Policies
Avalon, the Inn on Cuttyhunk
General Information & Policies
Every thoughtful detail at the Avalon was put into place so that our guests feel at home during their stay. Please review this information and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Minimum Stay Requirements:
The Avalon has a two night minimum stay for all guests - both single room occupants as well as whole house rentals (rooms 1-7).
For all holidays there is a 3-night minimum required (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Columbus Day weekends).
Cancellation and payment policy:
Payment must be received in full prior to arrival at the Avalon. We accept major credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover through Paypal.
All reservations must be secured by a deposit of 50% of the total amount due for reserved stay. We accept reservations all year long, based on availability. Deposits are taken at time of booking. Reservations will not be secure until deposit payment is made. Total balance is due 30 days prior to arrival. Reservations made within 30 days of a scheduled stay require a full payment. Deposit may be paid via Paypal with personal credit card (no Paypal account required), and may be accessed via link from our website: www.avaloncuttyhunk.com and clicking on “rental payments”. Deposits are not carried over from one year to another.
Any guest has 90 days from time of stay to cancel or change a reservation minus a fee. For cancellations more than 90 days prior to arrival, we can either hold your deposit for a future stay at the Avalon within the calendar year, or arrange for a refund of your deposit minus a 30% fee. If cancellations or date changes occur within the required 90 day period, no deposit will be refunded or held for a future stay unless we are able to rebook the original reservation in whole, regardless of the reason for the cancellation.
We withhold this amount due to the difficulties in rebooking your time and the loss of revenue incurred by the Avalon. Cuttyhunk Island is a remote destination and most have to plan in advance to make the trip. We depend greatly on our guests’ reservations and revenue to keep the Avalon running year after year.
Arrival day cancellations, no shows, and/or early departures must still be paid for in full unless we are able to rebook the entire reservation. However, if the MV Cuttyhunk, our island ferry, is not running due to weather, or mechanical problems, we will issue a pro-rated refund.
An email to info@avaloncuttyhunk.com 90 days prior to arrival, may serve as a written cancellation notice.
Check-in/Check-out Times:
Our check-in time is 1:30 PM.
Our check-out time 10:00 AM (from bedrooms)
Because of the Ferry schedule, there may be times when we will have incoming and outgoing guests on the property at the same time.
We welcome our outgoing guests to enjoy the first floor common areas until their departure. Incoming guests will be invited to enjoy these same areas until we have their bedrooms ready for check in.
We ask that you let us know how and when you plan to arrive on island so we know when to expect you or so our hosts know where and when to pick you up. If you have a golf cart reserved this will enable us to have it waiting for you at the right place and time. All private boaters MUST rent a cart for arrival day only and cart will be left for your arrival at the Marina and you will meet the hosts at the house.
Check-in/Check-out for Extended Stay Guests (minimum Whole House rental for 6 nights and 7 days)
The Avalon will be ready for you and your guests to check in as early as 10:00. Our Extended Stay Guests will have immediate and exclusive access to the entire house including bedrooms.
On your departure day we ask that you vacate the bedrooms by 10 AM so our staff can begin to clean the bedrooms and the upper level of the house. For our Extended Stay Guests, there will be no incoming guests on your departure day; therefore you will have exclusive use of the lower level of the house until your departure.
Room Layout and Maximum Occupancy:
Fire safety code - this limits sleeping ONLY in beds located in the Avalon bedrooms.
The following layout will help you to plan which guests you will place in which room in order to ensure that all guests are comfortable in their assigned room. We also have 2 twin cots available for $25 per cot per night but must be part of your reservation prior to arrival, if they are used without discussing with the hosts or reservationist, you will be charged an extra fee.
