University of New England - 18 min drive - 9.7 miles
State Theatre - 20 min drive - 11.7 miles
Maine Medical Center - 21 min drive - 11.6 miles
Thompson's Point - 22 min drive - 12.0 miles
Getting around
Portland Transportation Center - 36 min drive
Portland Intl. Jetport Airport (PWM) - 23 min drive
Restaurants
Falmouth Service Plaza - 22 min drive
Dairy Queen - 11 min drive
Harmon's Lunch - 16 min drive
Aroma Joe's - 11 min drive
Burger King - 12 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Charming lakefront cottage with a dock, WiFi, & washer/dryer - dogs welcome
Highland Playhouse
Our calendar is updated in real-time & our nightly rates are accurately displayed. Simply enter your desired dates and click 'Book Now!'
If you're looking for a peaceful, lakefront getaway where you can choose to either relax at home with your feet up or head out in a boat or kayak for exciting days on the water, tick off both boxes here at this absolutely charming, two-story lake house!
Step inside and discover a number of classic features combined with plenty of modern touches. Stock up your fridge and prepare your favorite recipes in the well-equipped, eat-in kitchen complete with stainless steel appliances, and then dine indoors at the kitchen table, in the formal dining area, or outside on your furnished deck. This home also includes a furnished sunroom, a cozy main living area with a TV for streaming your favorite channels, and a small room with a view off the primary bedroom upstairs - a wonderful spot for morning coffee or lazy afternoons with a good book and a mug of tea.
Outside, cast a line from the dock or paddle off in one of the provided watercraft. You'll also find a gas grill for summertime barbecues and a lakeside firepit.
THINGS TO KNOW Full kitchen (no dishwasher). Streaming TV services require guest accounts to access. Two paddle boats, a sailboat, and a dinghy provided, though guests are required to sign a waiver to use them.
If you are bringing a dog on your trip, the pet fee is already included in your quote when selecting ‘Yes’ to pets. If you would like to add more dogs, please contact us. The pet fee is per stay and ranges between $150 and $200, depending on the bedroom count, and will apply for each additional dog.
Parking notes: There is free parking available for 4 vehicles.
Security camera details: Outward facing Ring cameras around the home. These are not for guests use but will be up at the home.
Please note: this home resides in a noise-sensitive area and the owners participate in our Good Neighbor protection program. Our smart home technology will alert our team if excessive decibel or occupancy levels are detected, allowing us to reach out directly with a reminder of maximum occupancy and quiet hours. This technology is privacy compliant, and only monitors the presence of decibels and devices-not any personal conversation or information. Thank you for supporting our efforts to be good neighbors!
Damage waiver: The total cost of your reservation for this Property includes a nightly damage waiver fee, plus tax if applicable (the “Damage Waiver”). (A discount may be applied for stays of 28 nights or longer, if permitted.) The Damage Waiver covers you for up to $3,000 of accidental damage to the Property or its contents (such as furniture, fixtures, and appliances) as long as you report the incident to the host prior to checking out. The Damage Waiver fee eliminates the need for a traditional security deposit. More information can be downloaded from the "Rental Agreement" on the checkout page.
Due to local laws or HOA requirements, guests must be at least 25 years of age to book. Guests under 25 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the reservation.
The cabin is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a patio. There's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms and a dining area. Other standard amenities include a washing machine and a coffee maker.
Property manager
Vacasa of Maine
Languages
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Similar properties
Cozy Year-round House right outside Portland Maine on Highland Lake.
Cozy Year-round House right outside Portland Maine on Highland Lake.
Note from host: Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
Location highlights
On a lake
On the waterfront
Things to do
Kayak
Water sports equipment
Fishing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Kayaking nearby
Swimming nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Garden
Unit size: 990 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
This property welcomes pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Note from host: Dogs only. Max of 2.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 25
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit.
Property is also known as
83964
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do around this cabin?
This cabin is located in Windham, close to Maine Wildlife Park, MAGAN Trailhead, and Shaw Park. You'll also find Riverside Municipal Golf Course nearby.
Is there parking available at this cabin?
No, this cabin doesn't offer parking.
Is this cabin next to a casino?
No, this cabin is not connected to a casino.
Is there an indoor pool at this cabin?
