Welcome to The Red House, a 100-year-old haven at the head of Mackerel Cove. Feel the ocean's presence throughout this enchanting property, with its private pebble beach perfect for launching kayaks and exploring Casco Bay. Unwind in the steam room overlooking the ocean or indulge in luxury beds and bedding.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 41186 sq ft
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire cottage to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
THIS IS THE PLACE - Intimate luxury cottage w massive oceanfront steam room
THE RED HOUSE The 116 year old Red House at the head of Mackerel Cove was built when most of Bailey Island was wild and undeveloped - and once you've spent time here it's clear why this spot was chosen to build. You FEEL the ocean just steps away wherever you are on the property - and each night the sun sets directly in front of you across the water.
This place is magic.
A house where no matter what you are doing - cooking dinner with loved ones - reading a book on the porch - spending a lazy day in bed - the sea is always present - steps away or right outside your window. * * * THE BEACH The private pebble beach is the perfect place to launch kayaks at any tide. Exploring from the water is one of the best ways to experience Casco Bay. The tide pools in front of the house are something kids (of all ages) love. * * * THE VIEW Spending time here always comes back to the view. Clear and calm one day, misty and grey the next. Watch the sea and sky shift with the weather. Hour by hour. Minute by minute. Always beautiful. Always different. * * THE BIRDS From heron and gulls to Eider and even bald eagles, this sheltered spot is a birdwatchers dream. I watched a pair of sea ducks guide their ducklings along the shore. Herons fishing in the tide pools at low tide. A bald eagle at the end of the wharf. Whatever you see, you can be sure that it's going to be beautiful. * * * NEW OWNERSHIP The Red House is now owned by Little Harbor Properties and managed by Safe Harbour Property Management - Safe Harbour is the same management team that you had when The Gills Group owned The Red House so please expect the same great service. This also means THE GILLS GROUP still has a collection of oceanfront cottages that can be rented together with The Red House if available for larger groups or hosting intimate events. The cottages are all a short walk from each other and are the perfect place to be "away" while still being "together".
THE GILLS GROUP cottages are Jaquish Lane (VRBO 733483) which sleeps 12 and The Gills (VRBO 318909) which sleeps 6. * * * EVENTS The Red House with spectacular sunsets on the west can be booked with THE GILLS GROUP cottages, JAQUISH and THE GILLS offer the ability to host events such as weddings etc. and can be booked with THE RED HOUSE when available as an lodging accommodation for wedding guests etc. Event fees vary depending on the size of the gathering and number of guests at JAQUISH and THE GILLS. Contact the property manager for more information. * *
* * * LOCATION Mackerel Cove - Bailey Island - Harpswell - Maine. There are many other properties in the area - but there are very few that rise above the (sometimes crude) comfort that passes for acceptable in a "summer island cottage".
BAILEY ISLAND 20 minutes from Brunswick and Bowdoin College. 40 minutes from Freeport and L.L.Bean. 55 minutes from Portland.
PETS Pets are welcome at The Red House and will incur a fee of $60 per night per pet. This is non-negotiable. Everyone says, "My pet would never damage anything," but sadly, experience has proven that's not always the case.
BOOKING A booking using the "ONLINE BOOKING" feature is ONLY considered confirmed once you have communicated with the property manager.
Property amenities
Beach
On the beach
Beach towels
Internet
Available in the cottage: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee grinder
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
Hob
Lobster/crab pot
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1.5 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Separate dining area
Entertainment
Books
Games
Stereo
TV
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundromat nearby
Work spaces
Desk
Desk chair
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
Up to 23 kg per pet
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Area rugs in public areas
Hardwood flooring in public areas
Stair-free path to entrance
Thin carpet in public areas
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Smoke-free property
Note from host: 500$ fee if cleaner thinks indoor smoking occurred
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Near an outlet shopping centre
Near the bay
Near the marina
Near the ocean
On the waterfront
Things to do
Golf
Kayak
Birdwatching nearby
Cycling nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Sailing nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Whale watching nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Winery tours 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
Garden
Unit size: 1,186 square feet
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You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Rules
Rentals exceeding 2 weeks require a mid-stay clean. Guests can forgo the extra cleaning but still will be charged.
