Frequently Asked Questions by our guests at Rivers Edge Cottages

What is your cancellation policy?
There's a cancellation fee of $25 charged on all cancellations.
(We will gladly credit the $25 cancellation fee to a future reservation booked by same guests previously charged the fee.)
In addition, if you cancel within 2 weeks of your stay, you will forfeit the rate of one night plus tax, unless we are able to get the dates booked by another party. Cancellations within 48 hours of your arrival date are charged as no-shows at the full rate.

Keep in mind that when you book a cabin, you have purchased or rented the cabin for those specific dates. You are not required to be here for the dates rented; only to pay for them.
Thank you for considering our position in cancellations; our sincere desire is to never profit from cancellations, yet this business is our family's sole source of income.

Do you charge the deposit as soon as we book with you?
Yes. We will charge the first night's rate plus tax at the time of booking. The balance will be paid at check in.

Do you allow pets?
Although we love pets and have a couple of great Labs (Peter and Sam, who do not come inside our home), we have a strict no-pet policy. Please don’t ask us to make exceptions for your pet, even though yours is well-trained, doesn’t shed hair, and you can’t find a pet-sitter. We have many guests who are allergic and appreciate the fact that we don’t allow pets into our cabins.  Thanks.

Do you have TV’s, DVD’s, or VCR’s?
None of our cabins have TV’s. That’s by design, by the way.
We’ve found that through the years since start up, we’ve received far more compliments on this policy than complaints.
The idea we have is to provide a place where families and couples alike get away from the usual distractions that tend to keep them from doing things like personal reflection, reading, having fun, and getting to know each other better. These things are good.        

Can we canoe the river while we are there?
Yes. We keep canoes down at the river at a couple of locations so that you may go float or play anytime you like.
We are NOT a canoe float service, however, that shuttles you up or down the river for long canoe trips.  Our canoes are for use by our guests only, here on our stretch of the river.  You may go as far as you like, provided you paddle the canoe back to where you got in. Paddling up stream usually isn’t too difficult on our part of the river. We have some whitewater, but also a couple of longer, slow-moving stretches of water that are great for easy paddling.

Will you help us arrange a float trip while staying there?
Yes we will.  There are a few services nearby who will take you or
your vehicle up/down stream and supply you a canoe/kayak. The local outfitter is Cloud Nine at 580.244.3569 they usually can’t do floats during mid-late summer; only the lower Mtn. Fork may be floated during dry months. Call Ambush Adventures at 580.584.2273 for floats there.

I've tried to utilize your availability page. Is it working?
Do you have a pop-up blocker? That may be the problem, since the calendar pops up in a different window.
The calendar is real-time and accurate; the dates shown available will have $ amounts, unavailable dates will be blocked.

Do you have a minimum requirement? I’ve tried to book and the calendar says there’s a 2 night minimum.
We do have a minimum requirement of 2 nights per booking.
During holiday stretches, we may have a 3 night minimum.

Do you ever allow a one night booking?
Yes, but only occasionally.  We never allow advance, one night bookings, unless they occur “in-between” two other bookings where only one night is available.

Why can’t I check in on a Sunday?  Will you make exceptions?
We like to take care of our cleaning staff, and this is a great way to do so.
We have guaranteed them that they will never have to work on Sundays. This allows them to have at least one day every week home with their families, which they really appreciate. We won’t budge on this one.
         

Why is there a 3 night minimum requirement on holidays?
Again, we like to take care of our staff.  As much as possible, we want to allow them holidays at home with their families.  Three night minimums reduce the number of cleanings required by our staff during holiday stretches.

Do you offer romantic packages?
We presently don’t have packages offered on our web site.  We will, however, do our best to meet your requests by supplying wine, champagne, flowers, or other items requested, whenever possible, in order to help make your stay memorable and special.
Don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll do what we can.

What time is check out? Can we leave later?
Check out time is 12 pm, which is later than most places. Very few B & B’s/hotels/resorts allow check out after 11am.
You may request a later check out, but it may not be granted. We stay extremely busy and probably have folks coming behind you—and most people want in as early as possible. We do charge for checking out late.

