Policies and Guest Information

Thank you for allowing Cottage Connection of Maine, Inc. to assist you with your planning. We are here to help you as you plan all the details of your visit to our area. Let us take the worry out of finding and securing a vacation home for your visit. We can advise you on what to expect, what to pack, and provide a few rules to ensure a fun and safe time here. Please contact us as much as you need to prepare for your visit.

We represent a wide variety of quality vacation homes throughout mid coast Maine. Individually and privately owned, each vacation home reflects the taste of its Owners. Every effort has been made to ensure that the descriptions, amenities and rates on our website are accurate. However, we cannot be held responsible for changes made by owners to furnishings, equipment and rates. Our vacation homes are well maintained and clean, but please understand that these are unique and intricate homes, which just like your own, occasionally experience unexpected problems.

The essence of your vacation is to enjoy yourself, so we will make every effort to correct any problems you may experience in a timely manner. Our experienced housekeeping and maintenance teams are ready to serve you. Please report any problems promptly.

 

Privacy Policy

We take your privacy very seriously and will not share any information about you with another party. This includes automatically gathered data such as e-mail addresses, browser cookies, and IP addresses. It also includes any information submitted via an electronic form such as name, address, and phone number. If you believe that your information has been compromised in any way by your use of this web site, please email us immediately.

 

Our Seasons:

Lodging rates vary throughout the year based on demand and availability.

Pre Season (Spring): May 1st through June 14th, 2008

Peak Season (Summer): June 15th through September 6th, 2008

Post Season (Fall): September 7th through October 15th, 2008

Off-Season (Winter) October 16th , 2008 through April 30th, 2009

Availability Schedule

Lodging in these vacation homes is available weekly and monthly mostly from May through October 15 due to summer above ground water supplies. Some cottages are available throughout the year with a four (4) night minimum stay. During our Peak
Season, we do not rent for less than a week. We offer Monday-Monday, Thursday- Thursday, Friday-Friday, and Saturday-Saturday time frames. Other arrangements are available as schedules permit.

Office Hours

For your convenience our office is fully staffed and open for reservations year-around. Office hours: October through May: Monday through Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.; June through September: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. We are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, and for a week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

 

Making a Reservation Could Not Be Easier

Make your reservation on line! Look through our selection of beautiful homes on our convenient website (www.cottageconnection.com). The website offers a listing of all our current properties and detailed pictures of each individual cottage. Then book your choice on line, call us at 1-800-823-9501, or e-mail us: rentme@cottageconnection.com and one of our reservation specialists will help you book the perfect vacation home for you.

 

Payment Schedule

After you make your reservation you will be sent a reservation package that you must complete and return. Guests booking on line will have their first payment charged to their credit card. (Amount varies depending on the time of the reservation). Guests booking by telephone may pay by credit card at that time or send a check within seven (7) days. Failure to do so will result in the reservation being cancelled without further notice.

Those who make reservations prior to January 1st have the choice of making payments in installments. Our reservation specialists can set this up. Anyone making reservations April 1st or later are expected to pay in full at the time of reservation.

There will be a charge for returned checks. Returned checks must be replaced with certified funds or a credit card payment within 7 days of notification. Payments may be made by check, money order, Discover, Visa or Master Card.

 

Reservation Fees

The State of Maine requires a 7% Lodging Tax on any mandatory fee relating to a reservation. The following additional fees may apply: Travel Insurance: optional but highly recommended, Linen Rentals: optional or not applicable, Pet Fees: if applicable, and a Reservation fee. Included in your Lodging Rate are all lodging fees and service fees required to prepare and maintain the property for your use as a vacation accommodation including any taxes as they apply. We have made every effort to provide worry free service for your time here. We have staff available by phone 24/7 should you need us. We provide a worry-free vacation experience!

 

Travel Protection Plan (Optional)

Through CSA Travel Protection Cottage Connection can help you protect your vacation investment. This insurance must be elected at the time of reservation and will not be effective until the reservation is paid in full. You may opt out of this charge by crossing it out on your confirmation sheet and deducting that amount from your total. We strongly encourage you to purchase this coverage to protect your vacation investment, as no refunds will be offered, even in the case of a mandatory evacuation. Another way we can “provide a worry-free experience!”

Cancellations and Change Reservation Policies

If you must cancel your reservation for any reason, Cottage Connection will attempt to re-book the same property for the same time period. If this attempt is successful, cancelling parties will receive 75% of all monies paid. If this attempt is unsuccessful, all monies paid will be forfeited. Please note that if a reservation is changed, the change will be treated as a cancellation and there will be an additional fee charged for this change. We feel that it is in your best interest to consider the CSA Travel Protection we have put in place for you.

Check In & Check Out Procedures

Check-in time is between 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. on the date of arrival and check-out time is by or before 10:00 A.M. on the date of your departure. If you arrive earlier, our staff will be happy to suggest local parks and attractions that will help you pass the time until 4:00 P.M. arrives. We have cottages that check in and out on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If you have a preference please ask our Vacation Specialist for cottages available on your day. Coming on Monday or Thursday allows you to fully enjoy the weekend activities and allows you to travel when the roads are less crowded.

