Cancellations & Policy | Miss Murphy's

Policies & Good-to-Knows

(Because clear expectations make for an even lovelier stay.)

Reservations

Our historic guest suites are ready when you are. Book online 24/7 and you’ll see real-time availability. Prefer a personal touch? Call or text us at (815) 540-1622 — we’re always happy to help you choose the perfect spot for your getaway.

Check-In & Check-Out

Check-in: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

If you’d like to arrive early or a bit later, just let us know in advance. While we can’t always promise an early check-in, we can promise a warm welcome when you get here.

Minimum Stay

From May 1 to October 31, weekends and certain holidays require a two-night minimum. If you spy a single night on our calendar, it’s yours for the taking — or call us a few days ahead and we’ll see if we can make it work.

Payment

To keep things simple, payment is taken in full at the time of booking. We accept all major credit cards through our secure online portal. Rates are based on double occupancy and may vary during holidays, special events, or peak seasons — but once you’ve reserved, your rate is set and guaranteed.

Cancellations

We understand that life can be unpredictable, so here’s how we handle changes:

15+ days before arrival: Full refund, less a $35 processing fee.
14 days to 48 hours before 4:00 PM arrival: No refund, but we’ll issue a travel credit valid for one year from the original reservation date. We encourage you to use it as soon as possible — after all, your getaway is still waiting for you.
Less than 48 hours before 4:00 PM arrival or no-show: No refund or travel credit can be provided.

For group reservations and full-house bookings: more than 30 days prior to arrival, cancellations are permitted with a $35 processing fee per room, and changes are subject to availability. Less than 30 days of arrival, these reservations are non-refundable and non-changeable, and no travel credit can be provided.

As a small bed and breakfast, each cancellation has a big impact. Weather, travel delays, or illness (including COVID-19) do not alter this policy. If you’re concerned your plans might shift, we recommend purchasing travel insurance at booking for extra peace of mind.

Children

For the comfort of all our guests, we welcome visitors 14 years and older. This keeps the property a serene escape for couples and quiet travelers alike.

Pets

We’re delighted to welcome well-mannered dogs in our Cottage. To keep tails wagging and everyone happy:

Dogs should be friendly with other pups (our own resident dog is always ready for playtime) and fully vaccinated.
The Cottage’s private entrance means your dog can come and go without crossing paths with other guests.
Please bring along your dog’s bedding, food, and essentials so they’ll feel right at home.
For the comfort of all guests, dogs are not permitted elsewhere in the house.
Dogs must be leashed when outside the Cottage, and they should not be left alone in the Cottage.
Our insurer does impose breed restrictions, so please check with us prior to booking. We don’t publish a list because we believe all dogs can be wonderful companions — and frankly, we don’t want to feed another algorithm with data points that can be used unfairly malign certain breeds.
A one-time cleaning fee of $30 per stay applies.

Smoking, Vaping & Cannabis

For the comfort of all our guests — and in accordance with Illinois law — smoking and vaping (including e-cigarettes) are not permitted indoors. Guests may smoke and vape in designated outdoor areas.

Cannabis use is not permitted anywhere on the property. Under Illinois legislation, cannabis cannot be consumed near anyone under the age of 21, unless the individual is a registered medical cannabis patient. Since we welcome guests aged 14 and older, allowing cannabis poses a legal risk and potential exposure to underage visitors — which we want to avoid for everyone’s safety.

Quiet Hours

For the sake of your fellow guests (and your own restful night’s sleep), we keep quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Accessibility

Our 1800s home was built in a time before elevators were common, so all guest suites involve stairs. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us before booking.

Damage or Loss

Guests are responsible for any damage or missing items during their stay. Related charges will be applied to the card on file.