(All bedrooms can accommodate at least one cot)
Room #1, the Maids Quarters: accommodates 2 people
(1 king size bed, uses 1 of the 2 shared baths downstairs)
Room #2; the Linen Closet: accommodates 2 people
(2 twin size beds, uses 1 of the 2 shared baths downstairs)
Room #3; the Doubles Room: accommodates 4 people
(2 double beds, has a half bath (toilet and sink, uses 1 of the 2 shared baths downstairs)
Room #4; the Master Bedroom: accommodates 2 people
(1 king bed, private full bath, handheld shower)
Room #5; the Balcony Room: accommodates 2 people
(1 queen bed, private full bath)
Room #6; the Library: accommodates 2 people
(2 twin beds, private full bath) – there is also a king bed option for this room
Room #7; the Four Poster Room: accommodates 2 people
(1 queen bed, private full bath)
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IF YOU HAVE EXTRA PEOPLE THAN WHAT WAS DISCUSSED FOR YOUR RESERVATION YOU WILL GET CHARGED AN EXTRA FEE PER PERSON.
Dog Policy:
Guests at the Avalon are welcome to bring their dog(s) with them during their stay though we have a non-refundable fee of $100.00, per stay, per dog.
We hold all pet owners financially responsible for any and all pet stains/damage to the Inn premises/ property. To minimize the chances of such damage, the following house rules must be strictly adhered to by pet owners:
Dogs must be well behaved, and trained. As a courtesy to our neighbors, we cannot tolerate barking or howling dogs inside or outside the Inn. Please be respectful of the other guests in the house if you are a single room renter.
If it is determined that your guest room or the public areas of the Inn, or any personal property belonging to the Inn, has sustained damage or loss because of your animal's behavior, we reserve the right to charge you for the full amount of the loss or the cost of repairing or cleaning the damage.
Dogs are not permitted on any furniture, including beds, sofas and daybeds. Dog beds are available, please ask housekeeping.
Guests with dogs are asked to be in the company of their dogs at all times, where you go, they go. Dogs are at no time, to be left in rooms alone, tied to the porches nor are they allowed to roam Cuttyhunk on their own. Cuttyhunk has and enforces a leash law.
All dogs must be fitted with a flea/tick collar while at the Avalon.
Please note there are NO VETERINARIAN services on the island.
Smoking and Smoke Alarms:
The Avalon is a smoke-free environment. There is no smoking allowed anywhere inside the house or on the porches. (as well as no open flames, candles, etc due to fire hazard)
The Avalon has a smoke and carbon monoxide detector system. In compliance with the Massachusetts State Board of Building Regulations and Standards (780 CMR) in Chapter 9: Fire Protection Systems, subsection 901.3 … “No person shall shut off, disconnect, obstruct, remove or destroy… any part of any …device used for fire protection or carbon monoxide detection and alarm in any building”.
Laundry:
The Avalon has a washer and dryer. We ask that prior to using the machines, you contact the hosts, to ensure the machines are available for guest use. At that time the staff will also provide you with instructions on their use.
Common refrigerator and kitchen:
The refrigerators and kitchen are available for use by our guests. Please be courteous and thoughtful of your fellow houseguests. Your cooperation is much appreciated. The Avalon has a very well equipped kitchen; you should find all the pots, pans, utensils, and small appliances (including a Kitchen -Aid stand mixer, coffee makers, toaster, waffle iron, blender, etc.) needed for meal preparation. Our 1909 pantry is stocked with a comprehensive set of tableware, flatware, glassware, and serving platters and bowls.
Use of common areas:
Common areas are intended for the enjoyment and comfort of all our guests. When the house is rented to more than one group, we ask that visiting, non-resident guests be kept to a minimum, so that Avalon guests do not find themselves inconvenienced.
When the entire house is being rented to one group, the house and grounds are kept solely for their use.
The Avalon rents the house and the lawn for events for which policies and fees are tailored specifically.
Damage/Theft:
Missing guest room items, or damage to rooms and/or furnishings above and beyond normal usage, will result in charges being added to guest bill up to and including full replacement value of the item(s).
This includes damage caused by guests' children and dogs, as well as by non-resident guests visiting renters.