No, there is no indoor pool at this cabin.
What amenities will couples enjoy at Charming lakefront cottage with a dock, WiFi, & washer/dryer - dogs welcome?
At this lakeside cabin, amenities that appeal to couples include a kitchen, kitchens in some cabins, as well as a garden.
Are there hot tubs at Charming lakefront cottage with a dock, WiFi, & washer/dryer - dogs welcome?
No, this cabin doesn't have a spa tub.
Does this cabin include breakfast service?
No, this cabin doesn't offer breakfast.
Does this cabin allow pets to stay free of charge?
Although pets can't stay for free, they are welcome at this cabin.
Are there connecting rooms at this cabin?
No, this cabin doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.
What is the closest airport to this cabin?
The closest major airport to this cabin is Portland Intl. Jetport Airport (PWM), which is 12.4 mi away (23 minutes by car). Another top airport is Auburn, ME (LEW-Auburn - Lewiston Municipal), which is located 25.2 mi away (35-minute drive).
Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Charming lakefront cottage with a dock, WiFi, & washer/dryer - dogs welcome?
Yes, every cabin at Charming lakefront cottage with a dock, WiFi, & washer/dryer - dogs welcome comes with a deck with some featuring lake views.
Charming lakefront cottage with a dock, WiFi, & washer/dryer - dogs welcome Reviews
Reviews
8.8
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 38 reviews
10 - Excellent
23
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 38 reviews
8 - Good
9
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 38 reviews
6 - Okay
2
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 38 reviews
4 - Poor
3
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 38 reviews
2 - Terrible
1
8.8/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Silvana C.
Apr 15, 2025
Silvana C.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Sharon L.
Mar 7, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Girls weekend
Great cute cottage! Very clean and beautiful view. Perfect for girls weekend
Sharon L.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
William m.
Jan 1, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Place to Stay
The house was warm, cozy and a great fit for me and my 2 young kids. The views across the lake are stunning.It was a budget friendly price, enjoyable and im looking forward to staying there again.
William m.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Nicole S.
Oct 28, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Nicole S.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Theresa B., Tooele
Oct 21, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Theresa B.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Greg B.
Oct 5, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome Vacation House
We would absolutely book this house again. Super peaceful location. Loons in the morning were a stellar start to each day.
Greg B.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
6/10 Okay
Philip G.
Aug 12, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Power Outage
Power outage at 8:30 AM the morning we were departed. This included no electricity or running water. Wondering if this is a common occurrence?
Philip G.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
8/10 Good
Joy M.
Jul 20, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous lake views and great location
My family enjoyed the use of the kayaks and floats available. Cottage location made it easy to get back and forth to Portland. The air conditioning was a Godsend with the high temps/humidity Maine was experiencing. Kitchen was stocked with all the pots/pans to cook meals as well as the grill. Nice patio table to enjoy meals and relaxing.
Joy M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kail P.
Jul 11, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay
We loved the lake cabin. Property was clean and well taken care of. My daughter loved the upstairs sitting room overlooking the lake. We would stay there again.
Kail P.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
gary b.
Jun 2, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful paradise
a peaceful, beautiful cabin with a gorgeous lake front setting. This is a very old cabin that has been updated/renovated but done so that the old fashioned feeling is still present. Would love the opportunity to stay here again!
gary b.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024
8/10 Good
Coleen J.
May 27, 2024
Family Vacation
Beautiful and peaceful setting on the lake. Close enough to Portland and other activities but quiet and relaxed at the cottage.
Coleen J.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kathryn R.
Apr 20, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Quaint and Cozy
The house was really great - plenty of room and a nice and serene. Older house with squeaky and uneven floors but the decor and some modern makeovers made it have great character! Communicating with property manager was very easy and we got prompt responses. The only thing worth mentioning that needs attention is the little bridge to go over to get to the driveway. Luckily we have a higher car but anyone with a regular sedan would have bottomed out and/or possibly got stuck. I’m sure it was weather related as to why it got so bad since we’re just coming off winter but that would have caused a big problem for someone else’s car and can’t imagine they’d be too happy. Aside from that, great little place.
Kathryn R.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
2/10 Terrible
Julie H.
