Now FULLY BOOKED FOR JUNE, JULY, AUGUST. 3 day min. Sept and October. No Saturday check-out. NO WINTER BOOKINGS AVAILABLE. This is a quiet retreat in a rural area, lots of peace and privacy but no city streets; instead you enjoy swimming, boating,fishing and hiking during the day, reconnecting with family over board or card games in the evenings because there is not enough bandwidth for gaming. If that sounds good, Kiwi Lodge is the place for you! Charming and very comfortable well-designed log home on the shore of a pond near Farmington in the Western Mountains and Lakes region of Maine: steps from private lakefront.
Three levels in this home means lots of space to spread out. Two bedrooms plus full bathroom on the top level (one with king size bed, one with queen and full beds); spacious kitchen and dining area on one side of main level with living room on the other side and another full bathroom in between. The dining room table, hand-made by a Maine artisan, as are all of the beds, seats 8 very comfortably. There is also a full size futon in a secluded corner of the living room, depending on the size and needs of your group.
The lower level has a third bedroom, with full size lower bunk and twin size upper bunk, and the family room with access to the hot tub, badminton/volleyball net, lawn and lake through sliding doors. A thick screen of pine, maple, birch, elm and oak trees gives seclusion on 1.5 acres of land - and gorgeous colors in the fall! Sip a glass of cold wine while you soak in the six-person hot tub, overlooking the lake. There is a gas grill on the wraparound deck on the main level, as well as comfortable Adirondack style chairs and a lovely solid oak picnic table, large enough for 8. Family room has 50 inch HDTV. Large screen TV in living room with cable for sports and movies, plus DVD player & collection of DVDs, books and radio/CD player. Telephone for incoming calls or outgoing 800 and local calls. WiFi speed is currently poor; we are changing to another ISP in spring 2021 - but no guarantees that you will have the service level of a big city. This is rural Maine! Mobile 'phone reception is fairly good. Fully equipped kitchen with granite counter top, refrigerator w/ice maker & water dispenser, dishwasher, gas stove, microwave, coffee maker, regular and stick blender, cake mixer, toaster; everything needed for a family kitchen, plus lobster pot. For your convenience, there is a good supply of basics such as flour, sugar, baking powder & soda, oil, and a wide range of spices and condiments plus tea and coffee.
NOTE: Wheelchair ramp, for manual regular width chairs only
The 55' dock, four feet wide, gives easy access to the lake - but no diving please; the water is about 2' deep at the end of the dock. Swim or take the kayak out to the swim raft and dive from there. There is a hexagonal area at the end of the dock, perfect for sitting and sunning. The paddle boat, canoe and kayak are included in your rental. The lake is over 100 acres in area - perfect for paddling around in the kayak or canoe - with maximum depth of 23'. Fishing enthusiasts should expect to find both small and large mouth bass, chain pickerel, golden shiners, white or yellow perch on the end of their line. There is an area of reeds off to one side of the dock where fishermen have had good catches. The water is clear. If you sit quietly in the boat in the lake, expect to see the bottom of the lake and some of its inhabitants. Please note that the lake shore by Kiwi Lodge does not have a sandy beach for entry into the lake, though there is a beach area a short distance around the shore. The bottom of the lake near the shore is sandy but there is also mud. Bring water shoes.
There is a public launch site on nearby Wilson Lake for motor boats, if you plan to bring your own. Our pond is too small for any but small electric motors.
The beauty and peace of the lake, the call of the loons, the enjoyment of the water: guaranteed to reduce stress levels on arrival. Relax on deck or dock or swim float; find some of the many ways to enjoy the water in summer. There are so many areas of interest nearby for all seasons; details are sent to renters before arrival. There is lots more information in the desk in the living room. Do some online research too: check out 'Attractions of Western Mountains and Lakes of Maine' online. This is a very good whitetail hunting area in the fall. Local guides are available. Maine residents know how to enjoy all seasons! The same chain of mountains as in Vermont and New Hampshire also carved their way through Maine, a few eons ago The two major ski areas of Sunday River and Sugarloaf are each less than an hour away. Titcomb Ski Area, a few minutes away in West Farmington, has 16K of groomed cross country trails as well as downhill; drop of 340', good for beginners. This is a very friendly, family-oriented ski area.
