Rental Agreement and Policies

Cancellation Policy|

Please read carefully and call with any questions about the cancellation policies.

While Travel Protection is not required, please understand, per our policies, if you do not include Travel Protection with your reservation, we are not able to offer refunds, credit vouchers, or reschedule reservations for cancellations 45 days or under. This includes in the event of inclement weather.

Secure your reservation investment.
In the event of a pandemic, government shutdown, or an uncontrollable event, vouchers will be issued instead of refunds.

• • Refunds given if the reservation is cancelled 46 days or more before arrival. The amount refunded will be less the 10% cancellation fee. Refund check will be issued within 30 days.
  • Late Cancellations:
    Cancellations received 45 days prior to the check-in date will forfeit the room deposit and a fee equal to 100% of the remaining balance will be charged against the credit card on file.
  • For late cancellations, if we are able to rebook your dates and Travel Protection has not been purchased, a credit voucher will be issued for the nights we are able to rebook, less a late 20% cancellation fee. Credit vouchers may be used for weekdays only, and will have an 18 month expiration date.
  • No refunds for early departures or delayed arrivals.

Adding Travel Protection to your stay.
Travel Protection offers a 100 - 75% reimbursement of your booking value minus the Travel Protection fee and the 10% cancellation fee, if an unforeseen illness or health condition, adverse weather event involving rain or snow, or other unexpected travel and transportation delay should occur 24 hours, 2 days, or up to 14 days prior to Your Arrival date or during Your Stay that prevents You from Attending or completing Your Booking. In addition, You have up to 30 days after Your departure date to apply for Your reimbursement.

The Travel Protection payment does not go to us, it goes to a subsidiary company of our booking engine and they handle the policy. Here is the link to explain Travel Protection and its different levels of protection.
The options of coverage are:
Illness
Weather
Travel Delay (Only applies to Public Transportation, not personal weather delays)
Cancel for any Reason
While Travel Protection is not required, please understand, per our policies, if you do not include Travel Protection with your reservation, we are not able to offer refunds, credit vouchers, or reschedule reservations for cancellations 45 days or under. This includes in the event of illness, injury, travel delays, or inclement weather.

When making your reservation, the Travel Protection option will appear as an option when you go to Check-Out. Please remember the Travel Protection policy only kicks in when cancelling 14 days or sooner before your arrival. The Travel Protection (WFB) fee is non-refundable. We do not receive the 10% fee. It is immediately collected by the company subsidizing it. Peace of mind planning for a peaceful, uncrowded, magical getaway. The new Travel Protection Policy website better explains the services.

Cancellation Policy

Once you have reserved a cabin, we request that guests not ask to switch cabins. The Cove, The Creole, and The Hollow are all beautiful, unique, and have the same amenities. $30 re-scheduling fee will apply for changes in reservations.

Hot Tub| We do everything we can to make sure it is in perfect condition however, please remember that use of the hot tub is not guaranteed.

No discount or refund if the hot tub is not functioning. If a hot tub needs to be fixed we try to do our best to fix it but just like all of us, sometimes we have to schedule a service call or order a part.

If outside temperatures or wind chill factors dip 15 degrees or below within 24 hours of your arrival, the hot tub will not be available for use. This is for the safety of our guests, our staff, and to maintain the working condition of the hot tubs.

Policies and Rental Agreement

Feel at home and relax, but as you would the Shawnee Forest, please leave the cabins as you found them and treat them with the same consideration as your own home. We built our cabins with loving care to provide you with comfortable, home-like surroundings.
Check-in is no earlier than 3:30 pm. Check-out is no later than 10:30 am. We do need the whole five hours to prepare the cabin for our incoming guests.

After Hours|

Checking in between 3:30 and 6:00 is preferred but you may check in anytime after 3:30pm. We may or may not be there upon arrival. We work very hard at making sure everything is wonderful and want to make your stay as memorable as possible, but we are human. We do not live on the property so if there is anything that comes up after 6:00 during your stay, please contact us but, unless it is something that needs immediate attention (such as water or electricity...), we will gladly come to the cabin to address the issue the next morning; Kind of like, if a deer walks into the satellite dish and the TV goes out. Truth! Actually, what better excuse to put down the remote and focus on other things. 🙂 No refunds or credit vouchers in the event something does not work. These things are not within our control. Please call Ed if you have any questions about this so he can address any concerns or questions you may have.
Only the number/names of specified guests listed on the reservation are allowed to occupy the property. You may not have outside guests without prior approval from Rocky Comfort Cabins.

ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING. Smoking is not permitted inside the cabin or in the Hot Tub. If there is a scent of tobacco, a $250.00 fee will automatically be charged to fumigate the cabin.

Minimum age to rent is 21 years old. 

Rocky Comfort Cabins is not responsible for lost or stolen property, or for any actions you or your guests take or do while staying at the cottage or its grounds. Rocky Comfort Cabins reserve the right to vacate any guests breaking policies or regulations. We reserve the right to refuse rental to anyone.

General Policies

Hot Tub| Use of the hot tub is not guaranteed. If a hot tub needs to be fixed we try to do our best to fix it, but just like the rest of us, sometimes we have to schedule a service call or order a part. There will not be a discount or refund if the hot tub is not functioning.

