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The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU!

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Property grounds
Exterior
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Dining
View from property
Reviews
9.6

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendlyPet friendlyPet friendly
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning

Check out the area

Map
Sumner, ME
  • Popular LocationWorthley Pond21 min drive
  • Popular LocationOxford Casino42 min drive
  • Popular LocationSunday River46 min drive
  • AirportAuburn, ME (LEW-Auburn - Lewiston Municipal)52 min drive

Room options

About the neighborhood

Sumner

In Sumner .Stay at this Sumner farm stay and you'll be within 9 miles (15 km) of Worthley Pond and Shagg Pond. Snow Falls is within 12 miles (20 km) and North Pond is within 16 miles (25 km).
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What's nearby

  • Snow Falls - 19 min drive
  • Worthley Pond - 21 min drive
  • Mt. Abram - 35 min drive
  • Oxford Casino - 42 min drive
  • Sunday River - 46 min drive

Getting around

  • Auburn, ME (LEW-Auburn - Lewiston Municipal) - 53 min drive

About this property

The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU!

Welcome Sunday River skiers! Secure now for Total solar eclipse on April 8th 2024! The Tortoise and The Mare Self-Keeping Inn -- Offering unparalleled space and freedom! This immaculate 1786 farm house offers guests the privacy and flexibility that they deserve! Guests reserve the ENTIRE Inn to enjoy in complete privacy .Spacious and stylish , open and flowing floor plan - all on 140 private acres of unbeatable mountain views, wooded nature trails and open fields.

. Guests will have use of all grounds, deck off the "lounge", firepit.. Inn is fully equipped and all rooms are thoughtfully appointed by. The Edgar Allan Poe room a favorite! Secluded but not remote Four bedrooms and two full bathrooms, kitchen, living room,three season lounge, and deck.

Ideal for entertaining. Quiet retreats or elaborate outdoor events, including weddings, honeymoons,reunions, vacation stays and holidays! Let your unique-ness unfold!.Artists' and musicians' paradise! IDEAL for holidays!. Wonderland for sports enthusiasts year round. Hiking, biking, sledding, skiing, snowmobile, ATV's - the ITS connector trail begins on the farm!Close to lakes for swimming, boating, fishing. 25 minutes from Bethel and Norway. Robert's Farm preserve offers FREE rentals for the day to enjoy snow shoeing and X-C skiing!

For additional accommodations, ask us about our additional guest houses, located down the lane from the Inn - perfect for those who desire even more privacy, yet are still able to enjoy and access entire property! One is a sweet, Christmas cabin and the other is a super, sexy shipping container home! All homes boast spectacular mountain views, inside and out! Freedom and flexibility - peaceful or playful ~ it's up to YOU!!

. High speed internet, Pet friendly! Discounted corporate rates available! . Large events - serious inquiries please! Weddings and events please visit us on The Knot for additional info including contact information

Property manager

laura falconer

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Internet access

Things to do

  • Books
  • Golf
  • Snow sports gear
  • Stereo

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels

Outdoor space

  • Patio

Food and drink

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dining table
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Living room

Policies

Check-out

Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk hours vary at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Check-out time is flexible; to make arrangements, please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation

Pets

  • Pets are welcome and stay free
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Note from host: Pet friendly!

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

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
Cashless transactions are available
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Outdoor only. Info at thetortoiseandthemare.com
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Parties and events are allowed on site. Note from host: Outdoor only. Info at thetortoiseandthemare.com For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions. Contactless check-out is available.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Tortoise Mare Self-keeping Inn peaceful or Playful it's up You
Tortoise Mare Self-keeping peaceful or Playful it's up You
Tortoise Mare Self-keeping Inn peaceful or Playful it's up You
Tortoise Mare Self-keeping Inn peaceful or Playful it's up You
Tortoise Mare Self-keeping peaceful or Playful it's up You

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU! to the airport?

This farm stay is 30.3 mi (53-min drive) away from the Auburn, ME (LEW-Auburn - Lewiston Municipal) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU! have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this farm stay.

Does The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU! offer free breakfast?

This farm stay does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU!?

No, there is no casino at this farm stay.

Is there free parking at The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU!?

Free parking is not available at this farm stay.

Does The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU! have a pool?

This farm stay does not have a pool.

Does The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU! have a spa?

This farm stay doesn't have a spa, but it does offer massages.

How close is The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU! to downtown Sumner?

This farm stay is 1.7 mi away from Sumner.

