Policies & House Rules

The Big Picture

The simple version: be safe, be respectful, and don’t be the reason we need a new rule.

These policies exist to protect guests, the cabins, the land, the amenities, our neighbors, and the experience of everyone staying on site.

Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in: 4:00 PM Check-out: 10:00 AM

Early check-in may be available if no guest stayed in your cabin the night before. Message us and we’ll confirm.

Late check-out is usually not available because our cleaning crews have a tight turnover schedule. Please plan to be out by 10:00 AM.

Registered Guests Only

Only registered guests included on the reservation are allowed on the property unless we approve otherwise in writing.

Weddings, elopements, commercial photography, retreats, or gatherings may be allowed only with prior written approval and any applicable fees.

This applies even if the gathering is small, quiet, or “just for a little while.” Please ask first.

Quiet Property / Noise

Oak & Ember has 24/7 quiet expectations.

That does not mean you have to whisper inside your cabin. It means the property should stay peaceful, nature-first, and respectful of other guests.

Rules:

• No amplified outdoor music.
• No speakers on decks, trails, hot tub areas, sauna areas, pond areas, or fire pit areas.
• Keep voices low outside.
• Be especially quiet early morning, evening, and overnight.
• If you did not rent the entire resort, assume other guests came here for peace and quiet too.

The sound of the property should be wind, birds, fire, and trees — not someone’s playlist.

Parking

Park in the designated parking area in front of your cabin.

Please do not block driveways, shared lanes, other cabins, maintenance access, trails, or emergency access. No parking on grass, trails, or unmarked areas.

Pets

Pets are allowed up to 2 dogs. No cats or other types of pets.

Pet rules:

• Pets must be under control at all times.
• Pets may not be left alone..
• Pick up and dispose of pet waste immediately.
• Pets are not allowed in hot tubs, saunas, pond areas, or any beds or furniture.
• Guests are responsible for pet damage, extra cleaning, or disturbance.
• Service animals are handled separately from pet rules.

No Smoking, Vaping, or Drugs

No smoking or vaping inside cabins, on decks, in hot tub areas, in sauna areas, near doors/windows, on trails, or anywhere else on the property.

No marijuana use, illegal drug use, or drug-related activity is allowed on the property.

Do not leave cigarette butts, vape cartridges, ashes, or related trash anywhere on site.

Violations may result in extra cleaning fees, damage charges, and/or removal from the property.

Hot Tub Rules

The hot tub is use-at-your-own-risk and must be used responsibly.

Rules:

• No glass in or around the hot tub.
• No soap, shampoo, oils, bath bombs, food, or drinks in the water.
• Do not use the hot tub if you are dizzy, sick, overheated, heavily intoxicated, or impaired.
• Children must be supervised at all times.
• Check the water temperature before entering. The water line/spigot next to the hot tubs are hot water lines from the house but still plan accordingly.
• Do not use the hot tub if water is above 104°F.
• Do not light or operate the wood stove/firebox unless the tub is full of water.
• Use only provided firewood and fire starters.
• No gasoline, lighter fluid, chemicals, trash, or accelerants.
• Keep the firebox/stove door closed except when adding wood.
• Do not touch hot metal parts.
• Do not remove ashes or move hot coals.
• Replace the cover when done, unless the water needs to cool.
• Report any issue, leak, smoke problem, broken part, or unsafe condition.
• Guests are responsible for damage caused by misuse.

Sauna Rules

The sauna is electric and controlled by the front control panel. The timer has a hard-coded 60-minute maximum.

Rules:

• Use the sauna at your own risk. We suggest consulting with your medical professional before using any sauna. Sauna’s are not for everyone.
• No sleeping in the sauna.
• No food or glass inside.
• Sit on a towel.
• Hydrate and take breaks.
• Exit immediately if dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, overheated, or uncomfortable.
• Children must be supervised.
• Do not use while heavily intoxicated or impaired.
• Do not place towels, clothes, oils, liquids, or objects on the heater.
• You may use the provided water bucket and ladle to pour small amounts of water on the heater to provide a gentle steaming. If you see water dripping on the floor below the heater you have poured too much in.
• You can get water for the water bucket from the spigot next to the hot tubs.
• Turn the sauna off when finished.
• Do not tamper with controls, wiring, heater, vents, or safety features.
• Do not tamper with any electronics or wiring on the rear of the saunas that face the cabins.
• The 60-minute timer is there for safety. Do not attempt to override it.

Indoor Fireplace / Furnace Rules

The indoor fireplace/furnace is controlled by remote.

