Must Know
As of June 01, 2020 and due to the health and safety concerns brought on by the corona event, please be aware of these changes we have made to our cottages:
SUNDRY ITEMS: All condiments and staples have been removed from the cottage. This means sundry items like coffee, tea, sugar, salt and pepper (and their shakers), cooking oils and other handy things that help round-off a nice meal have had to be removed. Be sure to include these kinds of items in your list of things to bring to the cottage. Most of these are available at the San Juan Market (in Port Renfrew), but we never know if the supply will keep up with the demand under the new rules. And please, take home with you all the condiments you brought;
LINENS: Of course, ALL bed linens, duvet covers, bath and hand towels, shower curtains and kitchen towels and dish rags are professionally laundered between each Guest’s visit. But we have had to remove all the extra blankets that each cottage had earlier provided. Please pack your own favourite blankets from home to increase the cozy factor during your stay at Handsome Dan’s;
DISHES Although the cottage remains fully equipped with all serving dishes and plates, glasses, cups, cooking pots and pans and utensils you will need to prepare a fine meal, REMEMBER that these items will all have been used, cleaned and stored away in their respective location by the previous Guest. With this mind, be sure to re-clean each re-useable piece of kitchen equipment before your personal use (there is plenty of dish soap and clean dish rags in the cottage)
GUEST INFORMATION BOOK: All the information for the cottage, including where things are, and how things work are in the welcome binder in your cottage. Please review the binder and email us when you arrive to confirm your arrival.
Wi-Fi: There is not cell service in Port Renfrew, but all cottages are equipped with Wi-Fi. So you will have access to internet and emails. You will find the wifi login and password in the Welcome book binder in the cottage, and below here:
INTERNET SERVICE IN PORT RENFREW: It is important to know that, in the summer months or very busy weekends, when many people are visiting Port Renfrew, streaming services like Netflix, Crave etc.. may be slow to watch due to the high demand on the available bandwidth of internet service that serves Port Renfrew.
NO CELL SERVICE IN PORT RENFREW That means you will not be able to make and receive phone call, as there is no cell reception. You will be able to make phone call if you go to your setting, and enable “Wifi calling” if you phone plan and phone provider support that features, you will be able to make and receive phone calls as long as you stay in proximity of wifi. Wifi is provided in all cottages, so you will be able to have access to your email and internet. UPDATE MAY 2023: Rogers, Fido and Shaw guests will have cell service.
NO GROCERY STORE IN PORT RENFREW: Port Renfrew only have a General Store open daily (11AM to 7PM). Although it is a very well equipped little store, you will not find fresh meet, and only a small variety of fruit and vegi. You can expect to have all kind of dry goods, coffee, spice, along with bread, milk, eggs, bacon and other sealed pre-packed meat and liquor. You can grocery store in Sooke, or Lake Cowichan, depending from which way you will be travelling.
SHEETS AND TOWELS: There will be 1 set of sheets for every bed including the sofa bed, and 4 towels as per maximum occupancy of the cottage. 4 extra towels are provided for use with the Hot tub for a total of 8 bath towels. More towel can be available at additional cost ($5/each) or you may bring some form home if you judge you will need additional ones.
COFFEE MACHINE: This cottage has a french press. Please bring you own coffee.
DISHES: All dishes on the shelves are used and cleaned by guests. To be considerate of the guests following your visit, please ensure to clean & put away your dishes properly.
Kitchen
Instant Pot -
Rice cooker - 6 cup
Microwave
Toaster
Coffee makers - there is a 10 cup filter coffee maker (with filters) as well as a 4 cup French press. There may be coffee available, but don’t count on it!
Living area
TV and DVD player - there is a remote for the TV and for the DVD player. There is a selection of DVDs in the bookshelves in the living room.
CD- Media player - There is a CD and Media Player in the cottage. It has CD and radio as well as a headphone jack input and Bluetooth capability. To connect to Bluetooth, use the remote, choose “BT” and then search for NS-SH513 in your phone or media player’s Bluetooth settings. To connect to a different device you have to turn off Bluetooth on the first device. The CD player also plays MP3 Cds.
Outside
Propane BBQ - outside - if the electronic ignition does not work, there is a lighter in the drawer in the kitchen where the BBQ tools can also be found. Bring your own seasonings! :)
WOOD BURNING OUTDOOR FIRE PIT: There is a wood burning fire pit at your cottage, that can be use only when no fire bans are in effect The wood in the shelter should be dry. It is possible to run out or have damp firewood so guests are encouraged to bring their own; or call ahead to confirm there is firewood available. You will want to bring your own kindling and firestarter. Kindling and firewood can be purchased by the roadside in many locations on the way to Port Renfrew. Please bring with you: paper, fire starter, kindling and wood. This cottage does supply wood for their guests. However we do not guarantee it will be available (wet, last guests used it all, firewood supplier not available etc) There are a couple locals that sell firewood by the bundles, or the Gas Station and General Store also sell some. You can also stop along your way to Port Renfrew to pick up.
