FAQs

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Q: When is the latest Vacation Rental insurance can be purchased?

A: This insurance can be purchased up until the final trip payment is made or 30 days prior to arrival, whichever comes first.

Q: Why is there a deadline for checkout times?

A: Cleaning rooms, condos, homes and resorts between guests is a big job. It can take hours to make a place spic and span. Housekeepers need to know they can start immediately upon departure of a guest to a unit fully clean before the next guest arrives. Staying late disrupts the cleaning schedule. If the next guest is not scheduled for immediate arrival, a unit may be available for late checkouts for which charges usually apply.

Q: What is Sunspots?

A: Our network is unlike any other. Most lodging companies are either some big corporation a long way from their properties or very small operators without many resources. Sunspots, on the other hand, is a network of individually owned local managers who use the Sunspots Network to handle the 101 Marketing, Advertising and Administrative details so necessary to quality lodging.

Each Management Member is required to attain some pretty stiff requirements on cleaning, maintenance and guest services. Everyone in the group has your best interests at heart.

Q: Why should I Rent from Sunspots?

A: There are a bunch of good reason. We've been around a long time, have quality properties and work diligently to make guests happy. But the best reason is that we are a unique network where each onsite manager has a piece of the action. They work overtime to insures you'll have a good experience.

Q: Is it mandatory to leave housekeeping tips at Vacation Rentals?

A: Tips for housekeepers at lodging accommodations of all kinds have beomce the sign of considerate guests and just plain good manners. Due to their square footage and amenities, housekeeping at Vacation Rentals is back-breaking work. Considerate guests will leave a tip of five to ten percent of the total rent. Far less than at a restaurant, but housekeepers work far harder.
VRIA.org

Q: Why are bookings usually non-cancelable.

A: Unlike hotels, vacation homes are valuable assets held by private parties. To allow guests to hold dates in advance only to cancel them later, means the owner would miss out on other prospective customers in the meantime. In addition, because most homes are booked in advance last-minute replacements are not always possible. We can, however, offer to re-sell dates for a guest who made a prior purchase. In that case, some or all of the guest's funds may be refunded if a replacement guest is found.

Q: Is it possible to arrange an early checkin?

A: Usually housekeepers need all the time between guests to prepare the property for arrivals. So early checkins are not always available.
In the case where a room was not previously rented, and the cleaners have gotten the clean completed, it may be possible to arrange an early checkin. Because this requires rescheduling, staff time and coordination there is a charge for early checkins. Usually the charge is 1/4 of the daily rate for four hours early and 1/2 the daily rate for 8 hours early. And it is not possible to confirm availability of an early checkin until 24 hours in advance.

Q: Why aren't guest's allowed to check-in early?

A: Cleaning rooms, condos, homes and resorts between guests is a big job. It can take many hours to make a place spic and span. It isn't always possible to start the cleaning process on time, so housekeepers need every minute get a unit clean before its scheduled check-in time. Guests who arrive early disrupt the cleaning process. In fact, housekeepers are not allowed to continue cleaning if a guest arrives early and enters the property.

Q: Do I get more room in a Vacation Rental?

A: Well of course you do. The average hotel room is maybe 300 square feet but the usual vacation rental house is 2,000 square feet. Space to hang out with your family or friends. Sit in the living room instead of squeezing into the only chair in the room.

Q: What is the weather like at Snoqualmie Pass?

A: Depends on the season. We're famous for snow and lots of it in Winter. It can be sunny some days but it can also be brutally cold. Spring can be glorious as the snow disappears an the flowers poke out. Summers are surprisingly warm but its never humid and hot. October is famous for fall colors as the winter comes 'round again.

Q: What are the Rules for Guests?

A: Click here to see our written terms and conditions of rental. There are some important rules of course, but in general we ask that guests comport themselves in quiet, safe and unselfish manner and that they treat the property and the area with respect.
Click to See Rules

Q: To make a booking do I have to deal with the homeowner

A: Not at all. We'll take your order, send a confirmation and instructions for accessing and using the property. Our owners rely on us to do all the work. And you can rely on us to make sure the property is ready for your arrival.

Q: Is it possible to arrange a late checkout?

A: Usually housekeepers need all the time between guests to prepare the property for arrivals. So late checkouts are usually not available. In the case where new guests are not scheduled immediately after a departure, it may be possible to arrange an elate checkout. Because this requires rescheduling, staff time and coordination there is a charge for late checkouts. Usually the charge is 1/4 of the daily rate for four hours late and 1/2 the daily rate for 8 hours late. And it is not possible to confirm this availability until 24 hours in advance of departure.

Q: Is there a membership fee for using your website?

A: Nope. Browsing properties and information is free. But we do ask you to register for certain information. It helps us help you.

Q: Why is there a cleaning fee for Vacation Rentals?

A: Vacation rentals are bigger than hotel rooms and require more effort to clean. Rather than increase the price of every day's rent there is usually an out-cleaning fee. It is also your way of knowing the place will be clean when you arrange.

Q: Where does Sunspots operate?

A: Although we started small, our company is growing. We currently have network offices in Washington State, Idaho and Hawaii. Coming on line are British Columbia, Oregon and other great destinations. Local managers provide hands-on services to Owners and Guests making sure every home is exactly what it should be. Our central office does the marketing, advertising and administration to keep the lodging services first rate.

Q: I've lost my logon or password. What do I do?

A: No problem. Just go to the Login Page of our website. Look for the "For your Password" link.

Q: Why must I book a full week at some times of the year?

A: During the busy seasons, it can become disruptive to have lots of guests coming and going every few days, so we do require book long stays at some times of the year. Plus guests seem to enjoy staying longer and settling in.

Q: When I book for a week, do I have to arrive on a certain day?

A: To make sure we can thoroughly clean and prepare a property for arrival, we do ask that weekly bookings arrive on a certain day of the week. Usually it’s a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Q: Are Sunspot vacation rental homes timeshares?

A: No. Properties in our network are primarily owned by private parties and families. We do not sell timeshares or promote timeshare presentations. No sales pitches.