Update: Erin posted on Instagram today that they have a few last-minute openings for a stay in The Lost Kitchen cabins! This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Check out the post here!
An Overnight Stay at the Cabins in Freedom, Maine
We jumped at the chance for an overnight stay at the beautiful Lost Kitchen Cabins in Freedom, Maine, after reading about it on their Instagram caption. When I read Erin’s post that they were opening up their little black cabins for guests to come and experience their “little slice of heaven here in Freedom” I immediately clicked the link and sent an email. The next morning, a Saturday, my phone rang and it was Erin French herself on the other end of the phone!
What to expect
Erin told us a little bit about what to expect so that there were no surprises. Things like the bathroom is an outhouse. The fanciest outhouse I’ve ever seen. It’s nestled in the woods, and music plays continuously. There’s a small lamp emitting a soft glow perfect for any room, even an outhouse in the woods!
The fanciest outhouse in the woods
Enamel mugs, pressed linen towels, and fresh flowers
Enamel mugs hanging from hooks with a basket for the dirty cups on one side and neatly pressed linen towels to use after washing up using hot or cold water dispensed from large Stanely Water Jugs into an enamel pitcher. The soap was a bottle of lovely scented hand soap made in Maine. There’s a small mirror hanging above the galvanized sink or bin that collects the water from handwashing and teeth brushing. It all feels a little like camping, but then not at all.
Firewood & S’mores in a market bag
Each Cabin has its own picnic area and Solo Stove
Each little cabin had its own picnic area in a cleared area complete with a table, benches, and a Solo Stove, which we have come to love. The idea of a firepit that is smokeless is brilliant. When we spoke to Erin about it the next morning as she presented us with our breakfast, she said the design was based on a washing machine drum. I would have never known that, but looking at it after knowing that and seeing the little holes all around the drum, it made sense. The smoke goes straight up so that no one is sitting downwind of the firepit. We enjoyed having a fire in the evening and as we had our morning coffee and breakfast.
A walk in the woods near the cabins where there’s so much to see and enjoy
In the short time, we spent in the cabins, we took several walks. One walk went over a little walk bridge to the lettuce and kale fields. The leaves were changing and falling as we walked, seeing wild mushrooms, moss, birds…it was peaceful and quiet. We felt like we hit it just right with the weather and the leaves changing colors, but later we heard that it was past the peak leaf season. Hard to believe since it was so beautiful.
Erin’s mom greeted us at the 3 o’clock check-in time, which we timed perfectly. She walked us to our cabin and shared things like the fact that there’s a little carafe of fresh milk for coffee kept in the cooler on the stoop, plus bottles of water (glass bottles). She showed us the fabric panels that we could hang from hooks for privacy as the three sides of the cabin are all windows. Each cabin was positioned so that you didn’t need privacy on the window in front of the bed. You could wake up to a beautiful view.
A stay at The Lost Kitchen Cabins was something very special and all of the guests knew it. Each cabin is far enough apart which makes it very private, but on the chance that you passed the other cabin guests on the path, everyone was friendly and quick to acknowledge the very unique experience we were all sharing.
A look inside the cabin
Breakfast at the Lost Kitchen Cabins
I may never be lucky enough to get a seat at the restaurant, but we feel very lucky to have stayed in the cabins with this beautiful breakfast in the morning.
I’m going to admit now after writing this post that I had not read Erin’s memoir, Finding Freedom; after finishing the post, but before publishing it, I listened to it on Audible. I liked hearing Erin’s voice telling her story. So much of what I read I felt deep inside when staying in one of her cozy cabins, eating the cheese plate upon arrival, drinking the first pot of pressed coffee with a little pot of cream, and then when breakfast arrived and how much care and love that went into this simple, but amazing first meal of the day. She speaks about loving what she does and the people with whom she does it. She cares for people with warmth and food and you can truly feel the love in all of the little details of this experience. I am so grateful to have experienced our cabin stay and for meeting Erin. Now, I cant wait to watch seasons one and two of The Lost Kitchen on the Magnolia Network.
OMG!! How incredible!! I think Erin French deserves a purple heart after what she went they in the past!!! I wish her all the happiness in THE WORLD !!! And to possibly have a chance to stay there or somehow score the chance to dine there,,,, a dream!!!