What is a Loon?: Maine is famed for lobster but it is the loons which make themselves memorable on the lakes. Did you know that they were named loons (not a flattering name - means 'to act in a foolish way') for their clumsy, awkward appearance when walking on land? During winter they go to the coast but come back inland when the ice starts to break on the ponds and lakes - they know the date! Their unusual cries, which vary from wails to a shaking sound to yodels, are unforgettable. Their summer appearance is beautiful: striking red eyes, black heads and necks, and white striping, checkering, and spotting on their backs. They can grow up to 12 pounds in weight. These wonderful birds are carefully guarded in Maine. To help preserve their breeding and feeding environment, please do not use lead sinkers on fishing lines, and do not approach too close, especially if it seems as if the bird is on a nest. They may abandon the eggs if frightened. Keep canoe and kayak away from the lake's edge. You may even spot a loon carrying a chick on its back, as recent guests have been fortunate enough to see.
Nearest Airport | Portland International Jetport | 70 miles |
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Nearest Bus | Portland | 70 miles |
Nearest Restaurant | Farmington restaurants | 8 miles |
Directions provided to guests after confirmation of reservation and well before arrival.
Western Mountains Lakes Region of Maine: hills, forests, lakes and farmland
Rate Period | Nightly | Weekly | Monthly | Seasonal | |||
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Weekday | Weekend | ||||||
Rate periods unavailable. Questions? Send Inquiry |
Other Charge Type | Price | Charge Type | |
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Cleaning | Mandatory | $85 | One time |
Tax | Mandatory | 9% | One time |
Thanks Kiwi's for this wonderful vacation spot. I won't say vacation house because it felt like home, it was clean and comfortable, and really well furnished. I like that you have gone local to furnish the house, it felt right as it is really representative of the area. The photos you provided are great but cannot really portray the peace and quiet of the area- only broken by the delightful presence of the Loons!!
My family and I found so much to do in Maine but next time we plan to spend more time around the house and the pond because it is so lovely and relaxing, and there were enough "toys" to satisfy us all, and it a safe spot for the kids. Thanks very much. Judy and family
We are happy to confirm your return reservation for August, Judy! You will find that the list of "toys" has grown. We are constantly updating and adding to the amenities of Kiwi Lodge at Sand Pond. We have also just received some new living room furniture and the basement level renovation has been completed in time for spring. Solid oak picnic table installed at one end of the upper deck, not far from the gas and charcoal grill for outside dining.
We take them to Maine!! We have stayed in a few rentals in the area and found endless relaxing and fun things to do. The kids didn't even notice their creativity and imaginations growing! We adults really came into our groove after we discovered Kiwi Lodge though. Previous rental houses were a little cramped and had a second hand feeling to them...not Kiwi Lodge...it is very spacious, comfortable and clean and it's beautifully decorated. It instantly felt like home! We were impressed that the furniture was made by local artisans. (Who welcome visitors.) The location was great too. Secluded enough to feel it was our own oasis but not very far from grocery stores and plentiful fresh veg and fruit...we even picked our own! The owner directed us to some great restaurants too! I would highly recommend making this your seasonal home away from home. Summer is great but winter holds a special charm. Maine and Kiwi Lodge both have everything you want and more. And the kids weren't entirely separated from their electronics...we spent some enjoyable evenings together watching movies on a fabulous big T.V. They think thats' even better than home!
We are happy to confirm your return reservation for September, Jules! Kiwi Lodge has a strong attraction for everyone in our family too, and we love to share it with others who want to enjoy the beauties of Maine. One of the greatest attractions of Maine, of course, is its seafood. You can easily get to the restaurants of Portland or the even closer grocery stores of Farmington, but there is also a seafood vendor who parks his truck on Fridays at a spot on the way in to Farmington; those in the know flock to him for superbly fresh seafood at great prices. He will let you know what is best at the time of your visit. Information on how to locate him is included with the local tips that you will receive before your visit to Kiwi Lodge.
My wife and I stayed at the cabin for a long weekend with two other couples in the early spring and absolutely loved it. The hot tub outside was a real selling point for us. The cabin was very clean and great facilities. The countryside surrounding the cabin is perfect - we enjoyed some great snow walks and 1 day at the locate ski slope. We'll be back next year.
