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Phone: Toll-Free: Email: |
(315) 955-6522 (800) 393-4189 Info@AIResort.com |
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Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs Alot of your questions can be answered on the Information & Rules section of this website, but here are some additional Q & A's: Categories for FAQs: (click on the category to take you to a list of corresponding questions) Questions About Being Located on the Island Q: How big is Association Island? Q: Are you really on an island? Q: If you are on an island, how do I get to the island? Q: How big is the causeway and how safe is it? Q: Is it windy on the island? Will I be able to use my awning? General Questions About AIResort Q: Are you a membership park or part of an association? Q: How many sites do you have? Q: Are the roads and sites paved? Q: I heard that your roads were very rough - have you smoothed your roads? Q: Is the water safe to drink? Do I need to bring bottled water to drink? Q: What happens to all the sewage? Q: Do you have a dump station that I can just pull up and use (but not stay as a resort guest)? Q: What if I break one or more of your rules? Q: Will you make an exception for me for one or more of your rules? Q: Why do you have so many rules? Q: Can I just stop by and have a picnic? Q: Can I just park and fish near your bridge? Q: What are your Trailer Life and Woodalls ratings and what do they mean? Questions About Reservations, Deposits, & Cancellations Q: How do I make a reservation? Q: If I make a reservation, are you guaranteeing my site/slip/unit? Q: What is your deposit policy? Q: Can I hold a reservation with my credit card number, but pay cash upon arrival? Q: What forms of payment do you accept? Q: What is your cancellation & refund policy? Q: Why do you charge a cancellation fee? Q: If I don't show, can I get a refund? Q: If it rains, can I get a refund? Q: If I have a family emergency and have to cancel or leave early, can I get a refund? Q: What if I arrive and just don't like your resort and want to leave - can I get a refund? Questions About Checking-In and Checking-Out Q: What if I arrive later than the 8:30 pm check-in deadline? Q: What if I want to arrive early or check-out late? Q: What is included in the posted rates? Q: Why is there a surcharge for 50-amp electric? Q: What discounts do you offer? Q: Your rates seem expensive - why are your rates so high? Q: Do any of your sites have full hook-ups? Q: Do you have 50-amp electric hook-ups? Q: What is the size of the RV sites? Q: Are there any RV size restrictions? Q: How many slide outs can I have? Q: Are there any RV type restrictions? Q: What is the difference between back-in, pull-in, and pull-thru sites? Q: Is it possible to book my 5th wheel or travel trailer for a site designed for a pull-in RV? Q: You have several different types of sites. What's the difference between the types of sites? Q: How many sites are right on the water? Q: If I have an RV site, can I pitch a tent on my site? Q: Will I be able to use my satellite dish from my site? Q: How many cable TV channels do you have? Which channels do you have? Q: Do we need coax cable wiring? Q: Do all the sites look as nice as those in printed ads or on the website? Q: Can I have a fire at my rv site? Q: Does your marina have a fuel pump? Q: What type of docks do you have? Q: What is the length of your docks? Q: What is the max draft allowed in your marina? Q: Can I launch my boat into the water at my site? Q: Which VHF channel do you monitor? Q: Do you have GPS nautical charts of the area? Q: Can I swim in Lake Ontario and Henderson Harbor off my boat? Q: Do I back in or drive in, port or starboard? Q: Can I have more than one jet ski at my dock space? Q: Do you rent paddleboats, canoes, or sea kayaks? Q: Do we need life jackets for boating? Q: What are the nautical distances from Association Island to some of the local ports? Questions About the Sunset Cottages Q: How many people can they accommodate? Q: What is included in the rates for the cottages? Q: How many bedrooms are there? Q: Do they have air conditioning? Q: Do you provide linens & towels? Q: What equipment do you have in your kitchen? Q: Do they have a private bathroom? Q: How far are they from the water-front? Q: Can I build a campfire by the cottage? Q: What type of outdoor grill do you have at the cottage? Questions About Seasonal Bookings Q: Can I book an RV site for the season? Q: Can I book a Marina Slip for the season? Q: Can I book a Cottage for the season? Questions About