Hip & Luxurious Garden Retreat for Families, Foodies & Adventurers

We call this first floor of our modified 1890's Victorian the 'Garden SWEET' because it's a huge suite that is so attractive and fun that everyone just loves hanging out in it. Inside, it has beautiful leather furniture, luxurious beds with crisp white sheets, lots of pillows, and quilts and comforters.

Outside, there's our sunny High Line-inspired perennial garden with brick patio. The apartment was once a school room, and we kept its open feel. The four bedrooms each have their own personality but all reflect things we love about the spirit, style and sense of humor in Maine. The open living and dining areas have plenty of room to lounge, but you also find cozy little nooks to curl up with a book and cup of tea, or to catch up on news and charge your devices (bring your own chargers though!). The location is in Portland’s most desirable neighborhood, the East End, on a quiet residential street within walking distance to all of Portland’s best destinations: the Old Port’s shops, the Arts District with museums and galleries, the real working waterfront, the ferry terminal with regular boats to the islands, the Eastern Promenade’s walking and running trails with incredible water views, our own neighborhood East End Beach, East Bayside’s hip new craft breweries and distilleries, as well as all our many award-winning restaurants.

Return from exploring to a peaceful night's sleep in cozy beds with lots of pillows, comforters and quilts that sleep 8 comfortably: two queen bedrooms, one full bedroom, and one bedroom with two twin beds. The open living and dining room has a smart TV, bluetooth speaker for streaming your own music, and a vinyl record player. The kitchen has new stainless steel appliances including gas stove, and a new washer and dryer. The bathroom is appointed with all the 'bear' necessities (towels, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, cotton balls, first aid kit). You'll find books and magazine to read, as well as tourist maps and guides.

Absolutely no parties or events. Mature, well-behaved groups or families only. Guests must agree to House Rules before booking will be confirmed. Dogs welcome if approved in advance.
The ground floor of an old Victorian on a leafy corner of Munjoy Hill. About six steps up if you enter through the front door, or about 4 steps up if through the back door. Comfortably sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms loaded with quillts, comforters, high TC sheets and plenty of pillows. The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking: gas stove, knives, dishwasher. We stock all spaces with good local coffee as well as cream and sugar to get you started.

Guests have the entire first floor of the building, with view of our perennial garden and courtyard. Though it's pet friendly with prior approval, the garden is a dog-free zone due to the many tender baby perennials there. There's also a bike rack available for you to use (we encourage biking in Portland...it's the best way to get around! Ask me for bike rental info!). The parking is on-street but free and plentiful.

We love Munjoy Hill! It has the sea breezes, and big blue ocean vistas of an island community, but it is as close as you can be to downtown Portland while still living in a real historic neighborhood. It's also called the East End, and it is home to the Eastern Promenade (huge grassy park), East End Trail (for walking, biking, running) and East End Beach. You can learn about the history of Munjoy Hill at the Observatory, which is just one block away. Ship captains' houses line the perimeter of the East End (the Eastern Promenade), and the interior of 'the Hill' was largely inhabited with longshoremen who made their living unloading ships at the dock.

Walking and biking is the best way to get to the Old Port, the ferry terminal (to all the Casco Bay Islands!), downtown and so on...or Uber is cheap and about 5 mins anywhere. Walking to heart of the Old Port along the East End Trail is highly recommended, and takes about 15-20 mins.

The Garden SWEET! was once a school room, which is why it has such an open, spacious feel. It was called The Hill School, a neighborhood charter school with kids from all over the world.
HOUSE RULES

Part of the charm of our spaces are their locations on quiet tree lined streets on the East End. Out of respect for our neighbors, other guests, and for us - all guests are required to agree to a few simple rules.

NO BACHELOR/BACHELORETTE WEEKENDS
Unfortunately bachelor/bachelorette groups have caused too many disturbances of the peace for our other guests and neighbors in the past. Bookings confirmed before 7/22/24 will be honored but strict adherence to all House Rules is required. If your group disturbs the peace you can be charged a noise fee starting at $100.

WEDDING GUESTS
Please pay close attention to the Quiet Hours and noise fee! We have had many problems with guests returning from a wedding and disturbing the peace, whether by loud voices in the apartment or in the street during Quiet Hours, or by slamming doors, or playing loud music.

