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| Help FAQ | Vacation Rental Homes on the North Fork of Long Island, New York |
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What's the best way to transfer from Manhattan or the airport?
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How do we proceed and when will our reservation be confirmed?
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What happens if there is a problem in the house that needs attention during our stay?
1. What is Southold like?
Southold is on East End of the North Fork of Long Island, New York, approximately a 55 minute drive from McArthur Islip Airport, 1-1/2 hours from JFK International Airport and 2 to 2-1/2hours from Manhattan, depending on traffic and time of year.
Long Island is shaped like a fish, with JFK airport near the eye of the fish and the North and South Forks making up the tail. Locally, the North Fork is known as the “Un-Hamptons”, being less developed than the better known Hamptons on the South Fork. We do not have the same crowds, traffic and price tags of the Hamptons, yet we can boast an increasing number of amenities whilst retaining the natural beauty that make it all the more attractive as a holiday venue.
At the heart of Long Island's Wine Country, the Township of Southold has many of the 40 vineyards that are now offering wine tasting, cultural and social events throughout most of the year. The area also retains many family owned and run fruit and vegetable farms offering fresh produce – the best white peaches, apples, beans, peppers, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower you will ever taste.
Southold is surrounded by many small villages, each with its own unique character, also beautiful beaches and parks, historic buildings, antique shops, arts and crafts galleries, designer stores, fun bars and fine dining. With it's two coastlines, one on the Sound, the other on the Bay, there is a variety of beaches to chose from, some facing Shelter Island and the Hamptons, with white sandy beaches, others with high bluffs and dramatic sunsets over the rocks that face the Connecticut shore.
below is a weather chart for the area showing highs and lows for different seasons:
2. What's the best way to transfer from Manhattan or the airport?
Many of our visitors arrive by air, from destinations including Europe and the US West Coast, and want to combine a relaxing week at the beach with time in the bright city lights of Manhattan. While we sometimes hear from departing guests that they would rather have skipped the city and spent more time with us, a combined holiday can work very well. One option is to base yourself at our beach house and take day trips to NYC, 2 hours each way, but if you plan to do this more than once or twice during a week's stay, you might want to split your holiday and spend a week with us followed by a week in the city, or visa versa. We appreciate that you have many choices, so the following information is simply intended as an introduction to some of the options available to you, and is not meant to steer you in any particular direction. We are not affiliated with any of the businesses mentioned.
Transferring to and from Manhattan. The best way to transfer between Southold and Manhattan is by luxury coach, picking up a hire car locally. The trains are good, but run infrequently and involve one or two changes. With luggage, this is not a good option. Everyone, including locals, uses Hampton Jitney , which has a convenient schedule, movies and a lavatory on board, and takes 2 hours. Book in advance by phone. Cash only.
For local car hire, Hertz in Cutchogue, zip 11935. Please note this is not open after about 1pm Saturday for pick up until Monday morning. Cutchogue to the house is a simple 10 minute scenic drive and there are many interesting places to stop along the way.
Transferring to and from the airport. The nearest international airport is JFK (John F Kennedy) in Queens. To transfer directly to Southold, we recommend that either you hire a car at the airport, or arrange to be picked up (see below), then hire a car locally in Riverhead (see above). Allow an hour and a half. The first hour is mainly LIE (Long Island Expressway), which is motorway, followed by a half hour drive through all the small villages on the North Fork. If you are not experienced with freeway driving in the US, or just want to kick back after your flight, then we recommend you take advantage of being picked up at the airport.
To be driven to and from the airport, we recommend Eastern Long Island Limo, Southold. Their driver will check your flight for delays and adjust as necessary at no extra cost. Considering the distance and possible waiting time involved, we think their rate of roughly $160 each way excluding tip (allow 20%) is very reasonable. Call us for details. They are not online.
A tip: Whoever you use for car service, you may need a Minivan to accomodate a family of 4 with luggage rather than a normal saloon car. If a saloon car is adequate, make sure you order a "Town Car", which is a good quality, private saloon car, the equivalent of a high end minicab service in the UK. Do not confuse this with a cab, taxi or stretch limo. It's not the same thing. Taxis are shared by working people who do not own a car and need to go food shopping, commute to work and take their sick pets to the vet etc.. If you order a "taxi", expect it to go on a circuitous route, picking up and dropping off others along the way, everyone squashed together with their shopping, pets etc. Do not expect it to arrive on time, or to head off in the direction you want to go. It's not uncommon for it to break down either, so whilst this makes for an interesting experience, as a general rule, do NOT order a "taxi"!!! A "cab" is the yellow cab you hail to get around Manhattan. Yellow cabs do not serve Long Island. Although yellow cabs are available at the airport to take you to the city, if you attempt to get into one and ask them to bring you to Southold, they will tell you to get out. If not, get out anyway. You do not want to pay the fare they will charge. Just to add to the confusion, a town car is sometimes also called a "limo", so make sure any "limo" you are offered is not a "stretch limo", or you can expect one of those very long white cars with smoked windows that take up to 24 people, with a uniformed chauffeur, TV and cocktail bar. This will cost about $100 an hour, so unless you want to be Prom King and Queen for the day, stick with a Minivan or Town Car from Eastern Long Island Limo, and you won't go far wrong.
