Rental Agreement and Policies

Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy

Please read our cancellation policy carefully before booking. If you have any questions, we're happy to help.

• Reservations cancelled 46 days or more before arrival will receive a refund, less a 10% cancellation fee.
• Reservations cancelled 45 days or less before arrival are non-refundable unless covered by Travel Protection.
• Travel Protection is optional but strongly recommended.
• Please call us with any questions before making your reservation.

Because each cabin is unique and our calendar often books months in advance, cancelled reservations can be difficult to refill on short notice. Our cancellation policy helps protect the small business that allows us to continue offering these one-of-a-kind getaways.

Travel Protection

Travel Protection is offered through our booking provider and may be purchased during checkout. Depending on the coverage selected, protection may include:

• Illness
• Weather-related cancellations
• Travel delays involving public transportation
• Cancel for Any Reason

Please review the coverage options carefully before purchasing. The Travel Protection fee is non-refundable and is paid directly to the provider, not Rocky Comfort Cabins.

While Travel Protection is not required, guests who choose not to purchase it understand that reservations cancelled 45 days or less before arrival are not eligible for refunds, credit vouchers, or rescheduling, including cancellations due to illness, travel delays, or weather.

No refunds/vouchers for early departures/no shows/or delayed arrivals.

Learn more about Travel Protection by reviewing the provider's policy.

Changing Your Reservation

Once a reservation is confirmed, we ask that guests not request to switch cabins. Each cabin offers a unique experience while providing comparable luxury amenities.

A $30 rescheduling fee applies to reservation changes.

Reservation & Cabin Policies

Please feel at home and relax, but treat the cabin with the same care you would your own home. Our cabins were built with love and care, and we ask guests to help us preserve them for future stays.

Check-in: No earlier than 3:30 pm
Check-out: No later than 10:30 am

We need the full time between guests to properly prepare each cabin.

After-Hours Assistance

Check-in between 3:30 pm and 6:00 pm is preferred, but you're welcome to arrive anytime after 3:30 pm. We may or may not be on the property when you arrive.

We work hard to make sure everything is in excellent working order before your arrival. Even so, our cabins are located in a secluded woodland setting, and unexpected situations do occasionally occur. We once had a deer walk into the satellite dish and knock out the TV. If an issue arises after 6:00 pm, please call us so we are aware of the situation.

If the issue is caused by a utility outage, severe weather, satellite service interruption, or another circumstance beyond our control, we will do our best to provide information, but we cannot restore those services.

For issues that are within our ability to address, we will make every reasonable effort to assist you. Please understand that because we do not live on the property, non-emergency issues will generally be addressed the following morning.

Refunds or credit vouchers cannot be provided for temporary interruptions or circumstances beyond our control.

Registered Guests Only

Only the guests listed on the reservation may occupy the property. Outside guests are not permitted without prior approval from Rocky Comfort Cabins.

No Smoking

Smoking is not permitted inside the cabin or in the hot tub. If there is a tobacco smell in the cabin, a $250 fumigation fee will be charged.

Minimum Age

Guests must be at least 21 years old to rent a cabin.

Property Responsibility

Rocky Comfort Cabins is not responsible for lost or stolen property, or for actions taken by guests or their visitors while staying at the cabin or on the property.

We reserve the right to vacate guests who violate policies or regulations, and we reserve the right to refuse rental to anyone.

Furniture, Electronics & Repairs

Please do not rearrange furniture, rewire devices, change electronic setups, or attempt repairs. If something is not working, please call us. We check everything before arrival, but occasionally things come up.

We prefer guests not connect personal electronics to the televisions, as this can cause settings or equipment to stop working properly.

Linens

We use high-quality bed linens. Please avoid using oils, lotions, or products that may stain or damage sheets. If linens are damaged, replacement charges may apply.

Please leave used beds unmade so we know which linens to wash and replace.

Lost Items

Rocky Comfort Cabins is not responsible for items left behind. Please check the cabin carefully before departure.

If an item is left behind and you would like it mailed, guests are responsible for shipping costs plus a 10% handling fee. Items must be claimed within 48 hours.

General Care & Check-Out

Before checking out, please:

• Clean up spills
• Take kitchen trash to the covered outdoor trash bin
• Do not place loose trash in the large outdoor garbage bin
• Wash and put away dishes
• Wash out the coffee pot
• Wipe counters and stove
• Place dirty towels in the hampers provided

A $50 cleaning fee may be charged if basic check-out policies are not followed.

Wildlife

These are the Shawnee Hills. The hills, and any wooded area or prairie, are inhabited by everything nature has to offer. Please be observant, respectful, watch from a distance, and enjoy. You will more than likely hear and see a multitude of species including deer, raptors, coyotes, bobcats, turkey, raccoons, reptiles, and so much more. Heads up - Turtles cross over the cabin driveways 🙂

Hot Tub Information

We do everything we can to keep each hot tub clean, maintained, and ready for guests. However, hot tub use is not guaranteed.

