resort policies

To help everyone enjoy their stay and to preserve Bluebird Bay for future guests, we have established the following policies. Please contact us if you have any questions related to a policy.

More information about what is included in each unit, as well as other frequent questions can be found on our FAQ page.

  • Bluebird Bay is a family resort. For the safety and enjoyment of all of our guests, we ask that all policies are followed. Please share this info with any other guests, friends or family traveling in your group.

    Please do not use foul language in public areas and refrain from making loud noise after 11pm. Please read and follow posted pool safety rules at all times.

    Guests who’s actions negatively impact the enjoyment of other guests may be asked to leave without refund. As a registered guest, you assume responsibility for any and all damages caused by your group.

    Basically, be cool and let everyone have the chance to enjoy their vacation!

  • Reservations should be paid in full when booking. Upon check-in, we will pre-authorize a credit card, to cover any damage or charges during your stay. Use of an invalid credit card for a reservation or security hold will result in immediate cancellation.

    Your reservation is guaranteed until midnight the day of your arrival. After that time, it will no longer be guaranteed and the room may be reassigned. If you will be arriving late, just let us know so we can hold your room.

    When you make a reservation, you are booking a type of unit (not a specific one). Each unit type (Cottage, Suite or Studio) includes units of similar size and amenities, however, the decor and layout vary. If you have your heart set on a specific unit, please contact us directly and we will do our best to get you into your happy place.

    The best rates are found by booking directly through our booking portal. Our room rates are always awesome, and they are subject to change. They are also subject to Indiana sales tax (7%) and the lodging tax collected by the city of Monticello (5%).

    Room refreshes will not be offered during stays, but we are happy to swap fresh towels or bed linens for used ones.

  • Life happens. We get that. Reservations are fully refundable up to 14 days prior to arrival. Reservations cancelled 7-14 days prior to arrival will receive a 50% refund or the full amount can be credited towards a future stay (pending availability).

    Our summers fill up fast and most people make advanced plans so it is hard to fill last-minute openings. Cancellations received within 7 days of check-in can not be refunded and will be charged in full.

    To cancel or modify a reservation, please call us at 574.943.5535.

  • We believe the children are our future, but you still have to be 25 years old to book a room. If we are in doubt, you may be asked to present a valid ID to confirm your age. (Take it as a compliment of your youthful appearance!)

  • Guests should plan to check-in after 4pm and to check-out before 11am. If you’re arriving late, just let us know.

    Want to sleep in? Ask for a later check-out time. We can’t guarantee it, but we will do our best. We love to sleep in, too!

    Due to our small staff and high cleaning standards, it can be difficult to accommodate early check-in requests. All requests for early check-in will be considered the day before arrival and are subject to a fee of $15/hour.

  • We are making a LOT of changes and improvements to the units, grounds and resort. No one likes a destructive house guest, so we ask you to help us take care of this place so that you and other guests can enjoy it for many years to come. If something is broken or not right, please let us know so we can make it right. We love this place and we want you to love it, too!

    We want you to have a great time when you are here. But if things get too crazy, we go by the rule of ‘you break it, you buy it’ and property damages or missing items will be charged to your credit card at market value.

    We do inspect the units after check-out and we reserve the right to charge for any damages found before the unit is occupied again.

    The cost of any lost keys will be charged to the guest account. For security purposes, locks will need to be re-keyed at the rate of $150. (Hard to believe locksmithing is not a more popular art!)

    We work hard to provide quality bedding, linens and towels for guest use. We ask that guests respect these efforts and use these items only as intended. Bath linens are meant for indoor use only. If you plan to swim in the pool or lake, please use your own beach towels or ask to borrow some from us. Paper towels, dish towels and microfiber cleaning cloths are provided for cleaning/drying dishes, spills and other messes. Gray cloths are provided for makeup removal. Any linens, white towels or washcloths with visible makeup/bronzer/grease/kool-aid/nail polish/marker (all real examples) or other stains from inappropriate use will be charged to the credit card on file.

    $75 per large comforter | $50 per small comforter | $15 per sheet | $10 per bath towel | $5 per hand towel | $2.50 per washcloth

    Extra bedding for the convertible sofas is available, upon request.

  • We are happy to offer free and convenient private parking in our lot. There is enough space for each unit to park one vehicle. On weekends and holidays, the lot will fill up so unless special arrangements have been made in advance, no more than one vehicle per unit can be parked at the resort.

