Reviews of Property: Firefly Cottage - Lakefront Cottage in Hope - Maine's Best Kept Secret
Description
Cottage,
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4, 1 Bathroom
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4, 1 Bathroom
Amenities
lake, waterfront,
garden,
TV,
parking
Rates
per property
(USD)
$135/night
$800/week
$800/week
Kathryn Swift
207-763-3355
Speaks: English
8 Reviews of Property 321232 in Camden, Maine
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We'll Be Back
Review Submitted: July 29, 2006
Date of Stay: July 2006
We stayed at Firefly Cottage for a week and loved it. Hobb's Pond is a peaceful lake that is very clean. The loons were wonderful to listen to and we even saw a bald eagle. Camden is a delightful town to be a tourist in and there are many activities to do within just a few miles.
The cottage is very comfortable for a family of 4 and is very clean and decorated in a very pleasing way. The new deck next to the lake was a great place to drink our morning coffee and greet the day. The owners are also very friendly and eager to make sure your vacation is enjoyable. They left fresh flowers in the cottage for us and packets of Maine wildflowers. The swimming and fishing were great fun for our kids and the kayaks allowed us to really explore the lake. We found a great sand beach across the lake from the cottage.
We enjoyed our stay at Firefly immensely and plan to return someday. We felt it was a great value for such a nice little home and would recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing vacation.
The cottage is very comfortable for a family of 4 and is very clean and decorated in a very pleasing way. The new deck next to the lake was a great place to drink our morning coffee and greet the day. The owners are also very friendly and eager to make sure your vacation is enjoyable. They left fresh flowers in the cottage for us and packets of Maine wildflowers. The swimming and fishing were great fun for our kids and the kayaks allowed us to really explore the lake. We found a great sand beach across the lake from the cottage.
We enjoyed our stay at Firefly immensely and plan to return someday. We felt it was a great value for such a nice little home and would recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing vacation.
Firefly cottage
Review Submitted: August 9, 2009
Date of Stay: July 2009
My sister and I enjoyed our stay at Firefly cottage. We have family living in Camden so it was very convenient for all of us. When we arrived we had fresh flowers and a surprise gift, a very nice touch.
Despite the very wet summer, we found the cabin very dry and cozy.
The beds were comfortable and the linens were wonderful. The kitchen was well equipped and there was a nice gas grill.
Hobbs pond is perfect for kayaking. There is inlets and coves to explore and the loon family with two babies were there everyday to greet us. They would put a concert on each evening for us. Amazing.
The owners came once to see if we were all settled in and needed anything but respected our privacy.
I loved the rolling hills on the approach to Hope, it is just a beautiful area. I will definately return to Hobbs Pond.
Despite the very wet summer, we found the cabin very dry and cozy.
The beds were comfortable and the linens were wonderful. The kitchen was well equipped and there was a nice gas grill.
Hobbs pond is perfect for kayaking. There is inlets and coves to explore and the loon family with two babies were there everyday to greet us. They would put a concert on each evening for us. Amazing.
The owners came once to see if we were all settled in and needed anything but respected our privacy.
I loved the rolling hills on the approach to Hope, it is just a beautiful area. I will definately return to Hobbs Pond.
Amazing
Review Submitted: October 13, 2008
Date of Stay: September 2008
My husband, my daughter and myself had a wonderful time at Firefly cottage. The location is remote but close to several towns. At night the lake is so peaceful and the scenery is picturesque. One of our favorite things was kayaking at night and early in the morning. I would highly recommend this cottage and we will be back soon.
Great cottage for the price
Review Submitted: September 10, 2008
Date of Stay: June 2008
Beautiful and quiet pond. We stayed the week of July 4th and felt we had the lake to ourselves. Kayaking was great. The loons were always around and beautiful. Fishing and swimming off the dock was so fun.The rainy day we had led us to a day in Freeport for shopping at LL Bean! It was so nice being 20 minutes away from beautiful Camden-we had dinner in town several times. The cabin was clean and cute. The pictures are very accurate.
We come back every summer, for many good reasons.
Review Submitted: September 9, 2008
Date of Stay: August 2008
We have returned to Firefly Cottage with our children every summer for 6 years now and there are many reasons why we come back. The owners are lovely people who take an interest in our well being. They are always responsive to our questions and needs and leave nice goodies in the cottage to welcome us back each year. They are respectful of our privacy yet available when needed.
