Welcome to Hard Aground!

We’re so glad you’re here and hope you have a wonderful stay. A few notes will help ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone:

Smoking

Hard Aground is a non-smoking property. Smoking or vaping of any kind, including tobacco, cannabis, or e-cigarettes, is not permitted inside the home. A $1,000 cleaning fee will be charged for any smoking inside the home.

Septic System

The home is served by a septic system. Please flush only toilet paper. Items such as wipes (even those labeled “flushable”), paper towels, feminine products, grease, food waste, and other materials should never be flushed or put down the drains. Plumbers are limited on Mount Desert Island, and we greatly appreciate your help in protecting the system.

The septic system is designed for the home’s advertised occupancy. While you’re welcome to have visitors stop by, overnight occupancy is limited to the maximum of eight registered guests.

Pets

We love welcoming your furry family members! If you’re bringing a pet, please be sure to register them before your arrival so we can have pet provisions ready for you. If an unregistered pet is brought to the property, the applicable pet fee will be charged.

To help us keep the home looking its best, we ask that pets stay off the beds and white linens. Excessive staining or damage may result in additional cleaning charges.

We understand that accidents happen. Cleaning supplies and laundry detergent are provided under the kitchen sink. If an accident occurs, we simply ask that you clean it up promptly rather than leaving it for our housekeeping team.

Air Conditioning

The home is cooled with individual window air-conditioning units. For the best results, turn on the units in the rooms you’d like to cool. If cooling the entire home, leave the interior doors open to allow air to circulate. If cooling a single bedroom, closing that room’s door will help it cool more efficiently.

Basement

For safety reasons, the basement is not available for guest access. If you believe something requires attention, please contact us and we’ll be happy to assist.

Bicycles

If you’re bringing bicycles, please let us know before your arrival. We may be able to provide garage storage for added security.

Parking

Two dedicated parking spaces are located directly in front of the garage doors. The garage itself is not available for guest use.

If you park near the dumpster, please move your vehicle on Fridays to allow for trash collection.

Estate Driveway

A shared driveway easement provides access to the main residence beyond Hard Aground. Please keep the driveway clear at all times and do not enter the gated area, as the owners’ dogs may occasionally be outside.

Please Note

Hard Aground is a private guest house situated on a larger estate. The main residence is located approximately one acre away across an apple orchard and is accessed by the shared driveway beyond the guest house. While Hard Aground enjoys its own private outdoor space and is not directly overlooked by the main residence, you may occasionally notice vehicles using the easement or limited activity associated with the estate.

We’re Here to Help

Our goal is for you to have a wonderful stay at Hard Aground. If anything during your visit isn’t quite right, please let us know as soon as possible. While some things may be beyond our control, we’ll always do our very best to address any concerns and make your stay as enjoyable as possible.