We enjoyed the tranquility of Kiwi Lodge. My children and I enjoyed the new dock and kayaks. We also enjoyed two families of ducks with their babies...The house was tastefully decorated and offered enough room for all of us to spread out. The beds were wonderfully comfortable and the hot tub was great. Would recommend this for any family. One of the televisions was not working and after contacting Kay a replacement was supplied. All in all, I would return.
Great that you enjoyed the experience, Cathy! The house has been carefully set up to provide a comfortable, fun environment for a family in a beautiful place; wonderful to get your confirmation of this. That disappointing TV, great plasma picture notwithstanding, has been immediately laid to rest and replaced by a new unit . The kayaks are proving so popular that we are considering adding another one!
My family and I arrived in what we very soon dubbed 'our Paradise' in Maine shell shocked by a harsh winter and recent sadness. We departed revived and with renewed joy!
The house is situated in a secluded location and we were instantly struck by the tranquility. We were irresistibly drawn into the wonder and beauty of nature.
We all loved the gorgeous log home. It is a home not a cabin because it is really big. It is spacious, spotless and extremely well maintained. Our family, including four kids and a dog each claimed a private, favorite spot! Most of the time they played and explored outside though. At home we can't get them out of their rooms!
We loved the beds. They are so comfortable! The bed rooms are gorgeously decorated in what I perceive a modern rustic Mainer style. Luxurious!
As promised by our gracious hosts grocery stores were very close by. But apart from a trip to buy the impeccaby fresh seafood (delicious and cheap!) from a local truck we preferred to stay in 'our Paradise'!
Highlights were the house, the haunting song of the loons ...especially beautiful at night, watching the moon play on the lake, stars like we had never seen before, the paths meandering through the forest...inviting us to stroll along them, snuggling up with the kids on unbelievably comfortable couches watching movies from the collection provided, (who gets time for that at home??) the Xbox, the barbeque, the fabulous big farm style kitchen, cooking and eating together with the kids, time and space for plenty of one-on-one heartfelt conversations, having hilarious fun bonding as a family playing board games together on the very large, inviting dining table.
Gosh....what wasn't a highlight?? Everything was a highlight! Our family had no idea our vacation was going to be so wonderful! Thank you Kiwi Lodge for giving us 'our Paradise'.
THANK YOU! We will definitely return.
It is a privilege to think that our family's property in Maine was able to provide both solace and enjoyment to Dot's family. Our goal is to offer a place for a family to enjoy each other's company as well as the many beauties of Maine's renowned vacationland. Seems that goal was certainly met in the case of this family! We are so glad.
It is a lovely house and it was so clean that we felt very comfortable. Very nice views of the lake both from in and outside the house.
The kids loved the xbox gaming system and games along with the kinect gaming feature which we all were able to enjoy together.
We also enjoyed making bonfires by the lake and making s'mores together along with roasting hot dogs on sticks.
We look forward to renting this house again. We can hardly wait to be able to go boating on the lake.
So happy that your family enjoyed their vacation at Kiwi Lodge! We have added some boats since you were here, as well as more electronic game equipment. The fire pit has been improved too. Your family should have even more fun next time!
I just came back from a fabulous week in Maine and I am already missing it. The house is lovely, very clean, very organized, it has everything you need to have for a great holiday. I enjoyed the outdoor activities using the kayak, the canoe and the pedalo! I took long walks and I did birth watching, I saw many deers and I was lucky enough to experience a face to face with a moose. Nice families of ducks and chipmunk were visiting daily, I love animals and I enjoyed taking lots of pictures. The scenarios from the house and from the lack are breathtaking. The place is peaceful, beautiful, and really relaxing, but it offer a lot of outdoor activities. If you need to recharge there is no better place. Lovely accommodation to have good time with friends and family. The house is big enough for 8 people to live very comfortably, even in a rainy day, there are TVs, WII, and lots of games to play.
The house has a very spacious kitchen ( I am Italian I love to cook kitchen for us is the heart of the house) but for Americans that love barbeque there is a very nice BBQ on the terrace lake view.
