Is the calendar up to date?
Yes, the calendar is updated within 24 hours or less of any new booking.  If you see an open date, it is a good idea to book it if you want it. Your credit card or checking account won't be charged if someone else clicked through a booking a few hours earlier, and the calendar hasn't been updated and we'll let you know right away.

Can you hold a date while I make a decision?
Sorry, we can't hold any dates, we take booking on a first come / first serve basis only.  We use many different agencies that allow direct booking.  If dates are shown open, and an agency books it with a paid booking, we must accept.

What is the refund / cancellation policy?
Once you book, you will receive a guest agreement that guarantees your booking dates are reserved for you from check-in to check-out, without interruption.  If you need to cancel your booking after your payment is processed, there are no refunds of booking fees, period. 

If you think you may need to cancel your trip due to health issues, or other emergency situations, you may want to consider obtaining trip insurance that will cover you in such a situation.  Trip insurance is offered through AAA or other private organizations you can find online searching for trip insurance. 

What contents are included?
Everything needed to properly operate a kitchen and cook a meal is included in the kitchen, including:
- Microwave oven
- Toaster
- Coffee Maker
- Kettle (electric)
- Electric Oven and 4 Burner Cooktop
- Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Sink with Hot and Cold Water
- Pots - pans - serving dishes, utensils, mixing bowels
- Silverware, plates, side dishes, cups, saucers, desert / cereal  / soup bowels
- Bottle opener, wine key, more
- Laundered dish towels, paper towels, sponges, clothes and cleaning supplies
- 
Everything you need in the bathroom:
- Initial supply of soap, shampoo, and toilet paper
- Fresh shower curtain
- Towels including Plush Bath Sheets, Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Wash Cloths and Bath Mats

Everything you need in the living room:
- Dining table for 4 with chairs
- 42" LCD HD TV with Cable including HBO, Movie Channel etc. Comcast Premium Service
- High Speed Wireless Internet - or plug in to a jack.
- Leather seating - Full Size Sofa Bed with linens if requested (extra).

Everything you need in the bedroom:
- Hair dryer
- Self shut off iron - Ironing board
- Full length mirrors
- Queen Murphy Bed - made up for you in advance.
- Big dresser and closet to keep your stuff
- Alarm clock
- Iron (auto shut off) and full size ironing board

What standards for cleanliness can I expect when I check in?
When you check in, everything should be in perfect condition. You should feel as if the apartment was put together just for you, clean and sterile from our cleaning crew on every surface, even the switch plates and remote control.

Standards for cleanliness exceed those of any 5 star hotel. Every surface, appliance, drawer, ledge and corner are cleaned using a check-list with over 100 points.  All surfaces, including floors and walls are vacuumed, then  hand washed - never mopped.

Once the unit is thoroughly cleaned, it is inspected by your hosts Richard or Victoria or another manager before you check in to be certain everything is up to snuff.  Feel free to do the 'white glove test' anywhere in the apartment.

Linens are laundered locally using bleach, and inspected twice before they go back for use in the unit.  We use cotton sheets and towels.

What is self clean vs. professional cleaning upon check out?

Self-Clean Upon Check Out

Self- Clean Rates are based on "left in same condition or include $150 cleaning fee."  If you select the "self-clean" option it means the unit should be left in the exact same condition in which it was received.  There are no extra fees for self clean.

Cleaning supplies to clean the bathroom, kitchen and floors are under the sink. A vacuum is in the closet. For self clean, we ask guests to clean the surfaces so they are free from debris or hair. 

Also, we ask you to strip the bed [including the mattress pad but not the zip on mattress protector] . Please note, the eco-down comforter has two button over comforter covers - please remove both covers and leave the core on the bed. Put all towels and linens in the mesh bag and leave in the bathroom.   In the kitchen, be sure all dishes are clean or left in a running dishwasher.

Lastly, bag your rubbish and put into the bins.

Professional Cleaning Upon Check-Out

Not interested in cleaning anything? No problem. 
Just select "professional cleaning upon check-out", and paid a $150 fee.

This means the unit will be cleaned upon your check out by professional cleaners so you don’t need to worry. 

All you will need to do is upon check out is:
- Throw away all garbage and unused food in the bins behind the building.
- Be sure all dishes are done or at least left in a running dishwasher. 
- Please strip the bed and put all linens (not the duvet) in the laundry bags provided. 
     [Please note, the eco-down comforter has two button over covers - please remove both covers and leave the core on the bed.]

