Policies

Please read the following policy agreement for your edification and for our piece of mind. We look forward to hosting you at Hinkley's Dreamwood Cottages, located at 318 State Highway 3, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
DEPOSIT & CANCELLATIONS
Half the total (50%) of your reservation is required as a deposit upon booking. Except as provided below, all deposits are non-refundable, no exceptions. Should you need to change your dates, you can reschedule your reservation any time without penalty, as long as the change is requested at least 30 days prior to your arrival date. Please keep in mind that our rental rates fluctuate significantly depending on the dates. The modified reservation might be different than your original reservation amount. Except as provided below, if the reservation is cancelled more than 30 days from your arrival date, we will refund. If the cancellation is less than 30 days from your arrival date or you do not inform us of your decision to cancel, the deposit is forfeited, and the reservation may be charged in full. There are no refunds for early checkouts.
CHECK IN & CHECK OUT
Our self check-in process allows you to skip in person lines and go directly to your cabin. Key codes & directions will only be issued to prepaid guests. Balance is due seven days prior to arrival and will automatically be charged to the credit card on file. Guests will receive an email two days prior to arrival with the directions to their cabin location, the key code that will be active at 4 p.m. on the day of arrival, and any other relevant information pertaining to your stay. Guests must have signed all reservation documents electronically and the balance must be paid in full in order for the email to be sent. Check-in is 4 p.m. Whilst we try to accommodate our guests, in many instances, our housekeepers have their hands full so an early check-in is not always possible.
If the reservation documents have not been signed electronically and/or the balance has not been paid seven days prior to arrival via the credit card on file, you must check-in at our on-site office. Our office hours are currently 9:00am -9:00pm daily. Guests arriving after closing time will have a welcome package (including key code and directions to your cabin) waiting for them in our late arrival box just outside the front door of our office. All late arrivals must be paid in full so please call the office to make arrangements prior to closing time. Late arrivals must leave a signed copy of this agreement in the key drop box.
Check-out is 10:30 a.m. You will be expected to notify the office of your departure.
LOST & FOUND
We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please check your unit thoroughly prior to your departure for any personal belongings. If you notice you have left an item behind, please call our office and every effort will be made to locate the item. We are not responsible for items left in your unit by you or other rental guests that may have occupied the unit before you. If you locate any items in your cabin after check-in that do not belong to you, please let us know immediately.
CRITTERS & WILDLIFE
Please remember you are in the woods. Occasionally a few critters could make their way inside your cabin. In these instances, no refund will be given. In such a case, notify the office, and we will make every effort to solve the problem in a timely manner. Please do your part by keeping windows and doors closed and all food and trash inside or in the appropriate outside receptacles.
PET FRIENDLY UNITS
Some of our units are pet friendly and allow for two pets weighing no more than 60 pounds combined. Please keep in mind that we go above and beyond to keep our pet friendly cabins extra clean for the next guest so be courteous and treat the unit as you would your own and make sure your pets do as well. Pets are not allowed on any furniture in the cabin or on the property. Please pick up after your pet. There is a $75 pet fee if you choose to bring your pet. If you bring a pet without notifying us or bring a pet to a non-pet friendly unit, you are responsible for the cost of damages and/or extra cleaning requirements. These additional charges, with a MINIMUM of $200, will be applied to the credit card used to pay your deposit at the time of booking or used to pay the balance of the reservation, if different.
OCCUPANCY & HOUSEKEEPING & AMENITIES
All rental units must be reserved to and occupied by an adult 21 years of age or older. Please limit occupancy to the cabin maximum and adhere to pet and smoking preferences of the cabin (service animals are welcome in all our cabins and all cabins are NON-SMOKING). In the event of damages or extra cleaning requirements, additional charges may be applied to the credit card used to pay your deposit at time of booking or used to pay the balance of the reservation, if different. Guests will be responsible for all intentional or reckless damages, and the credit card on file will be charged. The guest also authorizes Hinckleys’ to charge any expenses relating to intentional or reckless damage, cleaning of the unit beyond a normal cabin clean (EX: heavy partying, trash, etc.), or theft of any property from the cabin to the credit card on file for that cabin. The guest who uses their credit card for the deposit is considered the responsible party, and all necessary charges concerning said cabin will be charged to the credit card on file, no matter who in the group caused the damage.
