Reviews of Peaceful Lakefront Retreat with Views


Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 38 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Dave V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peace and quiet
Another great time on Balch Lake. We love this place!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Louise F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
I loved the the cabin very quite and friendly neighbors Beautiful view of the lake. It was a very relaxing vacation the loons a sound that stays with you We would definitely return
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrice K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
Love this place.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Abigail C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Third summer at the Whitehouse cabin
Love love love the lake, the loons, the tranquility, the slow pace! Our third summer here and we had a great time - thanks as always!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Dave V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great cabin!
Another great week at Balch Lake. Look out! It's so nice just hanging out at the Lake you might not go anywhere! Sarah's the best.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jeannine H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing and Quiet
Lovely location, cozy cabin. A great place to relax and unwind.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

jan c.

Liked: Cleanliness
Review
Great spot and the camp had great dishes! For a sleep 6 there were only 3 bath towels and shower liner should be replaced. Propane tank was somewhat low and told don and Brenda to let property manager know..we may run out but never heard anything. Due to the rain we were ok. Previous tenants garbage was left animals made a mess, understandable
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 15, 2022
Jan were glad you enjoyed your stay! I’m sorry you didn’t hear back from me. Unfortunately, I don’t know who Don and Benda are which may be why you didn’t hear from me. I’m always available through VRBO and do my best to respond to requests immediately. Please next time reach out to me directly and I’m happy to fix anything that isn’t right.

10/10 Excellent

Abigail C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved our second summer stay!
My husband’s resting heart rate lowered appreciably during our 9-day stay here — which says a LOT! We had hoped to de-stress and that’s just what happened. Every morning I took my coffee to the wooden deck on the water (just a few steps from the house) and did some bird-watching and -listening. I counted bald eagles, great blue herons, turkey vultures, pine warblers, pileated and hairy woodpeckers, both red- and white-breasted nuthatches, etc…. and of course my favorites, the loons, didn’t disappoint. The whole family spent much time paddling and boating around. I noticed the new kitchen faucet—nice improvement. We are in love with the lake here—looking forward to next summer!
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patrice K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pond Oasis - Take a step back
I love staying at the cottage! Kayaking and swimming on the pond are the best. Meals on the porch and relaxing on the dock in the sun are favorites.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

John B.

Liked: Cleanliness
August Balch Lake Week
Great week. Cabin has a wonderful feel, and reminds me of past visits to Balch Lake. For a family of four, it worked great. The canoe, paddle board, beach, fun fishing, views and weekday quietness was fantastic. The price was very fair. Thank you Sarah!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maureen W., Waterboro

Liked: Cleanliness
Tranquil and Fun
The cottage, steps away from the lake and flat grounds was perfect. We loved the quaintness but still had modern amenities. The kitchen had everything you needed from eating/cooking utensils to array of dishes and cook ware. Took advantage of using the paddle board and swimming. Family friendly. Lovely screened porch to enjoy. Close by is Cindy's Place for great breakfast and general market has little bit of everything. Sarah was great and very responsive. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great escape for some family fun!
Thoroughly enjoyed our time at this great little cabin the woods. The property was perfect for us to unwind and share some time together as a family. We would love to return there again next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Doug G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cottage on a very quiet lake.
The cottage was just as described. The choice of docks was wonderful...one shade, one sun. The screened in porch was the real hit. Morning and evening we thoroughly enjoyed it. Great dining choices and a terrific market nearby. We are already thinking about next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Betsy F.

Liked: Cleanliness
September stay
We loved everything. The old quaintness of a cottage built in 1866 was very charming. The waterfront was awesome. It was a very quiet September week I will remember for a long time. I would return in a heartbeat. My only suggestion would be the consideration of a new mattress as I found mine very hard. Other than that, it was perfect! I will recommend it to my friends and family for their stays!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 1, 2021
Betsy, I’m so glad you enjoyed your stay at our restfully rustic cottage! I appreciate your feedback on the mattress. We will definitely address it before we open the cottage next spring. We hope you’ll come stay with us again. —Sarah

10/10 Excellent

Dave V.

Liked: Cleanliness
We love this place!
2nd time here. We had a wonderful vacation and will definitely return.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Abigail C.

Liked: Cleanliness
The true lake experience
We loved every moment of our stay at this historic cottage. The lake was quiet and peaceful. The echoing loon calls were magical. We brought our kayak but also used the boats provided—our kids (as well as the adults) had a fantastic time playing on the water. We loved the front porch overlooking Balch lake, as well as the fire pit. The remnants of hurricane Ida came through one of the nights we were there—but we had a cozy evening by the fireplace and enjoyed the sound of rain on the roof during the night! Thank you for preserving this true lake experience and sharing it with us!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jenny T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Oasis
We have a large family of 6 that includes 4 children under the age of 6. This property was absolutely perfect for them! The fire pit, docks, steps into the water, area in front of the cottage is flat with tons of space to roam. Water is deep off the docks so puddle jumpers or life jackets is a must for the littles. The cottage has everything you need. Towels, linens, pantry items some May forget to grab for their trip. Nothing is forgotten at this wonderful getaway. I would 100% recommend this cottage to friends and family.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jason L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
Waterfront with all the lake has to offer. Small but wonderful! Fishing, swimming, camp fires, loons and relaxation!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