Group Bookings Q&A coming soon. Q: Can I invite visitors to my site, slip, or cottage? Q: What if I do not register my guests with the office? Q: Why do you charge for visitors? Q: Why do you charge for children? Aren't you family-oriented? Q: Can my visitors park on my site? Q: What kind of pets can I bring? Q: Where can I board my dog(s) when I visit your resort? Questions About Extra Vehicles, including Boat Trailers Q: Can I bring an additional car or truck? Q: Can I leave my additional car or boat trailer on my site? Q: Can I bring my canoe, kayak, or paddle-boat? Can I leave it on my rv site? Q: Can I bring my jet ski? What will it cost to bring my jet ski? Q: Can I bring my motorcycle? What will it cost to bring my motorcycle? Questions About the Island House Store & Office Q&A coming soon. Questions About the Conference Center Q&A coming soon. Questions About the Black Catte Q&A coming soon. Q&A coming soon. Questions About the Bathhouses Q&A coming soon. Q&A coming soon. Q: Is there wireless internet (WIFI) service at the resort? Q: Which WIFI standard do you use? What type of network adapter do I need? Q: How fast is your WIFI connection? Q: Where are your WIFI access points? Can I connect to the WIFI from my site? Q: What do you charge for the WIFI? Q: Can I swim in the lake? Can I swim from my lake-front site? Q: Is your swimming beach sandy or rocky? Q: Do you have lifeguards on duty? Q: What are your swimming rules? Q: What kind of fish can I expect to catch if I go on a fishing charter? Q: What kind of fish can I expect to catch if I fish in your GE Marina or off the shoreline? Q: Can I fish from my rv site? Q: Where is the nearest bait store? Q: Do I need a fishing license? Where can I get a fishing license? Q: How much does a fishing license cost? Q: Do you provide fishing charters? Where can I book a fishing charter? Questions About the Island Bar & Grill Q: When are the hours for the Island Bar & Grill? Q: What type of food does the Island Bar & Grill serve? Q: Do you have activities on-site for my children? Q: Will you entertain my children all day long? Q: Do you have activities on-site for adults? Q: Where is the nearest church, and what times are services held? Questions About the Local Area Q: What are the Thousand Islands? Q: Can you tell me about Henderson Bay? Q: What is there to do in the area? Q: Where are the nearest golf courses? Questions About Issues I've Heard or Read About on the Internet Forums Q: I heard that your resort only welcomes Class A Motorhomes; is that true? Q: I heard that there are alot of bugs; is that true? Q: I heard that there are alot of Canadian geese on the property; is that true? Q: You seem to have mixed reviews on the internet; why is that?
Questions About Being Located on the Island Q: How big is Association Island? A: Association Island has 65 acres, is almost a quarter-mile wide and half-mile long. Q: Are you really on an island? A: Absolutely. With the exception of the man-made 2-lane causeway that provides road access, we are completely surrounded by water. Our property actually consists of 2 islands. 65-acre Association Island is connected by the 1300 feet-long causeway to 35-acre Snowshoe Island, and Snowshoe Island is connected to the mainland by our 30 feet-long, 50 ton capacity bridge. In all, the property is 1.46 miles end-to-end. Our RV sites are literally situated a mile or more into Lake Ontario. Because of the size and shape of the property, we are the only RV resort in the country where you are always within 200 yards of the lake, regardless of where you are on the property. Q: If you are on an island, how do I get to the island? A: You can drive right onto the island, by crossing our 30 feet-long bridge to Snowshoe Island, then driving over Snowshoe Island and a 1300 feet-long causeway to Association Island. Q: How big is the causeway and how safe is it? A: The causeway is 1300 feet long (almost a 1/4-mile), and a minimum 22 feet wide. From the time the current owner bought the property in 1980 until 1999, it received no maintenance but never washed out and was always drivable. In 1999, the causeway was widened to 2 lanes, raised 2 feet and heavily armored with rip-rap on the windward side at considerable expense. This was done to allow 2-way RV traffic and increase the comfort factor for our patrons. Q: Is it windy on the island? Will I be able to use my awning? A: We have calm days, and we have windy days on the island. There are periods that the wind gusts can be strong enough that awnings should not be used. Back to Questions About Island Location