4
Perfect Fall Getaway
My family of 5, with 3 kids under 7, stayed at the Kiwi Lodge for a week in October. The weather was chilly but the house was warm and inviting. Upon arrival, we noticed how clean the house was - this house has been maintained beautifully (which, unfortunately, is often not the case with rentals). Also, everything you might need is available for you. Grill, hot tub, game consoles, satellite television, iPod radio, laundry machines, and everything you'd need in the kitchen. We spent time almost every day using one of the 4 boats that are available for use on the lake. Canoeing, kayaking, paddle boating were so much fun. We fished and played on the nice lawn out back. At night, we had fires in the fire pit down by the pond and made delicious s'mores. It was so nice that there was firewood, kindling, and newspaper ready to use.
A few (minor) negatives: There were no shades in the bedrooms, so my kids were waking up with the sun. I've since learned that shades are on order so I suspect that this wouldn't be an issue in the future, but it was tough waking up so early. Also, we found the mattresses extremely firm. My wife, who has never had back issues before, had a very sore back by the end of the week. She's fine now after the first night sleeping at home. Lastly, we could not regulate the temperature of the hot tub. The first day it was perfect. The next day it was so hot we couldn't go in so we turned it down. The next day it was just warm and needed to be hotter so we turned it up a little and somehow, after a day, it was then so hot we couldn't use it. Perhaps we just don't know how it works, but the controls seem simple enough.
We did have a wonderful time and we would not hesitate to return to Kiwi Lodge. The owner was so gracious and helpful - she supplied a lot of very helpful information about the area (spots for hiking, places to dine, etc) which was great in planning our week. Don't hesitate to book this gem.
Recommended for:
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children
Owner's Response: This is very helpful feedback; our goal is perfection but we know there are always things to be improved! We often ask guests if they have suggestions, and those suggestions are always given very serious consideration. Earlier this summer, we added a CD player/radio to the living room and two comfortable chairs to the deck, after other guests said that they would have appreciated having those amenities. Yes, as already discussed with the family, shades will be installed in the two upstairs bedrooms next week, when we will be there to prepare the property for winter. Reading about the hot tub was a shock, though. It was thoroughly overhauled this summer, several new parts installed. The company will be out to check it again. The mattresses are top of the line, made by a factory near Biddeford in Maine. We made sure to get the type with attached pillow top on both sides of the mattress with the aim of having them softer on top with a firm layer beneath. On the one hand it is good that there have been only favorable comments about them up to now, but it is also very disappointing for us to have had even that one. Perhaps the memory foam pad which we have for the futon might have helped.
This family were wonderful guests; they left the house in excellent condition. We are delighted that they enjoyed the property and the area so much. Maine vacations are the best!
Helpful votes: 1/1
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