The cottage is very pleasingly decorated and well kept. We have never noticed odors or evidence of a mold problem, including our visit this summer in August. In fact, the cottage is a wonderful place to relax while on vacation. It is always very clean when we arrive, the beds are very comfortably made up with nice linens and the kitchen has everything needed to cook a nice meal.
The seating area next to the lake is a favorite place for our family. We can watch the kids while they swim, have drinks in the evening while listening to the many lake sounds and enjoy the peacefulness of Hobbs Pond. The deck chairs are very comfortable and a small table to enjoy a meal next to the lake is also there.
I am writing this review to support the owners of Firefly Cottage, who have been only wonderful to us every summer. You will not be disappointed in the least if you decide to rent this cottage. It is our peaceful sanctuary that we return to each year to relax and enjoy our time together as a family. We have made many memories at Firefly Cottage.
The cottage is very pleasingly decorated and well kept. We have never noticed odors or evidence of a mold problem, including our visit this summer in August. In fact, the cottage is a wonderful place to relax while on vacation. It is always very clean when we arrive, the beds are very comfortably made up with nice linens and the kitchen has everything needed to cook a nice meal.
The seating area next to the lake is a favorite place for our family. We can watch the kids while they swim, have drinks in the evening while listening to the many lake sounds and enjoy the peacefulness of Hobbs Pond. The deck chairs are very comfortable and a small table to enjoy a meal next to the lake is also there.
I am writing this review to support the owners of Firefly Cottage, who have been only wonderful to us every summer. You will not be disappointed in the least if you decide to rent this cottage. It is our peaceful sanctuary that we return to each year to relax and enjoy our time together as a family. We have made many memories at Firefly Cottage.
Great Time at Firefly
Review Submitted: September 9, 2008
Date of Stay: August 2007
My wife and I love Midcoast Maine and have stayed at many lakeside cottages throughout the region. Firefly stands out for its charm, its convenience, and lovely Hobbs Pond. Add very reasonable pricing and friendly, thoughtful owners, and it's a hard bargain to beat.
Charm: Firefly is a tidy, cozy, well decorated cottage with a generous deck and great privacy. It is thoughtfully appointed with books and videos appropriate to the region (don't miss the video about loons). Thoroughly comfortable inside and out, we immediately felt at home.
Convenience: We've often had trouble finding the right balance between lakeside serenity and access to town, but Firefly has it covered. Minutes from Camden, Rockport and Rockland, you can make a last minute decision to shop or head out to dinner and be back before sundown.
Hobbs Pond: What a lovely lake! It's big enough so that you can't take it all in at once, but small enough to paddle around in a couple of hours. The fishing is terrific, swimming is wonderful, and the elevation makes it as bug-free a place as any can be during a Midcoast summer. And yes, there are plenty of loons, lots of hawks, and even a bald eagle.
And you simply couldn't ask for a better pair of landlords. They're close by -- a good thing in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong -- but respectful of their guests' privacy. The cottage is immaculate and the furnishings are tasteful, reflecting their care, attention and good sense.
In short, we had a lovely time and couldn't improve on a thing. Go Firefly!
Charm: Firefly is a tidy, cozy, well decorated cottage with a generous deck and great privacy. It is thoughtfully appointed with books and videos appropriate to the region (don't miss the video about loons). Thoroughly comfortable inside and out, we immediately felt at home.
Convenience: We've often had trouble finding the right balance between lakeside serenity and access to town, but Firefly has it covered. Minutes from Camden, Rockport and Rockland, you can make a last minute decision to shop or head out to dinner and be back before sundown.
Hobbs Pond: What a lovely lake! It's big enough so that you can't take it all in at once, but small enough to paddle around in a couple of hours. The fishing is terrific, swimming is wonderful, and the elevation makes it as bug-free a place as any can be during a Midcoast summer. And yes, there are plenty of loons, lots of hawks, and even a bald eagle.
And you simply couldn't ask for a better pair of landlords. They're close by -- a good thing in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong -- but respectful of their guests' privacy. The cottage is immaculate and the furnishings are tasteful, reflecting their care, attention and good sense.
In short, we had a lovely time and couldn't improve on a thing. Go Firefly!
Charming!
Review Submitted: September 7, 2008
Date of Stay: June 2008
Sitting on the dock every evening, listening to the loons cry, we'd look up towards the cottage and agree it looks just like it's name....with its lights shining warmly from its windows! Firefly Cottage is cozy and charming. The lake is beautiful...just the right size for kayaking while enjoying the sunshine and views of the mountains.
