Door Locks –
The door locks have custom access codes unique to your stay. Waken the screen by touching the Yale logo. Once the numbers appear, enter you code followed by the check mark. You lock the door from the outside as you leave by pressing the Yale logo again. For safety, in case you forget, the front door will relock automatically after 5 minutes, so be careful shutting the door if you’ve left the door open for a while.
Check-in Procedure –
Check-in time is at or after 4:00 p.m. unless an earlier time is agreed to based upon availability. You will check in on your own using the provided door code. Our cleaners take inventory of the condition of the house when they clean, but just in case we ask that when you first arrive you check the place out and let us know if you see anything that seems wrong or missing and let us know if you do.
Fireplace –
Pressing the power button on the grey remote control should make it act as a thermostat. You can adjust the temp up and down and it will automatically turn on and off based upon your temperature setting. However, sometimes the fireplace’s receiver batteries die and we ask that guests not attempt to replace those difficult to access batteries. Instead, if the remote is not working, open the panel at the bottom of the fireplace and flip the switch on the left from “remote” (or “off”) to “on.” Then return to “off” when finished. Please turn off the fireplace with the remote or switch before checking out.
Heaters –
The wall heaters are controlled by separate thermostats in each room. Except in the Seastar (King bed) room, the digital thermostats are set for a day temperature (normally 68 degrees, but you can request a custom schedule in advance of check-in) and a night temperature (64 degrees in bedrooms).
The Seastar and living rooms now have window A/C units at least in the warmer months. During those months, because some people like to sleep cool, we do not have a schedule for the heater in the Seastar room. Please set the heater at least 3 degrees lower than your chosen AC temperature to avoid the two running at the same time.
In addition to requesting custom schedules on the heaters, you can change the temperature manually or by voice. For voice control, say “Ok Google, set temperature to [desired] degrees.” It should return to the programmed schedule at its next scheduled change.
The heater in the Lounge (back room) has a dial control on the heater unit itself. Turn counterclockwise to turn down the temp and clockwise to turn it up. There are no temperature settings or voice control, so just change as necessary until it is comfortable.
Dogs –
The back yard is fenced and there is grass along the side of the house. Please pick up your dog waste. Dog bags are provided for your convenience. Ocean Shores is often wet/rainy. Please dry off dogs before letting back in the house and keep them off furniture. You can use our towels for dogs if you don’t have your own dog towels, but we would appreciate it if you bring your own dog towels to avoid paw print stains and help us avoid charging pet fees for future guests.
Bath Essentials –
We’ll provide enough towels for each registered guest. The bathroom is equipped with a dispenser for shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. A new bar of body soap is also provided.
Kitchen Basics-
The kitchen comes equipped with dishes and utensils and cooking essentials. Basic cleaning essentials for dishes and counters, ect. are also supplied on the counter or under the sink. Small appliances include an air fryer toaster oven, blender, Keurig coffee maker, and griddle. A selection of tea, coffee, and other drinks are also provided along with a water filter pitcher in the fridge. There should be extra water filters on the top shelf above the coffee maker if the indicator on the pitcher indicates it needs replacing.
Lights –
Nearly all lights are smart lights, controllable by voice using the google smart speakers throughout the house. Most smart light has a label with its name. Simply say a google home wake word (either Ok Google, Hey Google, or Hey Boo Boo) followed by “turn off [or on] [light name].” For example, for the King bed room say: “Hey Google, turn off Sea star light.” If all is working as it is supposed to, you can also leave off the light name and just say “Hey Google, turn off the light.” That should turn off the lights in the room that you are in, but the system is not perfect… You can also say the wake word followed by, turn off/on all lights. There are a couple smart screens that allow you to see the status and control lights by room on the screen.
The time the lights are most helpful is when you go to bed and want to turn the lights off from bed. If everyone else is already in bed, you can say “Hey Google, goodnight.” That should turn off all lights, ask you if you want an alarm, and then play ocean sounds.
Under cabinet lights in the kitchen are programed to turn on when the main kitchen/hallway lights turn off during dark hours and off when those lights turn on. If you want both on or both off, just use the wake word and say “turn on [or off] cabinet lights [or individually there is an “oven light” and “sink light”].” The lights above the coffee maker also have a remote that allow you to change the color and the one’s by the oven have a slider dimmer switch in the cabinet above the toaster. The hanging porch lights out back can be controlled as “porch light,” but the automatic motion sensing flood light provides ample light for BBQing.
If you aren’t a geek like us or the speakers aren’t doing what you ask, you can just control the main switch controlled lights using the light switches. Most turn off and on by pressing the bottom half of the switch.
Google Home speakers –
In addition to lights, you can set a timer or alarm, listen to music or podcasts/radio, retrieve the weather, get sports scores, get math solutions, recipes, and more using the smart speakers. More info on that here: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7130274?hl=en
Please do not connect the displays or speakers to your own accounts. This leaves the devices non functioning for the next guests. If you don’t want the microphone to be active or it is not working, the speaker’s should have a physical switch on the back that toggles the mic on and off.
If they aren’t responding, please let us know. Our cleaning team doesn’t check the functioning of the speakers, so if they get disconnected we may not realize it needs attention. Sorry in advance for any misfunctioning smart devices.
Wall Bed –
Linens and blankets for the wall bed are in the closet in the Lounge. Please use caution when when lowering or raising the wall bed. Before attempting to open, be sure the lock on the top right side of the bed is popped out. Use two people when lowering. It does have shocks to help with the weight, but the legs that support the end of the bed on the floor need to be unfolded and locked into place before reaching the ground or the bed will crush the attached desk. One person should hold suspended while another lowers (or raises) the legs into place. Be sure to lock the legs into place when opened and unlock before closing. At the end of your stay, strip the bed of linens (leave the mattress protector unless soiled) and leave them in front of the washer or in a laundry basket.
