Summary:
The Hemlock Haven tent looks out at sunsets on Annabessacook Lake. Sleep comfortably, cook your favorite meals, hammock nap, bask in the glow of the fire or wood stove, hear the calls of the loons, play on the rope swing, canoe, kayak, or paddle board the lake, and explore the trails of this 14 acre wooded island, and then repeat as needed. We greet you at our shoreside dock and help you get settled into island-life. Enjoy super clean, Superhost, Maine Guide hospitality.
The Space:
We supply everything you need for a unique Maine island experience. Bring a cooler full of your favorite food and beverage and some vacay clothes. Then prepare to unplug. Serving the naturally curious since 2015.
Sleep soundly in a comfy queen size bed made up with extra blankets and a comforter. Modern amenities include: a compost toilet and hot shower (available during the non-freezing seasons) with towels and soap nearby. Island life is barely "roughing it", even though electricity is battery-limited and plumbing is eco-unconventional.
HOW DO I GET TO THE ISLAND?
Every island adventure begins at our shoreside parking/dock area. From there, you've got options: Paddle, Ferry, or BYOBoat. See the details below for schedules, limitations, and FAQ. Know that we make island access for you, your crew, and your gear convenient, free, and part of your adventure.
RETURNING GUESTS: We appreciate folks who return year after year. If you've misplaced the Island Withdrawal Syndrome coupon code, remind us of your last stay and we'll send you a new one. We can't have you suffering from IWS, now can we! Also, if you are looking for an exception to minimum night requirements, please reach out.
COOKING OPTIONS: Cooking is easy, so pack food, not gear. We supply: kitchen utensils, dishes, pots and pans, French press, coffee, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, and drinking water from our homestead well. You can cook on the propane grill and stove or over an open fire.
FREE STUFF: Every Maine Island adventure includes: FREE island transportation, camp chairs, unlimited firewood, lantern, fire starter, matches, canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board with life vests and gear. Explore Annabessacook Lake! On the island there is a rope swing, a mile of walking paths, benches and hammocks.
DOGS ON VACAY: We're dog people and Hemlock Haven is pet-friendly for most pups. We screen all four legged visitors right after the reservation is made so that every island visitor is safe and prepared. If you can answer "YES" to each of our screening questions, your pup will be approved: Does your dog get along with other pups and humans? Is your dog’s history bite-free? Are you willing to keep your pup on leash during your stay? And, are you willing to be responsible for any damages your dog creates?
If there's a "NO" in there, DON'T WORRY! Check out our stay at Naughty Dog Island. It’s a private island with a log cabin where ANY dog - even unsociable ones - can be leash-free and worry-free. Our pet fees are $30/night per pet, which gets settled up after the reservation and screening are completed.
LOOKING FOR A SHORT STAY OR WANT A SUPER DEAL?
So that guests looking for longer stays have options, our minimum night stay (MNS) requirements tend to start high early in the year and then drop by Summer. So if you've got a quick stay in mind and are surprised by our minimum night stay requirements, check back with us. The closer we get to an empty night, the more flexible we will be.
Same goes for our pricing: if you've got specific dates or stay in mind, book early for the sure thing. But if you're flexible on dates, flexible on which stay you want, and don't mind biting your nails while waiting for a price you like, then save the link and check back. We have a first-come, first-served booking policy, but our pricing gets lower, the closer we are to an empty night.
Guest Access:
Guests enjoy exclusive access to Hemlock Haven where they can enjoy privacy and shared access to 1 Big Sustainable Island.
There's lots to do on 1 Big Sustainable Island and (as has been the tradition for generations in the neighborhood) visitors are encouraged to stop by (so expect some company from the neighborhood on the island during daylight -- after dark, however, the island is closed to the public). Activities in these shared areas include:
Hiking or walking on more than a mile of trails
Swimming
Swinging off the rope swing at the lake's edge
Cooking over an open fire
Watching the sunset from Sunset Rock
Resting in one of the hammocks sprinkled about the island
Fishing off the dock
Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding
Sauna lake plunging
We are happy to provide safe luggage storage so you can enjoy free early arrival or free late departure. Guests can take advantage of the shared areas and activities either before check in or after check out.
HOW PRIVATE IS THIS?
