Craigs' Coastal Cottage FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions The Craigs' Coastal Cottage

Super wide balcony makes for a relaxing time!

HOW CLOSE IS THE HOUSE TO THE BEACH AND POOL? I actually timed the walk from leaving our driveway to the end of the walkway (stepping down to the sand) is less than a three minute walk. The community pool is right across the street from the end of our driveway. I believe our house is the closest one to the pool.
- CAN WE BRING A BOAT? WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO LAUNCH A BOAT? Yes, you can bring a boat; just be sure to park it inside the carport as HOA rules require this. There is a very nice boat launch at Eagle Harbor inside of the Cape San Blas State Park. There is a small charge to enter the park. The next closest is at Indian Pass and there is a small fee to launch there. The next closest is the free Port St Joe City launch.
HOW DO WE GET THE KEYS? Our door is keyless. We will email you your own code days before your arrival date. You will NOT have to stand in line at a lengthy check in. You just go straight to the house.
HOW DO I GET TO THE HOUSE? The house address is 107 Summer House Ln, Cape San Blas, FL 32456. You may also see it listed as 107 Summer House Ln, Port St. Joe, FL 32456. Just set either of those on your GPS or enter it at a map website for directions.
WHAT IS THE TIME ZONE? Cape San Blas is just inside the Eastern Time Zone.
WHEN ARE THE CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT TIMES? Check in is anytime after 4:00 p.m. Often it is ready by 3 p.m. Check out is no later than 10:00 a.m.
DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS? We do through PAYPAL. There is a 3% convenience fee applied to cover our costs (Paypal charges us). You can also pay by debit or credit card through the Square Cash App or Venmo and there is no fee for this. We also accept personal checks and money orders.
WHEN IS PAYMENT DUE? To reserve a time period you send in a $300 security deposit (along with a signed contract that we will email you.) Thirty days prior to your check in date we need to have received your payment in full. The reason for the thirty period is two fold: 1) To make sure your check clears the bank, and 2) In case you did not pay without letting us know, it gives us time to try to rent out that week to someone else.
CAN WE CANCEL THE CONTRACT? Guest(s) can cancel their reservation at any time without penalty 60 days or further out from the check in date. If Guest(s) cancel between 31 and 60 days from the check in date, ½ of the rent will still be due. If Guest(s) cancel any time 30 days or less from the check in date, then the full rent will still be due. We will use reasonable efforts to try to rent it to someone else and credit whatever rent we get to what would be owed by the Guest(s). If we can get it rented for the full rental amount, Guest(s) would owe nothing however the full security deposit would be forfeited. NOTWITHSTANDING the above, if due to order by the State of Florida or Gulf County, the lessors are prohibited from renting the property or the beach is closed to the public due to pandemic related issues during the above rental period, the Guest(s) will be entitled to a 100% refund should the Guest(s) choose not to come.
IS THERE MAID SERVICE? Unlike hotels, vacation houses typically do not offer cleaning services during the guest's stay. We have a professional team clean the house before each guest arrives. Linens are changed. Fresh towels, wash clothes, new soap and one roll of toilet paper per bathroom are supplied. But during your stay you will be responsible for your laundry as needed (we have a full sized washer and dryer in the unit), and additional soap and toilet paper as needed. Laundry detergent is not supplied; so please remember to bring some or you can pick up some at a local grocery store.
IS THIS A NON-SMOKING UNIT? Yes, absolutely no smoking in the unit or on the balcony.
WHAT ABOUT PETS? We love our little yorkie, but sorry no pets of any kind are allowed.
HOW IS THE KITCHEN STOCKED? There is no food in the kitchen, but there are plenty of dishes, glasses, pots, pans, and cooking and eating utensils. We have a good supply of cookware, a crock pot and a new Mr. Coffee Keurig. A regular coffee maker, blender, and toaster are also in the kitchen. The refrigerator has an ice maker in its freezer. A nice charcoal grill is available in the carport.
SHOULD WE BRING BOTTLED WATER? The local water is not terrible. But we prefer bottled water. You can also buy it at local grocery stores.
DO YOU HAVE BEACH CHAIRS AND UMBRELLAS? The answer on that is probably. We have some and unless another guest takes or breaks them we will still have them. Guests work well with each other by frequently leaving beach supplies and toys. You will find them in the carport. We just ask that you return them.
WHAT ABOUT HURRICANES? Hurricane season is officially from June 1 through November 30. The peak time tends to be late August through September. However, landfall hurricanes are not that common. On average, two major hurricanes will make landfall somewhere on the U.S. every three years. About five hurricanes of any size will make landfall somewhere on the U.S. every three years. We do not issue refunds due to the threat of a hurricane. However if there is a mandatory evacuation you will receive a pro rated refund for each date of your vacation during the period of the mandatory evacuation.
WHO DO WE CALL IF THERE IS A PROBLEM? In the unlikely event there is a needed repair, you can call or email us. You will have the email addresses and cell numbers for both of us. Although we both work, we will make every effort to get the matter corrected as soon as possible.

Brent and Angela Craig

MAY I ASK WHO YOU ARE? We are Brent and Angela Craig. We are the owners of the unit. We are not a management company. We have only these two vacation rentals. So you will get our upmost attention. We live in a small town in North Alabama: Hartselle, Alabama. You will probably pass it on your way to the beach. Brent is a state district judge. Angela works as an administrative assistant and bookkeeper for our local school system. We have two adult daughters.
I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. No problem, just email us and we will try our best to answer your questions.