Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there Wi-Fi in the room?
- Is there air-conditioning?
- Are there pots and pans?
- Does each unit have a hair dryer?
- Are there beach chairs and umbrellas to take to the beach?
- What restrictions are there on use of the chairs and chaise lounges?
- Are there barbecue grills?
- Can I smoke in my unit?
- Are the mattresses comfortable?
- Can you push the murphy beds in units #17 &/or #19 together?
- When is check-in and checkout?
- Is there a checkout process?
- Can we checkout late?
- Q: What if we arrive early?
- Are there security deposits or cleaning fees?
- We will be arriving late at night. Will someone be there?
- When do I pay?
- What if I cancel? What if I postpone?
- Will there be red tide?
- Where is the Beachcomber?
- Where is a particular unit located?
- Why the differences in unit features?
- How do I check what units are available for any date?
- Why is availability only shown for about 11 months into the future?
- What if I need to change arrival or departure dates?
- What if I want to change which unit has been reserved?
- Can I pre-pay in installments?
- Are pets allowed?
- What is my unit's phone number?
- Is phone use free?
- Do you have laundry facilities?
- What housekeeping services do you provide?
- Are there special rules for pool use?
- What parking is available?
- Q: What's the Turtle Ordinance all about?
- Is there anyone to help with luggage?
- Do you recycle?
- What amenities do you offer?
- Q: Is there Wi-Fi in the room?
A: Yes. All units and common areas have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi (B/G/N). Computers
equipped with N-capable adapters will have the highest connection speeds, but G adapters will work well for most tasks. We also have free wired ethernet
connections and cables available in the lobby. Use of our eithernet connected computer and printer in the lobby is also free of charge to our guests.
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- Q: Is there air-conditioning?
A: Yes, all units have central heating and cooling except our efficiency, which has has a window
unit. You control the thermostat. back
- Q: Do units have pots and pans?
A: Yes. All units have fully equipped kitchens, including pots and pans, a microwave, a
conventional stove and oven, cookware, cooking utensils, dishes, glasses, mugs, and silverware. back
- Q: Does each unit have a hair dryer?
A: Yes. There is a hairdryer in each bathroom. back
- Q: Are beach chairs, umbrellas, etc. available that can be taken on the beach?
A: Usually. There are beach chairs, umbrellas,
floats, pool noodles, sand buckets, shovels, etc. Please feel free to use any of these items. We only ask that, after use, items be rinsed free of sand and returned
to their racks or toy boxes. back
- Q: Are there restrictions on the use of chairs and chaise lounges?
A: We invite guests to freely use all of the seating, but ask that chairs and lounges remain on Beachcomber grounds and not be carried onto the beach. Each
unit has two outside chairs that are intended only to be used by their corresponding residence. In order to keep the community functioning in top form, we
ask that chairs and lounges from common areas be kept only in common areas, and not be moved onto individual porches/balconies or into the fenced pool
area. Additionally, when using sunscreen, please use a towel to protect seating surfaces. back
- Q: Are there barbecue grills?
A: Yes. There are three charcoal grills. Please bring your own charcoal and lighter.
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- Q: Can I smoke in my unit?
A: Smoking in units, common areas, in front of the building, and on the beach (Venice city
ordinance) is prohibited. We have a designated guest smoking area behind the laundry room. back
- Q: Are the mattresses comfortable?
Yes. Mattresses are replaced when needed. We welcome your feedback.
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- Q: Can you push the Murphy beds in units #17 and #19 together?
A: Unfortunately, they are anchored to the walls
and cannot be moved. back
- Q: When is check-in and checkout?
A: Check-in is at 3:00 PM and checkout is at 10:00 AM.
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- Q: Is there a checkout process?
A: There is no formal checkout procedure, but we encourage and greatly appreciate the
use of suggestion cards. There is a card drop-box in the lobby. back
- Q: Can we checkout late?
A: In general, we try to be as accommodating as possible, but late checkouts have to be
approved in advance by the manager. This policy is related to our housekeeping procedures, and allows for the housekeepers to have adequate time to
clean and prepare for the next guests, who frequently arrive at 3 PM on the same day. back
- Q: What if we arrive early?
A: Check-in is at 3 p.m. If you do arrive early and your unit has been cleaned and readied for occupancy, you may occupy it at that time. Otherwise, the unit cannot be occupied until the housekeeper has completed her duties. back
- Q: Are there Security Deposits or Cleaning Fees?
A. No. Your stay is all-inclusive and there are absolutely no extras or
hidden fees. Housekeeping services and local phone service is included. A 25% deposit is required to confirm a reservation and this amount is credited to
you at the time of check-in. Housekeeping gratuities are not required, but are greatly appreciated. back
- Q: We will be arriving late at night. Will someone be there?
A: Many guests arrive after our manager has left for the day.
If you will be arriving late in the day, please let us know beforehand and we'll leave your room open and place keys inside. If any payment is due, we'll
make arrangements for the next business day. back
- Q: When do I pay?
A. Full payment is due at the time of check-in or on the next business day if you arrive in the evening.
We accept payment by check, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Please refer to our complete Terms of Rental for extra information. back
- Q: What if I cancel? What if I postpone?
A: Please refer to our no-hassle cancellation policy. Deposits can be carried forward (no fee) or returned
if we have been notified within the cancellation time limit. Outside of the cancellation time limit, deposits must remain attached to the original unit. We will make
every effort to accommodate you. back
- Q: Will there be red tide?
A: Unfortunately, it's not currently possible to predict when red tides will occur. Please call
ahead or check on the internet for current conditions and more information about
the varied effects of these natural events. Red tides are covered under one of our "special exceptions" in the no-hassle cancellation
policy. Remember also that you can always carry forward your deposit. back
- Q: Where is the Beachcomber?