Batteries –
All remote controls and Xbox controllers should be powered by rechargeable batteries. A charger and a few extra rechargeable batteries are available in the cabinet above the oven/stove (up high, please don’t climb – use the step latter in the laundry closet). Do not throw away rechargeable batteries. Please read the label of dead batteries to be sure they say rechargeable and then place them in the charger to charge and take pre-charged extras to replace the ones you removed. DO NOT USE the Seahorse Cottage batteries in your personal devices or remove them from the cottage and do not place non rechargable batteries into the chargers.
WiFi –
Feel free to use our internet while you stay with us. The SSID is SeahorseGuest and the password is displayed on a chalkboard in the Living Room and should also have been provided to you before check-in.
Xbox – Feel free to bring your own extra remotes and/or headphones. We have 3 controllers, but at least one has a sticky control stick. We’ve set the console up with Gold access and installed an assortment of games. You can use the guest Seahorse profile or log in to your own xbox live account and access your own digital games. Just log out of your accounts before leaving so other guests don’t have access. Controllers use rechargable batteries. Please don’t throw them away. See Batteries above.
Roku –
The TVs have a selection of channels with streaming accounts for HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Philo and Disney Plus preloaded. We are currently using YouTube TV for access to a number of live tv channels. This is subject to change. If you have specials needs for channels, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate or provide instructions for how to find what your are looking for. Please do not sign out these accounts or the next guest won’t have access. We can try to help you log in to the accounts we pay for remotely if they aren’t logged in, but not all have that capability. You can download and sign in to your own separate streaming app accounts on apps that are not already signed in or add your own channels, but please log out of your own accounts before you leave so the next guest doesn’t have access.
If you want to use your own streaming accounts, you can also plug in your own streaming device (Roku, Fire stick, Chromecast) to an available hdmi port and connect to the wifi guest network. Unlike hotels, we don’t restrict those devices on our wifi.
BBQ –
Please be sure to turn off the propane when not using it. If your propane runs out, we keep a second tank close by. Please let us know if you switch them so we can have the empty refilled. Because our tanks have helpful meters that show the fill level, please do not exchange the tanks. If you would like to refill a tank for your use, the lumberyard down the street offers that service. If by our mistake the tanks were empty when you arrived, we will discount your stay by the amount of the refill (usually around $16).
Vacuum and cleaning supplies–
There is a Dyson battery powered vacuum in the laundry closet on a wall mount. There are various attachments that click into place. Please don’t let children use the vacuum as a toy, but feel free to use it if you would like to clean up during your stay. We also provide a supply of laundry detergent and cleaning supplies in the laundry closet just in case you need them. Cleaning supplies and dishwashing detergent packs are also under the kitchen sink.
Garbage–
We have walk-in garbage and recycle service come early Wednesday morning, but if vehicles are blocking the totes that are left in front of the Seahorse Cottage, they may not be picked up. If you are staying on a Tuesday night, we ask that you move the totes behind your vehicles Tuesday night so the drivers see them and pick them up Wednesday morning.
There should be extra garbage bags under the kitchen sink for the two cans in the kitchen (we use the smaller one for recycle). If we didn’t leave enough bags or other supplies, feel free to reach out and we can have someone stop by to provide what you need.
Outside, the blue tote/can is recycle and the grey tote is garbage. Glass is not recyclable in Ocean Shores. If not sure whether something is recyclable, err on the side of putting in the garbage. A list of what can be recycled can be found here: http://graysharbor.lemayinc.com/files/Recycling_Program.pdf
Checkout procedures –
Check-out time is 11:00 a.m. We do ask that you vacate by that time, as our cleaning team is scheduled to arrive to clean at 11:00 or soon thereafter and often have a same day check-in. They may drive by and if they see you there go to their next cleaning, which can cause the home not to be ready in time for our next guests. Please leave by 11:00 and if you are delayed, let us know so we can communicate with our cleaning team about the delay.
At check-out, we ask that you put any dirty dishes in the dishwasher with provided detergent and start it and put garbage in either the inside or outside cans. Dishes that are not dishwasher safe or don’t fit in the load can be left in the sink if don’t to wash and put them way. Please do not put away dirty dishes.
For the three adjustable beds, leave used beds unmade with linens on the beds. For the wall bed, strip the linens, if used, and leave them by the laundry closet.
Make sure doors and windows are closed when you leave. Also, please turn the fireplace off before leaving using the remote (or physical switch if that is how you turned it on).
If anything was broken or damaged during you stay or discovered upon your arrival, please give us a heads up so we know to address it before the next guest.
Did we miss something? –
We try to anticipate what people will need for their stay without cluttering the home with items most won’t use. If you find that we are missing something that you think other guests would appreciate, let us know. We usually follow up and purchase those amenities for future guests in our quest to continually improve and offer the best experience for our guests. If it is something you need while you are there and you pick it up (Ace Hardware offers a good selection of many of the essentials), let us know and we’ll likely discount your stay for the item if you leave it for the next guest.
Feedback –
Please keep in touch. You can reach us at theseahorsecottage@gmail.com.
We truly love hearing from guests about what they liked and disliked about their stay. We appreciate 5 star reviews on online booking websites that prioritize listings with 5 star reviews, but don’t hesitate to tell us where we can improve. That feedback helps us know how we can keep earning those 5 star reviews and your repeat business. If you want to leave reviews on sites other than Airbnb, we are also listed on Google Maps and Facebook.