MARIE,
The chance to stay in a cabin or dine in the restaurant, a dream come true!
a
What an amazing experience!! There should be more of these all over the US… I would jump on it in a hot minute😍
I’m so jealous that you stayed in that cabin. I love the Lost Kitchen episodes and would love to have my postcard chosen for dinner.
It was dreamy staying in the cabin! I hope your postcard gets chosen for dinner! I can’t wait to watch it!
I would love to stay at the Lost Kitchen Cabins and meet Erin French! You are one of the lucky ones!! I sure enjoyed seeing your stay…thank you for posting.
🍁
Kathryn, it was so special! I’m so glad I jumped on the reservations! I had a feeling that it would book up fast! And…to meet Erin!
Where are the restrooms and showers ?
It’s sort of like fancy camping…the restroom is an outhouse, but a very nice one. No, really! There are no showers, so one night was perfect.
Thank you for sharing your experience! Good for her for creating and living her dream! I hope to visit one day soon.
Cindy! Thanks for reading the post! It was quite an experience! I listened to her book on Audible, but have yet to watch the series on the magnolia network….I’m sure I’ll find time this winter! Such an amazing story of resilience! And she could not be lovelier!
My birthday is this month and my birthday wish is to stay in your cabins!!
I have always wanted to visit Maine! We would love to stay in the Cabins! We will literally be coming from Oregon and fly to the East Coast! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed we will be one of the lucky ones picked to take a long Overdue Vacation! ✈︎✌︎︎❣︎( ˘ ³˘)♥︎
Oh, I hope so too! It was quite an experience! What month will you be coming to the east coast?
What a wonderfully evocative account of your cabin stay! My wife and I are binge-watching Seasons 1 & 2, and Erin’s memoir (and cookbook) are on the way here (Washington state). The whole Lost Kitchen story is an inspirational tale of resilience, good food and community.. Hope springs eternal for a place at the dinner table, of course, but a stay at one of the cabins seems more possible—and the breakfast is at least a taste of the food. Thanks for your great description and photos …. we’re gonna give it a try.
Hi Tom! Can you believe I have yet to watch the show? I listened to the memoir read by Erin and loved it! I do hope you and your wife get a reservation at the restaurant and the cabins!
Back in the Fall of 1971 I was lucky enough to move to Freedom.. My then husband was a student at Unity College and I worked in the office until we lost our babysitter. To make a long story short the husband wanted the college life and not a wife and child—so myself and our daughter returned to NH..and I thank God my parents helped me get back on my feet. While in
Freedom we lived in a farmhouse on Bridges Road. Two brothers had a wonderful old barn that we shared a driveway with and they had a sawmill between their house and ours. I often thought of them over the years and took a couple of trips back to show my daughter where she was born and where we had lived. The former husband kept the house for awhile but I’m not sure if he still owns it. Things have changed so much that I’m not sure if I even showed her the correct house. I remember the post office was located at the beginning of the road the house was on but it seems that the road name changed. Is your restaurant or cabins in this area? I hope that you enjoy many years of continued success and are enjoying being back with family and friends!
We have a yearly trip to Maine coming up Aug 21 – 26. I have sent in my postcards to Erin to see if all 10 of us first cousins could have a chance to dine with her and the crew while we are there. Freedom is a distance from Woolwich, and I had already let the cousins know we would have to find a place to stay should we find ourselves on the way to Freedom – –and now I see this WOW! what an experience.
I hope you and all your cousins will get so lucky to have your postcard pulled from the hat! I think your cousins will agree that it’s worth the trip from Woolrich! Keep me posted!
This place sounds amazing. Can’t wait to plan a trip.
Anne! Yes, it was truly amazing!
Since I have been watching this series on Magnolia Network, I really enjoyed this post and especially the photographs. The series has not reached the point in which the cabins are used for overnight guests, but Erin talks about the possibility in last night’s episode, which was the first time that diners were eating in the one cabin that was completed at the time of filming. I hope sooner than later they will be back in the actual Lost Kitchen for the dinner service, back to a normal existence. Erin’s ability to “make it work” is truly amazing and inspiring.