Rules:

• Use only the remote/control provided.
• Do not open, modify, service, or adjust the fireplace unit.
• Do not move logs or internal parts.
• Keep furniture, blankets, towels, bags, paper, clothing, and décor away from the fireplace.
• Do not place anything on top of or directly in front of the fireplace.
• Turn it off before leaving the cabin or going to sleep.
• Message us if it is not working.

Patio Door Rules

The tri-panel patio doors must be opened and closed gently.

Do not slam, force, kick, shove, or lean hard on the doors.

To open, pull the handle to the right to unlock, then gently push the doors outward using the finger hold near the hinge.

To close, pull the doors inward, hold them in place, and turn the handle to the left so the locking pins engage.

If the door flexes or moves after closing, the pins are not locked. Try again gently.

Guests may be responsible for damage caused by forcing the doors.

Pond Rules

The pond is for viewing and walking around only.

Not allowed:

• No swimming.
• No wading.
• No skating.
• No boating.
• No paddleboarding.
• No fishing unless specifically approved.
• No throwing rocks, trash, glass, furniture, or objects into the pond.
• No entering the pond for any reason.

The pond was not designed for guest entry. The edges can be slippery, and you can fall in. There is no lifeguard on duty at any time.

Children must be supervised near the pond.

Trails and Land Rules

Please enjoy our miles of marked trails during your stay.

Rules:

• Stay on marked trails.
• Respect neighboring property.
• Use winery trail access only where marked.
• No cutting new trails.
• No damaging trees, signs, bridges, platforms, lights, markers, or landscaping.
• No picking plants, cutting wood, removing rocks, or disturbing natural areas.
• No hunting, shooting, trapping, target practice, or weapons use.
• No fireworks.
• No drones without written approval.
• No ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, or off-road vehicles on trails or grass.
• Watch for uneven ground, mud, snow, ice, ticks, wildlife, and fallen branches.
• We welcome suggestions for our trails and if there are fallen trees or other obstacles that happen to occur while we are off site.
• Use the trails at your own risk.

Fire Pit / Grill Rules

Use only designated fire pits and grills.

Rules:

• Firewood is provided for your enjoyment. While we do our best to maintain a healthy amount at each cabin, if you ever need more we do keep extra at the maintenance garage near the entrance to the property.
• Never leave fire unattended.
• Do not start fires during high wind, dry conditions, or burn bans.
• Keep fires reasonable and contained.
• Use only provided firewood in approved fire rings at each cabin.
• Do not burn trash, cans, bottles, plastic, cardboard, or treated wood.
• Fully extinguish fires when done.
• Keep children supervised.
• Keep furniture, towels, blankets, and flammable items away from fire.
• Clean up food and trash after grilling.
• Do not move the grill onto the deck or close to the house - this is a safety hazard and should be avoided.

Furniture, Linens, and Cabin Care

Please treat the cabin like a high-end home, not a hotel room you hate.

Rules:

• Do not move indoor furniture outside.
• Do not move outdoor furniture inside.
• Do not drag furniture across floors or decks.
• Do not use white towels for makeup, mud, hot tub cleaning, spills, or pets.
• Do not flush wipes, feminine products, paper towels, trash, or anything other than toilet paper.
• Do not tamper with mechanical systems, locked closets, routers, cameras, panels, valves, or owner supplies.
• Report spills, damage, stains, or broken items as soon as possible.
• Accidents happen. Hidden damage is what creates problems.

Children

Children are welcome when included on the reservation, but the property has real hazards: pond, hot tub, sauna, fire, decks, stairs, trails, tools, wildlife, and uneven ground.

Children must be supervised at all times, especially around:

• Pond
• Hot tub
• Sauna
• Fire pits
• Fireplace
• Patio doors
• Decks
• Trails
• Tools/firewood areas

Guests are responsible for children’s safety and any damage caused during the stay.

Security / Safety

Do not disable, cover, move, unplug, or tamper with safety equipment, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, locks, lighting, cameras, routers, or property systems.

Exterior cameras are mounted on site for guest and property safety. Locations include the front of each cabin, main driveway entrances to the property, and the pond area.

For emergencies, call 911 first. Then message us when safe to do so.

Trash

Bag trash and place it in dumpster closest to your cabin.

Do not leave trash outside, on decks, near fire pits, by the pond, on trails, or next to the hot tub/sauna. Trash attracts animals and creates a mess fast.

Check-Out Tasks

Check-out is intentionally simple.

Before leaving:

• Leave used towels on the bathroom tile.
• Take trash to the designated trash area/bin.
• Put dishes in the dishwasher.
• Turn off fireplace, sauna, lights, and appliances.
• Close and lock doors and windows.
• Check for personal belongings.
• Message us if anything broke, leaked, stained, or needs maintenance.

That’s it. We do not ask guests to strip every bed, start laundry, or do a giant chore list.