A: We are located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, on Venice island, about a mile
south of the Historic Venice downtown area. Our address is 720 Golden Beach Boulevard, Venice FL 34285. Please see the maps and travel directions section for more information.
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- Q: Where is a particular unit located?
A: Please refer to our building floor plan.
Units 1-10 are on the ground floor and 11-20 are on the second floor. Unit 11 is directly about unit 1, unit 12 is directly above unit 2, etc. There are several sets
of stairs, but unfortunately no elevators. back
- Q: Why the differences in unit features?
A: The Beachcomber is a condominium, an association of many owners. Although
we have standardized some elements, such as housekeeping, tile floors, towels, etc., each individual owner is responsible for furnishing their own condo,
which we feel helps to establish an atmosphere and personality unique to each unit. back
- Q: How do I check what units are available for any date?
A: Our online availability calendar has many features to assist your vacation planning. The page opens to display
the current month plus the next few months, but the display can be customized to show only select units, unit types, or other date ranges. back
- Q: Why is availability only shown for about 11 months into the future?
A: Our policy of giving existing renters the
opportunity to rebook the same unit for the same time during the following year makes our regulars feel they "own" the unit without the hassle, obligation, or
expense of purchasing and maintaining a vacation property. It really is like owning a time-share by default. You must re-book before departure, so until we
know your plans we do not accept reservations for the unit in which you are staying. back
- Q: What if I need to change arrival or departure dates?
A: This happens frequently and we'll do our best to accommodate
any changes. Please call
or email.
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- Q: What if I want to change which unit has been reserved?
A: We will do our very best to work with guests in order to
reach suitable arrangements. In an effort to maintain fairness between owners, deposit returns may be conditionally approved, based upon ability to re-rent
and advance notice. Please refer to our
cancellation policy for further information. back
- Q: Can I pre-pay in installments?
A: Yes. Several of our guests have chosen this method of payment.
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- Q: Are pets allowed?
A: No. Pets are NOT allowed on premises. back
- Q: What is my unit's phone number?
A: Phone numbers for each unit can be found in the blue welcome book. Additionally,
please refer to this link to view a complete phone
number directory. back
- Q: Is phone use free?
A: Local calls are completely free (this includes calls to Venice, Englewood, Northport, and Sarasota). Other calls require
a calling card, credit card, or your own cell phone. Additionally, VoIP calls can be made using our free Wi-Fi or the lobby computer. So bring your VoIP
gizmos, use your Skype account with your smartphone, or setup a Jajah account and use the phone in
your unit. back
- Q: Do you have laundry facilities?
A. Yes. The laundry room is located on the first floor and the detergent is provided for
free, although the machines require quarters to operate. There are two washers and two dryers, and we only ask that clothing be removed from the machines
in a timely manner, so that they are available to all guests. The housekeepers use the machines to wash towels and linen. Sometimes they're all done with them
by noon, occasionally they are still doing laundry until into the evening. back
- Q: What housekeeping services do you provide?
A: Housekeeping services are scheduled based upon original arrival
dates and a weekly calendar. Fresh towels are provided every Tuesday and Thursday (or equivalent). A maid service is provided every week, based upon arrival dates, and
includes fresh linens, bathroom cleaning and restocking, and vacuuming/washing all floors but does not include dusting, cleaning dishes, or counters.
All of these services are included at no additional charge. back
- Q: Are there special rules for pool use?
A: The pool is a great place to soak up the famous Florida sunshine. Safety is a top
priority for the Beachcomber community, so we ask that guests follow a few guidelines. There is no lifeguard on duty, so swimming is considered an "at your
own risk" activity. Parents must be responsible for their children at all times. Diving, running, glass containers, and lounge chairs are not allowed in the fenced
pool area. Please remove all toys, swim rings, floats, etc. from the pool after use and remember to only unhook the float line when swimming laps. Shower
poles are provided to rinse off sand. back
- Q: What parking is available?
A: The parking area provides space for one car per apartment. Trailers and oversize
vehicles should park in the street, where there is adequate space for extended lengths. In order to make sure that all guests have access to a parking space,
please request that visitors park along the street. back
- Q: What's the Turtle Ordinance all about?
A: Turtle nesting season begins May 1st and runs through October 31st. During
this time, our shell wielding friends journey back to their home beaches, 90% of which are located in Florida, and lay eggs that start hatching the beginning of
July. Hatchlings use moonlight reflecting off of water to find their way to the water and artificial light sources can confuse them. Luckily, amber and yellow light
doesn't attract hatchlings, so exterior areas have been fitted with special "legal" lights. Furthermore, Federal ordinances dictate that interior lights not be
visible from dusk until dawn during this season, and compliance officers walk beaches at night looking for stray lights and issuing citations. We ask that
tenants be responsible for preventing light leakage and make sure that doors, shades, and blinds are closed each night. Additionally, it is a violation of
federal law to touch or otherwise disturb a turtle, nest, or hatchling ... and they might bite :) back
- Q: Is there anyone to help with luggage?
A: No. However, a two-wheeled hand truck is available in the lobby. Please keep
in mind that there are no elevators. back
- Q: Do you recycle?
A: Yes. We provide a dumpster for refuse and bins for recyclable items. The first bin is for paper, while
the second and third bins are for glass, aluminum, and plastic. back
- Q: What amenities do you offer?
A: For a list of amenities, please refer to this page. Also, our links page offers
suggestions relating to local restaurants and Venice area activities, and a binder in the lobby contains local restaurant menus recommended by guests. Local
businesses keep our lobby stocked with attraction brochures as well. back
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