Ruttger's interior
Policies & FAQs

Resort Policies

If you have any questions, please contact us

Check In / Check Out

Regular Season (May-October):
Check-in after 5:00pm
Check-out 11:00am

Winter (November - April):
Check-in 2:00pm
Check-out 11:00am

Cancellation Policy

Receipt of your deposit guarantees space is reserved.

For reservations from October 22, 2023, through June 14, 2024; a 72-hour notice is required. For deposit refund, less a $50 cancellation fee, per each room in your reservation, you must cancel at least 72-hours prior to your arrival. You will lose your deposit and be charged for your entire stay if cancellation is received less than 72-hours prior to your arrival. If you arrive late or depart early, you will be charged for your entire reservation.

For reservations from June 15, 2024, through October 20, 2024; a 14-day notice is required. For deposit refund, less a $50 cancellation fee, per each room in your reservation, you must cancel at least 14 days prior to your arrival. You will lose your deposit and be charged for your entire stay if cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to your arrival. If you arrive late or depart early, you will be charged for your entire reservation

No Show Policy

Rooms will be released at 8 a.m. the day following the reservation, and the complete balance will be processed with the credit card on file. For group reservations, please refer to group contract.

Reservation Deposit

A deposit of 25% of stay with a minimum deposit of 1 night's rate is required.

Daily Resort Fee

A daily Resort Fee plus applicable tax is applied to each reservation and includes amenities that are sure to enhance your experience at Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort. The daily Resort Fee is 8% on your nightly rate. *Resort fee is subject to change

  • Reduced golf rates on Jack's 18
  • Tennis and Pickleball courts
  • Beaches
  • Aqua inflatables
  • Volleyball courts
  • Indoor pool
  • Indoor hot tub
  • Pool Towels
  • Shuffleboard
  • Lawn games
  • Non-motorized fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks
  • Trivia Night
  • Resort Activities
  • Bonfire with s'mores
  • Business Center
  • Complimentary ice
  • Local Calls
  • Wireless Internet
Payment Methods

A credit card is required at check-in. Ruttger’s accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. We also accept cash and approved personal checks. There is an ATM at the resort.

Debit / Credit Card Users

When you present your credit or debit card at check-in, it can take your bank up to ten days for this amount to be released to your account. If you wish to avoid this amount from being held on your banking account, please provide us with another credit card at check-in.

If you would like to put your final bill on your debit card, you may switch the form of payment to your debit card at check-out.

General Safety

Traveler Safety Tips American Hotel & Lodging Association

  1. Don’t answer the door in a hotel or motel room without verifying who it is. If a person claims to be an employee, call the Front Desk by dialing 0 and ask if someone from their staff is supposed to have access to your room and for what purpose.
  2. Keep your room key with you at all times and don’t needlessly display it in public. Should you misplace it, please notify the Front Desk immediately.
  3. Close the door securely whenever you are in your room and use all of the locking devices provided.
  4. Check to see that any sliding glass doors or windows and any connecting room doors are locked.
  5. Don’t invite strangers to your room.
  6. Do not draw attention to yourself by displaying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.
  7. When returning to your hotel or motel late in the evening be aware of your surroundings, stay in well-lighted areas, and use the main entrance.
  8. Take a few moments and locate the nearest exit that may be used in the event of an emergency.
  9. If you see any suspicious activity, notify the hotel operator or a staff member.
  10. Ruttger’s will never call and ask for personal information over the phone. If you receive a call requesting information such as Social Security or credit card numbers, please hang up and contact the Front Desk immediately.
Marina Rentals

Boats MUST be returned by 8PM!

All rentals come with life jackets & a free tank of gas. Refills at $9/gallon.

  • All rentals require a valid form of ID. You must be 21 years of age or older for any motorized rental.
  • Each rental requires a liability waiver to be signed.
  • No pets allowed on rentals.
  • Late fees will be assessed on all pontoons, and tritoons, if not returned promptly at the end of the rental period. The late fee is $400.
  • Reservations can be altered or canceled more than 24 hours in advance at no cost. Failure to alter or cancel your reservation 24 hours in advance will result in a full charge to you for your rental.
  • Fishing Guide service is provided by Lynn Harker, 218-851-5507 or fishlynn@charter.net. For more details go to lynnsguideservice.com
  • Bait, tackle, lake maps, and fishing information are available at the Marina.
  • Pontoon drivers are available for an additional fee of $50/hour; must be booked at least 72 hours prior.
  • All rates subject to Minnesota state sales tax and are subject to change without notice.
Storm Shelter Information

TORNADO OR THUNDERSTORM WARNING Please check with the Front Desk on weather concerns. Information on inclement weather is relayed to us from the resort meteorologist. Please be aware of the weather and your surroundings while on the golf course or on the water. Take cover immediately if Ruttger’s Emergency Alert siren is sounded!
STORM SHELTERS
BAY LAKE VILLAS SHELTER:
Crawl spaces below lower units. Ruttger’s staff will unlock doors.

