House

. . . an oasis in the heart of Camden.

. . . an oasis in the heart of Camden.

Photo gallery for . . . an oasis in the heart of Camden.

Distant view of the front of the cottage and lawn, as seen through a screen.
Your private drive, parking, and entrance.
Shadows on a late afternoon in summer.
Front of cottage —  white birch, variegated willow and lupines in abundance.
The cottage enclave is enclosed by gardens, woods, and sunny lawn.

Overview of . . . an oasis in the heart of Camden.

4.9 out of 5 Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 51350 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning

Explore the area

Camden, ME
  • Popular LocationMegunticook Lake18 min walk
  • Popular LocationCamden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre2 min drive
  • Popular LocationMount Battie3 min drive
  • AirportBangor, ME (BGR-Bangor Intl.)80 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

"Bird's Nest"

1 Double Futon

"Woodland" Master en suite

1 Queen Bed

Sunset Room

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

. . . an oasis in the heart of Camden.

"As cozy as a cottage and as spacious as a house." Some call it a "whole house," others a "cottage," others a "cabin." Whatever it is, it's comfortable, informal, and relaxing.

We also offer peace of mind -- a whole-home, permanently installed propane fired emergency generator constantly is always on call and ready to go.

Our 12th year. 100+ happy vacation groups of 2 to 5 guests from most US States and 2 foreign countries. Many repeat visitors.

Great for small families or two couples traveling together.

*** THE SETTING ***

"Home Away from Home." *Peaceful* country setting bordered by an extensive woodland and close to the center of town. Many call it an "oasis."

In a quiet enclave, but this cottage is just a 15 -- 20 walk to downtown and the inner harbor.The Garden Cottage is in an established residential neighborhood of quintessential late-19th-century Maine homes. (Our home, next door, is an 1890 farmhouse.)

Pearl St is a much adored neighborhood of single family homes in the “traditional village” zone. A brand new street surface and ADA-compliant paved sidewalk was completed Spring 2024, connecting the cottage safely and conveniently—and providing a pleasant short drive or walk— to the center of town.

Open space all around. (NO close neighbors, street corners, or busy traffic closely crowd this cottage, although there is * very occasionally* an event next door. This happens perhaps once a month.)

Restful residential neighborhood. Ample indoor space for privacy and to stretch out and relax.

Private, off-street driveway and parking for exclusive use of guests.

Many colorful informal gardens feature 50+ different flowering trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals on an acre of land, with woods adjacent. Separate screened-in summer house overlooks the gardens and catches the breezes.

Owners live next door for easy communication, and love to give personal recommendations. Friendly assistance available at all times.

We have a safe, large lawn where the kids can run about. You can keep an eye on them from the balcony/deck, or just enjoy a cup of coffee there in the morning or your own refreshments in the evening.

Comfortable indoor open floor plan living and dining space.

2 bedrooms, each w/ a queen and each with its own full bathroom -- all on one floor. Privacy for two couples is assured.

Washer and drier is on the living floor, not in the basement.

Second and 3rd bedrooms are great for traveling companions or your visiting guests.

Usual occupancy is 2, 3, or 4. A 5th guest can be accommodated for a $100 additional linens fee.

House is 20 years old. Immaculate. We clean extensively between stays, and once a week for extended visits.

Fresh flowers placed on your window sill weekly, or even more often upon request.

About 1 mile or less to Camden's scenic harbor, schooners, shops, restaurants, library, post office, churches.

*** INDOORS ***

1,350 sq. ft. - Roomier than it appears in photos. Open floor plan (entry, dining, kitchen and living areas). Bed- and bathrooms are privately located in the back, especially quiet, half of the cottage.

Substantial home-like furnishings; comfortable upholstered seating; ample storage.

Casual, roomy. Furnished like a home, not like a motel, hotel, B&B, or upscale vacation rental. You can put your feet up.

2 bedrooms and 2 full baths

Large, fully equipped kitchen.

Dining room seating for 6.

Getaway room -- use as an office or for naps. Has a desk/secretary and daybed, and breezy view of the gardens.

*** EQUIPMENT ***

Wi-Fi

32' dia. Sony flat screen digital TV w/ cable channels

Same-floor clothes washer & drier; supplies provided

Air conditioning by Mother Nature. Ceiling fans in 2 bedrooms. Installation of heat pump air conditioning for the living areas is planned for the 2024 season. (Inquire as to progress.)

Games, puzzles, videos, lots of Maine and other books and magazines

*** OUTDOORS ***

A roomy 10 x 14' rustic camp-like wooden "Screen House" overlooks the gardens and catches the breezes.
👀 Note: The screen house, also used occasionally by owners, is freely shared and readily available to guests. 👀

Well lit entry & deck

Private driveway & secure off-street parking

Outdoor table & chairs, charcoal grill upon request, morning sun on the deck, and a shady hemlock reading nook for afternoons.