Each of our eco-island stays is designed with privacy in mind. There are 5 (soon to be 6) stays on 1 Big Sustainable Island. Unless you go looking for neighbors, you probably won't know they are there. Every site has its own corner of the island. You might see folks in the public areas of the island (ie bathroom, boat rack, ferry ride, rope swing, and trails), but your sleeping and eating accommodations are private. Also know that our Island support team, if they're not already on island, they're a text away, if you need help.
The Neighborhood:
Annabessacook Lake is our 1400 acre backyard of clear water, good fishing, and great neighbors. Whether they are year-round residents, summer vacationers, or visitors, most folks you'll meet will tell you that they have been coming here since they were a kid.
Getting Around:
Getting to the Island: You’ve got check in options
CHECK IN YOURSELF by:
* Bringing your own boat or boat plane - we have a public boat launch, free parking for your rig at our place, and free island dock space available.
* Paddling yourself - Take one of our canoes or kayaks and paddle the 30 minute trip across the lake to your stay. We can shuttle your gear on the next ferry if you want. Or,
CHECK IN WITH FERRY SERVICE:
Free ferry service to the island runs at:
* 9:45 Early Arrival - We’ll shuttle you to 1 Big Sustainable Island early and while your stay is being prepared, you can begin your “Island Time” early. We’ll safely stow your gear and let you know as soon as your accommodations are ready.
* 3pm and 5pm - With the standard checkin ferry, we’ll move your crew and your gear to the island and help get you settled in.
Pre-arranged Special Ferry Service is available at other times for a $60 one-way fee during regular hours (between 8pm and 7am, the cost is $100 and a hot cup of coffee for the Boat Captain). We'll transport your gear and all your guests on this 10 minute private boat ride.
FREE PARKING: Park in our private parking area for free. Cart your gear to our shoreside dock to begin your "Island Time" journey.
Other Things to Note:
OUTHOUSAPHOBES: We're with you!
New guests might wonder about our island, off-the-grid bathrooms. Rest assured that our compost toilets are designed with usability in mind. They smell great!
We have all been to rural outhouses where this is not the case. It's the number 1 complaint (or is that #2?). Which is why, when we built each of our toilets facilities, we did something different. Through management of airflow, separation of liquids from solids, application of saw dust, and optimizing the force of gravity, we have a composting toilet system that has been in place for years with very little odor and maximum sanitation. So rest easy: if a member of your party is an "outhousaphobe", know that so are we!
CAN'T FIND THE DATES YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
Check out all of our seven (soon to be eight) Maine Island eco-retreat listings at 1 Big Sustainable Island.
Packing Advice for glampers: PACK LIGHT!
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
• Cooler with ice (Free replacement ice packs are available)
• Favorite foods and beverages
• Cell phone/laptop charge cables (We've got juice to keep them charged.)
• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Layers of warm clothing
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
• Fishing permit for anyone over 16
• Water shoes for swimming
• Curiosity and a good sense of humor
Our Rates include:
• Free island transportation
• Free canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, paddles and life vests
• Free dock space for your boat
• Hammock
• Camp chairs
• Unlimited firewood
• Fire pit
• Wood-stove tent heater (for heating season)
• Adjustable grill for cooking over the fire
• Propane grill and stove
• Pots, pans
• Dishes
• Utensils
• Biodegradable soap
• Sheets
• Towels
• Playing Cards
• Lanterns
• Dad jokes and exclamation points!
REMOTE WORK - Wifi, cell, and battery recharges
Cell reception registers 3 bars and 5G on the island . So, with any smartphone, you can work remotely. Bring your cord and we'll take phone and laptop battery charging from there. If you need our data plan, we offer a mobile hotspot upon request. There is a catch, however. We can keep a secret, if you need us to. Telling the office how easy it is to get work done on your island adventure will be up to you!
Interaction with Guests:
Kent, a Registered Maine Guide and Commercial Boat Operator, and our Island Support Crew are available if needed - either on the island or a text message away.
From dawn to dusk, the island common areas receive visitors from the surrounding community who want to hike, swim, explore, or take the rope swing for a ride! These are our neighbors, friends, and are our helpful "security guards". At night, the island is quiet, peaceful, and restricted to overnight guests. Four (soon to be five) other sites are remotely located on the island and share some of the bathroom and shower facilities.
