Frequently Asked Questions

Booking direct, always — at ahavenaway.com. You'll get our best rate, plus perks you won't find on other platforms.

Yes, and more! Every direct booking includes hassle-free damage protection automatically — no awkward back-and-forth if something gets bumped or broken. Some platforms make you ask the guest to cover costs before they'll even consider a claim; with us, it's just taken care of.

Yes! We're happy to split your stay into two payments to make planning easier.

Minimum stay varies by property and season — please check the listing page for your chosen haven for the most up-to-date information.

Yes, the lead guest on any reservation must be 25 or older.

Please check your specific property page or reach out to us directly for the most accurate information on cleaning fees.

Of course — just reach out and we'll do our best to shift your dates, subject to availability. We'd always rather help you reschedule than lose your stay altogether.

Definitely. Bay Haven and Palm Haven are just five minutes apart in North Beach, MD, so they're a wonderful pairing for big family reunions or group trips. Want to add a city day or a mountain getaway? Capitol Haven (DC) and Mountain Haven (Harpers Ferry, WV) are both within easy driving distance — reach out and we'll help you plan it.

Booking last-minute, traveling during low season, or choosing a weekday stay are usually your best bets for a lower rate — our pricing adjusts automatically, so it's always worth checking flexible dates if your schedule allows.

Yes! In January and February, we offer mid-term stays at our North Beach, MD properties (Palm Haven and Bay Haven) and at Beach Haven in Colonial Beach, VA — perfect for a slower-paced winter getaway, a remote work retreat, or an extended stay by the water. Reach out and we'll help you find the right fit for your dates.

Credit card companies charge us about 3% per transaction — when you pay by Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or bank transfer, we skip that fee and pass the savings on to you. Everything else about your booking stays exactly the same: same rental agreement, same cancellation terms, same protections. It's just a different way to pay, with a little something back for using it.

We follow a Firm policy, designed to be fair to everyone:

• Cancel 30+ days before check-in: full refund
• Cancel 7–29 days before check-in: 50% refund
• Cancel less than 7 days before check-in: no refund

We love hosting well-behaved dogs! Bring yours along for a $25/dog/night fee on stays under 7 nights. Just let us know your dog's age and confirm they're reliably house-trained, and we'll get them approved — we've genuinely never said no to a dog that meets this criteria. We ask that you give your pup a bath before you arrive, just to keep our homes fresh for the next guests. We don't allow cats or puppies.

No worries at all — as often mentioned in our reviews, our homes are kept spotless between every stay, pets or no pets, so you'll never know the difference.

It depends on the location! In North Beach, MD, dogs aren't permitted on the town's sand beach at any time, even on a leash — that's a town ordinance, not one of our rules. In Colonial Beach, VA, dogs are welcome on the sand beach and boardwalk from October 1 through March 31, but aren't allowed between April 1 and September 30. Leashed walks around town and on nearby trails are still a great option year-round.

Possibly! Take a peek at your guest portal — if the night before your stay remains available, early check-in will appear as an option. We'll confirm these requests the evening before your arrival, once we know our cleaning schedule. If we can't make it work, you're still welcome to drop your bags after noon and go enjoy lunch or a drink nearby — we'll let you know the moment your home is ready.

Same idea! Check your guest portal to see if the night of your checkout is available, and we'll confirm the evening before. If a late checkout is important to you, we'd actually recommend just booking an extra night — we tend to book up, and last-minute nights are often discounted automatically, so it may even work out cheaper.

Accidents happen, and we promise it's genuinely not a big deal. Every booking includes up to $1,500 in damage protection through Waivo, covered by a small $28 fee built into your stay. There's no deductible and nothing extra you'll owe — and we'd always rather you tell us than worry about it. We'll just be grateful you let us know!

Yes, and so much more — bath towels, bed linens, beach towels and gear at our beach properties, and a fully stocked kitchen ready for you to cook in from day one.

A classic drip coffee machine, with ground medium roast coffee and paper filters provided so you can get your morning going right away.

Most of our homes come with stainless steel cookware, a blender, electric kettle, toaster, drip coffee maker, bakeware, parchment paper, a well-stocked spice rack, and serving dishes — basically everything you need to cook a real meal, not just reheat takeout.

Parking varies a little by home — some have a reserved spot, others offer plenty of street parking. Check your specific property page for details, or just ask us!

A few of ours are entirely single-level! Capitol Haven, Mountain Haven, and Beach Haven can all be accessed on one floor throughout. Palm Haven has two ensuite bedrooms on the ground floor, which is great if you'd rather avoid stairs. Bay Haven is our only multi-level home, with a lovely private primary suite that takes up its own floor.

So glad you asked! You'll find many of the pieces from our homes here.

Bay Haven is a longtime favorite with writers and remote workers — it has two dedicated desks and a wonderfully private, zen primary suite that takes up its own floor, making it easy to settle in and focus.

To keep our homes lovely for every guest, we don't allow smoking, incense, or parties at any of our properties. We also keep quiet hours after 10 PM at all properties — no consistent loud noise or music past that time. We know it's a bit strict, but it's part of how we're able to keep our homes feeling fresh, comfortable, and quiet for everyone who stays. Violations of our noise or party policy may result in immediate removal from the property, with no refund.

Of course, we just ask that visitors don't turn into an unregistered gathering or party. If you're planning to host friends or family during your stay, just give us a heads up so we can make sure everything's set up for a great time.