General Questions About AIResort Q: Are you a membership park or part of an association? A: No. Association Island is a privately-owned and family-run resort and is open to the public. Our name, Association Island, confuses many people because it suggests that we are part of an association, but this is not true. The island was named Association Island in 1905 by its owner at that time, the National Electric Lamp Association, which used the island as a company retreat (see History). While our guests do not need to be a member of any rv organization or membership, we do offer discounts to members of FMCA, Good Sam, AAA, CAA, FQCC, AARP, and active Military. Q: How many sites do you have? A: We have 305 RV sites, 80+ marina slips, and 5 two-bedroom rental cottages. A: Sorry, but no. Q: Are the roads and sites paved? A: Yes, the roads are paved, but the sites are not paved. The site pads are crushed stone. In May 2007, we paved ~3 miles of roadway, using oil-and-stone method, from our property line, which starts at the end of Snowshoe Road and before our access bridge, and continued paving the road along Snowshoe Island, the causeway, and all the major inner loops of Association Island. Q: I heard that your roads were very rough - have you smoothed your roads? A: Yes, even prior to paving the roads, we smoothed the roads using more finely crushed stones, than we did in 2002-2005. The paving project in 2007 has provided a smooth and pleasant driving surface. Q: I heard that the resort was still under development and that some of your facilities/services were not available when my friends visited. Can you tell me what facilities/services are available now? A: The following were available in 2005:
The following facilities/services were available in 2006:
The following facilities/services were available in 2007:
The following facilities/services are expected to be available in 2008:
The following facilities are NOT yet available, with dates of completion still undetermined:
Q: Is the water safe to drink? Do I need to bring bottled water to drink? A: Yes, the water is potable (safe to drink). We have a state-of-the-art water treatment plant on the property that meets or exceeds all NYS Department of Health standards. We still suggest that you bring bottled water (available in our store). Q: What happens to all the sewage? A: We have a state-of-the-art sewer treatment plant right on the property, with a 50,000 gallon per day capacity. Our sewer treatment facility meets/exceeds all Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health standards. We actually return water to Lake Ontario in a cleaner state than what we take-in. Q: Do you have a dump station that I can just pull up and use (but not stay as a resort guest)? A: Sorry, but no. The dump station is only for our registered guests. We suggest you try the dump station at Westcott Beach, a NYS Park. Q: What if I break one or more of your rules? A: Management reserves the right to evict any person or pet for disorderly conduct or violation of any rules, with no refund. Q: Will you make an exception for me for one or more of your rules? A: To get an exception to one or more of our rules, you must submit a written request (by fax, email, or letter) and get pre-approval. In your written request, please clearly explain the circumstances. We will take it into consideration and notify you if your exception is approved. In all cases, if your exception is approved, you must agree that if the conditions of your exception are not met or if your exception causes problems for your fellow guests that you will immediately conform to the stated rules or leave the property, with no refund. Q: Why do you have so many rules? A: Our rules are established for the consideration of all our guests in aggregate, for the protection of the environment and our property, and for everyone's mutual enjoyment. Q: Can I just stop by and have a picnic? A: Sorry, but no. You must be a registered guest of the resort. Q: Can I just park and fish near your bridge? A: Sorry, but no. You must be a registered guest of the resort. Q: What are your Trailer Life and Woodalls ratings and what do they mean? A: All in all, our resort is rated highly by the RV industry's leading rating agencies, Trailer Life and Woodalls. We strive to achieve and maintain top ratings across the board as we continually improve our resort. After just opening 4 years ago, AIResort is already among the highest rated resorts in the area...and in the country. Note: Trailer Life's highest ratings are 10/10/10, and Woodall's highest ratings are 5/5.
