A 4-BEDROOM MAINE HOME ACROSS THE ROAD FROM PEMAQUID BEACH
Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, sleeps nine. Laughton House is a 19th-century home in the heart of Pemaquid Beach village, literally across the road from Pemaquid Beach State Park. Built for the kind of family trip where the whole family is under one roof and nobody needs to get in the car.
THE HOUSE
There`s a bunk room the kids will claim on sight, a game closet packed with board games, and a living room with a Smart TV and comfortable furniture for rainy afternoons. The kitchen has a 5-burner gas range, dishwasher, French press, coffee grinder, and enough pots, pans, and counter space to cook for a crowd every night of the week. Travel crib and high chair are here if you need them. Washer and dryer, too. Central heat throughout, AC in the living room.
The porches are where the real memories get made. Upper balcony for morning coffee with a glimpse of the bay. Lower porch for after-dinner conversations that stretch past dark. Picnic table in the yard, grill for the evenings, fire pit out back.
WHAT`S WALKABLE
Pemaquid is the kind of place that hasn`t been discovered yet — no crowds, no traffic, no souvenir shops. Pemaquid Beach State Park is across the road. Fort William Henry and Colonial Pemaquid are 0.3 miles. Maine Kayak rents kayaks and SUPs half a mile away. The Contented Sole for sunset dinners is also walkable. C.E. Reilly & Son grocery is less than a mile away. Guests have spotted eagles, seals, and fox without leaving the property.
SHORT DRIVE
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (3.5 mi). Monhegan Island ferry from New Harbor (1.5 mi), Hardy Boat also runs puffin watches from the same harbor. Damariscotta (15 min) for Hannaford grocery, oyster bars, and bookstores. Boothbay Harbor (35 min) for the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and whale-watching.
FOR FOOD
Shaw`s Fish & Lobster Wharf and The Contented Sole are both local institutions. The Starboard Cafe in New Harbor (the old Cupboard Cafe) still makes the cinnamon rolls and sticky buns people have loved for years. C.E. Reilly & Son for groceries. Damariscotta has more restaurants and shops, 15 minutes away.
THE PROPERTY
Laughton House is part of a small compound with a guest cottage next door (Ocean Breeze) and three cabins in the woods behind the property (Low Tide, Ebb Tide, High Tide). The main house has its own porches, yard, and parking for four cars, separate from the cabin and cottage parking. If your group is larger than 9, you can also book any combination of the cottage and cabins to add bedrooms, or book the whole estate (listed separately).
ALSO ON SITE
Level 2 EV charger (shared, first-come first-served, modest usage fee). Backyard fire pit. Outdoor grill. Smart TV. WiFi.
HONEST NOTES
We are not a pet-friendly property due to allergies, insurance, and our shared-property setup. ADA service animals are welcome with advance notice, please reach out before booking so we can plan logistics together. You`re welcome to use the wood stove in the living room. Firewood isn`t provided, and the safety rules are in the house rules.
Thanks for staying with us. Please read these house rules before you arrive.
GUESTS AND VISITORS
- Maximum of 9 overnight guests. Infants under 2 don`t count, but please list them on your booking.
- Please don`t sleep in the living areas. The daybeds and futons are for lounging only.
- You may have up to 2 day visitors at a time. Visitors must leave by 9 PM, can`t stay overnight, and can`t park on the property.
- No parties or events.
- No commercial photography.
NO SMOKING
- No smoking or vaping of any kind anywhere on the property, indoors or outside. A $250 smoking fee applies, plus the cost of any extra cleaning or repairs.
PETS
- No pets or emotional support animals. Service dogs are always welcome. It helps if you let us know before you arrive.
- If a pet is brought without our approval, a $500 fee applies, plus the cost of any extra cleaning, flea treatment or repairs.
QUIET HOURS
- Please keep noise down between 9 PM and 9 AM. Other guests stay in the cottage and cabins nearby.
CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT
- Check-in is 4:00 PM and check-out is 10:00 AM.
- Early check-in from 2:00 PM or late check-out until 12:00 PM is $100 each, when the schedule allows. Ask us by the day before and we`ll confirm in writing by 4:00 PM.
- Arriving early or staying past 10:00 AM without a confirmed request is charged $150 for each hour or part of an hour, with no charge within the first 15 minutes. If you`re still in the unit at 1:00 PM, or arrive before 1:00 PM, we charge one extra night instead, if that`s more.
PARKING
- Park in front of the `Laughton House` sign on the left side of the shared driveway (2 to 3 cars, one behind the other). One more spot is in the parking area to the left of the house, in front of the `#4 Main House` sign.
GRILL AND BALCONY
- The grill stays where it is, behind the house and at least 10 feet from it. Clean it with the wire brush while it`s still hot and turn off the gas at the tank after each use. A $50 fee applies if it`s left dirty.
- Please enjoy the balcony, but no more than 8 people on it at a time, and please don`t lean on the railing.
WOOD STOVE
- You`re welcome to use the wood stove in the living room. Firewood isn`t provided, but C.E. Reilly & Son in the village sells it.
- Before lighting, turn the knob on the front of the stove all the way open so the fire gets plenty of air.
- Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood. No pine, painted or treated wood, cardboard or trash.
- Keep the stove door closed while the fire is burning. Open it only to add wood, and never leave a fire unattended.
- Let ashes cool for at least 24 hours, then put them in the metal ash can by the stove. Never put ashes in a trash or recycling bin.
- If you hear a roaring sound in the chimney or see sparks from the top, get everyone out and call 911.
FIRE SAFETY
- No candles, fireworks or other open flames indoors. Battery candles are fine.
- Fire extinguishers are in the kitchen, to the right of the sink, and upstairs to the right of the bathroom.
HEATING AND COOLING
- Nest thermostats are in the dining room (downstairs) and the main bedroom (upstairs). Please set them to Eco or 60°F when you head out.
- On warm days there are window and ceiling fans, plus an AC unit in the living room. Please set the AC to Eco or 75°F when you go out.
WATER AND SEPTIC
- The property runs on a well that can run low in late summer, so please go easy on water. The showers at Pemaquid Beach are a great way to rinse off.
- Please flush only toilet paper. No wipes, even `flushable` ones, and no feminine products.
TRASH
- Trash and recycling pickup is Tuesday. Please bring the bins to the curb Monday night or early Tuesday and bring them back after pickup.
- If the bins are full, take extra bags to the Bristol/South Bristol transfer station at 1 Transfer Road, Pemaquid. Never leave bags next to the bins.
- If we have to take trash to the transfer station because it was left outside or next to full bins, a $100 fee applies for each trip.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
- Please wash and put away your dishes, or start the dishwasher early enough to empty it before you go (a cycle takes about 2.5 hours). A $50 fee applies if dishes are left dirty.
DAMAGE HOLD
- For direct and VRBO bookings, we place a $1,000 hold on your card about a day before checkout. If all is well, it`s released automatically, usually within about 7 days.
Direct and VRBO guests also sign a rental agreement with the full details.