We enjoyed the quiet and privacy of the cottage and the lake as well as its proximity to Camden and the Maine coast. We spent a few days of our week exploring the coast and Monhegan Island and returned each evening to enjoy the peace of Hobbs Pond.
The owners are very friendly and have done a wonderful job decorating the cottage. We thank them for providing us with such a delightful home in which to relax and from which to explore the coast of Maine!
We enjoyed the quiet and privacy of the cottage and the lake as well as its proximity to Camden and the Maine coast. We spent a few days of our week exploring the coast and Monhegan Island and returned each evening to enjoy the peace of Hobbs Pond.
The owners are very friendly and have done a wonderful job decorating the cottage. We thank them for providing us with such a delightful home in which to relax and from which to explore the coast of Maine!
Owner's Response: Thank you "Mainer at Heart" for such a lovely review. Our lake side deck is a wonderful place to have breakfast in the morning and also to watch the stars over the lake at night. The loons will sometimes swim very close to the deck in the evenings and you can get a close-up view of these amazing birds. Their haunting calls and yodels are also a treat to hear.
We try very hard to make the cottage a comfortable place to stay for a week or two and I'm glad you found it to be cozy and charming. The cottage sits under tall trees and is a nice place to relax at the end of a busy day of sightseeing.
We try very hard to make the cottage a comfortable place to stay for a week or two and I'm glad you found it to be cozy and charming. The cottage sits under tall trees and is a nice place to relax at the end of a busy day of sightseeing.
Reasonable value but a lot of mold and rude owners
Review Submitted: August 30, 2008
Date of Stay: July 2008
My wife, daughter (age 1) and I rented Firefly cottage for two weeks during the summer of 2008. We mostly enjoyed our stay. The cottage is as presented in the photos and is well located on a nice pond and is fairly close to Camden. On sunny days it was very enjoyable to walk down to the dock and swim and kayak on the pond.
There were three negative elements to our stay: first, there is a tremendous amount of mold in the cottage; second, it is not well-set up for small children; and third, the owners were rude.
We had a mix of sun & rain during our stay and it was fairly humid. There was a tremendous amount of mold in the cottage as a result of the shady location and humidity. The smell is primarily found along the entire north wall of the cottage and includes the bathroom and small TV/sitting area. The smell was so strong that my wife had headaches, my daughter was congested, and I had to take Claritin to fight back an allergic reaction. This is something that I think that the owners should clearly disclose. Had I known about the mold problem, I would have looked for another cottage to rent.
The cottage is not set up for small children. There is a very nice platform/porch down by the water's edge. Unfortunately for us it didn't have a railing so we had to spend a lot of energy ensuring that our daughter didn't walk right off the edge and fall 5 feet into the pond.
Following our stay, the owner sent me a letter with my security deposit accusing my family and me of causing damage to the cottage. A previous guest had managed to pull the screws on one end of a towel rack out of the wall in the bathroom. They had set it back up so that it fell off when I put my towel on it. I assumed that the owners knew, so I set it back up the way I found it and we didn't use it for our stay.
The issue that I have is the letter from the owners that I received accusing us of causing, attempting to "cover up" the damage, and implying that we were dishonest people. Give me a break! How about a polite phone call to ask if we had a problem with the towel rack? Instead, I get a nasty letter over probably $10 of damage that a prior renter caused.
If you can tolerate lots of mold, don't have very small kids and are prepared for a potentially rude experience with the owner, Firefly Cottage may be for you. Otherwise, I suggest that you keep looking. We will not be back.
There were three negative elements to our stay: first, there is a tremendous amount of mold in the cottage; second, it is not well-set up for small children; and third, the owners were rude.
We had a mix of sun & rain during our stay and it was fairly humid. There was a tremendous amount of mold in the cottage as a result of the shady location and humidity. The smell is primarily found along the entire north wall of the cottage and includes the bathroom and small TV/sitting area. The smell was so strong that my wife had headaches, my daughter was congested, and I had to take Claritin to fight back an allergic reaction. This is something that I think that the owners should clearly disclose. Had I known about the mold problem, I would have looked for another cottage to rent.
The cottage is not set up for small children. There is a very nice platform/porch down by the water's edge. Unfortunately for us it didn't have a railing so we had to spend a lot of energy ensuring that our daughter didn't walk right off the edge and fall 5 feet into the pond.