For most properties, check-in and keys to your vacation home will be at our office Cottage Connection of Maine, inc. located at: 675 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay, ME 04537. 207-633-6545. For those properties located in other parts of the mid-coast, we have lock boxes at the properties for your convenience. The combination will be provided when the homes are ready for you..

 

Arriving Late?

If you will be arriving after 6:00 P.M. on the day of check-in, please notify our office so that other arrangements can be made. There may be a charge for late check-ins if all paperwork and payments have not been made in advance. This will require us to staff the office after 6:00 P.M.

Drive Bys

To ensure the privacy of our guests and owners, we must limit giving out directions to the cottages until the day of check-in. We have an extensive photo array of each cottage that can be viewed here on our website at www.cottageconnection.com to help assist you.

Check-Out Instructions

We understand you are on vacation and the last thing you will want to do is clean the bathroom before you leave. What we ask is that you take care of and respect this private family home as if it were your own, and leave it the way you found it. We offer Departure (End) Cleaning, Mid-Week, Mid- Stay, as well as, Chambermaid Services. Please reserve these services in advance of your arrival to help us with staffing needs.

All we ask for at check-out:

• Garbage bins should be out where they can be easily seen from the road. Trash should always be bagged and placed in trash containers (hopefully, raccoon proof), ready for pick up at or by 8:00 A.M.
• Wipe out and empty the refrigerator and cupboards of all items brought into the house.
• Wash and put away dishes. If you start the dishwasher and it is not finished, please leave a note so we can be sure to empty it.
• Gather all personal items. We can not be held responsible for items lost or left behind. Items that are recovered will gladly be mailed for the cost of packing and postage. Items left by the end of September will be given to local charities.
• Leave all furniture arranged in the order it was found.
• Lock all windows and doors.
• Turn off all interior and exterior lights.
• In the summer, please water the flowers as needed.
• In the cold weather months, keep the thermostats turned on and leave at 55 degrees.
• Return all keys to our office and report any problems by 10:00 A.M.
• Finally, have a safe trip home and we hope to see you again in the future!

 

Pre-Reservations

Reserve your vacation home for next year with our pre-reservation process. Cottage Connection of Maine offers you FIRST RIGHTS to book the property you stayed in this year for the same time frame next year until 5:00 P.M. the day you check-out. If you do not pre-reserve your cottage on check-out day, the cottage will go back on the market and become available to the next interested party. If the owner of this property has reserved your time next year, we will happily assist you in finding another beautiful home. The pre-reservation process does require a non-refundable fee.

 

Occupancy

The MAXIMUM number of allowable occupants is noted on each property description and on the Guest Confirmation and is carefully enforced. Everyone, even infants are included in the occupancy count. Owners have given their property this limit for a reason. Some of our older cottages have septic systems that cannot withstand additional stress. Property wear and tear and insurance purposes add to the many other reasons why these occupancy limits must be adhered to by guests. Please do not bring any campers, tents or motor homes. If you exceed the stated occupancy limit at any time during your stay, unfortunately, we will have to ask you to leave. In a similar fashion, large parties or gatherings are not permitted.

 

Linen and What To Bring

Many of our properties include linen service. Some do not. If they do not, you can bring your own linens or rent them from us. The choice is yours. Our website and our reservation specialists can tell you which cottages provide linen and help you place your order in advance of your arrival. If you are not planning to use our linen service, please remember to bring bedding and towels. You will need to bring kitchen linens. All homes are equipped with pillows, blankets/comforters and mattress pads. You might want to bring extra towels for outdoor use.

All homes are equipped with cutlery, place settings, cups and glasses for the total number of occupants listed in the property description. The homes have coffee makers, mixing bowls, pots and pans. Based on your cooking needs, you might want to bring a blender, large roasting pan or other specialty items. Our website lists many of these items and our
reservation specialists can help too.

Please bring extra paper products, detergent, charcoal and trash bags. You could also buy them when you arrive, if you choose.

Winter guests going to homes with wood burning fireplaces might want fire starters, kindling, and wood. Everything can be purchased locally. Our staff will be more than happy to provide directions to local stores and shops.

 

Boating

Each town in this region has its own boating ordinances which we ask guests to abide by, for everyone’s safety. Many of our cottages have docks and floats for use by guests. Please be sure when tying up your boat that your dock is not a half-tide dock or a shared dock that has a tie up time limit. We have strong currents and winds in the waters, so please use caution both while boating and when leaving your boat unattended.

 

Computer/Internet Connections

Bringing your computer on vacation with you? Planning to use the internet? Check with our office about access if you do not have a toll-free access number. High Speed and Dial Up may be available at your home or be available for an extra fee through our office.

 

Smoking, Fire Prevention, & Fireworks

For everyone’s health and safety, our cottages are 100% smoke-free. If there is evidence that smoking occurred inside the property, guest will be assessed an extra cleaning charge – (a minimum of $250 to completely spring clean the house to remove the odor).

Guests agree that there shall be no open fires on or adjacent to the Property. Fire danger must be recognized especially during dry periods. As a reminder, Fireworks are illegal in Maine.

