When a lobsterman meets a nurse on the rocky coast of Maine, you get a love story rooted in tide charts, stethoscopes, and salty sea breezes.
Our Story
When Hannah and Douglas first met, Douglas’ wooden lobster boat was still under construction. They spent those early months side-by-side watching her take shape. By the time the boat launched for her first season on the water, their life together had already set its course.
Douglas is a lifelong resident of Friendship (a “townie”, if you will), deeply rooted in Midcoast Maine’s working waterfront traditions. Hannah, also a Maine native, always felt most at home by the ocean, even before she knew the man whose days rise and fall with the tides. When Douglas first brought her to Hatchet Cove, she fell instantly in love—not only with him, but with the quiet magic of the cove itself, the hum of lobster boats, and the golden evening light on the water.
“The Barnacle”—as the family affectionately calls it—was first built by Douglas’ grandparents, who had a vision of sharing this peaceful stretch of Hatchet Cover with others. It has always been a place where mornings begin with the sound of birds and evenings end with sea-glass sunsets and stories from the dock.
A few years ago, Hannah and Douglas purchased a small, weather-worn cottage just steps away. Some might have seen it as a structure beyond saving; Douglas saw potential. With countless hours of work, a few splinters, plenty of paint, and no shortage of determination, they restored the space into a warm, welcoming retreat—one built to honor the charm, simplicity, and authenticity of coastal Maine.
Today, the cottages stand as a place for guests to breathe deeply, slow down, and experience the same sense of peace and belonging they feel here every day.
They don’t have children, but they are joyfully outnumbered by their two dogs, Fern and Leah, who proudly believe Hatchet Cove belongs to them.
Meet Samantha
your co-host
My name is Samantha and I’m a lifelong Cushing resident who is proud to call the coast of Maine home. I’ve spent my life appreciating its natural beauty and sense of home and I love sharing it with those who come here to relax and explore. Alongside my husband, we share four sons and a grandson, and we take great pride in creating comfortable, welcoming stays for our guests to enjoy lasting memories.
Our Values
Coastal Heritage
As part of a working harbor and fishing community, the cove reflects the real Maine—tides, traps, boats, and the generations who depend on the sea.
Craft & Care
From a hand-built wooden lobster boat to a hand-restored cottage, craftsmanship and attention to detail are central to everything we do.
Genuine Hospitality
Guests are welcomed like neighbors—with simplicity, sincerity, and a desire to share this special place.
Stewardship
From a hand-built wooden lobster boat to a hand-restored cottage, craftsmanship and attention to detail are central to everything we do.
Appreciation for Simple Joys
Sunrise coffees, salty paws, ocean breezes, and starlit nights—it sounds cheesy, but this is the reality of Hatchet Cove.
What Makes This Place Special
A True Working Waterfront
Watch lobster boats come in and out of the cove, just as they have for generations.
A Peaceful, Protected Cove
The water is calm, the tides are gentle. This is a quiet haven to rest and reconnect.
Thoughtful Renovation & Design
A once-forgotten cottage revived with intention, warmth, and love—every detail chosen for comfort and charm.
Insider Local Knowledge
Your hosts live and work here; they will share their favorite beach, hikes, and lobster shack.
Slow, Soulful Maine Living
Unplug, unwind, breathe deeply—this is coastal Maine as it should be.