Short drives to busy Camden, cozy Rockport, Mt. Battie State Park with ocean & mountain views--and many other parks, lakes, in addition to the ocean, for swimming and boating, farmland, wineries, lighthouses, fine museums, & 25+ art galleries.

Our location is central to Portland and the popular Boothbay Harbor region to the southwest and Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park to the northeast. Historic Belfast is a great town to visit, just 20 minutes away, with its own allure of unique shops. galleries, restaurants, waterfront, old-time movie theater, and more.

A wide range of popular local midcoast attractions and activities is available within short driving distances. Pearl St is a much adored neighborhood of single family homes in the “traditional village” zone. A brand new street surface and ADA- compliant paved sidewalk was completed Spring 2024, connecting the cottage safely and conveniently—and providing a pleasant short drive or walk— to the center of town.

Property manager

David and Paula Blanchard
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Mountain view

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

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed
Possible exception for pets <10 lbs. Inquire.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Parties require prior approval

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Camden

Located in Camden, this holiday home is in the city centre and by the sea. Camden Opera House and Camden Public Library are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Camden Hills State Park and Beech Hill Preserve. Travelling with kids? Consider Golfer's Crossing Mini Golf and Oakland Park Bowling Lanes. Enjoy the area's slopes with skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating and sledging.

What's nearby

  • Camden Opera House - 17 min walk
  • Megunticook Lake - 18 min walk
  • Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre - 2 min drive
  • Mount Battie - 3 min drive
  • Laite Memorial Beach - 3 min drive

Getting around

  • Belfast Station - 28 min drive
  • Rockland, ME (RKD-Knox County Regional) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • Camden Deli - 19 min walk
  • Waterfront - 20 min walk
  • Camden Farmers Market - 17 min walk
  • Gypsy Rose Tavern - 9 min walk
  • Cuzzy's - 19 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is . . . an oasis in the heart of Camden. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at . . . an oasis in the heart of Camden.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at . . . an oasis in the heart of Camden.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is . . . an oasis in the heart of Camden. located?

This family-friendly Camden holiday home is located by the sea, within 1 mi (2 km) of Merryspring Park, Golfer's Crossing Mini Golf and Laite Memorial Beach. Megunticook Lake and Mount Battie are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

4.9

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 5 - Excellent. 55 out of 60 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 5 out of 60 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 0 out of 60 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 60 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 0 out of 60 reviews" "

5/5

Cleanliness

5/5

Check-in

5/5

Communication

5/5

Location

5/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

5/5 Excellent

Alyson M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a wonderful place to stay while vacationing in Maine
The cottage is spacious, comfortable, homey, and well appointed. Plenty of creature comforts that made our stay enjoyable. Lovely neighborhood that was quiet but welcoming, close to downtown shops and wonderful restaurants. Plenty of privacy even though help and assistance was only a door knock away. Most of all, we truly appreciated the genuine hospitality of Dave and Paula, who went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure we were safe and sound during the landfall of hurricane Lee. We look forward to visiting the Garden Cottage again, and whole heartedly recommend it to anyone who ventures this way.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

5/5 Excellent

Barry W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very comfortable
Nicely Private
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

5/5 Excellent

Neal D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Camden
lovely cabin with great grounds. Amenities are very ni. David and Paula ate good no see em hosts. David provided lots of local information on sightseeing and restaurants. Paula was very gracious.
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2023

4/5 Good

james p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Convenient location
Neighborhood setting just a short walk/drive to town. Well stocked and clean.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

5/5 Excellent

Kathleen J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little cottage in a central Camden location
Comfy, non-fussy & quiet cottage on owner’s property. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and within striking distance of so much in this part of Maine and less than 5 minutes to historic Camden. We so enjoyed our visit and David’s helpfulness with things to do and see. The cottage was perfect (and thoroughly equipped) for we two couples traveling together. Loved coming ‘home’ and just relaxing after long days of ‘touring and doing’. Our 7-day stay was just too short!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by David and Paula Blanchard

Host profile image
When we moved to this beautiful spot more than 30 years ago we began developing its gardens and landscape for beauty and enjoyment. The gardens are now reaching maturity and we delight in them every day. We live right next door to the house/cottage (but conveniently out of sight), and this is our only vacation rental. We think of all visitors as our special guests.

Why they chose this property

Our place, while in town, is peaceful and quiet. It is uniquely bordered by a (seldom used) community meeting hall, our lawn and gardens, and a large woodland. Because it is set well back from the street at the end of its own driveway, the cottage affords visitors the chance to enjoy more than an acre of quiet gardens and solitude while still being close to everything. The cottage is nestled in a naturalistic landscape of woods, lawn, trees, shrubs, and abundant flowers.

What makes this property unique

Perfect for two couples to share. Also, a great place for elders or physically impaired, for recuperation, recovery, just plain rest, or convenient mobility. One-floor living, two full bathrooms, extra wide doorways, strategically placed grab rails, entrance ramp, close-in parking all make this uniquely suited for people with special needs.

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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