*Excessive soiling, staining, rubbish removal, paint damage or other damage is not covered under the cleaning arrangement.
 

What about the fireplace, can I use it?
Sorry, the fireplace is ornamental. 

What is the children policy?
This property is not "KID FRIENDLY" although up to two children are allowed. The Carlyle is designed for adults and is not child-proof. The Suite has high end leather furniture and electronics, wall hung artwork, breakable artwork, unprotected plug outlets, wooden furniture with corners, mirrors, accessible cleaning supplies in low cabinets, wine and other alcohol, as well as other hazards for children and minors. The Carlyle is suitable for mature children who are highly supervised, self disciplined, or otherwise comfortable and appropriately behaved in such an environment. Any damage caused by children will be billed to the adult's credit card if no or insufficient security deposit is provided, as per the guest agreement.

Can I bring my pet?
No - No pets allowed - period. Pets are not allowed to visit or stay.

Can I smoke?
No - No smoking inside the unit.

Why is there a 3 night minimum, is there a way around this?
Because you are renting a fully furnished apartment, it takes time and money to process each guest and turn over the unit. In order to achieve the first class, five star results that we insist upon, we need at least 3 nights to process the linens and then come back to clean and turn the unit.

Really, some people will ask again?  Can't an exception be made? Do you really want a vacant night?
Aside from the laundry logistics of short turnovers, the cost of hosting a guest for just 1  or 2 nights exceeds the rates that we charge, and would therefore be an overall loss.  

We use local cleaners who live right here in the Boston area. We also use a local laundry service in the South End. Once a unit turns over, we then inspect it to be sure it is "perfect" when the next guest check in.

If there are 3 nights available and you want to book them, then only stay for 1 or 2 nights, this is allowed.  We rarely have a vacant date - if we do have a day in-between, we will take this rare opportunity to schedule preventative maintenance, new furniture deliveries, or upgrades to the unit.
 
What is the premium date charge all about?

The rates for this unit don't fluctuate by the season - they stay the same, all year.  There are a few dates that carry particularly heavy burdens to property management because of parking bans, permits, traffic, demand and the availability of our cleaners. The following dates each come with a $100 surcharge, regardless of weather you check in or out on the day or stay straight through: Marathon Monday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, 8/31, 9/1, 12/31 & 1/1 add $100 premium rate fee for each date.

Why do you need my name and address and the name and address for all occupants?
If you book directly through Richard and Victoria - or if you go through an agency like AirBnB, Roomorama, or Wimdu, where the agency collects the payment, we will still need to verify your identity.  We want to be sure we don't rent knowingly to people who are known to be on the terrorist watch list, or are registered as sex offenders, as well as people who are wanted criminals. To help prevent this, we require EACH AND EVERY OCCUPANT to list first and last name and current address on the guest agreement.

Is a security deposit required?
If you are paying with a credit card, debit card or with your checking account, you don't need a security.  The billing agreement allows you to pay for any damages yourself upon checkout if you cause them, or they will be billed to your initial form of payment.

Are there fees for additional people?
Yes, all rates are based on double occupancy.  If you have only 2 but still want to use the sofa bed, there is a $75 linens fee in addition to your booking.  For a third person at this location, there will be a fee of $25 per day. This includes all children which must be declared when booking.

Can I check in early or check out late?
Standard check in time is 4 p.m. 
Standard check out time is 10 a.m.

This allows us 6 hours to thoroughly turn over the apartment. We pick up the dirty laundry, and drop new clean linens and cleaners spend a minimum of 3 hours cleaning the unit per the specifications of Spare Suite, Inc.  Once the cleaners are done, the bed is made and towels are restocked, the unit is inspected thoroughly - if it meets the specifications for "perfection" it is ready for check - in.  If not, any details not up to snuff are corrected.

If you require late check out up to NOON or early check in - which is as early as 2 p.m. this can be arranged in advance for a $50 fee.  To achieve the faster turn over, we schedule an additional cleaner to speed it all up, hence, the additional fee.

Should you require a super late or super early check in or check out but won't be spending the night, you can block out a half day for $150 and check in as early as 8 a.m. or check out as late as midnight if arranged in advance.