Rice Lake

We have games, a game room, Smart TVs and more!

We have kayaks, a fire pit, and games for the yard.

• All towels and bed linens are provided.
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Liquid hand soap
• Bar soap
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Kleenex
• Dish soap
• Dish washer pods
• Laundry detergent
• Garbage bags
• Trash can liners
• Propane

Note on Towels & Bed Linens:

• Bedding: All bed linens are professionally laundered off-site. Please notify us immediately if there are any issues and leave beds unmade upon departure.
• Towels: The owner provides towels, and housekeeping does their best to wash, dry, and fold them during turnover. However, due to the number of towels used or a slow dryer, they may sometimes need to move on to the next property, leaving towels in the dryer. If this happens, they are instructed to notify us and return to fold them if possible. Occasionally, guests may find towels left in the dryer—we sincerely apologize if this occurs and greatly appreciate your patience.

• Groceries
• Coffee/ creamer
• Condiments
• Zip lock bags
• Toothpaste etc.
• Ice
• Life vests
• Beach towels
• Sunscreen
• Bug repellent
• Beach toys
• Firewood

Please watch the checkout video! We greatly appreciate you staying with us and hope you stay with us again sometime!

CHECK OUT INSTRUCTIONS

•       Call or text me if you have any questions regarding checkout
•       The check out time is 10:00 AM. We accommodate late checkouts when possible; however, the housekeeping usually has multiple cleans in a day most of the time the 10:00 AM time needs to be honored. Housekeeping usually shows up with minutes of checkout.
•       Please double check to make sure all outside and inside amenities are cleaned up and put back correctly
•       Leave all beds unmade and bedding in place. All bed linens are professionally laundered offsite.
•       Please start dishwasher if there are dirty dishes
•       Make sure to log out of all online subscriptions such as Amazon Prime etc.
•       Please make sure AC is off in the summer or heat is turned down to 65 degrees in the winter when you leave
•        Double check to make sure all windows are shut, and the door is locked
•        HELP US EFFORT TO KEEP CLEANING COST AS LOW AS POSSIBLE: We use a company with highly trained professional housekeepers, who follow all Covid-19 guidelines and do a great job preparing each property for the next guests. Many time they have multiple tight turns and may only have a couple of hours to fully clean the property.  If it is convenient for you, please consider starting a load of all used towels, rags etc. when you leave. The housekeepers will be at the property shortly after your departure and sometimes may have several turnovers in one day. It is GREATLY appreciated!
•       Please leave us a Five Star review! We do our absolute best to ensure that every guest has the best stay possible. Every property is different, and we work closely with our owners and guests to continually improve based on the feedback of each guest. As a guest, you have been given my personal cell phone and invited to call or text 24/7 so we can address issues and make things right by you. So please call or text me your feedback via my cell phone. We GREATLY appreciate it!
• On a side note: Housekeeping asked me to add this note. It’s100% not expected, but if you did feel that housekeeping did a great job any tips left are always greatly appreciated if you feel a desire to leave one.
• We truly hope to host you again soon! In accordance with OTA guidelines, any repeat booking for this property must be completed through the same platform you originally used. That said, we manage 35+ exceptional properties in the area, and if you’re looking for a different location, layout, or experience next time, we would be happy to help you find another great fit from our management portfolio.

It is certainly not required but always personally appreciated if guests send me a quick text to let me know they are checked out and how their stay went. I try to not bother folks during their stay but greatly appreciate the communication.  Thanks! Mike Fish Cell: 218 232 7079

Primary Contact: Mike Fish: 218 232 7079

Secondary Contact: Kari: 218 329 3085

General Emergency Numbers

• Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Medical): Dial 911
• Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office:
  • Phone: (218) 829-4749
  • Address: 304 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
  • Crow Wing County

Nearest Hospital or Urgent Care Facility

While there isn’t a hospital or urgent care facility directly in Merrifield, nearby options include:

• Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center
  • Address: 523 N 3rd St, Brainerd, MN 56401
  • Phone: (218) 829-2861
• Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
  • Address: 320 E Main St, Crosby, MN 56441
  • Phone: (218) 546-7000

Pharmacies

For pharmacy services near Merrifield:

• Walgreens Pharmacy
  • Address: 417 8th Ave NE, Brainerd, MN 56401
  • Phone: (218) 829-3256
• CVS Pharmacy
  • Address: 302 NW 4th St, Brainerd, MN 56401
  • Phone: (218) 829-1565
• Minnesota Poison Control System: 1-800-222-1222

Towing Services

For towing services in the Merrifield area:

• Ray’s Towing
  • Phone: (218) 829-3535
• Bobs Towing & Recovery
  • Phone: (218) 829-1110

Animal Control

For animal control services:

• Crow Wing County Animal Control
  • Phone: (218) 829-4749
  • Crow Wing County

National Weather Service

• Duluth Office:
  • Phone: (218) 729-6697

There are smart TVs through the home.

