Rates, Policies & House Rules
The house rules, the fees, and the fine print, all in one place.
Good to know before you book
We want you to feel at home here, and a few clear expectations make that easy for everyone. You will sign a short rental agreement before arrival that covers all of this in full; these are the parts worth knowing before you pick your dates.
Who can stay
The house sleeps 10, and 10 is the limit, including children. A baby sleeping in the crib doesn’t count toward the 10. Every guest is listed on the reservation, and the adult who books stays at the house for the whole trip. Family and friend groups are who this house was made for; fraternity, school, and other non-family groups need our approval first. Parties and events are not permitted; if you are dreaming of something bigger, ask us before you book.
Arrival and departure
Check-in is at 4:00 PM and check-out at 10:00 AM. If the house is ready early, we’ll message you your door code as soon as it is, and that’s often well before 4. If you’d like a little more time on your last morning, just ask: we can usually stretch check-out to 11:00 when our cleaners’ schedule allows.
Pets
Holiday House is a pet-free home, and pets are not permitted without our prior written approval. Trained service animals accompanying a guest with a disability are always welcome at no charge. If you are hoping to bring a pet, tell us when you inquire and we will let you know what is possible.
Smoking and vaping
Not permitted anywhere on the property, indoors or out, including the decks and the yard. The smoke alarms detect vape as well as smoke, and a violation means a minimum $500 deep-cleaning fee.
Quiet hours
10:00 PM to 8:00 AM. We’re in a residential neighborhood with year-round neighbors, and outdoor music, the hot tub, and the fire pit all travel farther than you think. Please keep evenings mellow.
The hot tub
Professionally treated before every arrival. Keep the cover on when you are not in it, no food, drinks, glass, soaps, or oils in the water, no pets in the tub, and children in the tub only with an adult. Misuse that requires draining and re-treating runs $250 to $500.
Heating and cooling
The house runs on heat pumps. Leave the thermostats in AUTO between 68 and 76, keep doors and windows closed while the system is running, and set it to AUTO at 72 when you leave. It keeps the house comfortable and keeps our utility bill from becoming your problem; service calls caused by settings outside these limits are charged to the guest.
Bikes and gear
8 bikes and helmets are yours to use, and they enter every Orleans beach free. Massachusetts requires helmets for riders 16 and under. Lock the bikes with the locks provided whenever you stop, store them in the garage when you are not riding, and know that you are responsible for replacement if anything is damaged or lost.
Parking
Park on the right side of the driveway next to the garage as you face the house. The driveway fits 4 to 5 cars. Please keep vehicles out of the garage, off the lawn, and clear of the neighbors’ driveways.
Trash and recycling
Bag all trash; loose trash in the barrels will not be collected. Recycling goes in loose, not bagged. Indoor collection is in the kitchen pantry, and everything goes to the marked outdoor barrels by the garage before you leave.
Cameras
For everyone’s security there are exterior cameras at the front door, the garage door, the driveway entrance, and the rear garage entry, recording video and audio at all times. None of them can see the hot tub or the outdoor shower, and there are no cameras inside the house. Signs are posted.
Photography and filming
The house is licensed for residential lodging only. Commercial photography, filming, or events of any kind need our prior written authorization and a separate signed location agreement.
Booking and payments
A signed rental agreement and a refundable security deposit hold are required for every stay. The hold is placed on your card shortly before arrival and released after check-out once the house is confirmed in good shape. Cancellation terms are below. Orleans Holiday House is registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a short-term rental, registration C0543682240.
What to bring
The house is stocked with starter supplies (paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, hand and dish soap) and a full kitchen. Bring your own sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers, or add the linen package below and we will make up every bed before you arrive. Bath and beach towels are provided.
Book direct and save
Booking here skips the platform service fees. Check live rates and confirm your total before you pay.
Cancellation windows
- 100% refund, less a $100 fee: Cancel more than 30 days before arrival.
- 50% refund, less a $100 fee: Cancel more than 14 days before arrival.
- No refund: Within 14 days of arrival.
Free cancellation for 24 hours after booking, as long as arrival is at least 72 hours away.
Seasonal rates
Rates move with the season and the calendar. Your exact total shows on the booking page before you pay.