The place is immerse in the green but so close to Farmington where you can find shops and anything you need. You also can have nice car ride to Freeport for amazing shopping and amazing lobster :-)
I will definitely go back, I would love to see it in fall and winter. Loved it!!!!!!!!! The landlady very nice, always answering to messages quickly, and very politely, very nice to have to deal with her. Overall fabulous!
We are very happy to know that you enjoyed your first visit to the beautiful vacation state of Maine, and that you liked Kiwi Lodge so much, Francesca. For someone who is a citizen of Italy, where there is so much beauty and cultural attractions of all kinds, this is praise indeed! Just wait until you see the attractions of other seasons. Summer is now fully booked, but we still have vacancies for the leaf peeping and hunting seasons.
It is the day after returning home and we want to go back already. We loved every minute of our stay at Kiwi Lodge. A sweet note and a bottle of New Zealand wine were waiting for us after our 2 day drive from Ohio. Everything is provided for a very comfortable stay. The owner has really taken care to provide very nice towels and sheets, decorations and amenities. The property is beautiful inside and out. The beds were extremely comfortable. If you love nature, this is the place for you. A pair of loons visited almost daily. The multiple duck families became regular friends. The lodge encompasses the best of the outdoors and indoors. We loved all of the water toys provided. Our two 17 year old boys found out they were great at canoeing and kayaking but still had time at night to play the electronic games provided. The paddle boat was something even the least athletic person could use; Dingo the dog and I loved it! The 20 year old fashionista loved the closet space provided and spent time in the hot tub almost daily. At one point, all 5 of us (not the dog) were in the hot tub together - wonderful family time on a drizzly day in Maine. We found a great restaurant in Farmington (Harvest House) and Gifford's Ice Cream was incredible. There are some cute shops in town and by the college, too.
All in all, everything was as promised and more. The pictures don't do it justice. We plan on returning to Kiwi Lodge next year, too.
This review from Pat is so gratifying for the team of people who have worked very hard to make sure that renters have exactly the experience that is described. Our goal is to provide a place of beauty and comfort that will enable our visitors to relax and to enjoy the property and the surrounding area. We will continue to enhance the amenities on the property; the local region is already wonderful! We are constantly discovering new ways to enjoy Maine.
We wanted to thank you for the warm and inviting house that you have. We were amazed how clean the house was when we arrived. My family and I had a wonderful and very relaxing stay. The kids spent a lot of time fishing and we all had fun going out on the kayaks and sitting by the fire pit. I would highly recommend the Kiwi Lodge to others.
We were very pleased to have your family enjoy their vacation in Kiwi Lodge, Ann-Marie. Our cleaning crew were especially gratified that you were so impressed by the cleanliness of Kiwi Lodge that you wrote a note to thank them. Thanks for your thoughtfulness and, should your vacation plans bring you back to this region next year, we'd love to welcome you again!
This place is a gem! We had a wonderful week at Kiwi Lodge, hours spent relaxing, having fun and spending time with the family.
The house is immaculate, with great, comfy furnishings and just enough electronics to keep everyone entertained and happy. Is was especially nice having the Xbox and Wii downstairs where the kids slept, giving the adults some quiet time in the evenings upstairs. The large kitchen table lent itself to many games and great meals. And the large picnic table on the deck was great for eating and playing on as well.
We spent many hours in the pond trying to escape the record heat, paddling around on the kayaks and boats and jumping off the swimming float. The water was very warm, clean and inviting. The outside lawn made for a great place to set up our badminton set, and enjoy fires at night down by the pond. It was wonderful to be able to bring our dog as well, especially with no extra cost!
Many thanks to Kay and all her helpful information about the area. The bottle of wine waiting upon our arrival was a thoughtful gesture. We would recommend Kiwi Lodge to anyone in a heartbeat, they'll have a vacation full of wonderful memories like we did!
Thanks, Vikki, for your great descriptions of Kiwi Lodge! And thanks too for giving me the idea of the next amenity to be added - I am just researching Speedminton sets as opposed to Volleyball/Badminton. Stand by for the final decision.
If we have to go through a heat wave, one of the best places for relief has to be a pond in Maine. So glad you enjoyed the vacation anyway!