Dayle, I’ll bet they will be this summer. I would agree, truly amazing and inspiring!
I would love to spend a night in a cabin. Erin’s story resonates with me. I too had to start life anew. And yes family and food have been a big part of my life.
Dawn, I hope you get the chance for a cabin stay. It was truly a lovely, once-in-a-lifetime experience! Have you read or listened to her book? It’s wonderful! I listened on Audible, she does an amazing job narrating it!
Would love to bring my granddaughter to eat at The Lost Kitchen or stay in the cabins. She is a chef and is working towards her own restaurant someday. We live in New Jersey but would come for a visit if you have a spot sometime for us. My number is 856-381-2788. Ty
Hi Deborah, I just wrote about our experience. I believe they have a lottery for reservations where you send a postcard and if your postcard is selected, you get a reservation! Check out their website for more information. https://www.findthelostkitchen.com
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post. Curious if each cabin had its own outhouse? Or if all guests shared one? Thank you!
Hi Justine,
There are 4 cabins and just one outhouse. It’s a bit like camping, but far more luxurious. That is why we only stayed one night…there are no showers. But for a truly lovely experience, it’s worth sharing an outhouse!
Hope that helps.
I’m male 70 + and lost my 50+ year best friend last year. In the healing process I met a lady with the same loss. My wish is to make memories worthwhile with this wonderful person but I don’t have 50 more years to do it again. This or dinner would be the ticket to a wonderful start.
Ken,
Make sure to send in a postcard to The Lost Kitchen in order to get in the lottery to get a reservation. I believe that is how it is done! Also, follow Erin on Instagram! That’s how we found out about The Lost Kitchen Cabin stays! Best of luck to you!
Annie
Hello Erin. I am so excited to spend time enjoying the Cabin. I’m most excited about getting an invitation to sit at the table for dinner. I watch the show: “The Lost Kitchen” every week. Thank you for the opportunity to sit at the table from my living room.
Erin is the perfect example of the saying “ Never Give Up “ Her book is inspirational and I enjoyed her series . I have a special place in my heart for Maine because my Mother and Grandmother and great grandmother were born there and my great grandmother ran the cottages that housed the professors of the University of Maine. I hope to be lucky enough to get a reservation in April for 4 people. I’m not sure how to do it but the site says that on April 1 it will post how to get a reservation.
Kathy,
You have a strong history in Maine! I hope you are able to secure a reservation! I’ll be sure to check the website on April 1st. I wonder if they are changing it up from the postcards?? Fingers crossed for you!
xx
Not sure how to book one of these lovely cabins. But my husband and I will be celebrating 45 of marriage and can’t imagine a more perfect place.❤️
Hi Susan,
Make sure to send a postcard before April 18th. Here is a link to Erin’s website where you’ll find all the information.
https://www.findthelostkitchen.com/2022-reservations.html
Mrs . Erin French, Aly & Dave Harvilak here from Mesquite, NV. We have watched your shows since they have been aired on Magnolia Network. We’d be honored to come to Freedom to have dinner with you fine folks plus we’d request a 1 or 2 nights stay in your cozy cabin complex. We’d have to fly from Vegas to Boston or Providence and as of today, 4 / 4 / 2022, we’d need some lead time to plan a trip for this late summer or early fall of 2022. I know this is asking a lot but we really look forward to meeting you and spending a few days in Freedom. Please consider us for a September or early October 2022 visit. Thank you and keep up the great and informative shows on Magnolia Network. We look forward to coming to Freedom, Maine. Dave & Aly Harvilak
Hi Dave & Aly,
Make sure to send a postcard to The Lost Kitchen before April 18th, I believe. Here is the link to Erin’s website where she has all the information about reservations.
https://www.findthelostkitchen.com/2022-reservations.html
How much are the cabins ? thank so much ..the entire moment is so very lovely
Lita, Sorry I missed this earlier comment!!