Apr 13, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Home not equipped inclement weather. No heat or power. No help from Vacasa or VRBO
Cottage is owned/managed by Vacasa a large impersonal mgmt company. BEWARE! We were put in harms way by unknowingly renting a Maine cottage without appropriate utilities on site at a time of year when winter/ spring storms are known to occur. Not winterized. Only electric heat. The home has Well water that is dependent on electricity to run. Gas stove but no gas heat. No working batteries in flashlights. Toilets not working due to well. No generator. No wood stove or fireplace. The storm started the night that we arrived.
We reached out multiple times to Vacasa. We Initially contacted them when we awoke without power on Thurs AM at 745. We were told that the local team would be reaching out for support. No contact until The following day when I found a number on the website. Still no help provided. They declined a credit or refund stating that there are other houses in the area without generators and that they can’t be responsible for the weather. They did offer to refund unused days if we vacated the premises. Vacating was not an option and it doesn’t take into consideration that we were put in a very dangerous situation. Temps were in the 20s overnight w wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour. We also had to find a saw to remove two small trees that had fallen across the small bridge that accesses the property. We were reimbursed a small fraction of the total cost. VRBO immediately closed the ticket and Have not responded to my emails.
Julie H.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
Sarah L.
Oct 22, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great lake house
The house was good for 4 adults and 2 kids, it was clean and well stocked. It stayed warm during the colder nights. The check in and check out was really chill. The lake was beautiful!
Sarah L.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
8/10 Good
Tom G.
Oct 15, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Highland Lake House
I left a detailed message/rating in Vacasa
Tom G.
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Constance E.
Sep 10, 2023
Sweet and Cozy
This is a cute cottage on a sweet little lake. Very clean with the exception of the stovetop. Pretty warm inside though there are many fans and a free standing AC on the porch which if you raise the windows in the living room will eventually cool things off. Our beds were quite comfortable. The view is lovely as is the sunrise. We did not use the boats, paddleboards or Kayaks but for someone outdoorsy staying longer this would be a plus. Tough dirt road and very dark at night. Can be difficult to find.
Constance E.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
4/10 Poor
Brian J.
Aug 5, 2023
Disliked: Cleanliness
Disappointed
There was both good and bad with this property.
I will start with the bad because first impressions and experiences mean everything.
1. When we pulled up to the home, we admired the lake near sunset. We quickly discovered the lawn between the house and lake was uncut, with grass 2+ feet tall. The chairs on the lawn were being swallowed by the grass. We then saw no path to the pier without walking through high grass. On day 3, I got a tick on my leg, dug in and it bled pulling it out.
2. I contacted Vacasa and got the runaround about the lawn and who could cut it.
3. After we settled in, I discovered 3 trash cans worth of trash scattered about in the back of the shed. It was disgusting. Thankfully Vacasa did remove the trash about 18 hrs into our stay.
4. It was clear by the middle of our stay that the lawn wasn't going to be cut. Vacasa gave me a whole $25.07 refund (less than 1% of our rental).
We traveled a good 12 hrs to get here, so we tried to make the best of it. The home is very old, but there are parts we grew fond of. The back enclosed porch turned out to be very relaxing. We spent a good amount of time there and watching the changeable colors of the sky and lake. We even saw a bald eagle twice.
The beds were very squeaky, so sleeping was difficult at times, but manageable. The kitchen mostly had what we needed.
If the lawn was cut, the trash was not an issue, I would have given 4 stars. Im giving it 2 because we couldn't do what we planned
Brian J.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
8/10 Good
Julia G.
Jul 16, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Lakefront Stay
The house offered great access to the lake with the dock and the ladder was helpful in getting in/out of our tubes. The house was as described and we enjoyed time on the lake, grilling on the deck, and convenient access to Portland. We couldn’t figure out where the paddles for the kayaks were but we brought our own tubes and used those instead. The lake was so quiet and peaceful. The house was clean and with the all of the windows open and fans on we were able to cool the house down to a comfortable temperature for sleeping. The kitchen was well stocked for cooking. Definitely recommend this house!
Julia G.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Neil F.
Jun 10, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Lakeside in Maine
Older, fun-loving lakeside home. Plenty of access to Highland Lake using kayaks. Lake is nice and quiet. Lawn certainly needs mowing, no coffee filters available but otherwise, kitchen well stocked.