Linens and towels are provided along with basic kitchenware and utensils. A starter supply only of soap, dishwashing detergent, toilet paper, trash bags, and paper towels will be provided. Upon arrival, please report any damages, shortage of supplies, or housekeeping issues immediately. We will do everything we can to make sure your cabin is ready for your stay. It is our mission to provide you with the cleanest cabin on the island so that you will become a repeat guest. However, there are rare occasions where your cabin might not be fully presentable by 4 p.m. or your hot tub won't be warm until later in the evening. Functional indoor fireplaces are a seasonal amenity and are not permitted for use during the summer months.
SWIMMING POOL AND HOT TUBS
All cabins come with access to our swimming pool. There are no lifeguards on duty and swimming is at your own risk. We ask that you please check the front office for pool towels. These must be returned to the front office after use. Some of our cabins have outdoor hot tubs or whirlpool tubs. There are certain health risks associated with the use of these amenities. Each registered guest is responsible for informing their guest(s) of the possible risks. Each hot tub is drained and/or sanitized upon departure. It is possible that the hot tub may not reach a comfortable temperature for use the first night of your stay. Hot tubs are for enjoyment only without the use of normal bathing products (soap, shampoo, bath oil, etc.). Hot tub covers are to be kept on hot tubs at all times unless the hot tub is being used. DO NOT SIT, STAND ON, OR MISTREAT any hot tub cover. A $350 charge will result in any damages done to hot tub covers. Consult a physician if you have questions or concerns before the use of a hot tub, whirlpool tubs, sauna and/or pool. You may call the office during regular business hours with any questions you may have concerning your hot tub. Physicians strongly discourage pregnant women from using a hot tub.
MINIMUM STAYS
Some seasons will have minimum night requirements depending on availability. Exceptions will be made if nights rented fall between two other reservations and the minimum is not possible. Please call our office for availability.
PAYMENTS
Half the total of the reservation with a major credit card is required to confirm a reservation. We do accept personal checks for a deposit as long as the reservation is booked at least 60 days prior to arrival; please contact our office for this option. Cash, major credit cards, or money orders are accepted for the balance. Balance is due seven days prior to arrival. If there is a credit card on file, the balance will automatically be charged at that time. If you need to pay the balance with a personal check, please mail us the balance 30 days prior to your arrival and inform us you are doing this, preferably by email.
REFUNDS
No refunds will be made for break down or malfunction of appliances (televisions, cable boxes, remotes, DVD players, etc.) air conditioners, heaters, whirlpool tubs, hot tubs, or pool; the presence of insects, critters or wildlife; acts of God; inclement weather; location of rental cabin or property; loss of electrical power, water, cable, or other utilities; or the conditions of roadways or driveways leading to the rental unit. No refunds will be made after you check-in and/or take possession of key code for any reason.
CAMPFIRES
There is one main camp style firepit available on property at Hinckleys. Fires are allowed ONLY in the firepit provided. Please, No open fires! Fires must never be left unattended with children around. Children and pets are not allowed to play in the vicinity of firepits. Maine State Law prohibits firewood from being brought in from other states. Firewood is provided by our maintenance who will continue to man the fire as best as possible. If fire needs more wood, adults are allowed to add to the fire. S’more kits are available at the office for purchase.
LIABILITY
The cabin you are renting is under ownership and management of Hinckley’s Dreamwood Cottages. Under no circumstances will Hinckley’s be responsible to you or your guests for any loss, expense, damage, claim, or injury, direct or indirect, consequential or otherwise, caused or incurred, as result of any action or inaction by Hinckley’s, or their agents, employees, subcontractors, third parties, other guests, or any other party. Hinckley’s DC reserves the right to refuse or discontinue service to any person and/or rescind any contract for accommodation or guest services. Hinckley’s will not be responsible for accidents or injuries to guests or for loss of money, jewelry, or valuables of any kind for any reason. By reserving our cabins, you agree to indemnify and hold Hinckley’s harmless from any and all claims and loss of any and all guests using the cabin as your guest pursuant this agreement.
