Please reach out if you still have questions about your stay.
GUEST SERVICES
We are dedicated to ensuring that you have a memorable, stress-free vacation, and are committed to providing only high-quality rental properties, attending to the details important to you, and making sure you feel comfortable and relaxed every moment of your vacation.
INCLUDED WITH YOUR STAY
Our staff is dedicated to ensuring that you have a memorable, stress-free vacation. We are committed to providing only high-quality Manistee vacation rentals, attending to the details important to you, and making sure you feel comfortable and relaxed every moment of your vacation. For your convenience, our properties are stocked with items to make your stay more comfortable.
Included with Your Stay
Focused on personalized service, our dedicated staff provides assurance that someone is available 7 days a week to answer questions and address concerns. When you arrive, you can expect an enjoyable, trouble-free experience from beginning to end.
Our rental properties are furnished with:
• Towels
• Bed linens
• Soaps (hand and dish)
• Trash bags
• Basic cleaning supplies
• A starter set of paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues)
• All kitchens are adequately stocked for everyday meal preparation and serving
Each rental property reflects the taste and lifestyle of the individual owners. Specialty items vary.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below we have assembled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get from our guests. We aim to provide simplicity in planning and a seamless experience during your stay. Just let us know how we can help.
PROPERTY BASICS
Do rentals require a full week stay, or can I just come 1 or 2 nights?
Minimum night requirements vary by property. Some are required to rent weekly per their Homeowners Association, while others are more flexible. Generally speaking, we do require longer stays (at least 4-5 nights) during peak summer season and shorter stays (2-3) nights during the off-season. Exceptions can be made for last minute stays. All properties, at minimum, do require 3-nights as we do not allow overnight stays.
Am I able to bring my pet?
We do offer pet-friendly rentals! You can easily add that search feature while browsing our properties. While we love our furry friends, the majority of our properties do not allow pets. This is something that is strictly enforced and can result in additional fees if violated. As required by law, we do allow service animals at all properties, however we do ask that you contact us before bringing a service animal so we can make the necessary arrangements.
Is daily cleaning service available during our stay?
As part of your reservation, a separate cleaning fee was paid for the departure cleaning of the rental. Unfortunately, we do not offer daily cleaning service at this time.
RENTAL POLICIES
What is your deposit & cancellation policy?
Once a reservation request is accepted, guests are required to pay, at minimum, half down on the rental. The remaining rental amount is due 30 days prior to arrival. We will send you a reminder before the due date. If you are booking less than 30 days prior to your arrival date then the total rental amount is due upon booking.
Please note that if you have booked through a 3rd party website or app such as Vrbo or Airbnb then the reservation & payment process may be different. Please check your booking verification or contact us directly with questions.
Reservations are eligible for a full refund up to 30 days prior to arrival. Confirmed reservations that are cancelled less than 30 calendar days before arrival are not eligible for a refund. Reservations that are booked within 30 days of the arrival date are not eligible for a refund. No refunds will be granted for early departures or late check ins, mechanical malfunctions, loss of power/water, neighboring construction or noise, evictions, inclement weather or other acts of God.
Please note that if you have booked through a 3rd party website or app such as Vrbo or Airbnb then the cancellation & refund policy may be different. Please check your booking verification or contact us directly with questions.
How does damage insurance work?
In lieu of a traditional refundable Security/Damage Deposit, most reservations are covered by a $3,000 Damage Protection Insurance Policy. Please contact us with questions regarding what is or is not covered with the Damage Insurance Policy. Please note that if you have booked through a 3rd party website or app such as Vrbo or Airbnb then the coverage may be different. Please check your booking verification or contact us directly with questions.
PREPARING FOR YOUR STAY
What time can we check in?
Check in time is after 4:00pm EST. If you require an early arrival time, please let us know as soon as possible. We will try our best to be flexible, however please keep in mind that during the peak summer season we will not be able to accommodate early arrival times.
How will we know how to access the property?
Every rental property has remote access on site, so there is no formal check in process. The 4-6 digit entry code and arrival instructions are provided via email prior to your stay. Please do not arrive at the property without these details! While we pride ourselves on our fast response times, the last thing we would want is for you to be waiting outside a rental, potentially after dark, not having the details you need.