Following our stay, the owner sent me a letter with my security deposit accusing my family and me of causing damage to the cottage. A previous guest had managed to pull the screws on one end of a towel rack out of the wall in the bathroom. They had set it back up so that it fell off when I put my towel on it. I assumed that the owners knew, so I set it back up the way I found it and we didn't use it for our stay.
The issue that I have is the letter from the owners that I received accusing us of causing, attempting to "cover up" the damage, and implying that we were dishonest people. Give me a break! How about a polite phone call to ask if we had a problem with the towel rack? Instead, I get a nasty letter over probably $10 of damage that a prior renter caused.
If you can tolerate lots of mold, don't have very small kids and are prepared for a potentially rude experience with the owner, Firefly Cottage may be for you. Otherwise, I suggest that you keep looking. We will not be back.
Owner's Response: I was surprised to read this review and would like to respond to these criticisms.
Lakeside Deck and Small Children - Our lakeside deck is a feature of our cottage that our guests enjoy greatly. The top of the deck is 8 – 10” above the ground and it sits 3 ft back from the edge of the lake shore. It is my hope that any family with a 1 year old will spend a lot of energy keeping an eye on their child while next to the water. The deck is a lovely place to enjoy the lake and is pictured on our web page.
Mold and Odors - This family arrived in the middle of an unusually rainy New England summer. I have NEVER had any complaints about odors or allergies originating inside the cottage from any other guests before or after. The cottage does NOT have a strong smell or a mold problem in the walls, though it is possible there was a high mold and pollen count outdoors due to the high amounts of rainfall this year. This guest kept the windows open and used the fans to blow air inside to cool the cottage at night.
Rudeness - We try very, very hard to make our guests happy but did encounter an issue with this family. During their 2 weeks stay in the cottage, the only concern voiced was a request to replace a broken window fan, which we did promptly. We again checked in on them a week into their visit and received NO complaints or reports of damage, odors or allergy problems. After their departure, we discovered some minor damage to the towel bar and repaired it immediately. When I returned the full security deposit a month later, I explained I wish he had let us know of the damage so we could have repaired it before our next guests arrived. I also said cottage owners are honest folks who would consider this normal wear and tear. Though I don't feel I was rude, he seemed to take offense and he suddenly had complaints that he had not informed us of while at the cottage or in the month after his departure. I did not phone this guest about the damage because we returned the full deposit and did not feel there was any issue to discuss.
We try very hard to provide a comfortable, relaxing and healthy home for those visiting. This guest stayed the entire two weeks he had reserved without complaint, despite his later claims. It is my hope that interested guests will read our other reviews for a fair and true assessment of Firefly Cottage. We keep rates affordable for families while offering a lovely place for a true Maine vacation.
Lakeside Deck and Small Children - Our lakeside deck is a feature of our cottage that our guests enjoy greatly. The top of the deck is 8 – 10” above the ground and it sits 3 ft back from the edge of the lake shore. It is my hope that any family with a 1 year old will spend a lot of energy keeping an eye on their child while next to the water. The deck is a lovely place to enjoy the lake and is pictured on our web page.
Mold and Odors - This family arrived in the middle of an unusually rainy New England summer. I have NEVER had any complaints about odors or allergies originating inside the cottage from any other guests before or after. The cottage does NOT have a strong smell or a mold problem in the walls, though it is possible there was a high mold and pollen count outdoors due to the high amounts of rainfall this year. This guest kept the windows open and used the fans to blow air inside to cool the cottage at night.
Rudeness - We try very, very hard to make our guests happy but did encounter an issue with this family. During their 2 weeks stay in the cottage, the only concern voiced was a request to replace a broken window fan, which we did promptly. We again checked in on them a week into their visit and received NO complaints or reports of damage, odors or allergy problems. After their departure, we discovered some minor damage to the towel bar and repaired it immediately. When I returned the full security deposit a month later, I explained I wish he had let us know of the damage so we could have repaired it before our next guests arrived. I also said cottage owners are honest folks who would consider this normal wear and tear. Though I don't feel I was rude, he seemed to take offense and he suddenly had complaints that he had not informed us of while at the cottage or in the month after his departure. I did not phone this guest about the damage because we returned the full deposit and did not feel there was any issue to discuss.
We try very hard to provide a comfortable, relaxing and healthy home for those visiting. This guest stayed the entire two weeks he had reserved without complaint, despite his later claims. It is my hope that interested guests will read our other reviews for a fair and true assessment of Firefly Cottage. We keep rates affordable for families while offering a lovely place for a true Maine vacation.
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