Booking Policies
The Ark is a family friendly bed & breakfast on Deer Isle in Downeast Maine. In preparation for your stay with us, please read the following policy information, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us directly at the inn.
We take reservations up to a year in advance. If you make a reservation for 2026, our Standard Cancellation Policy (detailed below) will apply.
Payment Requirements
A 50% deposit is required to guarantee your reservation for two or more nights. For a one-night stay, 100% deposit is required. Deposits can be made via Master Card, Visa, American Express, or Discover. The balance of your stay will be charged to the credit card on file 14 days prior to arrival. A credit card number is required for all reservations, regardless of payment type.
Standard Cancellation Policy for 2026 Reservations
Due to our small size and short season, cancellations can have a significant detrimental impact on our business. If you cancel your reservation 15 days or more prior to arrival date, your deposit, minus a 10% processing fee, will be refunded. The balance of the reservation will be charged at 14 days. For cancellations made 14 days or less prior to your arrival, your payment will not be refunded. Shortening your stay is considered a cancellation for those nights. A 10% processing fee will be applied to any refund issued. Multi-room group stays have longer cancellation periods, and different policies, which can be explained at the time of booking. If you have concerns about this policy, we suggest that you purchase trip insurance. For a free quote from Allianz Travel Insurance, visit Allianz Travel Insurance.
Tax
9% Maine Lodging tax is added to all lodging, food, and beverage charges.
Check-in/Check-out
We ask that guests check in from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Please call or text us at 207-348-6615 if you will be arriving after 5:00 p.m. We will gladly provide instructions for you to get settled into your room if you will be arriving later. We cannot accommodate early arrivals or late check-outs, due to the short window we have to complete room turnovers. Check-out is by 11:00 a.m. If you check out after 11:00 a.m., a late fee of $100 will be charged.
Minimum Stay
Minimum night stays may apply. Please check availability for specifics.
Alcohol
We have a bar onsite, guests may purchase drinks during bar hours. Due to our liquor license rules, if you bring your own alcohol onsite, it may only be consumed in your room. If you purchase alcohol from us, you may consume it throughout the inn or outdoors. Thank you in advance for helping us keep our liquor license safe.
Children
We have found that families with small children are most comfortable in one of our cottages, which offer greater privacy, a small kitchen, additional space, and televisions. While not required, but in consideration of our other guests, we gratefully ask that families with very young children consider one of our cottages for their stay.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in the inn, cottages or on any decks as required by law. This includes, cigars, cigarettes, e-cigarettes and marijuana. Guests unable to comply with this policy will be charged a $500 cleaning fee and asked to find alternative accommodations.
Extra Guests
Rates are based on double occupancy. Select rooms (not cottages) may accommodate children 12 and under on small cots with prior approval; not all rooms can accommodate additional guests. Cottages can accommodate up to four guests total (no cots). Additional guests are $55 per person, per night.
Pets
Small to medium-sized dogs are permitted in our cottages only with advance approval. Dogs are not permitted in the main Inn, except for service animals as defined by Titles ll and lll of the ADA. A maximum of one medium-sized dog or two small dogs is permitted per cottage. A one-time $75 pet cleaning fee will be added for each approved pet. The following policies apply:
- The Ark reserves the right to charge the guest’s credit card for any damage caused by a dog, commensurate with the cost of repair or replacement.
- A maximum of one medium-sized dog or two small dogs is permitted per cottage.
- Cats and other pets are not permitted anywhere on the property.
- Dogs must be fully trained, housebroken, and under the guest’s control at all times. Dogs are not permitted on beds or upholstered furniture.
- Dogs may not be left unattended unless securely crated. If a dog disturbs other guests by barking or other disruptive behavior, it may not be left unattended.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash while on the grounds and are not permitted inside the main Inn or Dining Room unless they are service animals as defined by the ADA.
- Guests are responsible for cleaning up after their dog while on the property.
- Service animals must remain under the handler’s control at all times and must be housebroken. The Ark reserves the right to require the removal of any animal, including a service animal, that is out of control, not housebroken, or poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, in accordance with applicable law.