Policies

Reservations, Forms of payment, Deposits, Cancellations

In order to hold your room, one night's charges in full should be received within a week of agreeing upon your reservation. We accept personal or travelers' checks, cash, and credit cards through PayPal.

For festival and holiday weekends, we ask that the entire reservation be paid within a week of booking. This includes: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Art on the Half Shell, Leukemia Regatta, the Crab Feast / Powell's party weekend, the Holly Point Art and Seafood Festival, and the Urbanna Oyster Festival. On the occasions just enumerated, we have a two-night minimum.

If your plans change, and you cancel a week in advance of your scheduled arrival, 75% of your deposit will be refunded. Please notify us of your cancellation by email with a "read receipt" or in a phone conversation (not a recorded message, please - they do fail, and our cellphone seems often to hide messages for some days) at least by the same day of the week, one week prior. That is, cancel by Wednesday night for what was to be a check-in the next Wednesday.

No-shows and late cancellations will be charged for the entire reservation (unless the vacancies are filled).

Independence Day, Leukemia Regatta and Oyster Festival reservations must be cancelled 14 days in advance for any refund. If the entire booking is replaced, your deposit will be refunded minus a $50 service charge.

Extra Meals

Lunch, tea or dinner should be booked in advance. If it can be decided at the time of your reservation, that's preferable, but we welcome your contacting us up to the Monday night before your arrival to add a meal to your booking. We regret, booked meals are non-refundable if you decide to change your plans. Because we use the finest and freshest ingredients, we will have shopped - often 50 miles away or even by internet with FedEx overnight delivery! - specifically for your menu.

Menus

When making your reservation, please let us know of any special dietary concerns you may have, so that we can do our best to see that you are delighted with the food. We would like to know if you are on a low-carb diet, if you abstain from alcohol (because we may use rum or Grand Marnier in a sauce or on fruit, for instance), if you are vegetarian, if you are allergic to gluten, if you want a low-cholesterol or low-fat menu ...

A Smoke-Free Property

All of the house including the porch, as well as the barn and the outbuildings, are strictly no-smoking zones.

If you must ... smokers may relax on the front deck or the gravel (north) patio.

We Like Children

Some children can really enjoy the bed-and-breakfast experience, and this is a good property for them, with friendly pets, outdoor space to play in, lots of interesting and good-smelling plants, and a wonderland of creatures such as butterflies and caterpillars. Before visiting, you might talk with them about what it is like to visit a B&B; they are likely to enjoy the grown-up experience of being a special guest. We think the property is appropriate for children at least four years of age, although the furnishings are geared to adults. For your children's safety, they will need to remain under your supervision. It may be possible to arrange evening babysitting with advance notice.

We also know that sometimes adults are simply in the mood for a child-free getaway. If that is your desire, just inquire what other bookings we have; if there is no prior family booking, we will keep your dates 'adults only.'

We Like Pets: They are in residence

Both the dog, Buddy, and the cat, Snickers, are reliably good-natured and friendly. Although you will surely meet the dog, you don't need to interact with the pets if you choose not to, and they certainly don't need to be in your room.

Buddy does not jump on people, but he certainly shows he likes everyone. As a collie/Australian shepherd mix, he is unquestionably in charge of the property. He likes most other dogs, but may want to herd them and keep them away from Snickers. He thinks other cats are fair game to chase. In fact, he chases lots of things, so please drive slowly in case he dashes by!

Snickers is gentle and affectionate, doesn't scratch or bite. She does have her claws, and puts them to good use climbing trees.

Both pets are neutered, are current on their vaccinations and are in good health. But their presence makes it difficult for other pets to stay. We can help with nearby pet accommodations if needed.

Accessibility

We'll be doing our best to increase our ADA conformity, but given that this was constructed in 1940 as a private farmhouse, there are many limitations. Yet there are also good possibilities. The Italian Room is most appropriate for a mobility handicap. When you inquire about booking, let us know your needs and concerns, and we will be frank about which needs we can meet fully and confidently, and which ones we might not. If you are willing to give some guidance, please know that we welcome opportunities to learn how better to accommodate our guests.