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The River House, a Private Riverfront Retreat in the Heart of Maine

The River House, a Private Riverfront Retreat in the Heart of Maine

Photo gallery for The River House, a Private Riverfront Retreat in the Heart of Maine

Drink up the views of the mighty Penobscot River from Lookout Point.
Sitting on Lookout Point is a relaxing way to end your busy day.
The Penobscot River's tides average 14'. This is the river at low tide.
View of entry area and kitchen
Kitchen with new quartz countertops, breakfast bar and island.

Overview of The River House, a Private Riverfront Retreat in the Heart of Maine

10 out of 10 Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 6186 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Orrington, ME
  • Popular LocationHollywood Casino at Bangor8 min drive
  • Popular LocationCross Insurance Center8 min drive
  • Popular LocationDarling's Waterfront Pavilion8 min drive
  • AirportBar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)56 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Futon

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed

Convertible Sofa bed

1 Single Futon

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

The River House, a Private Riverfront Retreat in the Heart of Maine

Enjoy life on the mighty Penobscot River...
The River House is available for weekly rental (Saturday to Saturday) or long-term lease. Nestled among the pines, this secluded property affords the peace and tranquility Maine is known for, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet close enough to catch your next flight in just minutes. The River House can be your home base for visiting professionals or vacationers while you take day trips to Acadia National Park to the south, Baxter State Park to the north, Campobello down east, and the popular coastal ports and mountain villages to the west. Or you can enjoy all that the greater Bangor/Brewer area has to offer: Waterfront Concerts, Cross Insurance Center for trade shows and concerts, Penobscot Theater for live theater, the Bangor Symphony, unique brew pubs, numerous parks with hiking trails and so much more. There is something for everyone!

This special property is:
• Just 3 miles from I-395/exit 4
• Only 15 minutes from Bangor International Airport
• Only 15 minutes to Eastern Maine Medical Center
• Only 10 minutes to Hollywood Casino & Waterfront Concerts
• A quick 20 minutes to Bucksport
• Just 25 minutes to the University of Maine
• And only 1 hour to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

Stop, take a deep breath and relax. From the River House, one can enjoy quiet contemplative hours of bird watching, fishing, kayaking, walking, swimming and more... all just steps from your front door. Aaaaahhhhh... the perfect getaway!

If you are looking for privacy, solitude and enjoy the outdoors, this is the place for you. From the deck you can watch the eagles soar... from the shore you can catch a striper... in the summer you can while away the hours watching the boats go by ... in the winter you can listen to the thunderous cracks of the ice flows in the river. Imagine painting, writing and creating with nature’s inspiration!

The 1-acre Orrington, Maine property boasts over 100’ of shoreline, with magnificent southerly views down the Penobscot. Bordered by a stream and seasonal pond, and filled with the fragrance of wildflowers and perennials, the wooded lot is a haven for wildlife. The home is reached by a well-maintained private dirt road.

The home was constructed in 1978 on the site of the Union Ice Company, which was founded in 1882. The remains of the old ice house foundations and artifacts of the past can be found in and around the property.

The unique round design of the house is reflective of mid-century modern organic design... with a funky twist. It is actually giant yurt design! Radiating from a central spiral staircase, the open concept and curved walls create a smooth continuous flow. The expansive wall of glass that encircles the main floor connects one with the outside ... as if perched in the treetops. The remarkable architectural design is in harmony with nature … its forest green wood siding blending into its surroundings.

The Main Floor amenities include:
• A fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar
• Expansive open Living, Dining, and Den areas... all with spectacular views, bamboo floors and exquisite wool rugs, leather and teak furniture.
• Den area has a convertible full size sofa bed and Roku TV
• Guest 1/2 Bath
• Wrap-around deck with screened-in entertainment area.

The Downstairs Sleeping Quarters include:
• Master Bedroom with private entrance, full bath, walk-in closet.
• 2 additional Bedrooms (1 full bed, 1 bunk bed)
• 3/4 Bath
• Utility Room with washer/dryer and outside entrance.
• Berber carpeting in all the bedrooms.
• Roku TV

Fujitsu mini-split heat pump has been installed for year-round comfort… heating, cooling and humidity control. Electric baseboard heating is available for cooler weather.