What do we need to know about checking out?
You will be provided a simple, quick checkout checklist to follow at the end of your stay. It includes making sure the furniture is where you found it, beds are stripped, and everything is properly locked up and turned off. Check out time is 10:00 am EST. Please note we are not able to accommodate last-minute late check out requests, so please don’t text us at midnight the night before requesting a late departure.
DURING YOUR STAY
Is there a way someone can be reached after hours if we have an emergency?
Yes, included in the custom digital guidebook will include a phone number to call or text after hours in case of emergency. Please be sure to always leave a message and our on-call representative will contact you quickly.
What amenities are included with my stay?
Our rental properties are furnished with: Towels Bed linens Soaps (hand and dish) Trash bags Basic cleaning supplies A starter set of paper products (toilet paper, paper towels and tissues) All kitchens are adequately stocked for everyday meal preparation and serving Each rental property reflects the taste and lifestyle of the individual owners. Specialty items vary.
Where can I find more information about the area?
We are always happy to answer your questions, however, The Manistee County Visitors Bureau is also a great resource for learning all about the things to see and do in our area. Check out the website at: https://www.visitmanisteecounty.com. While in town, the Visitor’s Center is located at 310 First Street, Manistee where you will find seasonal guides and maps to help you make the most of your time exploring our region. They can also be reached by calling: 877-626-4783.
What are the beaches like in the area?
FIRST STREET BEACH: BEST BEACH IN MICHIGAN — TWO YEARS RUNNING! Listed first for a reason! First Street Beach was voted USA Today Readers’ Choice Best Beach in Michigan in 2024 & 2025 — and it’s easy to see why. Enjoy stunning Lake Michigan views, a walkable pier, picnic areas, playgrounds, and ADA-accessible amenities perfect for the whole family. Manistee County is home to 25 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, as well as many inland lakes with public beaches. Some public beaches, such as First Street Beach in Manistee, are rich with amenities to make your day at the beach fun and full of activity. Other beaches are more secluded, like the Arcadia Beach Natural Area, for a more laid-back beach day. You can learn all about our beaches at: https://www.visitmanisteecounty.com/what-to-do/beaches
My rental has a fire pit included. Will it come with firewood?
While we do not inventory firewood, it is common that wood is left over at the property from previous guests. If you arrive and find no wood for the fire, we recommend checking local gas stations and grocery stores, as it is a commonly sold item in the area.
Will there be propane for the gas grill? Charcoal for the BBQ?
For rentals with a gas grill, the propane is included with the stay. If you arrive to find the tank low or empty, please contact us and we’ll be happy to switch it out or refund you the cost of getting a new tank. We do not, however, inventory and supply charcoal or lighter fluid for charcoal grills.
CUSTOM DIGITAL GUIDEBOOKS PROVIDED BY TOUCH STAY
Our unique technology will help keep you informed about your upcoming stay and all the great things to do while you are here.
Learn More about Guidebooks by Touch Stay
VACATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Putting the ease of digital vacation planning right in your hands, our Touch Stay feature allows you to access to a digital guidebook with all you need to know about your rental property. Need information about the amenities of your vacation rental home….Touch Stay. The Touch Stay link provides details about the property, rental policies, and information about the region. Our Touch Stay feature was developed to make access to information as simple as possible. We think you will find it to be a terrific resource. Touch Stay Features: Check-in and check-out info, property access, and directions Tips for local attractions Up-to-date communications regarding your stay Assistance with translation to multiple languages Optimized for all devices, even works offline Once your reservation is confirmed, you will be emailed a link. Once you receive your link, just click the button below to get started. Prefer paper? You can download and print the details of your stay from Touch Stay in a pdf document. Need help getting started? Just give us a call and we will walk you through it.
RESERVATION POLICIES
RESERVATION & PAYMENT PROCESS
Once a reservation request is accepted, guests are required to pay, at minimum, half down on the rental. The remaining rental amount is due 30 days prior to arrival. We will send you a reminder before the due date. If you are booking less than 30 days prior to your arrival date then the total rental amount is due upon booking.
Please note that if you have booked through a 3rd party website or app such as Vrbo or Airbnb then the reservation & payment process may be different. Please check your booking verification or contact us directly with questions.
