Quiet Wooded Setting near Acadia National Park

Tom and Mary are gracious hosts and provided us with a wonderful setting for our quiet side of MDI vacation. Their welcome package was typical of the care and concern they have put into this stunning apartment and its renters.

Great vacation spot!

We loved our stay at on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island and Manset Studio was the perfect accommodation for us. It was clean, full of convenient cooking items, and easy to get to. We loved it and hope to visit again in the future.

We had booked early, hoping for two+ weeks of early winter walking and relaxation. However, due to unseasonably harsh weather, we were forced to reduce expectations of the former and increase reliance on the latter. Fortunately for us, Manset Studio fit the bill to our complete satisfaction.

The apartment is located over the garage of a family home. However, it feels like staying in the treetops, with a lovely view of trees and fields in one direction and a view of animal activity at the numerous bird feeders in the other.

It is a studio apartment, but it feels quite spacious with a separate sleeping alcove, a desk area perfect for laptop setup, a generous bathroom, living area with futon and chair, and full-size stove and fridge in the open kitchen. In over two weeks we never felt confined.

The interior is entirely pine – floors, walls and ceiling throughout, even in the bathroom. The light shade of the wood adds brightness to the setting. Space utilization is maximized. There are thin slabs of wood that serve as shallow shelves and allow for great storage in the kitchen and bath. And with extra appliances such as a toaster oven and microwave it’s easy to cook here. We prepared many delicious meals from scratch, even including a Thanksgiving menu of crab dip, roasted turkey breast, yams, cranberry orange compote and open-face apple pie. It was the first time in thirty years we were not home for Thanksgiving, but we enjoyed spending it here immensely.

Some of the little touches should be mentioned. Lighting was great both in the living area and the sleeping alcove. This was important because the weather really limited our outdoor time and we read many books when not out walking. The “library” was small but contained interesting and varied options, something for everyone’s taste. The fabrics were beautiful – braided rugs, lovely woven throws, colorful kitchen towels and cozy flannel sheets and duvet. Mattress and pillows were very comfortable.

The owners were very nice and attentive. The driveway was always well sanded and the walk and steps to the private entrance were salted. An extra heating unit was provided for frigid days. A small Thanksgiving basket made us feel very welcome.

If the apartment were not so cozy and comfortable, we would have felt frustrated with a lengthy stay and not much to do. Instead, we treasured every single day.

We would not hesitate to highly recommend Manset Studio.

It was just right for the two of us. Perfectly appointed and very clean. The location was great for a home base. We spent the entire week exploring all parts of Acadia and were never more that 30 minutes away. Easy enough to run into Bar Harbor for dinner and shopping.