Common Questions about Vacation Rental Homes

Do you have any properties on Whitefish Lake?

Yes, but they are very, very popular, so please book early.

All of the Mountain Harbor homes have access to the lake and beach.

Do you have any properties with a hot tub?

There is a communal hot-tub at Mountain Harbor but you do have to be renting a property there in order to use it.

Bootjack Lake Lodge, BJ800, has its own hot tub, as does the Mountain Garden Home, AR400

What does occupancy and maximum occupancy mean?

Occupancy is the number of people that can fill all the beds in a particular property.

The maximum occupancy is the number of people that can fill all the beds and the pullout beds

What if we have more people than the maximum occupancy?

Under certain circumstances we can accommodate more than the maximum, small babies or children in cribs for example, but there is a surcharge per extra person payable.

We can supply extra mattresses or rollaway beds in some properties.

Do you allow one night rentals?

No, we do not

What is the minimum stay?

We have a 4 night minimum in the peak periods and a 2 night minimum the rest of the time. However, we sometimes have gaps between guests, so e-mail or call to check if there is a 2 or 3 day gap that you may be able to fill. Some properties do have a 7 night minimum.

What do I need to do to book?

Either book on-line, call or email us – you will need to provide the following:

Address, telephone numbers, including a mobile number, just in case we need to get in touch while you are on your way here, the number of adults and children.

A deposit of 50% of the total rent is required at the time of booking to guarantee reservation.

You have to read and acknowledge that you have read the payment and cancellation policy.

When do I have to pay the balance?

The balance, (including taxes and cleaning fee), is due 30 days before arrival, You don’t have to do anything more, your stay is confirmed the moment you pay your deposit.

If I cancel do I lose my deposit?

Yes, most people book months in advance and we typically turn many people away when your condo is booked, the nearer the time of your stay, the more difficult it is for us to rent it out if you cancel.

We recommend renters purchase their own trip cancellation insurance (see InsureMyTrip.com or similar for details).

If I cancel just before our arrival date what money do I get back?

The deposit is non-refundable.

The balance is non-refundable.

Do I need to bring sheets or towels?

All linens, towels, facecloths, sheets, blankets, comforters, pillows etc are provided.                     

We provide starter packs of toilet paper, paper towels; dishwasher detergent; washing up liquid; trash bags; laundry detergent and dryer sheets; shampoo; conditioner; lotion and bath soap. An emergency kit is provided for use if you forget some basic toiletry items.                                                                        

Where do I get my keys?

For all Mountain Harbor properties and most of the Whitefish properties, you will come to our office and pick up an envelope with the keys and instructions on how to get to your rental unit.  For other properties, the door will be unlocked and the keys will be in side for you, or some arrangement outlined in your reservation letter.                  

What do we do if we need a late check in?

For all Mountain Harbor properties and most of the Whitefish properties, you will come to our office and pick up an envelope with the keys and instructions on how to get to your rental unit, so you don’t need to talk to anyone at the office.                            

When can we check in?

Any time after 4pm. We can sometimes accommodate an early check-in if we can have the property cleaned earlier in the day, but no earlier than 2pm. You can call us to see if your property is available early on the day if your arrival.

When do we have to check out?

Any time before 10am. We can sometimes accommodate a late check-out, if there is no-one coming in that day, but still no later than 12pm. If you are still in the property past noon, we will charge you rent for an extra day. You can request a late check out via email prior to your arrival.

Does my rental have Internet access?

Some of our units do, details are on the vacation rentals page of the website. If a particular property has internet, then it will be noted in the description.

For the Mountain Harbor units, most have wireless access, (e-mail us if you need access).

There are various places in Whitefish which provide free wireless access: they include Coffee Traders (downtown) and the Whitefish Library,

Can I phone long distance from my unit?

Most of the units have a long-distance block, but allow local and emergency calls. We suggest that you check on the website for properties which have long distance service and bring a calling card or a cell phone if required.

Some of the properties have free long distance calls within the US and Canada. Please be aware though, we will charge you actual cost of call plus 50c per minute if you call any other country.

How do I get there?

When you book, you will receive a map and directions in the mail, either to the property you have booked or our office. You can also use the map links on our website to see where each of the properties is located.

Where’s the best place to eat?

You will find a menu binder in your property which shows where all the best restaurants are along with a typical menu. Lakeshore Rentals will be writing a review of each to help you chose!

What is there to do during the summer?

Binders containing local information, such as restaurant menus, sports equipment rentals and favorite hikes, etc., are provided at each of the properties.                                                                          

What happens if I break or damage something?

Lakeshore Rentals is not responsible for any property damage whatsoever, intentionally or accidentally, by the Tenant(s) or their guests to the rental property or any bodily injury suffered while on the property by the Tenant(s) or their guests.

In other words – you will have to pay for any damage caused. Damage caused and not declared will be charged at real and actual plus 20%, so please let us know before you leave.

Can I bring my boat or RV?

For the Mountain Harbor properties, as long as you have contacted the HOA Manager and arranged for a boat dock, you can bring your boat. Please note though that it is not permitted to keep your boat, or trailer overnight at Mountain Harbor.

For those properties with their own dock, then yes, bring a boat. For those properties without docks, then please email to find out if it is allowed.

No properties allow an RV, campers, or tents.

Is there air conditioning in our unit?

Please check on the website. Each property listing indicates whether there is or not.

Please note though, that for most of the time, the nights are cool in Montana, so opening up the windows in the evening and closing them again in the early morning will keep your property cool during the heat of the day.

To ensure that your unit reaches the same temperature as outside, or hotter, please leave all the windows and doors open during the heat of the day.

Can I bring my well behaved, house trained pet?

Some of the properties are pet friendly, call or email us to find out which ones.

If there is any evidence that you have brought one inside a non-pet friendly property, we will charge an additional deep cleaning fee of $250!

Can I smoke in our rental unit?

No.

If there is any evidence that you have smoked inside, we will have to have the unit extensively cleaned, which will be charged as an extra cost to your credit card.

If there are Stage 2 fire restrictions in place, you cannot smoke inside or outside at Mountain Harbor, you can only smoke in your car.

Where can I rent a boat?

There are plenty of places, please refer to “Area Guide” link on our website, the Chamber of Commerce website or have a look at our welcome binder in your condo.

Note that unless you have a confirmed boat dock at Mountain Harbor you can not leave your boat over night there. You can, however, tie up at the end of the dock for short periods of time only.

When can I book for next year?

We usually take bookings starting January 1 each year, because we know when the owners are going to be occupying their own units. However, in some cases, we can “pencil” you in so that you can be first in line if your unit of choice does become available. Please note though, the onus is on you to contact us at the beginning of the year to check availability and a deposit is required to guarantee your booking.