EaglesNest Cottage Rental Terms and Conditions

Bluffton Harbor Cottages ~ Your little gem! By Pere Marquette beach at Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake

Please print these Terms and Conditions for your records

Cottage Background

Eagles Nest Cottage specializes in couples and small families of up to 4 people from April through October. When the owners are not there, Eagles Nest and and main cottage, Redbird (street level) may be rented separately or together. The family owner name is Bluffton Harbor Cottages, and mother/grandmother Jane actively manages our everything.

Eagles Nest Cottage is a furnished, cozy guest home by Lake Michigan (0.3 mile/0.5 km) and Muskegon Lake (1 block). You can walk 0.3 mile west to Lake Michigan (0.5 km). The beach is named for Father (Père) Marquette, who was an early explorer of the region. In the opposite direction, stroll 1 block to Muskegon Lake access at the end of your street.

The popular neighborhood is called Bluffton, a historic, quaint, and friendly small area with unique homes which started as summer homes in the early 1900s by the Actors’ Colony from Chicago. The elephant walked the street down to Lake Michigan beach, and a master gambler and roller blade performer owned Eagles Nest, as well as the sister of famous director, Buster Keaton.

 Eagles Nest is the guest cottage of two homes on one lot next to the famous Pigeon Hill sand dune, now flat. In the yard is part of the only remaining original dune retaining wall, which we partially covered with a tall fence.

We invite you to join us in preserving our cottage, our dunes, and our Bluffton neighborhood.

Here are additional Terms and Conditions of our agreement for your rental stay. The Lease, which is incorporated by this reference, contains the property address, dates and time and time zone the Lease beings and ends, the rental rate and fees, payment amount(s), due date(s), methods of payment, number and ages of occupants, guest information, and manager information. You agree to the Lease and these Terms and Conditions, which together constitute this Agreement.

1. Accommodations and Parking: 1 Bedroom, 1 Compact Bath, Sleeps 2 in beds, 4 using Queen sleeper sofa:

• Seasonal, peaceful and private cabin (the only one on the dune) 12 steps up (with railings) on a dune
• Guest-House style: 1 bedroom, 1. compact bath (shower), efficiency-size kitchen, back yard
• Utilities: Window air-conditioner, electric baseboard heat, potable city water, sewer, electric, garbage removal
• Electronics: Cable TV (living room and bedroom), wireless internet. Exclusion: Cable TV has On Demand Pay-for-View movies available; if you or anyone with you wishes to make a purchase, (the cost is shown in advance, and you have to press the Buy button) you agree to have your valid credit card billed for any On Demand Pay-for-View movies purchased, even accidently, by you or anyone in the cottage during your stay. We will charge your credit card after receiving the bill, which shows the date and time of movie purchases, and you agree to this by accepting this agreement.
• Layout: 15'x8' living room, 15'x8' dining-entry room, small bedroom just fits Queen bed, efficiency kitchen, compact bath (shower)
• Kitchen: 24" oven/stove, microwave above stove, refrigerator/freezer
• Kitchen Furnishings: Linens, towels, dishes, glasses, silverware, and cooking, baking, and serving ware
• Kitchen Small Appliances: Coffee maker, toaster, blender, garbage disposal in sink
• Bedroom and Bath Furnishings: Linens, towels, blankets, and pillows for 4.
• Home faces woodsy dune; not on lake or beach, no view of lake or beach. Lakes are closeby.
• Shares lot and double-wide driveway with main cottage on the same lot, which is convenient for related families or friends
• Parking for one car is in the double-wide driveway in the left (west) lane. Right lane belongs to main cottage. Free on-street parking, when available, April 16 through November 14. Between November 15 and April 15 of each year there is no on-street parking permitted between the hours of 2:00 am and 6:00 am in order to leave the streets clear for snowplowing and street sweeping.
• Yard and Landscaping: Small yard has BBQ grill, fire pit, 4 adirondack chairs, and eating table with 4 chairs. The yard is on a woodsy dune in its natural state, and there is no man-made landscaping because the deer ate our previous attempts to grow flowers and plants.

2. Exclusions: We do not provide the following items:

• Telephone, beach towels, fire wood , washer/dryer, dishwasher, or house supplies beyond the Starter Supplies we include in Item 11. Depending on your provider and the weather, cell phone service may be spotty.
• The cable TV service lets anyone buy "On-Demand Video," and the price of each film is shown before a person clicks the "Buy" button. This cost is NOT INCLUDED in the rent, so if anyone buys a video during your rental period, even by mistake, your credit/debit card will be charged at cost after we receive the bill showing date and time of film(s) purchase.

