My elderly mother and I enjoyed a wonderful stay at the Back Bay Cottage - Portside. Mom did needlework, read and enjoyed the view and being right on the water(!). I was able to easily explore all that Boothbay Harbor has to offer, all within walking distance. We loved it so much that we reserved a weekend in May in 2023.

An outstanding location to use as a base for exploring the Boothbay region. We had a few rainy days which were perfect for just sitting in the den reading a good book and watching the tide come and go. Easily walk to all of the restaurants and shops and as an added treat we saw the holiday fireworks from the foot bridge. The condo was immaculate and stocked with everything you could possibly need. Abby is an amazing host and was a joy to work with. We look forward to visiting again.

This lovely home was absolutely perfect for the two of us and offered everything you might need! The off-season might not be perfect for all - with some restaurants or shops closed or on limited hours - but for a quiet simple getaway of hiking, quiet coffee mornings, amazing waterfront views, and easy access to the beautiful town this home can't be beat. Abby made us feel welcome from the first communication. Don't miss a day at Ocean View Point (walk it!) - and enjoy this amazing home and town...

This lovely home was absolutely perfect for the two of us and offered everything you might need! The off-season might not be perfect for all - with some restaurants or shops closed or on limited hours - but for a quiet simple getaway of hiking, quiet coffee mornings, amazing waterfront views, and easy access to the beautiful town this home can't be beat. Abby made us feel welcome from the first communication. Don't miss a day at Ocean View Point (walk it!) - and enjoy this amazing home and town...

Magnificent views, Outstanding location, and Superb accommodations. This property is PURE PERFECTION. The photos do not do it justice. From the moment we walked into the door we were in love. The 6 of us were completes comfortably in the home with plenty of room. From long breakfasts on the dock listening to the water crash against the rocks to short walks throughout the harbor town shopping, speaking with locals, and grabbing a delicious meal - this was exactly what we needed to relax and rejuvenate. Abby was an amazing host - responsive, accommodating, and thorough with all necessary information. We CAN NOT wait to return.

Magnificent views, Outstanding location, and Superb accommodations. This property is PURE PERFECTION. The photos do not do it justice. From the moment we walked into the door we were in love. The 6 of us were completes comfortably in the home with plenty of room. From long breakfasts on the dock listening to the water crash against the rocks to short walks throughout the harbor town shopping, speaking with locals, and grabbing a delicious meal - this was exactly what we needed to relax and rejuvenate. Abby was an amazing host - responsive, accommodating, and thorough with all necessary information. We CAN NOT wait to return.

The property is a lovely cottage right on the water with spectacular views, especially from the den. Well equipped kitchen and easy walking distance to restaurants, shops, ports, and a pretty park with a beachfront. Also, Abby was great at communicating with us, and her notes helped us a lot with planning. We especially appreciated the Y passes to take advantage of the therapy pool on one rainy day. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again!

Excellent location

Excellent location

I'd agree with another poster- the pictures dont do it justice! The windows over the harbor were magical and the porch for sunrise was so special. (For me, not my children, who sleep all day!) Such peacefulness. The place had everything we needed- coffeemakers, a nice clean fridge, a great pantry where you'd find the things you'd rather not buy like sugar and flour, and a very sweet little welcome basket from Abby. I wish we were still there. Oh and the location for us was just perfect. Walking to everywhere. We couldn't have enjoyed it more.

Our stay was just perfect! Abby was so helpful and quick to respond to questions. The home is beautiful, comfortable and very clean. You can't beat the water view and location to town - a real gem. We loved everything about this lovely home, especially Abby’s kindness and attentiveness to details. Can't wait to return.

A wonderful place to stay. The interior is just as pictured. The beds are comfortable. They morning sun rise comes into the condo waterside windows and lights up the space. The den(?) off to the side of the gathering room, is a great space to read and watch the water/tide flats. We were there in February and there is not much going own in Boothbay Harbor, but we found a wonderful restaurant - rustic, friendly and excellent food (steak, sword fish, scallops, extra dry martinis). We walked around and explored the town and surroundings - it was cold, exhilarating, and peceful. Can't wait to go back.

The property was exactly as advertised, and working with the property owner was easy and pleasant! We could not have asked for a better spot in Boothbay Harbor- close to everything but extremely private and peaceful!! We will be back!!

The property was exactly as advertised, and working with the property owner was easy and pleasant! We could not have asked for a better spot in Boothbay Harbor- close to everything but extremely private and peaceful!! We will be back!!

Great home in a perfect location! It’s surprisingly spacious and the view from the dock was just a great place for am coffee! It’s walkable to all the downtown shops & restaurants too! There were just a few small issues (things that needed to be replaced/repaired) that I brought to the owners attention as I didn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The owner was very receptive. We unfortunately had to leave early (due to family members hospitalization) we contacted Abbey & Mary (house manager) and offered our fridge full food to a local food pantry. All in all a great house & Boothbay expierence!