For multi-week rentals, a property fee of $139 will be charged for each additional week (partial or full) of your stay.
The Red House will accept rentals of "6" people but only 4 adults are allowed to stay. Children must be under the age of 17.
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 23 kg per pet)
Note from host: $60 /night
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
500$ fee if cleaner thinks indoor smoking occurred
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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 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
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Bailey Island, this cottage is on the beach. Freeport Historical Society and Clay Play are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit LL Bean Flagship Store and Maine Street. Land's End Gift Shop and Paddleworks are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and cycling. Visit our Bailey Island travel guide
Is THIS IS THE PLACE - Intimate luxury cottage w massive oceanfront steam room pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much is parking at THIS IS THE PLACE - Intimate luxury cottage w massive oceanfront steam room?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at THIS IS THE PLACE - Intimate luxury cottage w massive oceanfront steam room?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at THIS IS THE PLACE - Intimate luxury cottage w massive oceanfront steam room?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is THIS IS THE PLACE - Intimate luxury cottage w massive oceanfront steam room located?
Nestled on the beach, this Bailey Island cottage is within a 5-minute walk of Mackerel Cove and Land's End Gift Shop. Casco Bay and Bailey Island Bridge are also within 3 miles (5 km).
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THIS IS THE PLACE - Intimate luxury cottage w massive oceanfront steam room Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
What a lovely home and stay! Beautiful view. Beautiful location. Home had everything we needed. One funny thing: I guess I didn’t read the home details clearly because we found the second bathroom 3 days in. :)
highly recommend visiting the driftwood inn.
Enjoy!
We were sold on the Dog Friendliness of this property but we will be coming back for the views. This is literally a slice of heaven. We stayed with our two labs and our 3 year old son and everyone had a blast. The house is beautifully renovated to fit the modern lifestyle with the quaint beach house theme. The dogs were able to run free on the beach front and roll in the tall grass. The lack of television was the best pet of the trip. Games, books, music and conversation fill the space and allow you spend time with the ones you love. Highly recommend this home to anyone looking to visit Maine.
This was our 3rd vrbo stay in Harpswell and our first on Bailey Island. We went for part of the week on our own and cousins joined us there for a couple of days. We were thrilled to bring our Boston Terrier along, too! The house is rustic yet elegant in some ways (amazing steam room, well equipped kitchen, comfortable beds & bedding). Like many other reviewers, we spent tons of time on the lovely porch relaxing and enjoying the always beautiful view of the water, birds, boats, and sunrises and sunsets. When we did venture out, we loved eating at Sundrenched on Bailey Island, buying yummy treats at the Wild Oats Bakery in Brunswick, enjoying lobster rolls from Bailey Island General Store, or walking for 5 minutes to Lands End and Bailey Island Beach. The house was pleasant and comfy and had everything we needed. We really appreciated that the owner cared about the environment (unbleached paper towels, recycling, encouraging water conservation, use of Mrs. Meyer's soap). The neighbors and property managers were nice and helpful, too. We were sad to leave but were so happy we chose somewhere so amazing to stay. Bailey Island had a lovely magic of its own, and seemed to stay cooler with a pleasant breeze most of the time than some other parts of Harpswell! Thanks for sharing this lovely home with our family!
No complaints. As advertised. Rustic, immaculate, beautiful home, with a view to die for. Locals are friendly and wildlife is abundant. Will be returning!
This is a stunning place to stay. Every detail has been well thought out and you cannot beat the view. The cottage is a great balance of luxury and rustic charm and we so enjoyed our stay.
My partner and I desperately needed a full reset getaway and this couldn't have fit the bill more. We also had our dog with us. This was (as described and intended) isolated and quiet and tranquil. The house is also incredibly designed on the interior. At first blush, you could look past it, but every inch of this home is designed with intention and mindfulness to the vibe: oceanside, secluded, rustic, authentic. It's awesome. Highly recommend.
absolutely loved our dreamy week at this magical property, with a view that can't be beat. every detail in the house was so thoughtful and we felt right at home. we hope to come back very soon.
