Hip & Luxurious Garden Retreat for Families, Foodies & Adventurers

We call this first floor of our modified 1890`s Victorian the `Garden SWEET` because it`s a huge suite that is so attractive and fun that everyone just loves hanging out in it. Inside, it has beautiful leather furniture, luxurious beds with crisp white sheets, lots of pillows, and quilts and comforters.

Outside, there`s our sunny High Line-inspired perennial garden with brick patio. The apartment was once a school room, and we kept its open feel. The four bedrooms each have their own personality but all reflect things we love about the spirit, style and sense of humor in Maine. The open living and dining areas have plenty of room to lounge, but you also find cozy little nooks to curl up with a book and cup of tea, or to catch up on news and charge your devices (bring your own chargers though!). The location is in Portland’s most desirable neighborhood, the East End, on a quiet residential street within walking distance to all of Portland’s best destinations: the Old Port’s shops, the Arts District with museums and galleries, the real working waterfront, the ferry terminal with regular boats to the islands, the Eastern Promenade’s walking and running trails with incredible water views, our own neighborhood East End Beach, East Bayside’s hip new craft breweries and distilleries, as well as all our many award-winning restaurants.

Return from exploring to a peaceful night`s sleep in cozy beds with lots of pillows, comforters and quilts that sleep 8 comfortably: two queen bedrooms, one full bedroom, and one bedroom with two twin beds. The open living and dining room has a smart TV, bluetooth speaker for streaming your own music, and a vinyl record player. The kitchen has new stainless steel appliances including gas stove, and a new washer and dryer. The bathroom is appointed with all the `bear` necessities (towels, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, cotton balls, first aid kit). You`ll find books and magazine to read, as well as tourist maps and guides.

Absolutely no parties or events. Mature, well-behaved groups or families only. Guests must agree to House Rules before booking will be confirmed. Dogs welcome if approved in advance.
The ground floor of an old Victorian on a leafy corner of Munjoy Hill. About six steps up if you enter through the front door, or about 4 steps up if through the back door. Comfortably sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms loaded with quillts, comforters, high TC sheets and plenty of pillows. The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking: gas stove, knives, dishwasher. We stock all spaces with good local coffee as well as cream and sugar to get you started.

Guests have the entire first floor of the building, with view of our perennial garden and courtyard. Though it`s pet friendly with prior approval, the garden is a dog-free zone due to the many tender baby perennials there. There`s also a bike rack available for you to use (we encourage biking in Portland...it`s the best way to get around! Ask me for bike rental info!). The parking is on-street but free and plentiful.

We love Munjoy Hill! It has the sea breezes, and big blue ocean vistas of an island community, but it is as close as you can be to downtown Portland while still living in a real historic neighborhood. It`s also called the East End, and it is home to the Eastern Promenade (huge grassy park), East End Trail (for walking, biking, running) and East End Beach. You can learn about the history of Munjoy Hill at the Observatory, which is just one block away. Ship captains` houses line the perimeter of the East End (the Eastern Promenade), and the interior of `the Hill` was largely inhabited with longshoremen who made their living unloading ships at the dock.

Walking and biking is the best way to get to the Old Port, the ferry terminal (to all the Casco Bay Islands!), downtown and so on...or Uber is cheap and about 5 mins anywhere. Walking to heart of the Old Port along the East End Trail is highly recommended, and takes about 15-20 mins.

The Garden SWEET! was once a school room, which is why it has such an open, spacious feel. It was called The Hill School, a neighborhood charter school with kids from all over the world.