UPON CHECK-IN YOU MUST SIGN A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT
Hot Tub & Pool Policies
USE OF SWIMMING POOLS, HOT TUBS, WHIRLPOOL TUBS AND SAUNAS WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Hinckley’s is pleased to provide access to its swimming pool, hot tubs, and/or whirlpool tubs and any equipment related to the foregoing (collectively, the "Amenities") as a part of its service to certain of its rental guests ("you") and your invitees (collectively with you, the "Users") who stay in specified rental cabins ("Units"). By reserving a cabin from us at Hinckley’s, you hereby agree to the terms of this Waiver of Liability and Indemnification on behalf of yourself and all Users using the Cabin and/or the Amenities in connection with your rental of a cabin from Hinckleys. Unsafe and/or unsupervised use of the Amenities by any User is a material breach of your rental agreement with Hinckleys and shall permit Hinckleys to terminate IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT NOTICE your occupancy of the cabin.
By reserving a Cabin through Hinckleys, you acknowledge the following on behalf of all Users accessing the Amenities associated with your Cabin/Unit during your rental term:
6. Use of any Amenity carries risk that may result in serious injury or death. No jumping or diving is allowed. You shall ensure that the Amenities are used in a safe manner at all times and that non-adult use of the Amenities is supervised by a qualified and capable adult. Persons under the age of 12 are prohibited from entering hot tubs at any time. All children using any Amenity shall be supervised at all times to decrease risk on injury, death or drowning. Hinckleys does not provide lifeguards for any of the Amenities. No glass should be used in or near the Amenities.
7. Use of the Amenities could subject Users to certain risks including the risk of drowning, slipping and falling, other accident related injuries, and certain health related risks including, without limitation, the transmittal of certain bacteria and maladies known as hot tub rash, hot tub lung, and/or folliculitis. All bathers must shower before and after use to decrease the possibility of skin problems. Swimsuits used in natural bodies of water such as oceans, lakes and streams must be laundered before use of the Amenities.
8. Pregnant women, persons taking medication, elderly persons, those with diabetes, low or high blood pressure, history of strokes, epilepsy, heart disease or other cardiovascular conditions should consult their physician prior to using any Amenity. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) states that becoming overheated in a hot tub is not recommended during pregnancy.
9. Never use any Amenity while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or if you are taking medications of any kind, or being treated for any illness.
10. All hot tubs should be kept at a temperature less than 104 degrees for personal safety.
11. Users are prohibited from tampering with the Amenities and any related chemicals. If any User is found to have tampered with the Amenities or any related chemicals, you will be responsible for any expenses incurred. DO NOT SIT, STAND, JUMP OR WALK ON THE SPA COVER as it could collapse causing serious bodily injury and/or damage to the cover. Any excessive cleaning required for any Amenity will result in a minimum charge of $150.00. In consideration of the reservation of the Cabin by Hinckley’s to you, you, on behalf of yourself and all Users and each of your and User's respective personal representatives, guests, children, heirs, and next of kin, acknowledge, agree, and represent that (i) you have, or will immediately upon entering an area containing any Amenity, and will continuously thereafter, thoroughly inspect the Amenity and such areas containing the Amenity, that you have ready any safety rules or other notices published near the Amenity (the "Rules"), and that the use of any Amenity by you or any User constitutes an acknowledgment that you have inspected the Cabin and Amenities and you find and accept such areas as being safe and reasonably suited for the purposes of your use and use by the Users, and you further agree and warrant that if, at any time, you feel anything to be unsafe, you and all Users will immediately leave the area and advise appropriate persons, and that you and the Users shall follow all Rules, (ii) you hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Hinckley’s, its owners, managers, and employees, for any and all loss, liability, damage, cost, claim or demand (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) on account of harm, illness, or injury to the person(s) or property of any User, including, without limitation, DEATH of you or any User, and (iii) you AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, SAVE AND HOLD HARMLESS Hinckley’s Dreamwood Cottages from any loss, liability, damage, or cost any indemnified person may occur due to your presence in or upon the area and unless caused by the gross negligence of Hinckley’s.

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