NOTE: If outside temperatures dip below 15 degrees or any wind chill factors 20 degrees or below within 24 hours of your arrival, the hot tub will not be available for use. This is for the safety of our staff, our guests, and to maintain the working condition of the hot tubs.

Hot tubs are expensive and a high maintenance luxury. If a hot tub needs to be fixed prior to your check in date or while you are here we try to do our best to fix it, but just like the rest of us, sometimes we have to schedule a service call from Paradise Pools and Spa fix the problem. There will not be a discount or refund if the hot tub is not functioning. The use of any soap products, lotions or oils could damage the jacuzzi. Should any damage occur or we have to do an unscheduled complete water change, your credit card will be charged accordingly to either clean or repair the jacuzzi. If you plan on using the hot tub, please check the temperature and set it to what is comfortable for you when you arrive. Due to variables in weather, outdoor temperatures, energy efficiency, and potential for complete water changes between guests, the hot tub will not be up to temperature when you arrive. The hot tub heats up rapidly with the air jets off and the lid closed.

Please refrain from rearranging the furniture. Do not rewire or change setup of any electrical devices. We would prefer that you do not bring your own electronics to plug into our TV. Things go "haywire" when that happens. Do not attempt to "fix" anything. Call us if something is not working, although we do consistently check to make sure everything is working correctly before your arrival, things come up.

Bedroom Linens| We use high quality luxurious bed linens. Please refrain from using any oils or lotions that will ruin the bed sheets. If they are stained by any of these products we have to replace them. Leave used beds unmade. We will wash and replace the linens.

Walk Through | Rocky Comfort Cabins is not responsible for items left in the cabin. Please do a thorough check of the cabin before checking out from your stay. If something has been left behind and you would like it sent to you, please understand that you will have to pay for the cost of the shipping plus 10% for handling. You have 48 hours to claim the item.

General Care and Cleaning | Pretty Basic Stuff 🙂

Clean up any spills and take your kitchen trash out to the covered trash bin. No loose trash in the big garbage bin outside please.

Prior to checking out, wash out coffee pot and have dishes washed and put away. Have counters and stove wiped off and place dirty towels in hampers provided.

Weather

There is no refund for power outages or inclement weather (snow, ice, derechos, road conditions, solar flares, zombie apocalypse, earthquakes, power outages... etc.) that occur before or during your stay.
UPDATE: Travel Protection now includes weather related cancellations! We highly recommend Travel Protection if you are reserving time during the months of December, January, or February.
Our property is off of Panther's Den Road. There is a gated entrance that is shared by all cabins with a private driveway that curves off to each cabin. It is a long hilly driveway. There is an initial hill at the entrance of the gated drive that a vehicle that is not AWD may not be able to get up if it is snowy or icy. Usually AWD or four wheel drive vehicles are extremely beneficial in snow or slick conditions. When there is ice, nobody moves. We try our very best but some things are just simply out of our control.

Fireplace
Because it is southern Illinois, the gas fireplace is to be used only during the months from October 1 through May 10, and is turned off in between. We know the ambiance is nice, but running the air conditioner on high with a gas fireplace burning is, well, somewhat inefficient. 🙂

Photographs and property description are used as a general reference only. We are always making changes and upgrades to the cabin and property.
Please be respectful of the cabins
There will be a $50 cleaning fee charged to your credit card if the basic cleaning/check-out policies are not followed.

By submitting a reservation you are authorizing that you have read and understand our rental agreement including the weather and general information below.

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 🙂

Weather (again)

If you reserved time during the winter months, please keep your eye on the weather in the days prior to your stay. If there is any ice or snow, we highly recommend having an AWD vehicle. These are not city roads and it takes time for the county to plow any snow or ice. This is back country.

In the event there is snow or ice please understand and be aware that it is not possible for us to plow or shovel snow. Be prepared as you would when traveling to anywhere there is the possibility of inclement weather.

UPDATE: Travel Protection now includes weather related cancellations! We highly recommend Travel Protection if you are reserving time during the months of December, January, March, or February.

Our property is off of Panther's Den Road. There is a gated entrance that is shared by all cabins with a private driveway that curves off to each cabin. It is a long hilly driveway. There is an initial hill at the entrance of the gated drive that a vehicle that is not AWD may not be able to get up if it is snowy or icy. Usually AWD or four wheel drive vehicles are extremely beneficial in snow or slick conditions. When there is ice, nobody moves. We try our very best but some things are just simply out of our control.

Something to keep in mind; having a sense of adventure and being snowed in at your cabin has been an awesome experience for most guests, on the rare times it does happen. Just sayin'...

The fireplace is only operable between October 1 - May 10th.

Environment

In the warmer months we suggest you bring plenty of bug spray and use it, especially if you are headed to the woods. Ticks, chiggers, spiders, mosquitoes,...all the usual suspects are present in the prairie and in the woods. Keep in mind that ticks do not seem to care what repellent you use.

These are the Shawnee Hills. There are ladybugs, squash bugs, wasps...They show up when they show up. Please do not leave the cabin door open because it will possibly let wasps and flies inside. Please understand that, as in your own home, these occasionally show up inside the house. We treat the home on a regular basis but cannot get rid of every, single, inhabitant that flys.

The Asian lady bugs are permanently here to stay in the US. Autumn is certainly gorgeous in the Shawnee Hills and the ladybugs seem to agree. They will be here during those months.

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.