Neil F.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Deborah W.
Apr 30, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Girls weekend
A beautiful home in great location with all the amenities needed to be comfortable. Enjoyed it so much , we are looking to rent it for a week next time!
Deborah W.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Margaret C.
Sep 25, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice rustic cottage on the water.
Great location for our event in Gray. The cottage is lovely and has several updates especially the kitchen.
Margaret C.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
8/10 Good
Lauren W.
Sep 16, 2022
Things to keep in mind for renting a dog friendly property.
My family and I visited this beautiful cabin on the lake for a weekend retreat as our first time in Maine. There were 5 adults and one infant. The property did not include a pack and play, but we brought one to leave on the property for anyone’s future use.
To start with the great things about our stay: we loved the unique cabin atmosphere and the proximity to the lake. It is fairly secluded so it almost felt like being at summer camp. There’s a great propane fire table we all sat around for dinner and a firepit by the water. There was plenty of space for everyone to have their own area, and we enjoyed the rustic feel.
Unfortunately, there were some unpleasant moments of the stay. To begin, when we arrived on the property, the cleanliness was not up to our standard. Keep in mind when booking, this property is “dog friendly”, but the amount of dog hair still looming around was unacceptable. Additionally, when sitting on one of the couches, a previous dog had left us a “gift” under one of the pillows which one of us sat in. We spent the first half hour of our stay cleaning the mess from the couch and sweeping some excessive dog hair. Though hours after my initial message to Vacasa, they offered to send someone to properly clean the property, but by that time, we had already done the work. Later, they refunded our cleaning fee, but I’m not that was enough given the unpleasantness of the couch situation.
However, if I had the chance to come back, I’d love to stay at this property again as it was a place to unwind and relax while catching many fish just right off the dock!
Lauren W.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
8/10 Good
Cindy T.
Sep 12, 2022
Perfect for our young family
This pup friendly lake house was the perfect size for our family of 4 (3 adults, 1 toddler, and a 40lb dog). Every room was decent sized and had plenty of common space to spread out. It was very peaceful and mostly quiet: We only saw a few kayaks out on the water, but one of the neighbors was cutting down trees and clearing their lot during our stay. The house was very well equipped with kitchenware and lake activity gears. We were happily surprised that there were life jackets for infants and toddlers too. The only complaint I had was that there were visible dust bunnies around the house, which required some cleaning on our part when we arrived. Overall it was a well-kept property at a great location; we were happy with our stay and would love to come back next year!
Cindy T.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
10/10 Excellent
Dana M.
Jul 9, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Lake house for families
Really fun time and great property for families and dogs. Upstairs bathroom sink was not working and master bed was SUPER squeaky!
Dana M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
6/10 Okay
Robert K.
Jun 27, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Very disappointing/ rookie owner
We are avid house renters and unfortunately, this property and Vacasa management were very disappointing.
First and foremost, no owner has the right to come to the property unannounced. This owner did and he failed to identify himself to my family. When you rent a home, it's your home for that time. If there are repairs that need to be made, you callnthe tenant first. Then upon arrival, you disclose to the tenants who you are. This assumes you cslled ahead and requested permission to come there. When its rented, its not your house. Definite personal safety risk that should never happen.
As for Vacasa, it took 17 phone calls to three levels of management to agree and they refunded just $375. This 3 night stay cost $1900. It was severely overpriced for what it was. House pics look pretty. Lake is nice but somewhat shallow due to rocks. Kayak is ok but limited boating.
Next, house has AC upstairs, but that's 1 bedroom. Downstairs bedrooms are 80° with no AC.
Kitchen lacked a dishwasher. Don't go on vacation thinking I'm the dishwasher.
Firepit lacked a poker to manage the fire. Seems pretty basic.
In the end, the layers of fees and taxes more than doubled the actual cost of our stay. Management was curt and unresponsive. Talking to customers seems to be beneath them.
There are too many good properties out there. Vacasa is not a management company I'd use again. This owner is simply new and inexperienced and Vacasa's standards are too low. They ahould be helping them but oerhaps that too is beneath them. At $1900 for three nights, this house should be awesome. This house is far from awesome and is not money well spent.