3. Location, Time Zone, and Nature and Creatures:

• In the City of Muskegon on a peninsula between Lake Michigan (0.3 mile/0.5km) and Muskegon Lake (1 block).
• Quaint, historic, friendly Bluffton neighborhood started by the Actors’ Colony from Chicago (Buster Keaton).
• Walk 0.3 mile/0.5 km to Père Marquette beach at Lake Michigan or drive car and park free.
• Within 10-15 minute drive to down town entertainment and arts, grocery stores, gas stations, major chain stores, 2 malls, Hackley Hospital, Mercy Hospital, , Hoffmaster State Park, US-31, and I-96.
• Milwaukee-Muskegon High Speed Cross Lake Ferry is only 2 miles. Cruise boat "Princess" is 10 minutes.
• Michigan’s Adventure and WaterPark is 30 minutes away (13 miles). Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is about 30 minutes.
• Chicago and Detroit are about 3.5 hours away.
• Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time Zone, Daylight Savings in effect.
• Nature and Creatures: The forested dune is in the back dune woods; there are spiders, and in fall, harmless lady bugs. We have the house sprayed for insects and we professionally clean it after every departure. However, a spider can squeeze in and make a web minutes after cleaning is finished. A six-toed calico cat occasionally visits the yard to "chat," and guests have seen deer in early morning (they ate all our roses, etc., so we had to give up on having plants). If you don't like cats, a gentle swish of your arm toward the cat will scare him away. If you like them, stay still, and after a bit he will soon tell you how many mice he caught! He is well-cared for, and if he meows he is not asking for food or water, so please do not feed him (I fell for that, and he turned up his nose at everything.), and do not let him in the house.

4. Beds, Bath, and Shower: Sleeps 2-4: Queen bed in small bedroom, Queen sleeper sofa in living room. Compact bath has shower instead of tub.

5. Maximum Occupants, Use, and Suitability, and Pets: 4 people maximum are allowed. Your credit card shall be charged $10 per person, per night for any person over the maximum of 4 who stay on the property. This is a family rental, and the principal renter must be 25 years of age or older. No students, unrelated groups, receptions, weddings, or other parties are allowed. Family includes parents, children, grandparents and extended relatives. Eagles Nest is a popular for a romantic getaway for couples and for families of up to 4 who like "togetherness" as the cabin is small. The furnishings and décor were selected by a designer to the owner's taste, and comfort and chic were important to the owner. The cabin is small, but not rustic.

PETS: Dogs may be allowed with advance approval. Dogs must be 2 years or older, be housebroken, be on flea and tick medicine, and be crated when left alone. Maximum number of dogs: 2. A separate nightly dog fee will be charged, and if you forget to click the Dog Fee box, your credit/debit card will be additionally charged for the Dog Fee on your behalf.

6. No Smoking, Strictly Enforced: No smoking is allowed in the house. See 8.2., Fees.

7. Security Deposit: We do not collect a security deposit. Any damage or breach, or fees occurring during your visit, excepting normal wear and tear, shall be charged to your valid credit/debit card on file. See Item 9.

8. Credit Card Authorization, Fees, Electronic Signature:

1. You understand and consent that your valid credit/debit card may be charged without original signature on the charge slip, that a photocopy, fax, or digital image of this agreement will serve as an original, and that this Credit Card Authorization cannot be revoked and shall not terminate until 30 days after your Check-Out date. The name Bluffton Harbor Cottages will appear on your charge account.
2. Fees. You agree that your valid credit/debit card shall be charged for any damages, breach, or fees incurred by your during your stay. Charges may include, and not be limited to: On-Demand Video purchased through the cable TV service (cost), unauthorized early entry or late departure ($25.00 each occurrence), occupants over the maximum ($10 per person, per night); damages beyond normal wear and tear; missing items; unreturned or lost or damaged keys ($25); excessive cleaning required ($25/hour); violation of No Smoking ($500); returned check non-sufficient funds ($25); and forgotten items you requested be mailed to you (USPS shipping cost plus $25 service fee). Taxes may apply to the fees.
3. Electronic Signature: By checking the box on the reservation page adjacent to the statement “I have read the Terms of the Property Owner and agree,” you are confirming that your checkmark shall be given the same effect as would an original signature. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, UNDERSTAND IT, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

