What to Expect During Your Stay at Our Cottage
Welcome to Your Week at Camelot
Camelot Cottage isn’t your typical vacation rental — and that’s exactly the point. This rustic two-bedroom retreat on Southport Island has been in our family for over 50 years. It’s seen rainy day puzzles, sandy bare feet, long porch naps, and the slowest, best kind of summer magic.
If you’re considering a stay, here’s a glimpse of what it’s really like — so you can feel at home before you even arrive.
The Space: Cozy, Wooded, and Made for Slowing Down
The cottage sleeps four comfortably, with one king bedroom and a twin room we call Mussel Inn. There’s one bathroom, a fireplace for cool evenings, a fully stocked kitchen (no dishwasher), and a screened-in porch that becomes the favorite room for nearly everyone who visits (perfect for avoiding the evening mosquitos).
You’ll wake up to the sound of rustling trees and maybe a foghorn in the distance. On clear days, you can catch glimpses of the ocean and passing boats through the pines.
The Vibe: Low-Key, Laid-Back, and Quiet
This isn’t a place for flat-screens or tight schedules — and that’s what we love most about it. It’s a place for slow mornings, books that finally get finished, and board games that last too long. There’s WiFi if you need it — but no TV, and most guests say they didn’t miss it once.
You’ll find puzzles stashed in our corner library area, Adirondacks on the screened porch, and plenty of space to breathe.
What’s Provided (and What to Bring)
You’ll find:
Fresh sheets and bath towels
Reliable WiFi
A kitchen stocked with cookware, dishes, and basic supplies
A few games, card decks, and puzzles
Beach towels
Bring:
Groceries (Boothbay Harbor has the nearest full grocery store, but Southport General Store is great for any one-offs you forget or need to restock)
Any special cookware or ingredients you love
Your favorite paperbacks (although if you forget any, we have a mini library to offer that’ll keep you busy!)
A headlamp if you plan to walk after dark — there aren’t many street lights around here
A Few Cottage Quirks to Know
Camelot was built in the early 1900s, and while we’ve updated the essentials, some of the quirks come with the territory — and the charm.
The shower clearance is low. Guests over 6 feet tall may need to duck.
The septic system is very delicate. Please only flush toilet paper — nothing else (we know; with a majority of women in the family, we’ve often broken this rule in public places where it’s requested, but in our case, it’s really important). Having a plumbing issue in a one-bathroom home would be a vacation bummer.
There’s no dishwasher. There is a dish rack and a beautiful view out the window while you rinse.
We don’t allow pets. For the health and comfort of all our guests, as well as the cottage itself.
There’s an ocean view, but no direct water access. (We’re surrounded by nearby public beaches and docks, though — happy to recommend our favorites.)
Don’t be surprised when you notice the kitchen floor isn’t perfectly flat: this room happens to be situated directly over a large boulder, and as the house has aged, the floors have slightly sagged around the rock.
There are ceiling fans throughout, but there’s no central heat or AC (she’s a single-season cottage!).
If you're looking for polished and pristine, Camelot might not be your match. But if you’re into simple pleasures and the nostalgia of a real summer cottage, you’ll fit right in.
Staying at Camelot isn’t about packing your itinerary full. It’s about pressing pause — on work, on screens, on busy-ness — and letting the week unfold at its own pace. It’s a little rustic. A little nostalgic. And a lot like how summer used to feel.
Camelot isn’t a bucket list destination. It’s something better: a place to rest.
Planning your own stay?
Check availability here, or head back to the blog for more travel tips and local favorites.