GUEST POLICIES
Reservations made through third party Booking Sites are subject to their Policies and Agreements – and are not subject to our Reservation and Cancellation Policies.
Due to the limited size of Ocracoke, cancellations affect us greatly. We are a small island destination with a limited inventory of units – unlike larger chain hotels where a cancellation or two represents a small percentage of occupancy – and last-minute cancellations have a large impact on us. We cannot be responsible for adverse weather conditions, travel delays or illness. We also understand that no one likes to cancel their vacation either; if you anticipate any of these reasons interrupting or affecting your trip we strongly suggest that you purchase third-party trip insurance. Please read all of our policies and take note of cancellation dates and the dates of your reservation.
If you have any questions concerning the reservation process, your options, or our policies, please do not hesitate to contact us–it’s our business, and it’s what we do. We really look forward to helping you plan your Ocracoke vacation.
RESERVATION & CANCELLATION POLICIES
Rooms and Suites
These accommodations have a seven-day cancellation policy that begins at 3 pm one week prior to your check-in date. For example, if you are checking in on a Friday the policy begins at 3 pm the previous Friday. If you cancel outside of seven days, your money will be refunded, less the $20 cancellation fee. If you cancel within the seven days, you are responsible for the full amount of your stay, unless we are able to re-rent the dates. This also applies to changes in the reservation dates or early checkouts. If your nights are re-rented you will receive a refund minus the cancellation fee. If your nights are re-rented at a lower rate then you will be refunded the difference. Group reservations, or blocks of three or more rooms and suites will have a two-week cancellation policy instead of the seven days. If there is a mandatory evacuation ordered, then a refund will be issued only for the days that the evacuation is in place.
Cottages
THERE IS A 50% DEPOSIT AT THE TIME THE RESERVATION IS MADE AND THE BALANCE IS DUE 60 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL. If the reservation is made within 60 days of the arrival date, then we take full payment.
The cancellation policy is 60 days prior to your arrival date. Any cancellation made outside of the 60 days will have the deposit refunded minus a $75 handling fee. If cancelled within the 60-day period then a refund will only be given if the dates are re-rented; and if rented at a lower rate then the difference will be refunded.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO REFUNDS GIVEN FOR COTTAGE RESERVATIONS DUE TO TROPICAL OR SUBTROPICAL WEATHER EVENTS, EVACUATIONS, INCLEMENT WEATHER, ILLNESS OR DEATH, OR SUSPENSION OF FERRY SERVICE.
Occupancy
Reservations are made for a specific number of occupants for each unit. Please don’t bring additional guests (including infants and/or children) without calling ahead to check on the maximum allowed. If you’ve exceeded the maximum occupancy, you’ll incur either a $50 penalty per night or your reservation will be cancelled at our option with the loss of your deposit.
Smoking and Pet Policy
All cottages, rooms and suites are non-smoking and smoking is only allowed on decks with the doors closed. Any violation of this policy will incur an extra cleaning fee of up to $250.
Pets are not allowed on the grounds of the Ocracoke Harbor Inn or on the grounds of any of our rental properties. If you’re in violation of this policy, then you’ll be responsible for a cleaning fee of $250 or more depending on the amount of necessary extra cleaning, and also the possibility of eviction without refund. There is a lovely kennel on the island and we recommend that you board your pet there.
Late Arrivals & Check-Outs Policy
If you anticipate that you’ll be arriving after our office closes please let us know so that we can make arrangements to leave a key for you. Failure to arrive on the reservation date will be treated as though it’s a cancellation. Check-in time is at 3pm and checkout time is 11am for rooms and suites and 10am for cottages. We do like to have adequate time to properly prepare for incoming guests and ask for your co-operation; late checkout may result in an additional charge.