The Tortoise and The Mare self-keeping Inn~Peaceful or Playful~it's up to YOU! Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 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. 1 out of 24 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Donald P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent hosts, property and location
Our hosts were above welcoming! Property was exquisite in space and ambience. Location was beautiful and drivable to all that Maine has to offer.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

c E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful views, very peaceful
Can't beat the views from the porch. Lovely walks all around the property. Host is attentive and thoughtful.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ellie G., Trumbull, CT USA

Liked: Cleanliness
An Exquisite Property AND friends for life!
It is difficult to put into words how much we enjoyed our stay at The Tortoise and The Mare property. This place was built for us. We were traveling with two of our kids, 12 & 13, and 2 friends of ours along with me and my husband. It is difficult to impress my tweens but they were! We loved our private rooms and the attention to detail. Laura has so lovingly decorated each room and the entire house. My children especially loved spending time with the tortoise and the mare! Anyone with teenage kids know how difficult it is to get them away from their phones. But Chewy and Hartley put a spell on them. Watching our kids just walk around the incredible grounds or spend time staring into Hartley's beautiful, big, brown eyes made me feel like I was doing something really 'right' for my kids. We can't wait to come back and stay in the Containerminium. Laura and Steve are the most gracious, loving and open hosts. We are already planning our next trip! Friends for Life!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family gathering
We needed a place for a small family group to stay while in the area for our son's graduation from Hebron Academy. The Tortoise and the Mare was perfect for us. Beautifully decorated yet comfortable and homey, it was perfect for our needs. Everyone remarked at how nice their beds were for sleeping, a small but important detail. The large kitchen was great for our celebratory gathering. The vista of the hills from the closed porch and deck was a peaceful spot for coffee or a drink in the evening. Just a wonderful place to spend a few days with family. We highly recommend it.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bob B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Place & People
Three generations of our family loved the Tortoise & Mare. It's a beautiful setting and was very comfortable. There was something for everyone. The kindness our hosts Laura & Steve showed us, put our stay over the top. They truly have the gift of hospitality.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Brooke M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rustic and cozy canin
Had a great time!

10/10 Excellent

Paul R.

Quaint, clean, spacious, charming.
We enjoyed the privacy and vastness of the property, and the quaintness and decor of the premises. The grounds were meticulously maintained as well. A perfect fit for me and my guests.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Teri P.

Best vacation ever!
I could not recommend The Tortoise and The Mare more highly! amazing house, incredible views with so much space and privacy.Steve and Laura are beautiful people and excellent hosts-truly inspiring! Everything was PERFECT! Exceptional place to stay! Tess Northeast , USA
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

laura f.

Exceptional!!
After searching for the perfect place, we discovered The Tortoise and The Mare online and knew immediately that it was the place we would inevitably choose! The mountain views and large property delivered the natural, country setting we were looking for and the Inn itself made us feel right at home ~ we were in heaven! The decor is intriguing and the rooms are uniquely themed. Beyond the splendid setting though, which I can't emphasize enough, are a couple of exceptional character, who are a pleasure to meet and work with. Laura and Steve are down to earth, fun, caring, unique individuals who do a great job helping in any way they can to assure their guests are more than satisfied. We recommend The Tortoise and The Mare to anyone and everyone with no hesitation - WE LOVE IT !
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

2/10 Terrible

Rich E., Needham, MA

I paid for a house with no electricity. Would you?
Here was my experience, I had intended on leaving no review at all but the owner leaves me no choice. You’ll see why. We rented this property for two nights (the required minimum stay) to do some snowmobiling in the area. Due to a warm up the day before arrival a lot of the snow here melted, but that’s no big deal, we can just trailer up north for the day and come back to the farmhouse. However, within 5 minutes of our arrival at 1pm, the electricity went out (and most importantly the HEAT, it was 15 degrees and dropping into the negatives). The owners called the power company who gave a repair time of 3:15pm. The outage was widespread throughout the area. So we waited over 2 hours, and then by 4pm had to make a decision: If you were in a farmhouse in rural Maine, with no electricity/heat/light, and there was no certain time this would change, what would you do? We did what any halfway reasonable person would do-we left. I called the owner and advised that given the situation we would need to find other accommodations as this one was not legally inhabitable under Maine state law. As it turned out we could not find any nearby accommodations due to the power outage so we made the 3 hour drive home. The next day, I contacted the owner and requested a refund for the booking as the home was uninhabitable on arrival. The homeowner would only credit one third of the total, forcing me to pay (a censored amount of money because Home Away won't let me tell you) for a house that I couldn’t stay in (including a cleaning fee!!) The owner stated that it was because we “chose” to leave, and the power came back on later “that evening” Here’s the bottom line, most reasonable adults would shake hands and agree it’s too bad an unforeseeable circumstance like a power outage happened, here’s your money back, we’ll try again next time. But these greedy people are not reasonable. So if you choose to get involved with them, good luck, you’re on your own. You’ve been warned.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018