What time is check in? What about late arrivals?
We guarantee your cabin to be ready by 4pm. 
If you will be arriving later please let us know. Since we office at our home, it likely won’t be a problem; we would like to know when to expect you.

May we check in before 4pm?
Possibly. It depends on whether there is a check out from your cabin the same day you you’re arriving. We won’t grant an early check-in until the week of your stay. Call us a day or two prior to your stay to see.
We will do our best to have it ready as soon as possible, but please keep in mind…these aren’t motel rooms. The larger cabins require up to 4 hours of cleaning time; the smaller cabins require at least 2 ½ hours.  If your cabin will be cleaned the day before, you’re welcome to come anytime after noon.

How much do you charge for children?
We actually don’t charge you any extra for bringing your kids. We figure they cost enough as it is, and that to charge you for having children, or for bringing them along in order to build some great memories, is just plain wrong. They’re welcome here.
(We do charge for bringing someone else’s kids…$12.50/night/person.)

Why does my guest statement reflect a higher rate than I anticipated?
Some of our cabins have rates for 2 families/couples, others are priced for one family/couple.  In either case, you add $25/extra couple/night.
For example, our Riverbend Cabin’s rate is for 4 adults. If another couple
come along, you should add $25/night. The Bear Cottage is priced for one family/couple.  If a second couple comes along, add $25/night.

Where is Rivers Edge located?  How do I find it?
We are in northern McCurtain County, about 45 minutes northeast of the Broken Bow Lake/Beavers Bend area. We’re closest to Watson, which is on Hwy 4 east Smithville, OK.
Do not leave home without the driving directions from our web site. Also, do not depend on Mapquest to give you dependable directions.

What is your physical address?  I want to use Mapquest for directions.
*DO NOT USE MAPQUEST AT ALL!!! 
For some reason, Mapquest has proven completely undependable at providing good directions into our region.
We send our local driving directions in the confirmation email after you book with us; you may also get them online at our web site.
For the directions to our area…use a map! (This is rapidly becoming a lost art in the age of Mapquest and the cell phone, but it’s still the best way.)

Do cell phones work in your area?
Some cell phones work at most of our cabins. Cingular/AT&T seems to get decent coverage here, and seems to work at most places on our properties.
If you need to use a telephone, we provide one on the porch of our home/office, outside on a table. You may use this phone anytime, without asking. We’ll also get messages to you if anyone calls.

Do the cabins have telephones?
NO. We supply a landline for your use at the office, outside on the porch. You may notice that your cell phone has very “spotty” service as you drive in, but may work at your cabin, depending on its location.

Are there restaurants nearby?  Where can we get groceries?
The nearest dinner restaurants are 30-45 minutes away, at Mena, AR, or in the Broken Bow Lake area. You should definitely bring your groceries; it’s not convenient to get them after arriving.
There is a convenience store nearby that closes by 6pm and Sundays.
A 24 hr. convenience store, as well as a small grocery is located 15 min. east at Cove, AR.

Do you supply fishing equipment/tackle/bait?
We do not supply fishing equipment or tackle/bait. You should bring it or be prepared to drive 15 minutes (one way) for bait and 35 min. for tackle.

What kind of fishing tackle should I bring?
Light tackle works best for the smallmouth, goggle-eyed perch, and spotted bass in the river. Roostertails (1/8th oz.), grubs, jigs, small crankbaits, and topwater lures work well. As for baitfishing, worms should always draw some action.

Are trout in the upper Mountain Fork River?
NO. This portion of the river has no trout.  Only the lower part of the river coming off the bottom of the lake is cold enough to be stocked with trout. That area is in the Beavers Bend Park area, 45 minutes south on Hwy 259.

Can we ride ATV’s there?
Yes, you may bring and ride your 4-wheelers here, provided they are not the loud type. We do not provide or rent ATV’s and don’t know where you may do so. We have over 300 acres available for riding and all surrounding lands are accessible. We have few “trails”, really, but plenty of old roads and enough riding to make it worth your while to bring one along.
We only ask that you respect other guests by not riding in and out of their cabin areas too frequently.