Back to General Questions About AIResort Questions About Reservations, Deposits, & Cancellations Q: How do I make a reservation? A: You can call 800-393-4189, or you can send us a reservation request by email to info@airesort.com, or you can use the on-line reservations screen of our website. Q: If I make a reservation, are you guaranteeing my site/slip/unit? A: We will guarantee you a site/slip/unit only after you place the "minimum deposit" required. We do not guarantee the particular site that you may have desired, but do guarantee that the class-type is available for your stay. Q: What is your deposit policy? A: Our "minimum deposit" guidelines are: we require a 1-night deposit for stays less than 7 days, 2-nights deposit for stays of 7 days to 27 days, a 25% deposit for stays of 28 days (our monthly rate) or longer. You must make a deposit by credit card at time of booking (or within 48 hours of booking the reservation, if you need to check with a friend/family member), and make a deposit by check that must be mailed and received by us within 7 days. If deposit is not received in time (and you do not call to update the status of your deposit), your reservation may be automatically cancelled. Q: Can I hold a reservation with my credit card number, but pay cash upon arrival? A: You must make the "minimum deposit required" by credit card at time of booking, and can pay cash for the balance at check-in. If you do not authorize us to charge your credit card at time of booking, your reservation will not be guaranteed (and will be removed from the booking rack), and you will have to take your chances as a "walk-in" customer. Q: What forms of payment do you accept? A: We accept Visa, MasterCard, cash, travelers checks. We accept personal checks only if we receive the check at least 2 weeks prior to arrival; we do not accept personal checks when you check-in. We only accept debit cards, if your debit card has a Visa or MasterCard account associated with it. A: We accept personal checks only if we receive the check at least 2 weeks prior to arrival; we do not accept personal checks when you check-in. If you make a deposit by check, please bring cash or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) at check-in. Q: What is your cancellation & refund policy? A: We require at least 14 days advance notice for you to get a 50% refund (subject to a $20 minimum); 50% of the "minimum deposit" required is treated as a cancellation fee. For less than 14 days notice (including no-shows), you forfeit your deposit; 100% of the "minimum deposit" is treated as a cancellation fee. A: Your cancellation fee and refund will be based on the "minimum deposit" required. In other words, we will not penalize you for depositing a greater amount when booking. Q: Why do you charge a cancellation fee? A: Every booking and refund represent costs to us for staff-time and payment processing fees. When you make a reservation and place a deposit, we are guaranteeing that a site/slip/unit is available for you. We do not over-book our resort the way that some hotels or airlines do. When you cancel or don't show, your cancellation represents lost business to us - not only from you but potentially from other customers who may have desired your site but were told there was no availability. When there is no availability, RV'ers generally seek other plans immediately. (As you know, making plans to go RV'ing encompasses much more planning than a typical hotel vacation.) As a small business, cancellations affect us greatly. Q: If I don't show, can I get a refund? A: No, your deposit will be forfeited. Q: If it rains, can I get a refund? A: No, we can not control mother nature. Q: If I have a family emergency and have to cancel or leave early, can I get a refund? A: Sorry, but you will be subject to our regular cancellation policy. Q: What if I arrive and just don't like your resort and want to leave - can I get a refund? A: Sorry, but no. Back to Questions About Reservations, Deposits, & Cancellations
Questions About Checking-In and Checking-Out A: You should plan to arrive for check-in between 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm. You may arrive up to 2 hours early, for a $3/hour fee. You may not check-in prior to 1:00 pm. A: You must check-out by 11:00 am. You may check-out up to 2 hours late, for a $3/hour fee. If you stay past 1:00 pm, you must pay for an additional day, and may have to move sites if your current site has been booked by another customer arriving the same day. Q: What if I arrive later than the 8:30 pm check-in deadline? A: You may be asked to park overnight next to the office registration building (the Island House), instead of at your RV site. You will be allowed to move into your site by 8:30 am the next morning. We do not allow RVs to set-up after 9 pm (or dark) for the safety of your