PARKING:
- There is parking for 1 vehicle in the cottage driveway. Additional parking is available in extra parking area. Parking is limited. Carpooling is suggested.
- Boat and trailer may be parked at the marina for a small fee. Please call (250) 412-5509 for reservation.
- RV's and camping are not permitted anywhere in cottage community.
POWER OUTAGES: Port Renfrew and the south coast of Vancouver Island are subject to powerful windstorms that can cause extended power outages. The Guest is advised that neither Handsome Dan’s nor the Owner will be liable and no partial or full refund of the price of rental will be offered for power outages, however caused. Guest can cook using the BBQ.
NOISE: EXCESSIVE NOISE AND DISTURBANCE OF OTHER COTTAGE OWNERS AND RENTERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. ANY GUEST CREATING A DISTURBANCE IN THE COMMUNITY WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY WITH NO REFUND. IF A FORMAL COMPLAINT IS FILED WITH THE PROPERTY MANAGER AND A FINE IS LEVIED AGAINST THE COTTAGE OWNER, THE OFFENDING GUEST WILL REIMBURSE THE COTTAGE OWNER THE FULL COST OF THE FINE AND ANY ASSOCIATED EXPENSES. IN ADDITION, THE GUEST’S BOOKING INFORMATION WILL BE FLAGGED, AND HANDSOME DAN’S WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT BOOKINGS FROM THAT GUEST. BOOKING.COM, EXPEDIA AND OTHER BOOKING AGENTS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED, IF APPLICABLE.
** A $300 FINE WILL BE CHARGED TO THE GUEST IF A DISTURBANCE COMPLAINT IS RECEIVED.
NO SMOKING INSIDE: Please enjoy your smoke outside. Smoking is not permitted inside the Cottage and a $300 fine will be applied.
PETS ARE WELCOME IN THIS COTTAGE
- Guests will supply their own bedding for their pets.
- Pets are not permitted anywhere on the furniture, (specially beds and couch.)
- Outside, pets must be kept on a leash on the Cottage property or anywhere in the Cottage Community.
- Guests will ensure that any deposits made by pets on the Cottage or its adjoining structures, property and Community are duly and properly disposed.
- Damage and/or extraordinary soiling to the Cottage or its adjoining structures committed by Guest’s pets will be subject to additional charges to Guest’s credit card in amounts at the discretion of Handsome Dan’s.
- Pets are welcome only in cottages designated as Pet Friendly.
- BEFORE VISITING A FRIEND AT ANOTHER COTTAGE, PLEASE BE SURE TO VERIFY IF THAT COTTAGE IS ALSO PET FRIENDLY. A $300 FINE WILL BE CHARGE FOR BRINGING A PET IN A NON-PET FRIENDLY COTTAGE.
EQUIPMENT: While every attempt will be made to ensure that television, phone, internet, BBQ and any other appliances are in working order for the Guest’s visit, should any breakdown or other situation occur like power outrage whereby these items are not available for the term of the rental period. Handsome Dan’s is not responsible for replacing or refunding the Guest for the lack of use of these elements.
DON’T LEAVE ANY GARBAGE BAGS ON THE PORCH OR DECK: especially overnight. You’ll attract a variety of critters…raccoons, crows, ravens and bears. Please take your garbage to the waste management compound on Parkinson Road just this side of the General Store (about 600 meters from the cottage on the highway back towards Victoria, located on the right hand side of the road).
CHECK-IN TIME IS 3PM *Check-in and Check-out times are to be adhered to, unless otherwise arranged in advance and confirmed by email. Early arrival and/or late departure may result in additional charges. late departure may result in additional charges.
CHECK OUT TIME IS 10AM: To be able to ensure that the cottage will be clean and ready to go for our next guest arrival, it is important that guests respect the 10 am check out time.
** If you are going fishing on your check out day and will not be back for 11am check out time, please be sure you pack and bring all your belonging with you in the morning. GUEST WILL BE CHARGE AN EXTRA NIGHT RENTAL FOR ANY LATE CHECK-OUT THAT IS NOT PRE-ARRANGE IN ADVANCE WITH HANDSOME DAN’S.
ON YOUR DEPARTURE:
- Please be sure to wash and put away all your dirty dishe
- If you used the BBQ, please ensure the BBQ is clean, valve or tank is turned off, and the cover is back in place.
- Take all your belongings
- Please take your garbage, recycling and cans to the Waste Management compound on Parkinson Road just this side of the General Store (about 600m from the cottage community on the right hand side of the road. Open daily.).
- And lock all doors in the respective matter. Return manual key if used in lockbox.