3. Do we need a car?
Yes you do. There are no stores within walking distance of the house, so you will need a car or bicycle for a short ride into the village center and to access the food stores, restaurants, tasting rooms etc. There are many things to do, whatever the season, and in the summer, two visitor information booths offer maps and guides to suit all tastes. The nearest large town is Riverhead, where you will find a tax free designer outlet center, world class aquarium, a nearby Water park, dinosaur museum and restored Vaudeville theater, amongst other attractions. Moving east, Love Lane in Mattituck has a wonderful Cheese shop, Bakery and Candy and Chocolate Shop, a must for romantics on Valentines Weekend, or any time of year. And beyond Southold, Greenport is a bustling seaport with a historic village center, fine restaurants, sidewalk cafes, fishing charters, arts and craft galleries, antique stores, a movie theater, many historic buildings, a working Victorian Carousel and when the temperature drops below 50 degrees farenheit, an outdoor ice rink. From there, you can take a 10 minute ferry ride over to exclusive Shelter Island, or continue on to magnificent Orient State Park, at the very tip of the North Fork. Whether your thing is ice sailing in the winter or taking a trip round a lighthouse in the summer, there's always something to do on the water. For local car hire, we recommend Hertz in Cutchogue. Please scroll up for information about transferring to and from the airport and Manhattan.
4. How close is the house to the beach?
The house is 1 mile from beautiful Cedar Beach County Park, and about the same to Goose Creek public beach, which is attended by Life Guards from the end of May through September.
5. Are the public beaches clean and suitable for swimming?
Yes, the beaches are beautiful, mainly sugar sand and small shingle. You will see people swimming on the North Fork from around mid-June through October, using both private and public beaches. In the USA, a private beach means that you own the land to the point where it is covered by water at high tide. Other people may walk the beach at low tide so far as the high water mark, but not beyond that, and they may not use a private floating dock.
6. Can we bring our own boat or rent one?
The Deacon James Horton house does not have access to a dock, but you are welcome to bring a boat and use the public launches. The nearest public launch for boats up to 20ft is at the end of Pine Neck Road, which is less than miles away. Please provide us with the details of your boat for confirmation that it will be suitable. Kayaks are available to rent locally, also Private Charters.
7. What phone and internet service do you provide?
There is a phone line installed in the house for local calls, and incoming long distance and international only.
Cell/ Mobile phone service is mixed, depending on your provider, but improving daily. We use Verizon Wireless, Nextel and AT&T have few problems anywhere on the North Fork with those, but for other providers and our international guests, we can provide an optional “pay as you go” cell/ mobile phone on request. Phone cards are available locally in units of $5 and up. There is an additional security deposit of $100 for use of the phone, which is our replacement cost if you leave it on the beach and the tide comes in. We do not refund unused minutes, which are passed on to the next person or expire.
WIFI / high speed cable Internet service is provided at the house using Optimum Online (the best!). We do not provide a computer (too much liability), but feel free to bring your own laptop and connect anywhere in the house. Also, if you have "Skype" on your computer, you can make international calls for FREE using the VOIP.
8. Why is the occupancy limited to a maximum of 6 to 8 guests?
Some vacation rentals will happily accommodate 10 or even 12 occupants in a house this size with the same number of bedrooms. We set a lower limit for good reasons. If you are familiar with Southold, then you know that we do not have municipal sewerage and that each house has its own septic system. For this reason, the house cannot cope with larger groups, hence we do not offer the house as a venue for wedding or party groups, and we limit occupancy to protect our guests from getting themselves into any trouble. We want you to have a problem free vacation.