We couldn’t wait to return to this home for our second trip to Bailey Island. The home is very comfortable with everything you could need, including books, games, and every necessary kitchen gadget. We spent every evening watching the sunset from the porch and had a wonderful time exploring the bay in our rented kayak. We also took advantage of the amazing steam shower. The property manager was very responsive and friendly. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect place to spend the week!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay on Bailey Island! The house was perfect for our trip. We loved the unique characteristics of the home and the steam shower was an added bonus. Our son had fun looking for sea glass and exploring. We could have stayed on the back porch the whole trip.
We recommend checking out Giant’s Stairs Trail, Lands End, Stover’s Beach, and Portland Lighthouse. Fishnet Cafe, The General Store, Cook’s, Salt Cod Cafe, Dolphin Marina & Restaurant, & Royal River Grillhouse all had great food. We can’t wait to come back!
The perfect relaxing getaway… the house is exquisitely decorated and ready for a very comfortable stay. The waterfront view and evening sunsets were perfect and made the whole trip worth while. The steam shower was as added bonus!! Great location for several restaurants, not far from shopping and sightseeing. We rented a kayak for the week and had an amazing time exploring the harbor and neighboring islands. Will definitely be back! Minor details- Kitchen could definitely use some wine glasses, Tupperware, and a can opener!
What a delightful home! From the perfectly distressed exterior to the thoughtful and creative interior. It totally encapsulates the feeling of being in coastal Maine. Handpicked antiques and fabrics abound in the living area and the bedrooms. The house is small but feels spacious due to well planned lighting and open areas. The addition of the steam shower room with a window overlooking the cove is inspired. What better way to view those gorgeous sunsets! The dock at the house is the perfect spot for morning coffee watching the lobster boats come and go from Mackerel Cove. Brunswick is not too far away for grocery shopping and the occasional visit to the laundromat. All questions, problems, discussions about the house, Maine, New England sports or Chocolate Labradors can be directed to and answered by the wonderful property manager Dave Johnson, who is an invaluable resource. We have loved it here.
Morag W.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Verified
6/10 Okay
Reed H.
20 Sept 2021
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great Location, Lousy Water
We loved the house and the location. Great walking distance to Lands End and the General Store. Wonderful ocean views and the dogs had a blast swimming and investigating the tidal pools. The house was well appointed with books and utensils. Unfortunately, there were a number of problems with the place. First was the water. It has hydrogen sulfide gas which is highly toxic. We complained and the manager had someone put in a filter which didn't solve the problem. They gave us some water and we bought more but taking a shower and washing dishes was a noxious process. Many of the dishes and pans were dirty. The upstairs screens were torn to shreds by the winds and let in mosquitos, which we were surprised to see. We don't mind paying high fees and rents but this place just didn't justify the expense.
Reed H.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Nancy B.
16 Jul 2017
The absolute best of Maine coastline
This little house is all that you'd expect from a Maine coastline experience plus a little more. The exterior is mostly original....mossy roof, peeling paint, large flat yard with jutting rocks. The porch on the back is westward facing and open to the bay. It has a very large, extremely comfortable sofa where you can watch indescribable sunsets from start to finish. The location is perfect for kayaking. You can easily launch from the stony beach at both low and high tide. We had a blast trying to catch fish from the kayak. We're completely inexperienced ocean fisher(wo)men but managed to catch a couple. The shoreline is littered with beach glass tiny crabs.
The interior is newly renovated and straddles the line between original woodwork and floors and charming Pottery Barn style. The new downstairs bathroom is beautiful with a double vanity and tiled rain shower and steam room. The tiny upstairs bathroom is a complete surprise hidden behind a hallway bookshelf.
We've been vacationing on the Maine coastline for several years in different areas. We're thinking Bailey Island and the Red House are our favorite to date.
Our family had a wonderful stay at this picturesque cottage. We will greatly miss the beautiful view from the porch. Our girls loved collecting sea glass out front and watching the wildlife. Very relaxing week in Maine with great location and accommodations.