vehicle and for the protection of our property. When it's dark, it is very difficult to see and position your RV into your site, and we do not want you to disturb your fellow guests. During the holidays and peak months of July & August, if you call ahead to the office, we will generally wait for your arrival and allow you to check-in to your site after 8:30 pm as long as there is some daylight left. A: No. We have already guaranteed the site specifically for you, and you will be charged for that guarantee. Q: What if I want to arrive early or check-out late? A: Early check-ins and late departures may be given only based on availability, with a $3 per hour fee for up to 2 hours (after 2 hours, you must re-book for the entire day). If you choose to arrive early and your unit is not yet available, you may park in the office registration area until 3 pm. You must check with the office before 11 am the date of scheduled departure. If you do not check-out by 11 am, you may automatically be charged the $3 per hour fee. Back to Questions About Checking-In and Checking-Out
General Questions About the Rates Q: What is included in the posted rates? A: RV rates are based on two people, 1 RV and 1 vehicle per site, with full hook-ups including water, sewer, electric 20/30 amp, and basic cable TV; there is a $5/night surcharge for 50-amp electric. Marina rates are based on 2 people, 1 boat, 1 trailer, 1 towing vehicle, and use of the boat launch. Cottage rates are based on 2-4 people, 1 vehicle. Q: Why is there a surcharge for 50-amp electric? A: RVs with 50-amp connections generally utilize more electricity than the average customer due to having more bells & whistles including: additional air conditioners, microwaves, washer-dryers, etc. Our surcharge helps allocate the cost of the resort's electric usage to the customers with these rigs. Q: What discounts do you offer? A: Our general discounts are: 10% off for non-holiday periods for members of AAA, AARP, CAA, FQCC, Good Sam, & FMCA. We only offer 10% discounts during the holiday periods for Good Sam and FQCC members only. For non-holiday periods, we offer the following discounts: 30% discounts for May, 20% for June 1-19, 20% for September, and 20% for October. You must mention these discounts and provide proof of valid memberships in order to get the discounts. Each year, we provide additional discount coupons to attendees of various RV shows where we are exhibitors, and we also mail discount coupons to customers in our reservations system. Q: Your rates seem expensive - why are your rates so high? A: Our rates for our standard sites are equivalent (and in many cases lower) than the rates for other RV resorts with full hook-ups. The rates for our lakeview, marina-front, and premium lake-front sites are higher because as with any resort, you pay higher rates for better views. Not only are you getting beautiful views of Lake Ontario, you need to consider the fact that building, operating, and maintaining a resort on an island is just simply more expensive than running a resort on the mainland. As examples, it cost us 30 times more for the 1-time installation costs and 10 times more for monthly internet service than a typical hi-speed internet installation; the local utility company charges us higher rates for delivering power to us. The resort also installed and maintains state-of-the-art water and sewer treatment facilities that must exceed the standards that have been set for the local area residents and businesses. Our rates are established in consideration of the costs and beauty of being on a unique island property. Back to Questions About the Rates Questions About RV Sites Q: Do any of your sites have full hook-ups? A: Yes, all of our sites have water, sewer, electric, and basic cable TV. Q: Do you have 50-amp electric hook-ups? A: Yes. 303 sites have 50 amp electric, as well as 30 and 20 amp. Just two sites have only 30 & 20 amp electric. Q: What is the size of the RV sites? A: 298 of our sites have a minimum of 2500 square feet, with lengths of 60 - 65 feet and widths of 40 - 45 feet. 7 of our sites are slightly smaller. Some of our premium lake-front sites and premium pull-thru sites are up to 90 ft in length. Q: Are there any RV size restrictions? A: No. With only about a dozen exceptions, all of our sites can accommodate the largest RVs. Q: How many slide outs can I have? A: You can have four slide outs. Q: Are there any RV type restrictions? A: No, we welcome all types of RVs including: truck campers, pop-up tent trailers, travel trailers, 5th wheels, class C motor coaches, class B motor coaches, and class A motor coaches. However, because many of our sites are designed for pull-ins, some sites are not suitable for 5th wheels and travel trailers. We welcome pop-ups but because they | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