9. Cancellation/Refunds/Travel Insurance/Non-Payment of Balance/Name and Address for Balance Payment:

1. Cancellations: All cancellations must be made in writing (includes email), will be confirmed by email, and are final.
2. Refunds: We do not grant refunds except if the cottage be uninhabitable prior to your arrival or we have overbooked, in which cases our refund to you of the monies you previously paid to us shall be our sole responsibility to you. We strongly recommend you purchase Travel Insurance for refund protection. See. 10.3.
3. Travel Insurance: For refunds due to unexpected illness or other covered travel breakdown situations, you are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance at the time you make your reservation by checking  the OPT-IN Travel Insurance box on the “Enter Your Information” page.
4. Non-Payment of Balance Due and Payable: If you fail to pay any and all subsequent payments due and payable by their respective due dates, provided that there is/are a balance(s) due, your Lease shall be cancelled or voided, you shall forfeit all monies previous paid; and your Dates and Hours may be made available for rent by the public. Cancellations for non-payment of balance(s) due are final, regardless of whether or not a courtesy reminder notice had been sent to you.
5. Balance Payment Name and Address: To pay any and all subsequent and balance payment(s): Make check payable to Jane Schapka, and mail to:  Jane Schapka, 1713 Ruddiman Drive, North Muskegon, MI 49445-3041.

10. Starter Supplies:

 As a convenience, we furnish starter supplies which are not replenished, and may not be sufficient, depending on your length of stay and family size. We provide 1 roll of toilet paper, 1 roll of paper towels, napkins, garbage bag (a few extras in bottom of trash bin), liquid dishwashing soap, liquid hand soap, and some basic spices.

11. Other:

•  You will notify us promptly of any damage, problems, or anything that is not working properly, and we will take action to correct it. Call Jane: 231-769-0022.
• No illegal activities will be tolerated. If this occurs, police will be called and guests shall be evicted immediately.
• You will not make or play loud sounds or otherwise create a nuisance to the neighbors. Quiet Hours: 10PM to 8AM.
• The house will be clean and neat when you arrive, and you are required to perform normal housekeeping duties during your stay.      .
• Please clean BBQ grill by lighting grill to burn scraps off, then scrape with wire brush. Cleaning it in kitchen sink ruins sink.
• Forgotten Items: If you forget an item, at your request, we will mail it to you at USPS shipping cost plus $25 service fee.
• Early arrival and/or late departure may sometimes be possible if approved and paid $25 plus tax in advance.

12. To Avoid Charges to Your Credit/Debit Card, the Following Things Must Have Occurred:

1. There was no breach, damage (other than wear and tear), loss, or fee incurred by you during your stay.
2. You did not exceed the maximum number of persons allowed, and your arrival and departure conformed to the Lease date/time.
3. There were no missing items upon the inventory check. (Please leave note of breakage/missing so we can replace/repair -- Note: breaking a glass is wear and tear, not damage).
4. There was no evidence of smoking or pets in the house, and any cigarette butts were picked up from outdoors.
5. Take out all garbage and trash to garbage can located underneath the stairs. Trash is collected early on Mondays.
6. Wash, dry, and put away all soiled dishes.
7. Remove all food items from refrigerator, freezer, and microwave.
8. Wipe off kitchen counters, stove, oven, refrigerator, freezer, and microwave.
9. Pile used linens and towels in clothes hamper in bedroom closet (leave blankets on beds unless soiled).
10. Place all inside and outside furniture in their original positions.
11. Tidy up fire pit, BBQ grill, and chairs outdoors. It's ok to leave leftover wood neatly piled for the next guests.
12. Turn off all lights, clocks, and appliances, and put TV remote controls by their respective items.
13. Leave by 10 AM EST Daylight Savings time unless you have received written advance approval for a later departure.
14. Leave 2 sets of keys on kitchen table, close windows, lock door, turn off lights and air-conditioning, lock door with lockbox key, and return lock box cover and attached key to box.

Suggested Things To Bring: Beach towels, fishing pole and license; fire wood (you may use any leftover), bug spray, cell phone, additional paper products, garbage bags, personal items. Canoe or kayak to launch in Muskegon Lake at the street dead end one block away. Bikes for the Shoreline Trail along Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake into town.

Laundramat: The nearest, nice laundramat is Washing Well laundramat, 983 W. Broadway, Muskegon MI 49441: Go west to dead end Lakeshore Drive, left (south) on Lakeshore Dr., right on Lincoln (former papermill on left side of street), left on W. Sherman Blvd. 2 miles to obvious major intersection (Henry St.), right on Henry St. and go 0.3 mile, right on W. Broadway, then about 1-2 blocks, left side.  4.5 miles, 11 minutes. Call 231-755-5491 to confirm days and hours.