Payment
We accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) and personal or bank checks. If providing payment via personal or banking check, please make it payable to Boardwalk Vacation Rentals and mailed to:
Boardwalk Vacation Rentals
50 Greenbush Street, Ste 200
Manistee, MI 49660
(Please provide the Booking ID in the memo)
Vacation Rental Damage Insurance
In lieu of a traditional refundable Security/Damage Deposit, most reservations are covered by a $3,000 Damage Protection Insurance Policy. Please contact us with questions regarding what is or is not covered with the Damage Insurance Policy.
Please note that if you have booked through a 3rd party website or app such as Vrbo or Airbnb then the coverage may be different. Please check your booking verification or contact us directly with questions.
Cancellations & Refunds
Reservations are eligible for a full refund up to 30 days prior to arrival. Confirmed reservations that are cancelled less than 30 calendar days before arrival are not eligible for a refund. Reservations that are booked within 30 days of the arrival date are not eligible for a refund. No refunds will be granted for early departures or late check ins, mechanical malfunctions, loss of power/water, neighboring construction or noise, evictions, inclement weather or other acts of God.
Please note that if you have booked through a 3rd party website or app such as Vrbo or Airbnb then the cancellation & refund policy may be different. Please check your booking verification or contact us directly with questions.
Check In / Out
The check-in time is after 4:00pm EST and check-out is before 10:00am EST. Unauthorized early arrivals or late departures will result in an additional fee. We cannot honor last-minute late departure requests.
Arrival Instructions
Arrival instructions, including entry information, are emailed a day or two before your stay. Please be sure to check junk or spam inboxes if you do not see it by the day of arrival.
If you booked through a 3rd party app or website such as Vrbo or Airbnb please note the Arrival and Entry Information will be sent either via email or within your account on the 3rd party app or website.
Age Requirements
You must be 25 years of age or older to rent from Boardwalk Vacation Rentals and must occupy the rental property the entire term of the reservation. Singles under 25 years of age are prohibited unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian. We do not rent to groups of minors with or without chaperones.
Number of Guests
The number of people occupying the rental must be disclosed at time of rental. If the number of people staying in the home exceeds the maximum occupancy of the rental, all additional persons will be asked to vacate the property immediately.
Parties
No house parties are permitted in the rental or on the rental grounds. If a party is reported, you will be asked to vacate the rental home without refund.
Non-Smoking
All of our properties have a strict NO SMOKING policy! This is STATE LAW in Michigan. You will be responsible for additional charges if there is evidence of smoking inside the rental. This includes vaping and marijuana use.
No Pets
Most of our rental properties do not allow pets unless explicitly stated in the property description. Bringing a pet to a rental that does not allow them will result in fines and guests will be asked to leave. Rentals do not allow pets for a variety of reasons, including HOA rules. This rule is strictly enforced.
Items Left Behind, Lost or Stolen
We will not be responsible for personal items left behind after checkout. However, if you are missing an item, we will do our best to locate the item and mail it to you. We will not be responsible for personal items that are lost or stolen during your stay. We ask that you take the normal precautions in securing the rental home such as locking all exterior doors when leaving the home.
Accommodations
Each rental property reflects the taste of its owners. Specialty items vary. Every effort is made to ensure accurate descriptions with no misrepresentation intended. Boardwalk Vacation Rentals will not be held responsible for errors in printing, changes made by owners or matters out of our control, i.e. noise, construction, weather, certain community amenities, etc. Substitutions and refunds will not be made upon arrival for any reason except as required by law.
Boardwalk Vacation Rentals is not a member of the associations affiliated with certain properties. While we work hard to connect with owners and association leadership, Boardwalk Vacation Rentals is not responsible for community amenities that may be out of order.
The Owner and Boardwalk Vacation Rentals shall not be liable for any bodily injury or death or property damage which may arise in connection with the tenant’s occupancy of the premises. The tenancy agrees to indemnification and hold the Owner and Boardwalk Vacation Rentals harmless for any damages, injury, claim, or liability which may arise in connection with the tenant’s occupancy of the premises.
You acknowledge and agree to rent the premises “as is.” Any information presented or received is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. You waive any claim against the Owner and Boardwalk Vacation Rentals arising out of the condition of the premises or dissatisfaction of same.