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A new kind of short-term rental has arrived in Ellsworth.
Hidden Honey Homes, a company that outfits single-family homes into adult-only short-term rentals, opened its first Maine location on Dec. 1, 2025. It’s one of only four locations in the country owned by the Florida-based company.
“We’re for modern couples who either are proactively preventing a rift in their relationship or may be experiencing that and want to spice things up,” said Erica Corpening, who co-founded Hidden Honey Homes with her husband. “Or maybe couples just need a getaway and need to know that it’s okay to have sex somewhere.”
While other companies throughout the country have created similar adult-only rentals, this is the only known instance of one in Maine. It also adds a new competitor to the region’s expansive short-term rental market that can limit housing for year-round residents.
Airbnb, one of the most popular booking companies for short-term rentals, shows more than 1,000 results in Ellsworth alone.
Many other coastal communities across Maine have implemented rules and regulations on short-term rentals, such as limiting the number of rentals one person can operate or requiring them to register with local officials. The local rules are usually designed to ensure they’re safe and preserve some homes for year-round residents.
Ellsworth instituted a local ordinance for short-term rentals and non-resident visitors during the pandemic, but that has since expired. The city does not currently have rules on short-term rentals.
The home sits on the bank of the Union River in Ellsworth and the exterior looks no different from others around it. The rental has a three night minimum and costs vary throughout the year. In the height of the summer, fees can be more than $1,300 per night, the booking website shows.
Designed for two people, the home offers a standard kitchen, living space, one bedroom and one bathroom. The property’s other bedrooms, however, have been remodeled to be themed “play rooms” with restraints and specialized furniture that are designed for couples to be intimate.
“We’re making it okay and giving you fun new ideas to try new things too,” Corpening said. “It’s about just being playful, getting out of your comfort zone and laughing with each other.”
The company has a series of rules guests are required to follow, a person must be at least 25 years old to book the rental, and the home is sanitized thoroughly with “hospital-grade disinfectant” and a black light between each guest, according to Corpening.
The company’s other locations are in Florida, where the founders live, and North Carolina. The owners sought out a coastal Northeast location because Corpening was raised in Massachusetts and “New England is near and dear to my heart,” she said.
The Ellsworth location has only been available for a few months, but it stands out from the others because Maine offers “raw coastal beauty,” among other attractions. The home is also marketed as being close to Acadia National Park and other outdoor recreation opportunities.
“Maine is our most popular property so far and once people experience it, they’ve all said that that’s their favorite one,” Corpening said. “Acadia National Park is right there and there are other little hidden gems in and around Ellsworth.”
While the purpose and theme of the rental is taboo, Corpening said the business hasn’t received any criticism, complaints or backlash from the Ellsworth community.
“It’s okay to have and talk about sex because it’s important for a marriage and a healthy, intimate relationship,” Corpening that. “We believe in that and adapted our business around it.”
