The Perfect Maine Cottage

We had a fabulous time in Damariscotta and loved the cozy cottage and splendid view. Everything you need - and more - is there (wonderful touches like fresh flowers throughout). It is tidy, immaculately clean, comfortable and as welcoming as a big hug. It feels like home. We relaxed, kayaked, ate incredible meals, explored charming seaside towns and lived large all week. If you have half as much fun as we did you will have done well. I would recommend it to anyone.

. My brother and sister and I just spent five glorious days at Southern Exposure. The cabin was very comfortable and had all of the amenities of home We spent hours catching up on our lives while watching the continuous parade of hummingbirds at the feeders. On several occasions, we went out on day trips. The cabin is very centrally located and made this easy to do. What a wonderful base camp it provided for us! The outdoor shower was truly a Maine experience! Thank you for thinking of your guests’ every need. We kayaked around the point and took advantage of all of the photographic opportunities that abound in that neck of the woods. I am a bit hesitant about writing this review because, selfishly, I want it to be kept a secret. Your little chunk of Heaven is very special.. We are already making plans to have another reunion there in 2010
Thank you for providing the perfect getaway for us to reconnect.


August 27-September 3, 2009

My husband and I have vacationed here in June, July and August (four years total). The description of the listing is accurate to the letter. It is evident that the owner cares a great deal for her cottage by the way it is maintained and that each year she has added improvements (renovating the deck, adding a very lovely outdoor shower, new windows and more). The furnishings are comfortable and most attractive. Over the years the plants and bushes have matured so that there have been plenty of flowers whenever we have been there. The owner is available if there is a need to contact her and there is someone at hand if there is a problem. We would and have recommended this property to friends. We bring our canoe and have totally enjoyed canoeing on the river and other places nearby. There are many places to hike nearby that vary re sights and terrain. We have enjoyed going to nearby auctions (in August) and trips to Rockport (a museum, interesting shops, antiques and boats) and Camden for hiking and boat trips. We also enjoy the clambake that is part of a boat trip in Boothbay Harbor. What we have enjoyed enormously have been going to the many lobster pounds (especially the one in Round Pond) and feasting on local lobster. We have stayed home most evenings to relax on the deck, grill local fish and enjoy
the beautiful view.

There are so many things to do in and around this part of Maine and I have only named a view. Clearly we love "Southern Exposure" as we keep returning.

Our family of three, including a teenage son, spent a week at Southern Exposure. It was our first stay at the cottage, which was recommended to us by friends. We had a pretty good idea of what to expect, and we weren’t disappointed.
The cabin was in excellent condition. Everything was clean and ready for our use, and fresh-cut flowers were placed around the cottage. The kitchen was well stocked with appliances, equipment, and dinnerware, as well as staples like condiments and seasonings. Towels and bed linens were all fresh. Bathrooms are small, but manageable. Delightful works of art hang throughout the cottage and the bookshelves are stocked with regional and wildlife guides. There are a number of hummingbird feeders, which get a steady stream of customers. Friends had told us of nesting eagles on the island, but they weren’t in evidence during our stay.
The cottage’s location is perfect for getting up and down the coast and into the interior. Although Damariscotta is tiny, it offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and galleries to try. We had a fabulous meal at the Damariscotta River Grille and heard a wonderful jazz band, the Down East Jazz Babies, at Schooner Landing. (Check Schooner Landing’s performance schedule to see who’s performing.) I really enjoyed shopping at Darling & DeLisle, a shop specializing in accessories and jewelry (made by the shop’s owners). We can also recommend the Firehouse Gallery and Damariscotta Pottery, where each piece is one-of-a-kind. In New Harbor, you can catch the Hardy Boat Ferry to Monhegan, and in Boothbay, you can visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden. Plenty of opportunities to hear chamber music, as well. I used a Verizon card to access the internet at the cottage, but you can also settle in at the bookstore in town to log on.
Depending on where you are in life, the campuses of Bowdoin, Bates, and Colby are easy to get to, in case you want to work some college visits into your stay. Each campus has much to offer, including art galleries, plays, and concerts, and specialties like Bates’ summer dance festival.
The only minor drawbacks were the difficulty in getting an NPR station on the cottage radio and the placement of the television in the entryway, which was too small to accommodate all three of us.

What a wonderfully cozy cottage you have with Southern Exposure! We had planned a simple extended weekend getaway to escape the pressures of work and wedding planning. Southern Exposure contributed to our respite even more than expected!

Every cottage comfort seemed thoughtfully considered, and the activity guide was loaded with fun activities and helpful hints. What a neat idea to include past renters’ comments and leave room for more. Who needs Zagats? From suggestions on restaurants and sight-seeing adventures, to tips on securing reasonable lobster prices and cooking at home – this guide was a how-to for peaceful living!

From the fresh flowers in the house, the kayaks and life jackets, the rocking chairs on the front deck, and the hammock that beckons you the moment you arrive – every consideration seems to have been made to make our stay easy, cozy, and comfortable.

One night was a little chilly, but the gas stove made for a nice romantic evening with a bottle of wine and an absolutely gorgeous view of the Damariscotta River. And we LOVED the outdoor shower – what a fantastic experience!

The location could not have been better, as it was secluded enough to feel private but close enough that you could be in town (be it by car or kayak) within minutes. You truly have a treasure in Southern Exposure. Part of us wants to tell all our friends about it, and the other part wants to keep it our little secret!

Thanks for everything, we look forward to returning soon – when you aren’t already booked!

What a wonderful cottage! The location is perfect – close enough to great spots for eating, shopping, and exploring yet secluded enough to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The thoughtfulness that has been put into the cottage made us feel at home. We loved the view, collecting oysters around the dock at low tide to cook for dinner, Muscongus Bay for a relaxing lobster dinner overlooking the water, a day trip by ferry to Monhegan Island, Pemaquid Point, Botanical Gardens, shops in Freeport, and lots of ice cream! We can’t wait to return to Southern Exposure!!

Southern Exposure is the best place to stay in Maine. Close to downtown Damariscotta and a nice walk to town. The location of the cottage is wonderful. Property is always clean and the owner always calls to make sure everything is okay. We love the old movies at the library on Main Street. We love Muscongus Bay for lobster. Corner Cafe for lunch. Biscay Orchard for apples. Darling & Delisle for fabulous jewelery and accessories. Restaurants in Damariscotta we like are: King Eider's Pub, River Grill, The Public House. We love shopping downtown and all the merchants are so nice. Fisherman's Catch on Main Street is a wonderful place to get seafood. We do a lot of cooking at the cottage and everything you could possibly need is available in the kitchen. Sipping coffee or vino on the deck is a fabulous way to start and end your day in Maine.

Nestled a mile or so outside a charming mid-coast town in Maine, you
will find a wonderful hideaway! It's hidden, but close enough to all the
best spots for shopping, eating, touring and undertaking any outside
activities you could wish for. Owner's description is right on the money;
cottage was perfectly clean and maintained; owner pays close attention to details. I heartily recommend this cottage but I am of mixed mind, because I would also like to keep it a secret.