Modern House Family Retreat

Bar Harbor fills up fast in summer, and most of what you'll find are small rooms at high prices. This Modern House Family Retreat on Woodward Heights offers something different: three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and enough space that a party of seven can actually spread out without feeling cramped. It's the kind of rental where families stop apologizing for being families, and teenagers voluntarily say it's their favorite place they've ever stayed.

The house sits on Mount Desert Island with a garden, a sauna, a hot tub, and a games room - the kind of setup that keeps everyone content on a rainy July afternoon. The location works for Acadia visitors: you're close enough to the park to get there easily, far enough from downtown Bar Harbor to avoid the worst of the cruise-ship crowds. Five reviews, all perfect tens. No complaints in the negative field except "Loved it all!!" It's a small sample, but it's a unanimous one.

Space designed for actual family vacations. Three bedrooms and three full bathrooms mean no bathroom queues and no sleeping on couches. The living room has a sofa bed for overflow, and the dining area is sized for real meals together - not takeout eaten in shifts.

The sauna and hot tub are genuine draws. Multiple guests specifically praised both. After a day of hiking or exploring the rocky Maine coast, the sauna clears your head, and the hot tub with the garden around you is the kind of detail that lingers in memory longer than it probably should.

Cleanliness and maintenance stand out. One guest noted the property was "cared for with much love and attention to detail." Another singled out the property manager as "very responsive." That matters - rental houses live or die on their upkeep, and this one's tracking well.

The games room and outdoor fireplace keep people entertained. Families know that rainy days and downtime need outlets. Board games, a hot tub, a fireplace, and a games room mean you're not trapped paying $30 per person for indoor mini golf in town on a soggy afternoon.

The Modern House Family Retreat is organized around a single spacious three-bedroom villa layout. All reviews reference the same room type, and it's built for groups. Each bedroom has closet space, and the bathrooms run one per room plus one shared - rare in vacation rentals.

• Three-Bedroom Villa - 3 beds across 3 rooms, 3 full baths, living room with sofa bed, full kitchen, dining area, games room. Sleeps up to 7 comfortably.

Hardwood and tile flooring throughout, air conditioning, heating, and ample natural light. No guest flagged dated finishes or cramped quarters - the opposite, in fact.

Relaxation & Entertainment · Hot tub with Jacuzzi jets · Sauna · Outdoor fireplace with seating area · Games room with board games and puzzles · Streaming services (Netflix) · DVD and Blu-ray player · Radio

Kitchen & Dining · Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, stovetop, oven, refrigerator, microwave · Coffee machine and electric kettle · Dining table for group meals · Picnic area and outdoor dining setup

Outdoor & Garden · Sun terrace · Patio and balcony · Barbecue and grill facilities · Outdoor furniture · Garden with mountain views

Practical · Free parking on-site · Free WiFi throughout · Air conditioning and heating · Laundry (washing machine and dryer) · Private check-in and check-out · Iron and ironing board · Pet-friendly (though not detailed in reviews)

Family-Friendly · Baby safety gates and socket covers · Indoor play area · Books, DVDs, and music for children · Flat-screen TV in living area · Child-appropriate board games

The hot tub and sauna are the standout amenities here, mentioned by name in positive feedback across multiple reviews. Beyond the hot tub itself, the house is surrounded by gardens and outdoor living: a sun terrace, outdoor fireplace with seating, a patio, and a picnic area. Two guests specifically called out the "beautiful house and garden."

WiFi and streaming services (Netflix available) mean you're not unplugged if weather forces a day indoors. The games room gives kids and adults a reason to stay in-house rather than driving into Bar Harbor every evening.

Summer (June–August). Peak season for Acadia. The house is warm, the hot tub is a cool-down, and outdoor fireplace evenings are pleasant. Mount Desert Island fills with visitors; book far ahead. Expect crowds in Bar Harbor but fewer on island trails on weekday mornings.

Shoulder (May & September). Fewer visitors, comfortable temperatures for hiking. The sauna feels less like a luxury and more like smart thinking on cool evenings. Acadia's carriage roads are fully open and peaceful.

Fall (October). Foliage on Mount Desert Island peaks mid-to-late October. Fewer families, cooler nights (the hot tub becomes genuinely appealing), and dramatic light. Some restaurants in Bar Harbor close by late October.

Winter (November–March). Quiet season. The sauna and hot tub are genuine attractions when it's chilly outside. Many shops in Bar Harbor reduce hours or close. Acadia's weather is unpredictable - snow, rain, and occasional clear days. Fewer tourists and cheaper rates.

"Very clean and the property manager was very responsive. The sauna and hot tub experience were great." - Luna, United States · Solo traveler · 10/10

"Great location on Mount Desert Island, beautiful house and garden, huge space and excellent facilities." - Hywel, United Kingdom · Family · 10/10

"The property was cared for with much love and attention to detail. We could have happily stayed for much longer very comfortably with our party of 7. My 15-year-old son said it was his favorite Airbnb ever." - David, United States · Family · 10/10

"I would definitely recommend this home and could only hope to be lucky enough to come back again someday." - David, United States · Family · 10/10

All five reviews award perfect scores. No substantive criticisms emerged. One guest's "negative" field simply stated "Loved it all!!" The sample is small, but consistent: families and couples found the space, amenities, and maintenance aligned with their expectations.

3.7 miles - Acadia National Park Visitor Center at Hulls Cove. Start here for trail maps, ranger talks, and orientation. Jordan Pond Path and Carriage Roads branch out from the park's south side.

5 miles - Frenchman Bay. Boat tours, seal-watching charters, and kayaking outfitters. Several leave from Bar Harbor's waterfront.

6.2 miles - Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport (BGR). Direct flights to Boston if you're connecting regionally.

6.8 miles - Bar Harbor proper. Dock Square shops, lobster rolls at Jordan's, and the commercial waterfront. Summer crowds peak mid-July through August.

6.8 miles - The Abbe Museum. Native American art and history centered on Wabanaki culture. Small, focused, worth an hour.

10 miles - Echo Lake. Warm-water swimming beach, quieter than the rocky coastline, good for families.

15 miles - Northeast Harbor. Quieter village across Mount Desert Island. Antique shops, a small harborside, fewer tour buses.

Is the house right on the water? No. It's located on Woodward Heights in Bar Harbor, about 5 miles from Frenchman Bay and the waterfront. You're on Mount Desert Island, close to Acadia, but not a waterfront property.

Is breakfast included? No. The house has a full kitchen, coffee machine, and dishwasher, so you can prepare your own meals. Grocery stores and cafes are minutes away in Bar Harbor.

Is there parking? Yes. Free on-site private parking is included. No permit, no street hunting - it's one of the property's key advantages for a family trip.

Can we bring a pet? The listing notes the property is pet-friendly, though no guest reviews mention pets. Confirm specific policies directly with the property manager before booking.

Are there activities on-site for kids? Yes. Games room with board games and puzzles, hot tub (with adult supervision), sauna, outdoor fireplace, and streaming services. The house has indoor entertainment for rainy days.

Is WiFi reliable? Free WiFi is included and was not flagged as a problem by any guest. One traveler specifically mentioned being able to work on-site.

How far is it from Acadia National Park? The Acadia Visitor Center at Hulls Cove is 3.7 miles away. Popular trailheads and the park's main attractions are a 10–20 minute drive from the house.