    We ask for vehicle information in case we have to tow cars that don’t belong to our guests. The hotel does not take responsibility or accept liability for damage, accident or loss to your vehicle or personal property.

  • Bluebird Bay Resort is located at the end of a quiet and private drive. The speed limit on Harbour Court is 15mph and we ask that you drive slowly to respect the neighborhood.

  • Breathe easy. All of our units are smoke-free and smoking inside is prohibited. This applies to traditional smoking methods and all electronic delivery systems (including vapes, vaporizers, vape pens, hookah pens, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, e-pipes) and any other fancy variations. Tampering with or disabling smoke detectors is also prohibited.

    Any smoking in the units or strong lingering smoking scents will result in a disappointed look and a $250 minimum cleaning fee plus any additional recovery costs.

    Cigarette butts should be completely extinguished and disposed of in an appropriate outdoor trash/butt container, which are located throughout the property.

    The use of any illegal drug or abuse of prescription drugs on the property is prohibited. Violators will be reported to local law enforcement.

  • No unauthorized pets are allowed on the property. Due to space and noise concerns, the only units in which dogs are allowed are the Cottages (Deluxe & Standard).

    The dog owner must complete a Pet Application Form BEFORE check-in or call 574.943.5535 and request permission based on dog size, age and other guest considerations. No more than 2 authorized pets are allowed per unit. An application must be submitted for EACH pet if you are requesting to bring two.

    Pet approval is not guaranteed.

    An additional non-refundable $50 cleaning fee plus a refundable pet deposit of $150 is required at check-in for anyone bringing registered dogs. Should your furry friend shed a great amount or have an accident in the room, an incidental fee will be charged at market value. Assuming no issues, the pet deposit will be refunded after check-out.

    • Guests with unregistered pets may be asked to leave without a refund!

    • Only dogs under 75 pounds will be allowed.

    • Owners must bring papers and record of shots.

    • Owners must make sure their furry friends do their business outside.

    • Owners must dispose of all waste in the dumpster.

    • Dogs must be on a leash when outside the rental unit.

    • Pets are not allowed in the lobby or the pool area.

    If a dog can’t get along with others or poses a threat or nuisance, the owner may be asked to remove the dog from the premises.

  • We love kids and kids love the pool but they must have a responsible person over 16 supervising them at all times in the pool area. There is no lifeguard on duty and guests use the pool and lake at their own risk.

    To avoid transferring any organisms from the lake to the pool, guests may not get into the pool after being in the lake unless they have showered in between.

    The lake is made for recreating and we want our guests to enjoy it. Please exercise caution when getting in and out of the lake and NEVER DIVE INTO LAKE WATER as it may be full of stumps, tires, rocks, trees or random hazards.

    A limited number of PFDs (personal flotation devices) are available for guest use upon request.

  • Group trips are fun! When booking, keep maximum occupancy in mind - there are no exceptions to the occupancy limits. Max. occupancy for each unit is listed on the booking page. When determining room occupancy, we assume up to 2 people per queen/full sized bed/sofa bed and one person per twin bed. Violation of occupancy limits may result in cancellation of any reservation without refund or guests who are not registered may be asked to leave.

  • Fireworks

    No fireworks of any kind are allowed on the property. Anyone using them will be asked to leave without a refund.

    Firearms

    Bluebird Bay Resort prohibits guest firearms on our property, including carrying firearms in an open or concealed manner. The hotel premises are private property, and our firearms policy applies to all firearms, regardless of whether the firearm is a handgun or a long-barreled gun, even those possessing a valid license or permit to carry a firearm.

    Guests who fail to abide by this policy may be asked to leave the premises, without refund.

    The only exception to this firearms policy is for law enforcement officers and designated military personnel, who are on-duty and required to carry firearms in the performance of their duties.

    Cameras

    Safety cameras are used throughout the exterior of the resort and anyone on our property could be recorded by these cameras at any time.

  • We have a large list of items that are available for you, just ask. Things like wine glasses, special serving ware, tablecloths, grill tools, extra blankets, pillows, and many more are here to make your stay as great as possible.

    Got babies? We’ve got a pack-and-play available upon request.

    If you have a special or unusual request, call us in advance and we will do our best to make it happen.