Internet Network:  SpectrumSetup-9D

Internet Password: jollybread524

Note: It is important to understand that these owners have smart TVS that are connected to the internet; however, they do not have a cable package or local stations. Guests simply bring their login info and log into their own streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney +, HULU etc.

If you are planning to watch a Football game etc. you will need to have a streaming service to do so. Most commonly our guests use: NFL+, YouTube TV, Peacock, ESPN+ or Amazon Prime depending on the game.

Unfortunately, this property does not have recycling set up yet. All garbage must to thrown in with general garbage or taken.

Watch the video on our STR trash process.

Garbage: Garbage pick and removal is a little tricky with vacation rentals. Please let us know if there are any issues. We can always send folks to pick up any excess garbage immediately. There is no perfect solution to garbage pickup, but we have processes that work well. We ask that housekeeping leaves the cans out at road for pick up during the turn. If a guest does decide to move them closer to the home, we ask that they are set back out before the pick up day.

Pick up is Thursday morning so it is very important that if the garbage can is brought closer to the home that it is put back out Wednesday night. Of course, call us if there is extraordinary garbage and we will send someone out to pick it up. The cans need to be up on the road or the garbage company will not pick them up. Please let us know emmidiately if there is any overflow are bags that do not fit.

There is central heat and AC in the home.

In the game room we have a standing AC unit and plug in heaters. The owners are going to put in a mini split as soon as they can afford to do so.

Boats: Feel free to moor your boat at the dock; however, it is very important to watch the weather and take the boat out if it gets wavy. Via our rental contract guests are responsible for any damage to an owner’s dock, and we do not recommend leaving them tied up overnight. Guests do so at their own risk.

Hot tub use: Proper use of a hot tub requires folks to shower before and after use. Please do not spill anything in the hot tub & let us know if there are any issues with it asap.

If the hot tub is locked, the key for it is on the kitchen fridge.

It is important for guests to understand that we have a third-party pool tech company taking care of the Hot Tub. This is done for the safety of our guests. It is important to understand we have no control over the hot tub via our contract with them. They will be out to do water checks etc. on Mondays and Thursday and will do whatever they need to do to make sure the hot tub is clean and safe. That at times may mean they will change the water, clean it etc. Of course, during that time it will be unavailable. We have no way to predict their schedule because it is based on the water quality when they check it.

Although we do everything, we can make sure the hot tub is ready for guests and try to coordinate cleans between stays, because it takes a few hours for the hot tub to warm up there may be a rare time when it is not ready for use during a stay, if the tech insists on changing water. With tight back-to-back turns during the summer the folks that handle the hot tub do their best to make sure their work is done as soon as the last guest checks out; however, it is up to their discretion to change water and perform other maintenance and cleaning as they deem necessary.  We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience with any hot tub timing issues. Due to the nature of the hot tub, it is out of our control, and we cannot give a refund for the Hot Tub being unavailable for a time. Just like any hotel or lodge we cannot always schedule and predict availability, and the safety of our guests is our priority.

We ask that every adult staying with us watches the above video and reads over the basic house rules. Detailed house rules are found in the signed rental agreement. Contact me anytime with questions. Mike Fish Cell: 218 232 7079

Smoking & Vaping

Smoking, vaping, and smoking marijuana are strictly prohibited anywhere on the property, including garages, game rooms, and guest houses. An Ecobee WiFi smoke and vape detector has been installed and will immediately notify us of any violations. The next guest may have severe allergies or demand a refund due to lingering smoke odors, making enforcement of this policy essential. Guests who violate this rule will be fined $500 (per the signed rental agreement), charged an additional cleaning fee, and asked to leave immediately. Our housekeeping team is also instructed to report any signs of smoke and can use a monitor to confirm if a room has been smoked in. Removing smoke odors from rooms, furniture, and fabric is costly and time-consuming, so please respect this policy to ensure a clean and comfortable stay for all guests.

