Manset Rock House - Oceanfront Elegance on MDI

Entire home in Southwest Harbor, Maine, United States

  1. 11 guests
  2. 6 bedrooms
  3. 8 beds
  4. 3 bathrooms
Hosted by Keith
  1. Superhost
  2. 12 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 10% of homes

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

20-min drive to Acadia National Park

This home is near the national park.

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the lockbox.
Oceanfront elegance with breathtaking Acadia views

Escape to Manset Rock Main House, a classic oceanfront retreat on Mt. Desert Island’s quiet side. This spacious 6BR home offers stunning panoramic views of the Atlantic, Somes Sound, and Acadia National Park. Enjoy the wraparound porch, private woodland trail, newly rebuilt dock and secluded beach access. Relax by the fireplace, watch yachts sail by, or explore Acadia’s trails and carriage roads. Unwind in coastal beauty—book your stay today!

The space
Manset Rock Main House – Coastal Elegance with Panoramic Acadia Views

Welcome to Manset Rock Main House, a classic oceanfront retreat on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island. With breathtaking panoramic views of Acadia National Park’s mountains, Somes Sound, and the harbor’s inner and outer islands, this historic 6-bedroom home offers an unforgettable coastal escape.

Step onto the 1200 sq. ft. wraparound porch, where you can sip your morning coffee as the sun rises over the water or unwind at sunset while watching Hinckley yachts and lobster boats drift by. Inside, the charming 1903 shingled cottage offers 3600 sq. ft. of inviting space, featuring original woodwork, cozy window seats, and a large living room with a panoramic ocean view. Gather around the wood-burning fireplace, enjoy a game night at the table, or play the piano while the waves provide a soothing soundtrack.

The formal dining room seats up to 14, perfect for family feasts, while the spacious kitchen and walk-in pantry make group cooking a breeze. The home includes 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (2 full, 2 half), and comfortably sleeps 11 guests—ideal for family gatherings, friend getaways, or peaceful retreats.

Outside, explore the private woodland trail, relax in the hammock, or venture to the secluded pebble beach for beachcombing and tidal pool discoveries. Wildlife is abundant—watch for deer, otters, seals, and even bald eagles right from the property.

Just steps away, catch the Cranberry Cove Ferry to the outer islands or hop on the Island Explorer shuttle for easy access to Acadia’s hiking trails, beaches, and charming village shops.

Need more space? Consider booking the Manset Rock Cottage as well! This charming 4-bedroom guest house sleeps 7 additional guests and features a cozy fireplace, large deck with ocean and woodland views, and access to the private beach and wildflower garden. Whether you’re hosting a large family reunion, a wedding group, or a multi-family vacation, renting both homes together offers ample room while keeping everyone close.

We are happy to announce that in the summer of 2025 we have completed rebuilding our dock (lost to storms in January 2024). The dock is a great spot for watching the world go by (yachts, lobster boats, sail races), dipping a toe into the cool water, or just communing with nature.

Discover the magic of Manset Rock Main House—where history, nature, and coastal beauty come together for an unforgettable stay. Book your escape today!

Guest access
House, deck, beach, & woodland trail.

Where you'll sleep

1 of 3 pages

What this place offers

Bay view
Harbour view
Private beach access – Beachfront
Kitchen
Wifi

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Rated 4.98 out of 5 from 64 reviews.

Guest favourite
This home is in the top 10% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews and reliability
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Where you’ll be

Southwest Harbor, Maine, United States
This listing’s location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighbourhood highlights

Manset Rock: A Hidden Gem on the Quietside of Mount Desert Island

Tucked along the shores of Southwest Harbor, Manset is a place where time slows, and the rhythm of the tides sets the pace of the day. A peaceful retreat on the Quietside of Mount Desert Island, this village offers breathtaking views of Acadia’s towering peaks, the glistening waters of Somes Sound—the only fjord on the U.S. East Coast—and the rugged beauty of the Cranberry Isles beyond.

Home to world-renowned yacht builders, charming harborside cottages, and a working waterfront where fishermen and sailors mingle, Manset blends New England heritage with the timeless magic of the Maine coast. Just beyond the doorstep, you’ll find yourself immersed in Acadia National Park’s quietest and most scenic landscapes—secluded hiking trails, rocky shorelines, and hidden coves waiting to be explored.

Wake to the distant cry of gulls and the scent of salt air, and sip your morning coffee while watching the sunrise paint Cadillac Mountain in soft hues of pink and gold. Stroll along Shore Road, where lobster boats bob in the harbor and sailboats slip silently through the water, heading toward adventure. Hop on the Cranberry Cove Ferry or the free Island Explorer shuttle to discover island trails, picturesque villages, and the unspoiled beauty of Acadia’s less-traveled paths.

From fog-draped mornings to star-filled nights, Manset is a place where nature’s grandeur meets quiet solitude—a sanctuary for dreamers, adventurers, and those who long for a deeper connection with the sea and sky.

You are minutes away from fantastic outdoor actives with Acadia surrounding the property. The Quietside of MDI is home to Acadia's Seawall Entrance (with ranger talks), Ship Harbor Nature Trail, Bass Harbor Light, Echo Lake Beech, and some of the most scenic hikes in the park, including summit trails up Acadia, St Sauveur, Mansell, Beach Cliff, Flying Mountain and more. Cranberry Cove Ferry and Island Explorer – Acadia’s free shuttle – stop just a few doors down from the property.

If you are game to venture further afield, we recommend you take in a sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain, learn about the park at the Acadia Visitor Center and Nature Center at Sieur de Monts Spring, follow the Park Loop Road and stop by observation spots at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff. For the more adventurous, try biking the Eagle Lake carriage path, hiking the Precipice Trail on Champlain Mountain, cooling off at the ledges at Echo Lake, exploring Long Pond by canoe or Somes Sound by kayak, try out the links at the Causeway Club or Kebo Valley, and then there is always time for shopping and dining in any of the Island towns, including nearby Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor and Bar Harbor.

We just want you to enjoy this beautiful part of the Maine coast as much as we do, and encourage you to explore the island!

Meet your host

Superhost
167 reviews
4.92 out of 5 average rating
12 years of hosting
Where I went to school: Buffalo, NY; Schenectady, NY; and DC
My work: Recently Retired
I grew up spending summers on Mt. Desert Island, Maine in and around Acadia National Park.

Keith 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 a few hours
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.

Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 16:00
Checkout before 10:00
11 guests maximum
Safety & property
Carbon monoxide alarm
Smoke alarm
Must climb stairs