The property was lovely with well maintained amenities. This was not an issue just a note: the keys were not in the lock box when we arrived. The door was unlocked and keys were on the counter. When we tried to leave, it appears the box may have been broken but we put them in there anyway as that is what was requested. Views were amazing. We left behind a map of the island for the next guest with a bunch of things we did. We hope to come again.
My husband and I spent a glorious week at The Red Cottage. The restoration of the cottage has clearly been a labor of love. Our experience felt authentic, yet we were not lacking for conveniences and amenities during our stay. The cottage provides the perfect setting to watch Mackerel Cove, an active harbor. We enjoyed watching the boat traffic. The porch is a cool, breezy place to reach, and to watch the ocean and skies shift shape throughout the day. In fact, I think we spent more time on the porch than we did anywhere else in the house! Do not miss sunset on the dock. Dave was the consummate host, attentive to every detail during our stay. We cannot recommend The Red Cottage highly enough. We look forward to returning.
We spent a dreamy week at the Red House in mid-June for our honeymoon. Highlights were the views of the water from every room, watching ducklings and herons, the glorious sunsets, the comfiness of the bed, and the charming furniture and decor (the lady lamp in the living room was my favorite!) Bailey Island is a special place, and the Red House is a perfect rental to experience it from. Would love to come back again some day!
We had a fantastic stay. The house was all we hoped it would be in terms of comfort and space. We enjoyed Bailey Island and the surrounding area but spent so much time just relaxing at the house, on the porch overlooking the water. Cozy and comfortable. The kids loved it too.
Carter’s gambrel roofed “Red House,” nestled at the mouth of Mackerel Cove in the charming and historic Bailey Island was a welcome respite from the confines of the last year and a half. Neither I nor any of my family members could have imagined a more comfortable and beautiful place to regroup. The beds were so comfortable, the porch a magnificent spot to relax, nap, read, breathe in the marine air and wave to lobster boats and the Schooner Alert as they breezed by. Carter’s extensive recommendations for fun, relaxing family activities came in very handy and we took up his advice exploring local beaches , restaurants and shops. As a lover of historic houses I was especially happy to be able to live in a very stylishly and comfortably appointed older house.. truly a beauty insyde and out. We had amazing views from every window.. and loved exploring the tide pools just outside his charming home. We hope to return soon.. perhaps even in the fall. Oh lastly, his property manager David was a delight and at the ready to provide assistance and great conversation at the slightest request. In sum my family had a wonderful time reconnecting with nature and one another in this peaceful, historic, and supremely comfortable home. Thank you SO much! I miss it already.
This was our second stay at a Gills Group property on Bailey Island and it did not disappoint. All of the reviews about the Red House are spot-on with regards to the design and coziness of the house – everything from the furnishings and artwork to lighting to the bedsheets and towels are perfectly curated to give the house the look and feel of a cozy well-appointed coastal home (Restoration Hardware towels and lighting in the bathroom, Riedel wine glasses and Cuisinart coffee machine in the kitchen and the list goes on…), not a soulless sterile rental house that lacks personality and charm.
We spent a month in the fall during the pandemic to get away from Boston and work in a different setting with a view. The views are truly spectacular (and you have this view from the living room, shower/steam room, master bedroom and kitchen)! The house is waterside with plenty of places to sit and watch the water and sunsets – Adirondack chairs, a covered porch with a massive couch and a private pier (make a point of knowing when the sun goes down and plan on being home!).
Essentials are covered sufficiently at the Red House. The house was spotless when we arrived with weekly cleaning during our visit. WiFi worked perfectly and the kitchen is well-appointed with everything one needs to prep and cook meals. The location is a short walk to the very end of the island where there is a large gift shop and even more views of the water and coastline that shouldn’t be missed. Also a short walk to the Giant Stairs coastal trail (more views….).
The caretaker, Dave Johnson, is a local and was always available to answer questions, offer assistance or chat about island living.
I highly recommend the Red House or any of the Gills Group properties.