Pets

We are happy to say that 75% of our homes are pet friendly. In most cases, pets are limited to two domestic, house broken animals. There is a non-refundable pet fee that will appear on your Lodging Agreement. Guests will also be asked to review, approve and return a copy of our Pet Policy as an attachment to our Lodging Agreement. Please let us know when making your reservation if your furry friend is coming along. Pets in non-pet vacation homes are strictly forbidden due to allergies.

 

Family Atmosphere

We maintain a family atmosphere for the enjoyment of our guests, neighbors and area residents. Absolutely no house parties allowed! Should a group misrepresent themselves, they will be required to vacate the premises immediately without refund.

 

Cottages FOR SALE

Some of our cottages are for sale. We will have told you in advance if yours is one of these. If you have rented a cottage that is for sale, you may be asked to allow a showing to prospective buyers with 24 hours’ advance notice. If this is not for you, please choose a cottage that is not for sale. If you are not informed in advance, you do not have to permit showings or be disturbed during your stay.

 

Buying Property and Showings

We are a vacation rental company. We do not sell real estate. Vacation planning and lodging is our specialty. We do, however, have a sister company, Cottage Connection Realty Group that can assist you with purchasing property. If you are interested in looking at or buying a property while here please feel free to call 207-633-7363 and speak with one of the Realty Group brokers.

 

Cottage Furnishings

Each of our cottages is privately owned and the furnishings in each reflect the taste and style of the owners. All cottages are equipped with stoves, refrigerators, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, and cooking utensils. Many of these homes have wonderful well-equipped kitchens. Quality and quantity will vary with each individual cottage.

 

 

Messages and Telephone Services

Most vacation homes have a telephone for local calls. If a telephone is not provided, it will be noted on the property description. Long distance calls are your responsibility and must be placed on a credit or calling card. We would prefer not to assist property owners with recovering long distance charges because it results in additional charges to you. Any emergency messages can be left by calling the Cottages Connection office or by calling our emergency cell phone line (available 24/7). We will be happy to provide you with your cottage telephone number to leave with family and friends in case of an emergency.

 

UPS/FED EX and Faxes

If you are expecting a package, it can be sent to our office at 675 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay, ME 04537. You may receive or send faxes at our office for a fee. Our fax number is 207-633-3043. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 655, Boothbay, ME 04537.

 

Cleaning and our “Peace of Mind” Damage Waiver

We clean and inspect your vacation home prior to your arrival and after you leave. We have a team of cleaners and inspectors to make sure that your home is clean and ready for you and for the next Guests after you leave. We also cover any minor accidental damage that might occur during your stay. Unless the damage is substantial or is the result of a deliberate nature, it will be taken care of with no cost to you.

This Damage Waiver does not include: acts of god; intentional acts of the Guests(s); gross or wanton negligence or willful conduct; normal wear and tear; pet damage; loss of use of the covered property; damage done by unauthorized groups; theft or damage to property that belongs to the guest; damage caused by motorized vehicle or watercraft operated by the guest.

Damage not reported by check out will not be covered under this plan and will be billed to you or your security deposit.

 

Security Deposit/Credit Card Hold

Credit Card Hold: In lieu of a Security Deposit, CCM requires all guests to deposit, via a credit card hold (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) the amount stated on the Guest Confirmation. If the property shows evidence of excessive use, negligence, or abuse, or the furnishings need to be returned to their proper location, CCM will take care of these things, notify the guest and charge their credit card. This Hold will take effect upon arrival and will be released after departure assuming all things required have been taken care of and the keys are returned to the office on check out day.

 

Appliance Malfunctions, Power Outages, Weather

Just like at home, some appliances just quit, the wind knocks the power out, or the weatherman predicts a week of rain. No refund will be made in the event of appliance malfunctions or other equipment on the property, utility outages, inclement weather, allergies, acts of God or other things beyond the control of the property owner or Cottage Connection. Guests will not be eligible for a refund for leaving the property before the end of the rental term.

Water Sources

All of our properties have different types of water sources. Some draw water from the lake, wells, above ground “summer” water or town water. However, the taste and smell of the water differs at each property. Guests may wish to bring bottled drinking water if water quality is a concern.

Seasonal Considerations/Off-Season Reservations

Maine has hunting season in the fall and snow and ice in the winter. Please be prepared with front wheel or 4 wheel drive, snow tires, and/or chains. Most properties have their driveways plowed if snow falls more than an inch. Firewood for fireplaces may or may not be provided but can be purchased locally if needed.

Construction

The Mid Coast region is a growing region and new houses are always being built. We cannot predict the location of all construction activity and may not be able to inform you at the time you make your reservation if there will be construction near by. Cottage Connection cannot be responsible for homes that may be under construction next to or near the vacation home you plan to occupy. Please realize that this situation is a matter beyond our control, and our Agreement clearly states that no refunds or relocations will be made.

Errors and Omissions

Although every effort has been made for accuracy, Cottage Connection is not responsible for inadvertent or unintentional errors or omissions in its advertising materials or on its website. Descriptions and rates are subject to correction or change without notice.

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