Overview of House Rules

General House Rules Overview to Share with Your Group

 – see rental contract for full information

• Enjoyment with Respect: We want you to have a great time! Our guidelines are designed to ensure the safety of guests, respect for neighbors, and the preservation of our property. Please share these rules with your group to avoid fines (up to $500) or eviction without a refund. Refer to your rental contract for more details.
• Consideration for Neighbors: Please be mindful of our neighbors, as they didn’t choose to live next to a rental. Maintaining good relationships with them is crucial for the success of our short-term rental. Neighbors have 24/7 access to contact us for any concerns.
• No Smoking or Vaping Indoors: Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside the property.
• No Fireworks: The use of fireworks on the property or beach is not allowed.
• No Illegal Drugs or Illicit Activity: Absolutely no drugs or illegal activities are permitted on the property.
• Prohibited Messes: Confetti, glitter, balloons, and silly string are not allowed on the property.
• No Lake or Beach Debris: Dispose of garbage properly to avoid environmental harm and neighbor complaints.
• Septic System Care: Only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed in properties with a septic system.
• Garbage Disposal: Please follow the designated garbage pickup schedule and ensure trash is out on the appropriate day.
• Registered Guests Only: Only registered guests are allowed on the property after dark.
• Neighbor or Police Call Prevention: Adhering to rules helps avoid complaints about excessive guests, noise, pet violations, or parking issues.
• No Excessive or Indecent Noise: Neighbors can contact us 24/7 with noise complaints. Quite times are 10 to 9.
• Restricted Substances: Self-tanning lotion, nail polish, and remover are prohibited as they can permanently damage linens and furniture.
• No Indoor Fish Cleaning: Cleaning fish inside the property is not allowed.
• Extra Daytime Guests: Any additional daytime guests must be pre-approved and must leave by nightfall.
• Parking Limitations: Parking is limited to one vehicle per bedroom. No parking on public roads or in yards.
• Amenity Use: For liability reasons, only registered guests are permitted to use the property amenities.
• Boat Docking: Ensure boats are removed from the dock in bad weather to avoid damage. Some properties do not allow overnight docking.
• ATV & Snowmobile Usage: Please review specific property regulations regarding motorized vehicles.
• No Firearm Use: While we respect your rights, firearms are not permitted at the property.
• Outdoor Fires: Ensure all outdoor fires are completely extinguished after use.
• Safe Grill Use: Check grease traps before grilling and clean if necessary, during extended stays to prevent fires.
• Life Jackets Required: While we do not provide watercraft, guests must wear life jackets when using water amenities.
• No Large Gatherings or Parties: Events, parties, or meetings are not allowed without prior written approval.
• Security Cameras: Some properties have security cameras. These are not accessed during guest stays, but recordings may be used in legal situations.
• Occupancy Limits: Exceeding the maximum sleeping capacity, engaging in illegal activities, causing property damage, or disturbing neighbors will result in eviction and forfeiture of fees and deposits.

Firepit use is a hot button issue with neighbors. As a reminder, this is what our signed rental agreement states:

This property is equipped with outdoor fire pit for the convenience of our guests. It’s of paramount importance that guests adhere to proper fire safety practices. Particularly in dry conditions with gusty winds, flames have the potential to swiftly escalate, potentially spreading into nearby grass and posing a serious fire hazard.

Guests bear the responsibility of ensuring that all fires are completely extinguished once they’re finished tending to them. No fire can be left unattended. All fires must be fully contained within the fire pit.

— Use the garden hose or a bucket to extinguish the fire

— Only Burn Wood (A $200 fine will be processed if there is anything other than wood burned)

— Keep all burning material within the pit (don’t let kids run around with burning sticks etc.)

— Do not make the fire bigger than the pit

In the event that we receive a notification from a concerned neighbor regarding an unattended or excessively large fire, we are obligated to promptly address the situation. This involves contacting the guest and requesting immediate extinguishment. Should we be unable to reach the guest immediately, any expenses incurred for dispatching personnel to extinguish the fire will be charged to the guest’s registered credit card at a minimum of $200.  Your cooperation and diligence in this matter are greatly appreciated.

It’s crucial that all guests understand the risks involved when using small, non-motorized watercraft such as kayaks. Wind can pick up quickly, and even moderate gusts can create waves that are too dangerous for these small vessels to handle. In fact, there have been two serious incidents in recent years where individuals narrowly avoided drowning due to unexpected wind and wave conditions.