9. How is the house laid-out for sleeping arrangements?
Each of the four bedrooms accommodates 2 people in a full size double bed, which is a small double. Three of the bedrooms provide ample closet and dresser space for suitcases and belongings, and gives each of our guests a better sense of privacy for sleeping, reading, relaxing, etc. In addition, the fouth bedroom provides an extra bed for 1 or 2 people, but has limited storage, with a hanging closet for clothes in the corridor outside, but no dresser. There are no additional sleep couches or rollaway beds. The master bedroom has a wonderful four poster bed and portable AC unit. Fans in all other bedrooms. Please bear in mind this is a 300 year old house and it does not have touch pad climate control. In the summer, it can be hot. Check out the Floor Plans to see how this could work for you.
It is our desire to provide guests with a comfortable living environment, and we will not accept requests to reserve for more than 8 guests in total, including children.
Please note that the owners of this particular home do not provide any childrens equipment at this time, including no stair gates, no high chair, no travel cot, no toys. Please browse our other listings if you require a home that is supplied with these items.
10. Is the water safe to drink?
Yes, it is municipal water. We do not recommend drinking from any outdoor fresh water outlets, as this is likely to be unfiltered well water, although many locals do drink unfiltered well water in their own homes.
11. Do you allow pets?
Yes, your pets may be allowed on request. The owner of the home has requested details of pets you may wish to bring before making a decision. Please email us with details.
12. Is this a non-smoking house?
Yes. Smoking inside the house will result in the forfeit of your deposit and terminate the lease. You may smoke outside the house provided you dispose of butts properly in the ashtrays provided. If you smoke anywhere where there is no ashtray provided, please take one with you.
13. What are the rates and are they negotiable?
As a guideline, you should allow $1,800 to $3,500 per week, depending on the season and number of occupants. Discounts are rarely offered unless there is a last minute cancellation. Rates are extremely competitive for a home with all the amenities that this house offers. In order to maintain high standards, we incur certain “per use” costs for every rental, regardless of the time of year, the number of people, or duration of stay, but we will give you our client's best rate at the time of your inquiry. Rates published on this website and any listing sites on which we advertise are changeable without notice.
14. Is there any Sales Tax?
No. A house is not a hotel. We do not rent rooms by the night, neither do we provide a daily maid service, meals, entertainment or any other type of hotel service. If we did, we would be charging you New York State sales tax. Please do not ask us to provide these services.
15. Are there any extra charges on top of the rent?
Not if you comply with the terms of the lease and leave the house as you find it. All utilities are included in your rent, also BBQ gas, Cable TV and trash removal. We include the cost of cleaning the house before your arrival and a normal house clean after you leave, and we provide all the linens and household towels. If you clean up the kitchen and leave the house tidy, there should be nothing else for you to pay. Extra cleaning is very rarely charged, but we reserve the right to do so if anyone leaves the house in a very messy state.
16. What are the payment options?
We ask for 50% advance rent to confirm the booking, with the balance of rent and security deposit payable 45 days in advance of arrival. If you book 6-9 months in advance, you may spread the payments across three installments rather than two. If you book less than 45 days prior to your arrival, we will ask for one payment in full.
Our preferred method of payment is by personal check/ cheque in US$. We also accept payment by bank transfer, and by Credit Card through Paypal. Our current bank charges are about $35 per transaction to receive a wire transfer and 3.9% Paypal fees. Should you choose one of the options that attract bank fees, these are passed on to you.
17. What is your cancellation policy?
Should you wish to cancel at any time, advance rent paid is fully refundable, less a $200.00 processing charge, if the premises are re-rented for the same period at the same rate or higher rate, otherwise the difference is forfeit. We recommend all guests take out travel insurance. Click here to compare and purchase travel insurance.
18. How do I proceed and when will my reservation be confirmed?
Once the details have been agreed informally, we will forward a Lease Agreement to you by email, fax or snail mail, asking you to print this out, sign and return to us, together with your first payment. Your reservation is confirmed when you have received your copy of the rental agreement, signed and dated by the Landlord. We allow a reasonable amount of time for you to return the paperwork to us and in the meantime, we wait list any other inquiries. The whole process can be expedited for last minute bookings.
19. What happens if there is a problem in the house that needs attention during our stay?
We check the house thoroughly prior to your arrival and perform regular maintenance on all appliances and systems as a matter of routine. However, with only 4 hours to turn a whole house round between guests, it is possible that we could miss something that a departing guest may not have reported to us. If so, rest assured it will be fixed in a professional and timely manner. We live in the area and we are normally available at short notice, 24/7 if necessary.
20. How can I get answers to additional questions I have?
We are happy to answer additional questions. Please click here and send us an email,
or phone us on +1 631 734-8176 any day up to 9pm Eastern Standard time.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Property Angels Vacation Rentals Team