Are your cottages air-conditioned?
Yes. All our cabins have central heat/air.

Do the cabins have hot tubs or jacuzzis?
All of our cottages have jacuzzi tubs, which are large enough for two people to comfortably fit. They are not “jetted bathtubs”, but oversized tubs built for two. Only one of our cabins, the River Ridge, has an outside hot tub.  It’s large enough for 4-6 people.

Do the cabins have fireplaces?  Is wood provided?
Yes to both questions. All cabins except the Riverbend cabin have real wood fireplaces; the Riverbend has no fireplace at all. Wood is provided in season—Oct.1 through March 15.

Do the cabins have firepits, or fire rings?
Yes. Each cabin has an outside firepit for roasting hot dogs, doing smores, etc. If you’re planning to build an outside fire, you may either gather wood (plentiful in the nearby woods) or bring your own.
Wood is provided for the firepits at both the River Ridge and Riverbend cabins.

Do the cabins have CD players?
Yes. All of our cabins have CD players.  The Whispering Heights and Windsong cottages each have Bose CD players.

May we burn candles in the cottages?
Yes you may.  We provide candles that are intended for using. Nothing provides ambience like the flicker of candlelight. Enjoy!

Can you swim or wade in the river?
If the river conditions are right, you can swim and wade in the river.  Keep in mind that this is a wild, free-flowing river, that does not have a “swim area”.  You will find the bottom is rocky and slick; that the water may become dingy with rain/runoff, and that it may be very low in the late summer.
You are advised to use extreme caution around/in/near the water, concerning possible falls, as well as snakes. Kids should always wear life vests and should only swim or wade under adult supervision.
Our own children spend a lot of time in the river and love it, but we watch them closely.

Do you offer military or other discounts?
Because we greatly support our military and appreciate the sacrifices they’re making, we offer active servicemen discounts and will especially work hard to accommodate husbands/dads trying to arrange getaways to coincide with leave, which can be changed last minute, and often without notice.
We normally don’t offer discounts, but do periodically offer “eCertificates” which may be signed up for on our web site. We will also consider discounting longer stays of five or more nights, depending on the time of year.

How do I make a reservation?
To book a cabin, simply go to our availability/reservations page on our web site and put in the dates you're after, or give us a call between 9am and 9pm. Online you'll be can view 2 weeks of our schedule, showing each of our cabin's availability. Select the dates you want, then enter the required info. We will charge your credit/debit card immediately for the first night's rate plus tax, and will send you a confirmation email containing driving directions and a statement. If you have no credit/debit card, you may send us a cashier's check, money order, or personal check for the full amount, or for at least one night plus tax (9.5%). Be sure to include the dates you want when you send payment. We won't book the cabin until your payment arrives.

Will I receive a confirmation email after booking online?
We’ll try to send you a confirmation email within 24 hours, but occasionally we’re away from the office longer than that.
***If you tried to book online, you likely now have a reservation. Do not assume that because you have not received a confirmation that you have no booking. This is the #1 cause of booking problems for us. Emails are often entered incorrectly, hence, guests don’t receive their confirmation, then assume they’re not booked.  Please do not do this! A phone call will always clear up any possible misunderstandings. Thanks for your help on this one.

Are the cabins handicap friendly?
Basically, NO. We apologize for this, but presently none of them are fully handicapped accessible. The Riverbend Cabin has only 3 steps up onto the porch and the Streamside has 3-4 steps down to enter. The Whispering Heights has very easy one-step entry, but has a lower level kitchen/jacuzzi/deck area that involves steps. The River Ridge has easy ground level access, and has a master BR, kitchen, dining room on that level, but has 3 other levels that require doing stairs to enter.

Do you allow smoking?
No smoking is allowed inside any of our cabins. It is allowed on decks and porches, provided you don’t litter the ground. There’s nothing quite like picking up cigarette butts, so thanks for your help there.