of New Harbor), but set back from the road so it was a bit more private. We admired the beautiful view on the spacious front porch (as well as from the small, but very functional and well-equipped kitchen). Wish we could have stayed longer!.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessica D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Just what the doctor ordered!
If you're looking for a cozy cabin, a sunny porch, and a perfect place for easy walks to multiple types of beaches, kayaking, and tasty food this is the place. My husband, our dog Pickle, and I loved getting out and about AND staying home reading with a glass of wine (except for Pickle - he preferred bones and H2O). Just wonderful!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephen F., Hanson, MA

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet Maine Getaway
Great Maine cottage in a very scenic area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brian, New York

Liked: Cleanliness
We loved our stay!
My family and I loved our stay and would like to come back! The house comes as advertised, small and rustic, but has everything needed for a week's stay in Bristol. We loved spending evenings on the porch, playing in the yard, grilling and eating outside at on the picnic table. One thing to be aware of is the bedrooms have curtains for doors. We were a little surprised by this, but quickly got past it and enjoyed the close quarters as a family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sal P.

Liked: Cleanliness
A slice of paradise.
The house was clean, beautiful views, quiet and well off a quiet road. One of our best vacations ever.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Todd W., Laurel

Liked: Cleanliness
Pemaquid Beach in June
This is the most rustic cabin we have rented, and probably the most comfortable. Laurie and Thomas are wonderful hosts and met us at the cabin to give us suggestions for activities, meals, and hikes. The area is stunning. Water views in every direction. The town is quaint and has everything you need. We took several great hikes, made fires in the stone fireplace and enjoyed a lot of great seafood. The kitchen is small but stocked with everything you need. I recommend bringing bug spray to keep the ticks off in the summer.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Basil S., CT

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderfully peaceful
We had a wonderful week. Cabin was clean and a piece of history. A delightful step back in time. Thomas was a very responsive host. We will be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nancy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Laughing Gull Cottage is everything it promises to be and then some!
The cottage is everything it promises to be and then some. It was perfect for the two of us for 1 week. Thomas and Laurie are perfect hosts. Thomas made sure we were settling in well and also made a couple of excellent recommendations for lobster! The cottage, located on a long dead end road, is set back from the road, lending the location a great deal of privacy. We made great use of the front porch, especially mornings and then for sunsets in the evenings. The cottage has the rustic feel of a Maine "camp" and Thomas and Laurie clearly give the property the respect, love and TLC it deserves. The absolutely beautiful original stone fireplace, which had been moved with the cottage (!) a few years ago, is the crown jewel, and we made much use of it. We will be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christopher B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quintessential Seaside Cabin
The cabin was perfect for my wife and I, It gives the sense of being alone in the woods while the ocean was never out of view and only a two minute walk away. Thomas and Laurie are experienced hosts who had all the essentials covered.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mitchel C.

Liked: Cleanliness
August getaway
Owner met us at cottage to welcome us and giave is a very helpful tour. Authentic Maine shore cottage with tight but comfortable bed rooms, with plenty of space to relax and a beautiful new front porch. Pine woods behind us with pathway access to the shore across the street, and beach a pleasant 1 mile walk down the road. Quiet and friendly neighborhood on a dead end street with adequate privacy but just a short drive to small town and great restaurants, and close enough to Damariscotta for big shoppings and more activities.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Richard S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Cabin Experience
The Laughing Gull cottage was very quaint, well-equipped and very relaxing. We enjoyed the area's many sites to see and places to eat. A great New England experience! We recommend this property and thank our hosts Thomas and Laurie.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Jan G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exactly as described!
The house is quiet, private and offers a distant view of the water across the road. With the exception of the living room, which is comfortable, spacious, book filled and perfect for a cold or rainy day, the rooms are tight but perfectly usable. The kitchen is very well equipped and surprisingly workable given the space constraints. The only complaint is the sense that the outside is a work in progress as landscaping and plantings are underway but as yet incomplete, an issue that will most likely be remedied by next season
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Robert R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Authentic Coastal Maine Experience
The cottage is on the Pemaquid peninsula with a splendid view of Johns Bay, close to the beach. Thomas and Laurie were exceedingly pleasant hosts who provided us with a comfortable stay.

10/10 Excellent

Debbie D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love Laughing Gull Cabin
My husband and I loved the Laughing Gull Cabin immensely and would definitely come back to stay! It’s cozy, comfortable and clean! We especially liked the heated mattress pad on the cooler nights. We had a wonderful fire in the beautiful fireplace. The location is perfect for walking and beach combing. Thanks for making our stay so enjoyable.

10/10 Excellent

Jessica F., United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Maine Camp!
This was a wonderful house to have our vacation in! I love antiques and this cute original 1930s cabin has them in spades! decked out inside as if it were the 1950s and you were transported to Downeast Maine. That said, everything was super clean and modern in the cabin. It has all of your necessities including a new shower. We were not wanting for any little kitchen tool or gadget. The larger bed even had a heated mattress pad on it! The view of the water is now from the front porch, and through the trees we could see waves crashing and kayakers paddling and the odd runner on the road. We even walked to the beach from the house one day, as it is about a 0.8 walk one way. The star of the show though, was the rock fireplace which Laurie and Thomas kindly let us use. It makes it so cozy on rainy Maine days and evenings. Really loved our stay. Wished we had longer! We'll just have to come back next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

shelly d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful , Historic quiet and peaceful cottage.
We had such a wonderful vacation in this sweet and peaceful historic little cottage. What a joy and privilege it was to stay in a very special home that has so much history. Our hosts, Thomas and Laurie were very warm and welcoming. We had everything we could need and more. This amazing little cottage is surrounded by nature. A quiet retreat , and full of wonder. It truly is the Enchanted Cottage. Thank you Laurie and Thomas 🙏 Sincerely the Sancricca family.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021