If a hot tub needs repair before or during your stay, we will make every reasonable effort to fix it. Sometimes repairs require a service call or replacement part, which may not be immediately available.

No refunds, discounts, or credit vouchers are provided if the hot tub is not functioning.

Cold Weather Hot Tub Policy

If outdoor temperatures drop below 15 degrees, or wind chills are 20 degrees or below within 24 hours of arrival, the hot tub will not be available for use.

This policy is for the safety of our guests, our staff, and the hot tub equipment.

Hot Tub Care

Hot tubs are a high-maintenance luxury. Please do not use soaps, oils, lotions, bath products, or similar products in the hot tub.

Guests with freshly dyed hair, especially red, blue, purple, or other fashion colors, should avoid using the hot tub until the color has completely stopped transferring. Hair dye can permanently stain the hot tub surface. If staining or damage occurs, cleaning or repair costs may be charged to the guest.

If these products cause damage or require an unscheduled complete water change, the guest’s credit card will be charged for cleaning or repair.

When you arrive, please check the hot tub temperature and set it to your comfort level. Due to weather, outdoor temperatures, energy efficiency, and possible water changes between guests, the hot tub may not be fully up to temperature at arrival.

The hot tub heats fastest with the air jets off and the lid closed.

Weather & Road Conditions

There are no refunds for power outages, inclement weather, snow, ice, road conditions, derechos, power outages, solar flares, zombie apocalypse, earthquakes, or other events outside our control.

Travel Protection now includes certain weather-related cancellations. We highly recommend Travel Protection for stays during December, January, and February.

Our property is located off Panther’s Den Road. The cabins share a gated entrance, with private drives curving off to each cabin. The driveway is long and hilly.

In snowy or icy conditions, AWD or four-wheel drive vehicles may be helpful. During ice, travel may not be possible. We always do our best, but some weather situations are simply outside our control.

Fireplace

Gas fireplaces are available from October 1 through May 10.

Because this is Southern Illinois, fireplaces are turned off during warmer months. We know the ambiance is nice, but running the air conditioner with the gas fireplace on is, well, not exactly efficient.

Photos & Property Descriptions

Photographs and property descriptions are provided as a general reference. We are always making improvements and updates to the cabins and property.

Wildlife & Nature

Rocky Comfort Cabins is surrounded by the beautiful Shawnee National Forest. Sharing the property with nature is part of the experience.

Depending on the season, you may encounter deer, wild turkeys, butterflies, birds, insects, spiders, ticks, and other native wildlife. If you plan to explore grassy areas or wooded trails, we recommend wearing appropriate footwear and using insect or tick repellent.

If you are bringing your dog to one of our pet-friendly cabins, please check your pet for ticks after spending time outdoors, just as you would on any hike or visit to a wooded area.

We regularly maintain the areas immediately surrounding the cabins, but wildlife and insects are a natural part of staying in a forest environment.

We know how difficult it is to leave a furry family member behind. We love our pets and understand the desire to bring them with you.

We are starting a trial period of allowing pets. We allowed pets when we first opened but it did not go so well however, we are giving it another go for a trial period.

Reservations will be allowed up to two pets at the Cove Cabin and the French Creole Cabin ONLY.

Pets are not allowed at the Hollow Cabin. Please do not call and ask for an exception to that rule.

There will be a flat rate of $75 for one dog, a second dog will be an additional $35. This applies to any length of stay. Disclose in the notes If you are bringing a pet we will manually add the pet fee after the reservation is made. Please call us if you are bringing any pets.

More Details...
Guests must disclose that they will be bringing a pet. Pets are only allowed with permission. If booking online, you can add a note that you wish to bring a pet and a brief description of your furry baby. After the reservation is made, we will call you about bringing your pet. Rates for pets is posted on our Rates page.

• Pet waste must be disposed of in a small can provided outside. Please do not leave pet waste in the mowed areas or landscaping. Waste bag must be taken to the main trash cans on check-out.
• Pets must be housebroken.
• Please do not let your pets run free. Your pets must be leashed when on the cabin premises.
• Pets must be crated if you leave the cabin without your pet. They can not be left unattended unless in a crate. We do not provide crates.
• Guests are responsible for all damage from pets and damages will be assessed and charged to replace any damaged items.
• Your dog must be housebroken and free of ticks and fleas. Your dog must be on a flea and tick preventative. Fleas are extremely difficult to erradicate. Ticks are prevalent in the area. If you walk your dog outside, it will pick up ticks.
• The pet fee is not a pet cleaning fee. Guests are responsible for the removal of pet hair from the cabin. We provide a vacuum cleaner and/or a Dust Buster, Swiffer brand mop, and lint roller for use. Please bring extra flat sheets to put on the furniture if your pet will be using it as well. If you are bringing something you use from home, make sure it has been freshly washed first.