Cliff-perched cottage w private hiking trails

Entire cottage in Machiasport, Maine

  1. 4 guests
  2. 2 bedrooms
  3. 2 beds
  4. 1 bath
Hosted by Julie And Rich
  1. Superhost
  2. 12 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 5% of homes

This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the lockbox.

Beautiful area

Guests love this home’s scenic location.
Designed to evoke a ship, this stylish 2BD home overlooks the ocean and is surrounded by 30+ acres of woods, wildlife, and area beaches. 12 of these acres include private hiking tails that wend along the water. Hike, kayak, BBQ, explore Downeast working harbors, or just relax on the deck. Enjoy complete privacy just 17 min from town.

The space
The Prowhouse was designed by Machiasport poet and sea captain Phil Rose to evoke the prow of a ship. The home's distinctive, angular 'prow' and its floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Howards Cove, a lovely crescent of ocean water and woodlands cupped in the north by unique Jasper Beach. The Prowhouse is perched atop a 130' cliff on the southwestern arm of the cove and is surrounded by pristine forest. In addition to the remarkable view, our guests enjoy complete solitude — there's only one other home remotely visible and it's across the cove about a mile away.

The Prowhouse fits 4 people comfortably. The master bedroom has large windows with a dizzying view over the cliff to the ocean floor below. The second bedroom is smaller but is very cozy; it's walls are covered with blue and gold-colored nautical maps of New England. The downstairs has a handsome living room, dining area, kitchen and bathroom.

The style of the home's decor is a mix of mid-century modern and nautical aesthetic, i.e. lots vintage furnishings in teak and brass. While the Prowhouse is newly renovated with all modern amenities, you'll feel as if you've stepped into the 50s or 60s when you walk through the door. For instance, you'll find furniture, art, and design by mid-century Modernists Paul McCobb, Norman Cherner, Percival Lafer, and Curtis Jere. A library corner contains a Danish desk, vintage books, an old rotary phone, an Olivetti typewriter, and a classic Thorens turntable. Most of the paintings and photographs throughout the house are unconventional takes on natural and nautical themes. (Don't expect twee paintings of sea captains and lighthouses when the real deal is just outdoors.)

When the sun is out and the weather warm, enjoy the Prowhouse's spacious deck and picnic table at the cliff's edge. The Prowhouse grounds are fun to explore with small paths threading through the trees, along the cliff's edge, up stone steps and into small gorges.

Guest access
Guests have access to the entire home, except the cellar. Amenities include a new washer, dryer, and gas stove as well as a coffee maker, grinder, microwave, waffle iron, lobster pot, and all kitchen essentials. You'll find a BBQ grill out on the deck along with chairs and loungers.

The bathroom is on the first floor and has a shower (no tub). All linens are included as well as bathroom amenities.

Please note: the guest bedroom, which is contiguous with the primary bedroom, doesn't have its own door. But when the master bedroom door is shut, the second bedroom becomes private by default. It also has a curtain for additional privacy.

Other things to note
Please be aware of the following:

Due to it's location on a ledge, the Prowhouse is not wheelchair accessible or easily accessible for the elderly or infirm.

Howard Cove is a ‘deep water’ cove meaning there are no fragrant mud flats or low tides. Deep water also means strong currents, very cold water, and dangerously steep cliffs — one of which the Prowhouse is built upon.

If you're an experienced kayaker, this may be an ideal area to explore. But please take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety. Kayaking is entirely at your own risk.

We do not recommend swimming in Howards Cove due to the unpredictable currents and cold water.

Because of the cold water and steep cliffs, we discourage renters with small children or pets.

Also note: while we don't have a TV, we do have wireless internet, lots of books and games, private hiking trails and beautiful views.

Where you’ll sleep

What this place offers

Ocean view
Sea view
Beach access – Beachfront
Kitchen
Wifi

5 nights in Machiasport

Nov 12, 2023 - Nov 17, 2023

Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 149 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is in the top 5% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
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Overall rating

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Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

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Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

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Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

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Where you’ll be

Machiasport, Maine, United States
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighborhood highlights

Machiasport, according to the popular travel guide Lonely Planet, is the "real Downeast." So if you stay here, don't expect crowds of camera-toting tourists ( you'll find those 1.5 hours south of us in Bar Harbor.) Machiasport, instead, is for those seeking an intimate and authentic experience of Maine coast culture. The experience first unfolds from the seat of your car; Port Road, leading from the town of Machias to Machiasport, is quiet and unassuming but full of character. The road meanders past marshes, woods, and mudflats; passes stacks of lobster traps, lopsided barns and lobster boats, and resident homes of varying repair and personality. We love trips in and out of town. So will you.