ABSOLUTELY NO PARTIES OR EVENTS ON OUR PROPERTIES

NOTE TO THE PERSON BOOKING YOUR GROUP:
As the booking guest, you are our only contact for your group. PLEASE ACCEPT that you are responsible for the behavior of everyone in your party. Please make sure everyone in your group is has read and accepted these rules.

GENERAL HOUSE RULES FOR ALL GUESTS

QUIET HOURS 10pm to 7am
When returning from an evening out, you and your guests are required to so so QUIETLY. That also means when approaching the house from the street - please do not shout at each other, slam doors, belt out a song (we are being specific here because these are things that have happened a lot in the past).

Music, TV, and voices must be at normal levels at all times

Guests who disregard quiet hours such that any other guests or neighbors are disrupted may be charged a noise fee starting at $100

No open flames or candles

Please remove shoes inside

Please do not cut directly on the kitchen counters - use the cutting boards provided

NO SMOKING in the building, on any decks, or on the front or rear steps or entryways


DECKS
Please do not bring glassware (use plastic or acrylic instead), indoor furniture, or any of our bedding onto decks

Children are not allowed on decks unless attended by a responsible mature adult at all times
No sitting or leaning on deck railings
Never climb over railings onto the roof for any reason
Absolutely no smoking on any decks

BIKES
We welcome pedalers. Please do not bring bikes inside the building without express permission. Any marks left on walls will mean an extra cleaning or damage fee. Lock your bike to your car’s rack if available or feel free to use our bike racks. Racks are located behind the house (for guests at 70 Waterville Street) or in the courtyard (for guests at 62 Monument Street).

PETS
Our pet rules come from experiencing many different styles of pet parenting. We’ve had to become progressively more strict. Please understand we are animal lovers first, and we often travel with our dog.

Our apartments are not daycare or boarding facilities. We REQUIRE that pets are taken care of in a way that prioritizes the pet, as well as the safety and peace of our other guests and neighbors. Please read all of the following rules and respond with your agreement to abide by all. Include the age, breed, name and temperament of your pet as well.

RULES FOR FURRY FAMILY MEMBERS

We love dogs and understand fear is a common reason for aggression - but we have a responsibility to other guests and neighbors, and we have insurance requirements. Therefore we do not accept aggressive dogs.

LEASH LAW
Dogs must be kept on leash when entering and exiting the property, and in all public places except where explicitly permitted.

ANXIETY AND NOISE
We have lots of experience with anxiety in pets. Anxious pets, left alone, are suffering, plain and simple, and we can’t allow that under our roofs for any amount of money. If you hope to bring your pet, he or she is expected to be a seasoned traveler, and remain quiet and calm when on our property.

If you intend to leave your pet alone in the apartment, we expect that you have experience leaving them alone in a strange place, and they’ve been able to remain calm and comfortable. You may leave your pet alone in our apartments for a maximum of two hours. After two hours you must return home and give them a break/walk/visit.

If your pet does make ongoing noise, we will call you. You will be REQUIRED to return to your apartment immediately to take care of your pet. You may be charged a noise fee of $100.

You MUST MONITOR YOUR PHONE, LEAVE YOUR PHONE ON, WITH RINGER VOLUME UP, AT ALL TIMES, whether you are in the apartment with your pet or having dinner out.

PUPPIES & CRATES
Crate-trained and fully house-trained puppies (up to 12 months old) are welcome, but may not be left alone in the space at all, and a crate is required.

Crates for adult dogs are not required but are strongly encouraged. We know from experience that crates not only prevent unwanted behaviors but they also provide security when in a strange place.

POTTY BREAKS
The courtyard and garden areas of our properties are off limits for potty breaks. Please take a nice stroll through our beautiful neighborhood instead. If you would like ideas for excursions with your dog, just ask! We would love to share our favorite dog-friendly spots with you. You can place pickup bags in the square black trash barrels located on the trash platform on the right side of our 62 Monument Street building.

BEDDING & FURNITURE
Please bring your pet’s bedding. Please keep pets off of the furniture. If your pet simply can’t be kept off furniture, please bring blankets to protect our furniture.

PET FEE
Pet fee: $50 pet fee per reservation for up to two pets for stays up to 4 nights. For longer stays, the pet fee is $50 per pet.