Optional add-ons
Hotel-quality linen package ($150 per stay)
Sheets, pillowcases, and duvets for all 6 beds, professionally laundered and made up before you arrive. Nothing to wash at check-out.
EV charging ($0.50 per kWh)
A ChargePoint Level 2 charger with a universal J1772 connector in the driveway. Tesla owners, bring your adapter.
Questions guests ask
- How many guests can stay at Orleans Holiday House?
- The house sleeps 10, and 10 is the limit, including children. A baby sleeping in the crib doesn’t count toward the 10. Every guest is listed on the reservation, and the adult who books stays at the house for the whole trip. Family and friend groups are who this house was made for; fraternity, school, and other non-family groups need our approval first. Parties and events are not permitted; if you are dreaming of something bigger, ask us before you book.
- What are check-in and check-out times?
- Check-in is at 4:00 PM and check-out at 10:00 AM. If the house is ready early, we’ll message you your door code as soon as it is, and that’s often well before 4. If you’d like a little more time on your last morning, just ask: we can usually stretch check-out to 11:00 when our cleaners’ schedule allows.
- Does Orleans Holiday House allow pets?
- Holiday House is a pet-free home, and pets are not permitted without our prior written approval. Trained service animals accompanying a guest with a disability are always welcome at no charge. If you are hoping to bring a pet, tell us when you inquire and we will let you know what is possible.
- Is smoking allowed?
- Not permitted anywhere on the property, indoors or out, including the decks and the yard. The smoke alarms detect vape as well as smoke, and a violation means a minimum $500 deep-cleaning fee.
- What is the cancellation policy?
- Cancel more than 30 days before arrival for a full refund, less a $100 fee. Cancel more than 14 days before arrival for a 50% refund, less a $100 fee. Within 14 days of arrival, the stay is non-refundable. You also have 24 hours after booking to cancel for free, as long as arrival is at least 72 hours away.
- Are there quiet hours?
- 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM. We’re in a residential neighborhood with year-round neighbors, and outdoor music, the hot tub, and the fire pit all travel farther than you think. Please keep evenings mellow.
- Are there security cameras at the property?
- For everyone’s security there are exterior cameras at the front door, the garage door, the driveway entrance, and the rear garage entry, recording video and audio at all times. None of them can see the hot tub or the outdoor shower, and there are no cameras inside the house. Signs are posted.
- Are sheets and towels included?
- Every bed has pillows, a mattress pad and a coverlet, and there are extra blankets in every bedroom. Bath, beach and kitchen towels are always included. Sheets, pillowcases and duvets are either yours to bring or part of our linen package: $150 covers all 6 beds, made up and waiting when you arrive, and you leave them just as they are when you go. Bring your own toiletries.
- What baby and toddler gear do you have?
- Plenty. There’s a mini crib, a pack ’n play, a bassinet, a high chair, a baby tub, monitors, a stroller, kids’ dishes and a shelf of toys. Tell us your kids’ ages before you arrive and we’ll make sure the right pieces are out.
- Why do you ask for a rental agreement and a deposit hold?
- Every guest signs our rental agreement and puts a card on file for a refundable $400 hold, which is standard for large homes on the Cape. It’s separate from your booking payment, and we release it after check-out once the house is in good shape.
- Is the hot tub open year-round, and is it extra?
- It runs all year and it’s included in your stay. We clean the filter and sanitize the water between every group, and a monitor tests the water daily.
- Where do we park?
- In the driveway, on the right side next to the garage. It fits 4 to 5 cars.
- What do we need to do at check-out?
- Not much. Run the dishwasher, bag the trash (recycling goes in loose), wash and dry any towels you used, put the cover back on the hot tub and lock up. With the linen package, leave the beds exactly as they are. Our departure guide on the kitchen counter has the details.
- How do the heat and air conditioning work?
- The house runs on 2 heat pump systems, one for the first floor and lower level with its thermostat in the living room, and one for the second floor with its thermostat at the top of the stairs. Keep both on AUTO between 68 and 76 with the doors and windows closed, and they’ll handle heating and cooling on their own. The other thermostats are backup heat for winter, so leave those as they are.
Questions about any of this? Email hello@orleansholidayhouse.com.