All this could be yours...
For a vacation at $1,995 US/week,
Saturday to Saturday bookings only.
Other times may be available upon request.
Long-term discounts available for the off-season only (November-Mid-June) at $2,600 US/month plus electricity. Water, sewer and internet included.
12-month lease or more may be available.

Property manager

Sue Pate
Premier Host
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Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
With supervision. Steep drop to water in spots.

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Perfect for small intimate gatherings

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Pre-approval needed. Add'l $150 per pet visit.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Non-smoking only
• If we can get a full comparable rent after a cancellation, 100% of rent will be refunded.
• We practice "Leave no trace." Keep the area as you found it, so others may enjoy. We request quiet time from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• Please review Welcome Info document attached here and in the green binder on the kitchen table upon arrival. It will answer all your questions!

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20
Note from host: perfect for small intimate gatherings
Long-term renters welcome
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Orrington

Located in Orrington, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Darling's Waterfront Pavilion and Waterfront Park are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Maine Discovery Museum and Playland Adventures. Travelling with kids? Consider The Sports Arena and Orono Farmer's Market. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Hollywood Casino at Bangor - 8 min drive
  • Cross Insurance Center - 8 min drive
  • Darling's Waterfront Pavilion - 8 min drive
  • Maine Savings Amphitheater - 8 min drive
  • Bangor Waterfront Pavilion - 9 min drive

Getting around

  • Bangor, ME (BGR-Bangor Intl.) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • Dysart's Restaurant & Truck Stop - 12 min drive
  • McDonald's - 8 min drive
  • Dunkin' - 14 min drive
  • Dunkin' - 9 min drive
  • Dunkin' - 14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The River House, a Private Riverfront Retreat in the Heart of Maine pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at The River House, a Private Riverfront Retreat in the Heart of Maine?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The River House, a Private Riverfront Retreat in the Heart of Maine?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The River House, a Private Riverfront Retreat in the Heart of Maine located?

This family-friendly Orrington holiday home is located on the waterfront, 1.9 mi (3.1 km) from IX Center, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Maine Discovery Museum and Playland Adventures. Darling's Waterfront Pavilion and Bangor Farmers Market are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

kathleen p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very private with easy access to Bangor
We had an amazing time! This property is gorgeous and it was such a fun treat to stay in this unique home. The owners are super gracious and made sure we had everything we could possibly need.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Penobscot getaway
Great experience at this beautiful property. The owners were very friendly and helpul. The view of the river is extraordinary.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Denise R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful
Everything was exactly what we were looking for. The home was beautiful and the owners were extremely kind and responsive. We highly recommend this property!!! Thank you sir everything!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Maine vacation.
Great property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Sue Pate

Host profile image
Joe and I love to share all that Maine has to offer...from woods to water... and all the history it has to tell. The River House is on the site of the ice storage barn of the Union Ice Company that operated in the late 1800s. Our home is next door to the River House. It served as the office and bunk house for the ice company. By purchasing the River House, we were able to bring together the original pieces Union Ice Company once again. We are proud to show this little piece of Maine history to the discerning public. Tucked in at the the bottom of a winding dirt road, you will experience the Maine history, landscape, wildlife and state of mind that we have always treasured. Won't you join us for a relaxing respite?

Why they chose this property

The property is special... with its history and its future. Remnants of the old ice house remain to explore. Sit on shore and wonder what took place in the river during the Penobscot Expedition over 250 years ago? Or imagine what it was like to travel from Boston to Bangor on the steamship "Bangor" 100 years ago. The Penobscot is again a working river, with Cianbro using the port of Brewer to launch its steel frame modules to destinations in Texas... and cruise ships calling the port of Bangor home for the summer season.

What makes this property unique

The tranquil setting offers many opportunities to enjoy nature... from bird watching to fishing to kayaking and more... You'll always want to keep your camera handy, as you never know when the bald eagles will swoop by or the sturgeon may breach. Schools of alewives make their way upriver and a seal may visit. See the kingfishers dart along the water gathering their meals. The deer and fox follow the deer trail through the property. The frogs will serenade you in the evening... and the owl may herald the news of his latest catch. The serene surroundings lend themselves to reading, writing, painting and just thinking.

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