This is the perfect place to stay in Boothbay! Walk to everything! Everything is included in the rental, including k cups and pancakes! In town near everything yet still quiet and peaceful. The pictures of the view don’t do it justice! We loved watching the tide come in out everyday.

From the moment we parked in the driveway to the moment we left... We were in love with this condo. The picture do this home NO justice. It was immaculate, and one of the most well-stocked homes we have ever rented. Abby definitely thought of everything when furnishing her home. Perfect location for everything. We never had to drive once. All the stores, local eateries, and attractions were all within minutes of walking. I never felt more relaxed and not disappointed with a rental. My wife and I will definitely be returning every year. I really wanted to leave a poor review so no-one else would rent it, LOL! Thank you Abby for sharing your home with us. We will return!

Excellent position in the heart of Boothbay Harbor but on the water and just far enough away from shops etc to be quiet. Bright, clean, well kitted out. Perfect.

Abby was a great host, communicating from the moment we completed our rental agreement and we were blown away by how gorgeous, spacious and clean her place was. It’s such a convenient location just steps away from all the shops and restaurants you’d need. We would go back again in a heartbeat!

My family of 4 stayed in Abby's cottage for 4 nights. It was so much better than we could have ever imagined. The cottage is SPOTLESS, with everything you could ask for. Due to COVID, we brought our own cleaning supplies, prepared to disinfect all surfaces, etc. But we didn't have to--we felt everything was exceptionally cleaned. The beds and bed linens are super comfy, the shower is amazing, there is plenty of space for 6 people to stay there comfortably. But there are a few more things that makes the experience at this cottage rise above the rest: 1. Abby: Abby has thought of everything. Prior to arrival, she emails you a list of great recommendations. Her website has thoughtful recommendations. Upon arrival, her notebook of information has even more information about everything--restaurants, hikes, activities, shops. She has even arranged for her guests to get discounts at the kayak rental and at a few shops. Most importantly, she was also very responsive. We had a few questions upon our initial arrival, that she answered immediately. 2. All the extras: The cottage has so much available for guests' use. There were board games, DVD's, tons of puzzles, dozens of guidebooks about Maine/the surrounding area. She had beach chairs, beach towels, laundry detergent, umbrellas, all of which added to our comfort and enjoyment. 3. The Kitchen! The kitchen was stocked with everything you could ever possibly need! Crock pots, lobster pots, pots/pans, every kitchen utensil, the grill outside, etc. We ate out a lot, but it was also nice to cook/grill out at the cottage and just enjoy sitting by the water. 4. Finally, the deck. We booked this rather quickly, and I don't know how I didn't realize that we would have our very own dock (float) to use. Right off the deck is a ramp that leads down to a dock that is only for the use of cottage guests. While there are 2 other units in Backbay Cottage, and technically all 3 units can use the dock, the dock is located right off Abby's deck. Amazingly, no one else was staying in the other two units, so we had the entire place to ourselves. On the dock are 2 adirondack chairs, and it was perfect to watch the sunrise, have a glass of wine and watch the sunset, or just sit and watch as our 2 children jumped off the dock into the water for hours. 5. Location: You can walk to everything. Quiet, beautiful, and convenient. You can't beat the location. We WILL be back!

The cottage was even better than the pictures!. Beautiful home, great location. Abby was wonderful to work with. We will definitely be going back.

My husband and I stayed on Boothbay Harbor in December to enjoy Gardens AGlow at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, shop and enjoy restaurants on the harbor. The Condo was perfect! There was even a tiny Christmas Tree lit in the window when we arrived. We relaxed by the gas fire while looking at lights on the homes surrounding the harbor, listening to Christmas Carols and drinking egg nog. We walked to cafe's, restaurants and shops and had a lovely time. I hope to get back there with friends and family before the summer! Thank you for a memorable stay.

I do not normally write reviews but this place was first class all the way. Location was great as there was a lot to do in the immediate area. The view from the desk was great.

We enjoyed a week at Portside so much last summer that we decided this would be the perfect place to celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary in February. We took champagne and caviar and other food and drinks for the week. We enjoyed the beautiful water view from the living room and started each day there with coffee by the fireplace. That was a favorite spot in the evening, too, for watching movies on the new big screen TV. Some of our favorite restaurants and coffee shops were closed for the season or had limited hours, but we walked to China by the Sea for lunch a couple of times. Thanks, Abby, for recommending this restaurant. The service was friendly, and the food was wonderful. We also walked to Eventide, a shop where we bought cheese, bread, pate and homemade soup to take back to the cottage. The quiet time in Boothbay Harbor in February was nice for taking walks every day in the village or across the footbridge. Anyone looking for a peaceful winter vacation, this is the place. Portside is a spacious, yet cozy, luxury condo right in the middle of the village. We’re looking forward to returning in June, visiting lots of shops and restaurants and spending time on the deck and the dock at Portside.