meghan c., southbury, CT

Liked: Cleanliness
2nd Year Visiting. Even better than before
This was my second year renting this property. Nothing but good things to say, again. So clean, organized, has everything you could need and more. Towels, bedding for the pullout couch, water shoes, full tackle box, canoe/kyak, fire pit, lawn chairs, firewood, tiki torches, tubes for swimming and actual tubing. I probably cant fit all the amenities in the character limit. Sarahs the sweetest too, youd be lucky to book this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Patrice K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cottage on the Pond
Lovely classic styled New England cottage- my favorite part- the screened porch with a view of the water.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michael R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Balch pond
Very quiet spot
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrea D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Furlough Getaway
What a wonderful find this cottage on the lake has been for me. I was on furlough from my job this week and wondering, how could I make lemonade out of lemons! A cottage on a beautiful lake, as Fall begins to present itself to us, was just the ticket! This is a wonderful property, quiet, clean and safe. The lake is beautiful, cool mornings with the mist rising… I will come back again. Thank you Heidi for being a wonderful caretaker, and Sara for making this cottage available to us. And, thanks to your generosity, I’m staying an extra night! As your last renter of the season, I couldn’t be any more grateful for your hospitality!

10/10 Excellent

meghan c., southbury, CT

Liked: Cleanliness
A dream come true
I grew up on balch lake all my life. My grandpa built it after WW2, he passed then my mom passed so I received inheritance at the age of 22. I wanted my boyfriend to see how i grew up every summer but all the airb&b’s are these huge houses with way more than i grew up with/needed. I cant say enough positive things about Sarah’s place. From the surplus of towels, bedding, cooking things, you name it sarah has it! Indoor and out, the canoe and kayak were perfect for the 4 of us to explore the lake, i rowed over to my old house and got the most satisfying sense of nostalgia i wouldve never been able to get if sarah didnt make this opportunity possible. Hearing the loons on the lake again almost brought me to tears I cant thank her enough and will definitely be back next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kim R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cottage
Quaint cottage with character. A great place to get away from it all.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Patricia F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect spot!
My sister and I were looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy some quiet time by a lake - and we found it! The cabin experience brought back many fond memories of our childhood. We found the cabin to be well equipped and offered leisurely activities; reading, cooking, sitting on the dock and conversation. (a wee bit cold for boating/swimming...) We also enjoyed Ginny and Jimmy's visits (the cat and dog next door) to our "home away from home". New Hampshire proved to be best for sightseeing - although we certainly enjoyed the Maine experience. Highly recommended!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful lake
It was clean not fancy, a camp but had everything we needed .heidi next door was and her husband were helpful..we had a nice quiet weekend at the lake ..would go back next year
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Patrice K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pond Retreat
Quaint, historic lake cottage on a lovely cove. I love the view, enjoyed hearing and watching the loons, great blue heron and even an eagle. Swimming, kayaking, campfires, and eating meals on the porch -all favorite activities.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Olga M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very peaceful
The cottage was clean, easily accessible and very peaceful. We had absolutely everything we needed to have home away from home. Rowboat was a treat and we enjoyed it a lot. Overall very satisfied. Kids asked if we could come for a full week next year :)
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kayla B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
beautiful property, quiet and comfortable. Really enjoyed our stay. Highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Mattie M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved it!
Had a great time and looking forward to staying in the future! The location is perfect!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Cottage
We enjoyed our stay at the Cottage. Very peaceful. Joanne & Paul Metivier Goodyear, Arizona

10/10 Excellent

Dave V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very Relaxing
We loved this place from start to finish. Heidi, Vic and Ginny were all great, and Sarah was very easy to communicate with. We'll be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kristofer E., Salisbury,MA

Liked: Cleanliness
Labor Day weekend 2019
Really enjoyed the property. Quaint camp with lots of history. Heidi the property's manager lives next door and was very helpfull. Still had plenty of privacy. Would definitely recommend. Hope to be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

sarah H., Arundel USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Family memories
A beautiful place. Relaxing way to end my summer. This property is a must if you like lakeside relaxation. We could not have been happier with this reservation. Thank you so much for sharing your little place of paradise!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Patrice K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise!
Loved this cottage - and enjoyed every minute of my stay. It is everything and more than what shows in the photos. Would definitely return if there is opportunity to.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Susan W.

Liked: Cleanliness
A week to remember
We had a splendid time at Balch Pond, swimming, kayaking, fishing, and watching loons. The cabin was perfect and the screened porch was wonderful. There was lots of family history in this place.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kevin H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing location
I stayed here with my three boys. It was perfect. Great location, the cottage is really quaint and full of character and the property management is super friendly and easy. Loved this place.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Meredith C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great cabin!
I had the privilege of renting this property for 10 days. This property is literally in the middle of nowhere surrounded by others that are in the middle of nowhere. What a great location. Offers you peace and tranquility. The neighbors next door were great and they prepared for all types of weather which I appreciated as we had one day I had to put a fire on and other days when it was 85 out. Just note that this is a family cabin. It’s not a house. There is no insulation. This is not “glamping” this is camping with a roof. It was wonderful and the lake was beautiful. This is a very peaceful place to hang my hat for 10 days and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a time out!
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay! It is a cabin made from the pine trees that used to grow where it was built. Definitely a standard summer camp that are common to the area - we think of it as our restfully rustic retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life!

10/10 Excellent

Donna M.

Quiet Little Vacation
Great location with amazing owners and care takers. Perfect little getaway ❤️
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Neal S., Florence, Arizona, USA

Beautiful spot in an authentic very old Maine camp.
The cabin is very clean, comfortable, and cozy. It has everything needed for a great time on the water or just relaxing. Heidi, next door got us settled in quickly and was very neighborly. The water is crystal clear and the lake is fun to explore. Thanks for sharing your place.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018