OCEAN COTTAGE
OceanCottageMaine | Northport, ME, United States | 617-822-9004
Question: What is there to do during my stay?
Answer: I will be providing a virtual amenities book for the cottage which highlights all the areas attractions, restaurants, historical and scenic sites and local businesses. You will receive this in an email a couple of days before check in. You may ask why I provide the book with the internet available, there are several reasons. First, the book is targeted on the local area and provides a clear sampling of the area's activities. Second, the files allow you to easily pick something of interest and then search for additional information on line. Third, I realize everyone isn't computer savvy and sometimes a person prefers the advantage of sitting back opening an email and looking through information provided versus coming up with their own ideas or searches.
Question: What processes and cleaning are in place at the Cottage to address COVID19?
Answer: Please see the tab at this site named "Attractions & COVID19"
Question: Does the cottage have a washer and dryer?
Answer: Yes, the cottage features a High Efficiency Bosch washer and dryer. Liquid "HE" Laundry detergent, clorox 2, laundry sanitizer and dryer sheets are provided. Please only use the liquid laundry detergent provided, do not use powder detergent in the washing machine.
Question: What sizes are the beds in the 3 bedrooms?
Answer: The master bedroom waterside has a queen size bed, the guest room on the 1st level has a full size bed, and the upstairs bedroom has a twin size bed.
Question: Are towels and linens provided?
Answer: Yes, the beds are freshly made up with linens, and 2 sets of towels per bedroom downstairs, and 2 sets of towels for the upstairs bedroom are provided for each week's stay.
Question: Is there a heating system?
Answer: Yes, the cottage has a furnace, simply set your desired temperature on the thermostat located by the stairs. Additionally there is a heat pump as a 2nd heating source for the cottage.
Question: Does the cottage have air conditioning?
Answer: The cottage features a heat pump for cooling purposes. The heat pump wall unit is featured in the large open concept living-room, dining-room and kitchen area which will lend to an overall cooling of the entire cottage. The remote for the unit is located by the entrance door on the wall, simply select "Cool" and set your desired temperature. Please ensure doors and windows are closed for maximum efficiency.
Question: When it says the kitchen is fully equipped, what should I expect?
Answer: The kitchen provides the following: a hand mixer, blender, coffee maker, Keurig single cup coffee maker. toaster, wine opener, can opener, crockpot, mini food chopper, microwave, dishwasher, electric stove, ice maker, dishes, pots and pans, saran wrap, aluminum foil, spices, sugar packets, olive oil, vinegar, cooking spray, individually packaged assorted teas, napkins, paper plates, paper towels, plastic cups, food storage bags, trash bags, dishwasher detergent and sponges. I always suggest taking a look before heading to the grocery store. Please note all paper goods and plastic cups are packaged.
Question: Are there any reviews from guests that I may view?
Answer: The cottage is listed on several sites besides my site (here), such as VRBO.com under property number 329603 (noted on the top of your rental confirmation). If you search for the property on VRBO.com you will find numerous reviews on the cottage based on guest's stays. Please note: Booking directly through my site (here) provides major savings for 2 person renters, as VRBO includes booking fees to you and many additional costs to me, forcing me to list a higher weekly rental rate on their website to help cover costs. By booking a rental week for a 2 person stay directly with me, you may save as much as $200-$340.
Question: What is the advantage of booking directly with you instead of using one of the other websites you are listed on, such as VRBO or Flipkey?
Answer: There is the monetary savings over VRBO & Flipkeys booking fees/service fees and a higher weekly rental rate for 2 person renters due to my fees for listing on their sites. By booking a rental week directly with me, you may save as much as $200-$340. At the beginning of each new rental season, I book repeat renters and renters booking directly with me through my site before placing the remaining rental weeks available on VRBO or Flipkey for the season. Additionally, I take a $800.00 deposit to secure the reservation, with remaining balance due approximately 2 week before your arrival. The other sites require you to pay the entire rental costs at the time the reservation is booked.
Question: Is there phone service and Wi-fi?
Answer: Yes, there is phone service provided which includes long distance calling anywhere within the US. Though we all have cell phones, your service may be interrupted in areas of midcoast Maine depending on your carrier. Yes, Wi-Fi is also provided.
Question: I have a pet that is very well behaved, may I bring it to the cottage?
Answer: No pets, no exceptions.
Question: May I have visitors and small children at the cottage?
Answer: No children under 7 years old are allowed at the property due to liability issues and past history of breakage. In addition, the cottage has a maximum occupancy of 4 persons, as the cottage is on a water holding tank. Pumping the tank is very expensive every 2-3 weeks based on a 4 person occupancy, so additional persons on site = more water usage driving my costs up. The areas dining/living are set up to comfortably accommodate a maximum of 4 persons.
Question: What should I do if the power happens to go out?
Answer: Nothing, occasionally the cottage may lose power for a few minutes or a couple of hours due to an excessive wind from a storm or some other weather event. The cottage features a back up generator which will kick in just seconds after losing power. This will allow for everything at the cottage to continue functioning as normal, the appliances, heat, lights, water, outlets, wi-fi etc. There is nothing you need to do in regards to this.
Question: When you say fully furnished, what should I expect and how do I find items at the cottage?
Answer: A virtual version of the amenities book will be emailed to you a couple days before check in. This will include "Looking for Something" which gives the location of various items located at the cottage. Items such as a cooler, flashlights, batteries, light bulbs, body boards, inflatables for the water, fans, iron and ironing board, board games (new condition), first aid kit, grilling utensils and even the location of the dining-room light switch.
Question: What is provided in way of television and dvd's during my stay?
Answer: There is a 50 inch smart flat screen television in the living room that features streaming with amazon prime, netflix, hulu, tubi etc. The 2 bedrooms on the first level feature flat screen tvs with streaming, all include dvd players. The upstairs bedroom features a flat screen with built in dvd player and has streaming ability as well. In addition, there is dvd library which offers a large selections of dvd to choose from.
Question: Do you provide any boats to use at the cottage, or is there a place where I can rent them or book a boating excursion.
Answer: Yes, I provide 4 kayaks for use during your stay. Yes, there are local boat rental places that provide kayak & canoe drop off and pick up to the cottage. The area also offers boat excursions out of Camden, Boothbay, Belfast etc, which are highlighted in the amenities files I provide prior to your stay at the cottage.
Question: What time is check in and check out?
Answer: Check in is 5:00pm or later on Saturdays. I know if traveling it is hard to gauge your arrival time, however the cottage typically takes the full amount of time to clean and ready for your arrival. Please do not show up early expecting the cottage to be ready and available. However if you need to vary your arrival, such as arriving the next day, then please reach out to me so I am able to best accommodate your request. Check out is promptly by 10:00am on Saturdays, as the the entire change over window before the next rental party arrives is needed to clean and ready the cottage for them. I want to ensure each renter staying at the cottage has the same experience.
Question: What should I bring?
Answer: I suggest the following items, water shoes, beach towels, binoculars, bug repellent spray, sun tan lotion and your shower soap.
Question: Is there a hairdryer?
Answer: Yes, a hairdryer is located in the sink vanity in the bathroom