For your safety, all guests must stay within the protected bay areas and along the shore at all times when using non-motorized watercraft. Life jackets are required for everyone using these vessels—no exceptions.

Guests are fully responsible for any damage, and there is a thorough inspection between guest stays.

If you notice any damage to equipment during your stay, please notify us immediately.

As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions—we’re happy to help!

Policies

Check-In Time: 4:00 PM

• In rare cases of delays due to unforeseen circumstances, check-in may be adjusted to 5:00 PM.
• If the property is not ready by 5:00 PM, guests will be refunded $100, with an additional $100 refunded for each subsequent hour of delay.
• Guests will be contacted on the day of arrival to confirm when the property is ready.

Check-Out Time: 10:00 AM

• Late check-out without prior approval will incur a fee of $100 per hour.

Reservations

Reservations can be made directly through MN Real Estate & Management’s official booking website.  Rates are based on the year the booking is made. All times are in Central Standard Time, and transactions are in USD unless specified otherwise.

Minimum Age Requirement

• Renters must be at least 22 years old. The primary tenant, who meets this requirement, must occupy the property for the entire stay.
• Only family members or authorized close acquaintances may accompany the primary tenant. Unauthorized occupants are strictly prohibited, and violations may result in immediate eviction without a refund.

Falsified Reservations

Reservations made under false pretenses will result in forfeiture of deposits and rental payments.

• MN RE&M reserves the right to enforce the rental contract. The responsible guest is required to review and sign a full rental agreement and waiver of liability before specific check in info will be provided.

Accidental Damage

• Guests are encouraged to secure short-term rental insurance for accidental damages.
• All damages must be reported immediately.
• Repair or replacement costs will be charged to the credit card on file or invoiced with a 30-day payment term after discussions with the guest.

Use of Amenities, Beach, and Lake

• Property owners may provide watercraft or recreational equipment. MN RE&M and the owners are not liable for accidents or injuries.
• Guests must take full responsibility for safety and adhere to precautions, including wearing life jackets and supervising children.
• Alcohol is prohibited during water activities.
• Guests must review and sign a liability waiver and house rules prior to use. By renting the property, guests agree to release MN RE&M from liability for injuries or fatalities.

Communication

• A 24/7 contact number (218-232-7079) is available for any inquiries or concerns.
• Guests are encouraged to reach out with questions about house rules or safety. MN RE&M is committed to addressing issues promptly to ensure guest safety and satisfaction.

Summary of General House Rules

Overview:
Failure to comply with these rules may result in eviction and forfeiture of payments. Violations, such as excessive cleaning or property damage, will incur charges ranging from $250 to $500 per infraction, with notice provided before processing fees. This is a summary, see the full rental contract for more details or reach out with questions.

Vehicles & Parking: Via our STR license we are only allowed one vehicle per bedroom for parking with no parking on public streets or in yards. This rule must be followed as neighbors will often call in a complaint if there are more vehicles than allowed. ATVS & Snowmobiles are only allowed with priory approval and agreed upon guidelines.

Smoking/Vaping: Smoking, vaping, and marijuana use are strictly prohibited anywhere on the property, including garages, game rooms, and guest houses. Many of our properties are equipped with WiFi-connected smoke and vape detectors. Any violation of this policy will result in a $500 fine, additional cleaning fees, and immediate eviction per the signed rental agreement. Housekeeping is instructed to report any signs of smoking, and they have monitors to confirm violations. Smoke odors are difficult and costly to remove, and future guests may have severe allergies or request refunds. Please respect this policy to ensure a clean and enjoyable stay for everyone.

Occupancy: The agreed upon number of guests must be followed. All guests must be registered. Daytime guests must never exceed the number of nighttime guests and must be off the property by nightfall. Via our STR license we cannot allow tents, campers, or extra sleeping capacity on the property. Parties, large groups, or gatherings are prohibited. Any violation will result in immediate eviction without a refund and $500 fine. See the rental agreement or reach out with questions on this policy.

Dogs: Pets are prohibited from this property.

Fireworks:
The use of fireworks on the property or beach is strictly forbidden due to safety and cleanup concerns.

Illegal Activities:
Drugs and unlawful activities are prohibited and may lead to eviction and forfeiture of deposits.

Cleaning and Prohibited Messes:
Hard to clean messes such as confetti, glitter, water balloons are prohibited.  Avoid leaving debris in the yard, lake, or beach. Garbage pickup schedules must be followed, and excess waste removal fees may apply. The use of self-tanning lotion, nail polish/remover, and cleaning fish indoors is not allowed.