Just off the end of Port Road, and down Rose Lane (a quarter mile dirt road through the trees), you'll find the Prowhouse perched atop Rose Ledge. While the home's location is wonderfully idyllic surrounded by acres of trees and wildlife — it's hardly idle; Howards Cove will serve as your own private seaside-theater, presenting you daily with a small parade of lobster boats, seabirds, kayakers, and dramatically expressive clouds. Looking out our windows or standing on Rose Ledge, you'll also see Cutler's distant radio towers that twinkle at night; you'll catch the silhouette of salmon farms against the sea, and, a little farther afield, you'll discover Libby Island Lighthouse whose intermittent flash and foghorn add ambiance to your stay. (Did I say foghorn? Yes, indeed I did. The price we Mainers pay for such traditional New England iconography is, of course, the existence of fog. However, if you're a fan of the Scottish Highlands or misty, medieval forests carpeted in thick mosses and dark tree trunks, you'll find the foggy days an authentic part of the Downeast package.

The Prowhouse is surrounded by 50 acres of woods and wildlife, including some rocky beaches complete with caves and vertiginous cliffs. As mentioned before, the Prowhouse is perched upon one such cliff called Rose Ledge (named, like Rose Lane, after the Rose family.) Perhaps "Blueberry Ledge" would be more fitting since in August the ledge is hued in swaths of blueberries. Pick some in the morning and have blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

The Prowhouse faces the east so the sunrise is truly spectacular. A clear night sky showcases the Milky Way — or a full moon mirrored by the sea.

Beaches: there's a traditional white sand beach 15 minutes away at Roque Bluffs state park. But Howards Cove features more distinctive Downeast geography including a brown sand beach and a cave (melodramatically named Devil's Oven), as well as dozens of shaggy, seaweed-strewn tidal pools and impressive Acadia-esque rock formations — all within walking distance of the Prowhouse. The real gem of our area is, however, Jasper Beach. One of two beaches in the world consisting entirely of polished jasper stones, this surreal beach is just 3+ minutes drive up the road. Feel free to go to Jasper Beach and collect a couple of these handsome stones for souvenirs. Bring a picnic lunch and listen to the strange, burbling sound of the surf as it crashes over the stones.

Beyond Howards Cove are the following areas of interest:

Starboard Cove: a sleepy, former shipyard good for a morning stroll. Walking distance or short drive from the house.

Point of Maine: a slightly longer walk beyond Starboard. More beaches. Quiet and unassuming residential area. More views of the sea.

Bucks Harbor: working harbor where you can buy fresh lobster at BBS lobster pound. 5 minutes drive up Port Road.

Yurts: search online for The Yurt Foundation for info.
A 7 minute drive + 2 mile walk through the woods to a small yurt community. Your hosts can provide directions.

Petroglyphs on Clarks Point: ask your hosts about where to search for these historic glyphs made by Passamaquoddy Indians.

Roque Bluffs: state park and beach (swimming, kayaking, picnics and hikes)

Machias: for restaurants, kayak rentals, local entertainment, and supplies (17 minutes up Port Rd.) Hosts the famed Blueberry Festival in August.

Daytrips:
- Cutler (for access to the spectacular Bold Coast hiking trails and Puffin tours)
- Gardner Lake (fresh water swimming)
- Lubec and Campobello Island (This is Canada so bring a Passport! 2800 acre Roosevelt Campobello International Park for FDR's summer home, birding, biking, hiking, boat tours, East Quoddy Lighthouse, and the Bay of Fundy. Fabulous day trip.)
- Eastport (charming Easternmost city in the U.S.)
- Jonesport and Beals Island (working harbor and nature reserve, golfing)
- Moosehorn Nature Reserve (bald eagles and hiking trails)

Meet your host

Superhost
628 reviews
4.98 out of 5 average rating
12 years of hosting
Born in the 60s
Where I went to school: Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Rich and Julie’s 5 cottages have been written about in ‘Maine’ and Down East magazines, photographed by retailer Life Is Good, and filmed for the HBO’s docuseries, Beach Cottage Chronicles. A RISD professor and principal of a lighting design studio, Rich and Julie spend most of their time in Rhode Island. But as often as they can, they head to Maine to get their nature fix and enjoy the state’s beautiful scenery and coastal culture.

Julie And Rich is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 3:00 PM
Checkout before 10:00 AM
4 guests maximum
Safety & property
Exterior security cameras on property
Carbon monoxide alarm
Smoke alarm