A1: From the last week in June, through the first week in September, most of our properties rent for a minimum of 7 nights, beginning either Saturday or Sunday, depending on the property.
A2: To reserve a property, complete the booking request form on the specific property listing page and choose “Request to Book”. Your credit card will not be charged until your reservation is confirmed. We accept all debit and credit cards from customers in every country. We don't accept Paypal but do accept ACH payments.
A3: Yes, we require a security deposit (also referred to as “damage deposit”) and will pre-authorize your credit card used to book your reservation on the day of your arrival and release it within a couple of days and once the departure inspection and cleaning is completed. Examples of reasons a charge may be incurred include missing items, permanently stained/damaged bedding and towels, the need for extra cleaning due to excessive dirtiness, dog hair on furniture or bedding causing additional labor cost, and other issues that cause us excessive additional time. If we have to take extra time to address these unanticipated issues, we will charge $40 per hour per person and withhold the amount from the damage deposit.
A4: We strongly recommend trip insurance however do not make recommendations on which company may be the best choice for our guests.
A5: Online travel agents are third-party booking websites offering travelers an easy-to-search database of travel providers, offering the opportunity to book travel arrangements directly from their sites. OTAs invest heavily in advertising, offer reward incentives and gain top slots in search engines, providing a one-stop-shop for comparative shopping. Customers are charged a guest service fee (depending on the site) for this convenience, up to 20% of total cost of rental (less tax). They are convenient and often preferred to booking direct.
A5: You will be driving directly to your rental and arrival time, after 4:00 PM, is flexible. If you let us know you'll be arriving late, we will turn on inside and outside lights. It's a good idea to have a good strong flashlight if arriving after dark.
A6: We provide the specific property information including driving directions and entry instructions prior to arrival and after payment has been made in full. The person making the reservation is responsible for providing us with a complete list of guests including full name and age. Some properties require vehicle information as well.
A7: Vacation rental homes are not like hotels, especially in seasonal locations such as ours. One cancellation can be a 10% or more loss of income to the owner. Because of this we have a strict cancellation policy and we strongly suggest the purchase of trip insurance.
If, after booking and making payment(s), you cannot make the trip, we will advertise the reserved dates of your reservation and attempt to re-rent the property. If we are successful in re-renting, you will receive reimbursement of payment(s) less $200 per week cancellation fee. If we are unsuccessful, we will not provide a refund except for cleaning fee and Maine Lodging Tax.
A8: In general, early arrival isn’t possible, especially if the property has been vacated that morning. However, feel free to call or text us and, if the property is ready, we’re happy to have you arrive early. Otherwise please do not go to the property prior to 4:00pm. We reserve the right to charge $40/hour for unapproved early arrivals but prefer to avoid being put into this situation at all.
A9: Properties that allow dogs are indicated within the individual listings. Go to "Search All Properties", and then use the "Pets Welcome" filter. If you’d like to bring your dog to a dog-friendly property please review the Pet Addendum. If we can approve we’ll collect the $150 dog fee (for up to two dogs) plus 9% Maine Lodging Tax. This fee is not a deposit, it is a fee for the additional risk to the property and is not refundable. It is imperative and appreciated that you abide by our dog policy to ensure that our owners will continue to allow dogs at their property in the future.
A10: We love all animals however unfortunately we can only accommodate dogs at the rental properties.
A11: Of course. Please visit our Pets & Service Dogs page to learn more. If there will be a Service Dog with you please provide requested information. Please note: Emotional support and therapy dogs are not Service Dogs as defined by the ADA.
A12: We recommend renting kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards through The Activity Shop located in Blue Hill. The Activity Shop handles delivery to and pick-up from your rental property and are happy to answer all of your questions about their equipment. Contact them directly to book a reservation.
A14: Yes. All beds will be made with clean bedding and you can expect to have bath towels, hand towels, face cloths, bath mats, and kitchen towels. If you prefer to bring your own bedding just let us know and we'll remove our bedding and towels.
A15. Probably, but it depends. In general and where possible, Wi-Fi and cable, satellite or streaming television are provided. Please remember that you are visiting a rural area and these services will occasionally be affected by weather and terrain. Some of our properties are located well off of main roads where these utilities may not be available. If you absolutely require internet access to work remotely or have to watch your favorite channels, let us know. We hate to disappoint or worse, anger, our guests because these services are not working or are absent all-together, especially when there may not be anything we can do about it.
A16: Yes. We provide adequate toilet paper and paper towels as well as trash bin liners. We also provide hand soap, dish soap, laundry soap, dishwasher soap (if applicable) and cleaning supplies. Please bring your preferred shampoo, body wash, and other personal items.