Annie ,
I had asked a question that was being reviewed I guess .. Is it to gauche to inquired how much the cabins are? I totally agree with ALL the excitement comments .I think Erin and Michael and the Ladies are incredble 1000%.. it was just a question thanks
Hi Lita,
I believe the price was $295 for one night. It included a small cheese plate when we arrive, bottles of water, a small bottle of milk, and a pot of French press coffee. Then in the morning, they delivered those most amazing breakfast tray!It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
I am sitting in Redcliff Alberta Canada watching it snow and watching The Lost Kitchen right now. That would be a dream to stay in one of the cabins and eat at The Lost Kitchen. Thank you for posting your experience it sounds amazing. You are so right about listening to Erin French’s voice it is so calming. I have to say The Lost Kitchen is my favorite show.
Hi Gayle, snow in April while watching The Lost Kitchen somehow seems perfect! xx
Thanks so much Annie, The entire moment is beyond glorious. I just watched the Last dinner of the Season. Aside from spectacular food. The attention to detail is off the charts .it ‘s not a moter home its an Airstream .. the lighting ,, the dishes .the list goes on and on.. local flowers co working friends .. A female crew and Michael who is truly one of the girls. He get it.. truly grand
Yes! The attention to detail is really something! Even on our breakfast tray….so many lovely touches! xx
Looks charming. We just discovered “The Lost Kitchen” and Erin. Actually I watched the Ina Garten interview. We are now on the 2nd season of “The Lost Kitchen”. Love every second.
I need to look for the episode with Ina Garten! I have not seen that!
Hi. I was just introduced to your Prime series and LOVE it! May I ask the paint color/brand of that first cabin — a deep teal/navy blue? I’d love to repaint my northwoods farmhouse that color.
Hello Kathi! We just stayed at the cabin…. the post is about our experience! Which was truly wonderful!
Annie, oh this is lovely! I didn’t know these cabins existed! Not sure you are aware, but as I was staring at your gorgeous photos, ads appeared and covered them up. I’ve never seen that before but a few seconds later they disappear but it happened several times while trying to absorb the beauty of your photos. I hope this isn’t something that will continue to happen. I don’t mind ads off to the side, but to cover your content just doesn’t seem right. Other than that, I really enjoyed your post.
Mary! Thank you for letting me know! I’ll check with my ad network tomorrow!xx
Our book club will be reading and discussing Erin’s book soon. We hope to plan a trip to visit and hopefully secure a reservation.
What a powerful story❣️
Hi Pam,
That would be a fun girl’s trip! Make sure to get your postcard in the mail. I think it’s in March or April for the coming season! The store was lovely to visit!
My name is Lorena PetroneTriplett. I am married to an angel Mike Triplett retired military gentleman. I have a culinary degree that I abandoned to go back to doing my other degree for geriatric health care. My passion is and always will be food. I survived Brest cancer 2 years ago after a bilateral mastectomy. I would love to get back in the industry where my love is drawn but now wondering if you could use me in the kitchen
Hi Lorena,
You’ve landed on a post about our cabin stay at The Lost Kitchen. Reach out to The Lost Kitchen directly. There’s a link in the article. Good luck to you!
xo
Annie
I wanna stay!
Love the show , But love the atmosphere and serenity of your beautiful place ! Wishing I could Take my wife to Be There for a wedding present Waiting for reservation options
Absolutely Love everything about the lost kitchen! I married a Mainer, plan flat corn chowder was the only thing my ex could make that was edible. Now I want to move to Freedom, or at least come visit and stay in one of your cabins. What a magical place you have corrected!
Wow! What a special experience. I just love the show on Magnolia. I have never tried to get a seat in the restaurant because it seems more likely I would win the lottery, but it’s a dream.
Lynn! It was a unique and special experience! I will be sending in my postcard again this year! You too??
Annie
Looking to visit in late Oct or Nov. both retired college counselors from LSU and would love to join ya’ll.
This is on my bucket list along with experiencing the supper club with my family. I’ve been binge-watching the episodes from the last 3 seasons ever since I watched the 1st ep of Getting Lost…I love your blog!!
Marlene! The cabin stay was amazing, but now I want to go for dinner! Maybe next year!
do you allow small, quiet, potty trained dogs In your cabins?
Hi Holly,
I’m not the owner of Lost kitchen. I just visited and wrote about the experience. Sorry I cannot be more helpful.
Annie