FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

BOOKINGS AND CANCELLATIONS

+ Can I book direct? Why should I book direct?

Yes! You can book direct through this website, or by contacting me directly via e-mail at alex@saugatuckvacationrentals.com

As a guest, when you are booking for the first time, it can be quite helpful to use an online travel agency such as VRBO, Homeaway or AirBNB. By doing so, you can read the reviews and have the peace of mind that the property is as described, and the experience is unlikely to disappoint you. For this, you pay a substantial service fee, between 10-20% of the total booking amount. The online travel agencies provide a service, and invest in marketing, and arguably earn this fee for this initial booking.

However, if you are returning to the same property, with the same host, and already had a great experience the last time you stayed, why would you want to pay additinal fees? You can save the service fee, and still have the peace of mind that you will have a great experience. Great hosts take care of their guests, with or without the online travel agencies.

Benefits of booking direct:

• The online booking platforms (AirBNB, Vrbo) charge you a fee of 10-20% of the booking amount. If you book direct, you avoid this fee
• For reservations far into the future, 6 or 12+ months in advance, this is only available by booking direct
• The best daily and weekly rates will always be offered on our website
• Special offers are available only to repeat guests. Currently, we offer one night free for weekday rentals (great for remote work / learning)

+ What times are check-in and check-out?

Check-in is 4 pm on the day of arrival. Check-out is 10 am on the day of departure.

+ Can I get an early check-in or late check out?

During the peak season, between mid-June and end of August, we cannot offer this. We need the full time between turnovers to thoroughly clean the house.

Outside peak season, this may be a possibility. If I can, I am happy to offer early check-in / late check out, up to two hours, as a courtesy. Please contact me a few days prior to your check-in date, and I may be able to accomodate an early check in / late check out, if there is no one checking out or checking in during those dates.

If you MUST secure an early check-in or late check-out far in advance, please contact me. I may be able to offer you an additional day, at a significant discount.

+ Should I get trip insurance?

Yes, we highly recommend trip insurance. Unforeseen things happen, and it is important to protect your financial investment. You can learn more about trip insurance from these articles from Forbes Magazine here and Money Magazine here. I do not make any commissions from this, it is up to you to research your options and choose the right one for your specific situation.

+ Do you sell trip insurance?

We do not sell trip insurance, but you can purchase it. Be sure to carefully read the insurance that you purchase so you know which cancellation reasons are covered and which ones are not. The "Cancel For Any Reason" option is highly recommended.

+ What is your cancellation policy?

Reservations are fully refundable, up to 60 days before check-in date.

+ What if the there is a natural disaster or any other unforeseen circumstance that affects our stay?

Although we do everything possible to make your stay as pleasant and carefree as possible, we cannot control or be responsible for the weather, natural disasters, health issues, or any other unforeseen circumstance that may affect your stay.

There are no refunds for circumstances that are out of our control. We highly encourage you to purchase trip insurance to cover your stay in case of a natural disaster or other major event and you need to cancel within the 60 days or depart early. Depending on the type of trip insurance you purchase, you are usually eligible to be reimbursed by the insurance company for the amount that is not refundable.

+ What are your minimum stay requirements?

During peak season, from mid-June through the end of August, there is a 7 day minimum stay. Check-in and check-out take place on Sundays.

Outside peak seasons, minimum stays are typically 2 days. Some holidays, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, as well as certain shoulder season weekends may require a 3 day stay.

We do not offer a one night stay, under any circumstances.

+ What are your payment terms?

We require 50% down to make your reservation. Balance is due before 60 days of the arrival date.

AMENITIES

+ Do you have wi-fi at the house?

Yes, all homes have high speed wireless internet. Our Wi-Fi was upgraded in 2020, and we consistently see speeds in the 200 MBPS range. We purchase the fastest home service available from Comcast. With that said, we do not own the cable company and do not control their speeds. Occasionally, especially during peak periods, speeds may be slower.

+ Do I need to bring my kitchen equipment or knives?

The kitchen of the houses are extremely well equipped, and can host dinners for the full capacity of the house, with some to spare. Unless you have very unique needs (please ask in advance if in doubt), we should have what you need.

+ Do you have any baby gear?

Yes, we have a pack-n-play, high chair, and umbrella stroller at each home. Also plastic dishes and utensils for the kids. We do not have baby gates on the stairs.

+ What are the grocery store options?

There is a SuperValue in Douglas, it is a few min drive from either house.

From June through September, on Fridays 9am-3pm, there is a Farmers Market in Saugatuck, at Saugatuck Center For the Arts.

For Organic Food, there is a Nature's Market in Holland, MI, about 20-25min away. Also in Holland, there is a Meijer, Target, and Walmart, all 20-25min away.

There is a Costco in Grandville (near Grand Rapids), about 30min away.

We put together a comprehensive guide of essentials, including groceries, shopping, restaurants, dining and activities in our Things to do in Saugatuck guide.

HOUSE RULES

+ Do you allow smoking in your vacation homes?

There is NO SMOKING inside our homes. If we find that you have smoked in one of our homes, there will be a minimum $500 "deep cleaning" fee charged.

For Saugatuck Modern Farmhouse, it is OK to smoke in the outdoor fireplace area, but not in the screened in porch. If you smoke outside, please dispose of your cigarette butts properly in the trash.

+ May we bring a pet to your vacation home?

We do not allow pets of any kind. Several of our regular guests have severe allergies, so we are unable to accomodate.

+ Do you require a rental agreement to book the properties?

Yes, we require a rental agreement that can be signed electronically. This takes a few minutes, and can be done on a phone, tablet, or computer. We ask that all people that are staying at the property be identified on the lease. The principal rental must be 30 years old, and be able to verity this with a valid governtment ID, upon request.

+ Do you allow events, such as weddings or parties at the properties?

Our properties are not suitable for events, such as weddings, rehearsal dinners or parties. Our houses are in quiet, residential neighborhoods, and cannot support the parking and noise associated with events.

Please read our complete house rules here.