Check-in & Check-out
Check-in: 3:00 PM (anytime after) · Check-out: 11:00 AM
Early check-in and late check-out are not guaranteed, as our team needs the full window between stays to clean and reset each room. If your schedule is tight, message us before arrival and we'll do our best to accommodate when the room schedule allows.
Late check-out without prior approval may be charged at half the nightly rate.
Self Check-in
The Cedar does not have a front desk. Check-in is fully self-service: you'll receive your room access details by email shortly before arrival, along with directions and parking instructions.
Most rooms use a physical lockbox with a unique code; a few rooms use Schlage smart locks (door codes). Your pre-arrival email will tell you which one you have.
If anything goes wrong with your code or lock, contact us right away using the number in your confirmation.
Reservations & Age
The primary guest on the reservation must be at least 21 years old and must be physically staying at the property during the reservation. A valid government-issued photo ID may be required at any time.
Reservations made under false pretenses or for someone other than the named guest may be cancelled without refund.
Payment & Card on File
A valid credit or debit card is required to hold every reservation. By booking, you authorize The Cedar to charge that card for the reservation total, any applicable taxes and fees, and any incidental charges (including additional cleaning, damages, or policy-violation fees described below).
Reservations booked through third-party platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Expedia) are also subject to that platform's payment and authorization terms in addition to ours.
Occupancy & Visitors
Each room has a maximum occupancy listed on its detail page and at the time of booking. Exceeding the stated occupancy — including overnight visitors not listed on the reservation — is not permitted and may result in additional charges or removal from the property without refund.
Day visitors are welcome in shared outdoor spaces (the courtyard and waterfront seating) during reasonable hours, but rooms are for registered guests only.
Pets
The Cedar is pet-friendly — we love hosting four-legged guests on the bay. To keep things comfortable for every guest, please follow the guidelines below.
Dogs only, maximum 2 dogs per room, each under 50 lbs. Please disclose your dog at the time of booking so the pet fee can be applied and so we can prepare the room appropriately.
ADA service animals are welcome at no charge, with advance notice appreciated. Emotional support animals are welcomed under the same terms as other pets.
While you're here: please clean up after your dog around the property, keep dogs leashed in common areas, and don't leave pets unattended in the room.
Bringing an undisclosed pet into a room — or exceeding the dog count or size limit — will result in a minimum $250 cleaning fee and may result in removal from the property without refund.
Smoking
All rooms and indoor common areas are strictly non-smoking. This includes cigarettes, cigars, vapes, e-cigarettes, cannabis, and any other smoking material.
Smoking indoors — including in the bathroom, with windows open, or any attempt to mask the smoke — will result in a $500 cleaning and deodorizing fee charged to the card on file.
Smoking is permitted outdoors in designated areas only. Please dispose of cigarette butts in the receptacles provided.
Quiet Hours & Events
Quiet hours: 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM. Please be considerate of other guests — the buildings are intimate and sound carries.
The Cedar is a quiet, relaxed property. Parties, large gatherings, and event-style functions are not permitted in or around the rooms. If you'd like to host a small group at the property, please contact us before booking so we can discuss options.
Parking
Free on-site parking is available for registered guests. Your pre-arrival email will direct you to the correct lot for your room:
Rooms 1–6 (waterfront side) use the front lot. Rooms 7–12 (courtyard side) use the rear lot.
One vehicle per room is standard. If you need additional parking, let us know in advance. Boat trailers and oversized vehicles cannot be accommodated on-site without prior arrangement.
Wildlife & Insects
The Cedar sits directly on Sandusky Bay, which means we share our property with an active and beautiful natural ecosystem — and occasionally, its insects. Depending on the season, you may encounter mayflies (a harmless but dramatic Lake Erie summer hatch), midges, mosquitoes, spiders, ladybugs, or the occasional wasp. You may also see geese, ducks, gulls, and other wildlife on or near the property.
We treat the property regularly and keep common areas tidy, but bugs and wildlife are part of waterfront life. Please help us by keeping room doors closed, not leaving food or trash outside, and not feeding wildlife. Report any concerns to us right away so we can address them.
Refunds are not issued for insect activity, weather, or other natural conditions outside our control.
Cleaning & Damages
Each room is professionally cleaned and reset between every stay as part of our standard turnover. We don't ask guests to strip beds, do dishes, or take out trash — leave it tidy and we'll handle the rest.
Additional cleaning. If a room requires cleaning beyond what is standard and customary at checkout — including but not limited to excessive trash, food spills, stains on bedding or upholstery, sand or mud tracked throughout the room, pet hair (when pets were undisclosed), or any condition requiring extra labor or replacement of linens — a cleaning fee of $150 minimum will be charged to the card on file, with additional charges assessed based on the time and materials required.
Damages. Guests are responsible for any damage to the room, furnishings, or property beyond normal wear and tear, whether caused by the guest, their party, or their visitors. The cost of repair or replacement will be charged to the card on file.
Missing items. Items removed from the room (linens, decor, electronics) will be charged at replacement cost.
Cancellation
Cancellation terms are set at the time of booking and depend on the channel and rate plan you booked through (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Expedia, or direct via our website). Your booking confirmation will list the specific cancellation window that applies to your reservation.
For direct bookings: cancellations made at least 7 days before check-in receive a full refund of the room rate. Cancellations within 7 days of check-in are non-refundable, though we'll always try to rebook the dates and offer a credit when we can.
No-shows and same-day cancellations are charged the full reservation amount.
Right to Refuse Service
The Cedar reserves the right to refuse service, cancel a reservation, or require a guest to leave the property — without refund — for any of the following: violation of these policies, damage to the property, disturbing other guests, illegal activity, providing false information at the time of booking, or any behavior our team determines to be unsafe or disrespectful.
Liability & Assumption of Risk
The Cedar is a waterfront property. The bay, shoreline, parking lots, courtyard, and surrounding areas are used at your own risk. The Cedar is not responsible for personal injury, illness, loss, or damage to personal property occurring on or around the property, except to the extent required by law.
Guests are responsible for their own safety and the safety of anyone in their party, including children. Children must be supervised at all times, especially near the water and parking areas.
By staying at The Cedar, you acknowledge and accept these risks on behalf of yourself and everyone in your reservation.
Contact & Emergencies
Non-urgent questions: hello@stayatthecedar.com
During your stay: use the number in your confirmation email or pre-arrival message. Our team is on-site or nearby and will respond as quickly as possible.
Emergencies: In the event of a fire, medical emergency, or any situation that puts a person in immediate danger, call 911 first. You can also ring the office bell at the property for after-hours assistance.