Noise and Disturbances:
Quiet hours are from 9 PM to 9 AM. Excessive noise, loud music, or disturbances are not allowed. Neighbors have 24/7 access to report issues.

Amenities and Usage:
Only registered guests may use property amenities. Guests must follow guidelines for grills, docks, and watercraft. Fire safety and the use of life jackets are mandatory.

Safety: Firearms are restricted based on property rules.

Inspections and Maintenance:
Owners may access properties in emergencies or for scheduled maintenance, providing notice when possible.

Departure Expectations:
Guests must leave the property in good condition following all check out expectations.

This summary ensures a harmonious stay for guests and neighbors while maintaining property standards. Please reach out with any questions or concerns regarding these policies.

Our direct booking cancellation policy for this property is designed to be flexible while also protecting the property owner from last-minute cancellations. Guests may cancel and receive a 100% refund when cancellation is made at least 30 days before check-in and a 50% refund when cancellation is made 15–29 days before check-in. Cancellations made within 14 days of check-in are normally non-refundable, as the rental income is committed to the property owner and it can be difficult to replace a reservation on short notice. However, we understand that unexpected situations can arise, so if you need to cancel within 14 days of your stay, please contact us as soon as possible. We can cancel the reservation and attempt to rebook the dates, and if we are successful in rebooking the cancelled dates, we will still provide a 50% refund, even if the replacement reservation is secured only a few days before your scheduled arrival. We kindly ask guests not to make reservations unless they reasonably intend to keep them, as credit card and payment-processing fees associated with direct reservations can approach 8%. At the same time, we recognize that legitimate emergencies and unexpected circumstances happen, and when they do, we are happy to work with our guests and provide any refund available under the cancellation policy above.

The neighbors to the property are unfortunately very sensitive. Please show them the upmost respect and consideration they did not choose to live next to a rental.

Please note that this is a four-bedroom property and can accommodate up to 9 guests. We do not permit more than 9 people to be on the property at any time. Our neighbors will notify us if the guest limit, four-car parking limit, or 9 PM to 9 AM quiet hours are violated. Breaking these rules will result in immediate eviction without a refund. We encourage guests to have fun and make memories, but out of respect for our neighbors, we do not allow parties or large gatherings of any kind. Please review all house rules carefully and reach out with any questions.

Hot tub use: Proper use of a hot tub requires folks to shower before and after use. Please do not spill anything in the hot tub & let us know if there are any issues with it asap.

It is important for guests to understand that we have a third-party pool tech company taking care of the Hot Tub. This is done for the safety of our guests. It is important to understand we have no control over the hot tub via our contract with them. They will be out to do water checks etc. on Mondays and Thursday and will do whatever they need to do to make sure the hot tub is clean and safe. That at times may mean they will change the water, clean it etc. Of course, during that time it will be unavailable. We have no way to predict their schedule because it is based on the water quality when they check it.

Although we do everything, we can make sure the hot tub is ready for guests and try to coordinate cleans between stays, because it takes a few hours for the hot tub to warm up there may be a rare time when it is not ready for use during a stay, if the tech insists on changing water. With tight back-to-back turns during the summer the folks that handle the hot tub do their best to make sure their work is done as soon as the last guest checks out; however, it is up to their discretion to change water and perform other maintenance and cleaning as they deem necessary.  We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience with any hot tub timing issues. Due to the nature of the hot tub, it is out of our control, and we cannot give a refund for the Hot Tub being unavailable for a time. Just like any hotel or lodge we cannot always schedule and predict availability, and the safety of our guests is our priority.

Please note that this is a four-bedroom property and can accommodate up to 9 guests. We do not permit more than 9 people to be on the property at any time. Our neighbors are very sensitive and will notify us if the guest limit, four-car parking limit, or 9 PM to 9 AM quiet hours are violated. Breaking these rules will result in immediate eviction without a refund. We encourage guests to have fun and make memories, but out of respect for our neighbors, we do not allow parties or gatherings of any kind. Please review all house rules carefully and reach out with any questions.

When Minnesota Real Estate & Management (MN RE&M) accepts a direct booking from a responsible guest with no prior experience, we conduct a brief legal background check. We reserve the right to cancel any booking if the responsible guest has been convicted of a violent crime, drug-related charges, or burglary within the past several years. In such cases, we will promptly notify the responsible guest and issue a full refund of any deposit paid.