My husband and I have a seasonal cabin in Boothbay Harbor that we love, but we have to close it up and winterize it in October. We live in Pennsylvania and wanted to see the Gardens Aglow exhibit at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens this December and found Abby's cottage on the Home Away website. What a perfect place! Four of us stayed there for a long weekend in early December, but it would have been excellent for six people also. It is well-appointed and Abby has supplied it with just about everything you could possibly need~linens, towels, blankets and extra pillows for the bedrooms, to sugar, spices and condiments in the refrigerator. The cottage was very clean and toasty warm. It was even snowing when we left on Monday morning! Thank you, Abby, for a wonderful, relaxing holiday get-away! (By the way~the light show was excellent!)

Superb accommodation that was both restful and peaceful. Very handy for all the facilities.

This was my family's first trip to Maine and we could not have asked for a better place to stay. Portside was a home away from home. The bedrooms were perfect for our family of six (4 adults, 2 kids) - just enough space so that we were together without being crowded. The kitchen was perfectly appointed with everything we needed to prepare meals and eat together at the dining room table - which also doubled as our poker table! When we were not inside, we were outside on the private deck, lazing on the float, or exploring the shops, restaurants and scenery of Boothbay. Having the kayak rental right next door was a huge plus for us too. We used the YMCA membership every day it was open as well - a great amenity for both the adults and the kids! Abby's effort into making Portside fit every possible need is evident from the collections of books, DVDs and boardgames, the basket of local menus/information, and all the extra touches like binoculars, picnic baskets, and blankets. Well done, Abby! We are looking forward to our next visit!

Portside Cottage is the ideal place for a relaxing vacation. We parked our car (nice parking spot, by the way) and never moved it all week. The location is great for walking to restaurants and shops and to the Red Cup Coffeehouse where we would pick up blueberry muffins or croissants for the next morning. An almond or chocolate croissant with coffee on our deck at Portside; what a way to start a day! In the afternoon after lunch at McSeagulls or Boathouse Bistro we'd return to the cottage and sit on the dock. The view from the dock and from the windows in the cottage was super. Some evenings were cool enough to turn on the gas fireplace in the living room, a cozy place to have drinks and snacks and watch a DVD. When other reviews say, "Abby has thought of everything," that is no exaggeration. We have never stayed at a rental with such a beautiful kitchen that is so well-equipped. Thank you, Abby, for the welcome gift and for the email before our visit about the concert at the Opera House. For us, a week at this luxury condo was a perfect romantic getaway.

Beautiful place! It was better than I expected! I felt right at home- the perfect home away from home. She provided everything. Although I stayed during the winter, the new addition to the local Y(YMCA) was a nice bonus! Nice therapy pool, swim laps in the lanes, and to conclude your visit, relax in the sauna. I am from Maine myself but I wanted a nice little getaway for my birthday. (Originally from Portland) It was beautiful to have the deck and being right on the water. And the kitchen! Beautiful bar, I enjoyed cooking meals every day I was there. The location is perfect. RIGHT in the heart of downtown Boothbay Harbor. Everything is in walking distance. This place definitely exceeded my expectations and I am looking forward to booking this place again next time I am up!

We rented Abby's Boothbay Harbor home for our 50th wedding anniversary destination event. We had 14 quests from throughout the U.S. flying in for the celebration. NO...the cottage does not hold sixteen people. Most were here for only three nights and we placed them at Brown's Wharf Inn for their stay. The cottage has all of the amenities you could wish for and is beautifully decorated. There are cheaper rentals in Boothbay, but they do not compare to the attention to detail that you find at Portside. Being from Florida we appreciated the fireplace in the morning probably the most. The kitchen has everything a chef would want. We don't cook when we come to Maine so we did not get the oven dirty. Another nice touch was the presence of the various household products that we usually have to go out and purchase. We will book this property for our future visits to Boothbay Harbor. We usually come up every two years.

How rare it is to find a vacation residence that is in the middle of a small community with numerous activity options and still feel a strong sense of privacy and serenity. That is Backbay Cottage in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The amenities of the cottage exceeded our expectations as did the quality of the cottage itself. Stepping through the french doors that open onto a private deck, we found ourselves literally at the water's edge. Stepping out of the cottage directly onto one of the main streets of Boothbay Harbor allowed us to have access within a few walking minutes to restaurants and shops of all kinds. I probably sound to enthusiastic, but this was such a delightful experience for all of us in my family. These were the best vacation accomdations we have every enjoyed.

My friend and I spent a wonderful week at the Portside Cottage in Boothbay Harbor. The view was fantastic from the large windows. In the evening we watched TV in front of the fireplace. The condo had everything you could possible need. It was also clean and nicely furnished. Around the area you have a lot of quaint little shops to keep you busy. In you condo, you will find a lot of pamphlets to inform you of restaurants etc. Will love to go back.