GOLF COURSE, GOLF SHOP, WHITE OAK GRILL SHELTER: Basement of the White Oak Grill at the golf clubhouse away from windows.
MAIN LODGE SHELTERS: Ground level interior rooms, hallway by Front Desk and Employee Only Room, offices behind the Front Desk, bathrooms and locker rooms by indoor pool, Employee Break Room, The Cabin Dining Area
NORTH BAY CONDOS: Ground level interior bathroom

Phone Information / Directory

USING THE TELEPHONES Emergency:  911
Local Calls: 9 + Number
Long Distance Domestic: 8 + Area Code + Number (.25/minute charge to room)
Resort Information: 0
Room to Room:
Dial 2 + Room Number Fax: Outgoing from Front Desk is $1/page + Tax with $5 Minimum Fax Receiving Charge $.20 per page
Flashing Message Light: 2000
Collect Calls: 9 + 0 + Number
International Calls: 8 + 011 + Country Code + Number (40% mark-up on AT&T rates)
Operator Assisted Calls: 9 + 0 + Number
Toll-Free: 9 + 1 + Toll-Free Number (.10 per minute after the first 30 minutes)

Activities: ext. 2215
Auntie M’s: ext. 4670
Bear Pine Bar: ext. 2467
Event Planning: ext. 4626
Country Store: ext. 4672
Fine Line Salon and Spa: ext. 2157
Front Desk: dial 0
Golf Shop: ext. 4646
Group Sales: ext. 4633
Housekeeping: ext. 0
Lobby Shop: ext. 2765
Marina: ext. 2465
Reservations: ext.  4630
Ruby’s Reservation: ext. 4644
The Garage: ext. 4671
White Oak Grill: ext. 4678

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
How do I connect to the Wi-Fi Internet?

Android Devices • Go to Settings. • Click on Wi-Fi, Wireless Settings, or Wireless Control. • Make sure you have Wireless turned on. • You should see a ‘Wi-Fi Networks; list and in it you should see one labeled Ruttgers Wireless. • Click on it and click Connect.

iOS Devices • Go to Settings. • Click on Wi-Fi. • You should see a network labeled Ruttgers Wireless. • Click on it. It should then connect.

Windows 7

Connect to the network by clicking the network icon in the notification area on the very bottom right corner of your screen. • In the list of available wireless networks, select Ruttgers Wireless and then click Connect. (You should not need a password to connect. If for some reason it is asking you for a password dial zero for the front desk.) • If you want to connect to this network every time it’s in range, select the Connect automatically check box.

Windows 8/10

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings. (When using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Settings.) • Check the network icon. • Tap or click Ruttgers Wireless, and then tap or click Connect. (You should not need a password to connect. If for some reason it is asking you for a password dial zero for the front desk.) • If you want to connect to this network every time it’s in range, select the Connect automatically check box.

Mac Users • Click the Wi-Fi menu icon and select Ruttgers Wireless from the list of available networks. (You should not need a password to connect. If for some reason it is asking you for a password dial zero for the front desk.) • Check Remember this Network to have your Mac automatically join the network when available.

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS: Occasionally there can be various factors outside of our control that contribute to issues with connecting to the Wi-Fi such as the weather or the device that is being used to connect.  Below are some common issues and recommended steps for troubleshooting these issues. If, after following these steps, you are still having problems connecting or using the Wi-Fi, please dial zero to report what you are seeing and we will investigate the cause and find a resolution as soon as possible.  Please understand that due to reasons related to liability we cannot make any changes to or touch any guest’s personal property.

PROBLEM: You do not see Ruttgers Wireless as one of the options in the list. • Make sure that wireless is enabled on your device. • Force your device to connect.

Windows Users: go into Control Panel > Network and Sharing > Set up a new connection or network > Manually connect to a wireless network • Network Name: Ruttgers Wireless • Security Type: No authentication (Open) • Security Key: Leave blank • Click Next

Mac Users: You can also force-join an SSID that has stopped broadcasting through a Mac’s Airport Utility. Select to join Other and type in the name of the network and password. See if you can find the signal from another area in the unit that you are staying in. Some devices have less range when detecting Wi-Fi signals.  Our access points are placed in locations that should be sufficient for most devices.

MAKING SURE YOUR WIRELESS IS ENABLED There are many different ways to do this, depending on the device. Here are several methods: • Check the exterior of your laptop for a switch or button to turn off and on your wireless and ensure it’s in the ON position. Often there will be an icon such as one of these next to it: • Enable your wireless in your operating system.

Windows 8/10 • Open Network and Sharing Center. • Choose Change adapter settings on the Task Pane. • Right click on Wi-Fi. • Select Enable.

Windows 7 • Click Start. • Click on Control Panel. • Click on Network and Internet. • Click on Network and Sharing Center. • Choose Change Adapter Settings on the task pane. • Right-click on Wireless Network Connection • Select Enable.

Windows Vista • Click Start. • Click on Network and Sharing Center. • Choose Manage Network Connections on the task pane. • Right-click on Wireless Network Connection • Select Enable.

Mac OS X • Open Settings. • Select Wireless and Networks. • Select Wi-Fi.

iOS • Open Settings. • Select Wi-Fi. • Swipe the OFF to ON.

Are pets allowed?

We have 12 pet friendly accommodations. Call to book, 800-450-4545.

$50 per night for 1 dog (max 60 pounds)
$75 per night for 2 dogs (max 60 pounds per dog)

Guests can sign a pet policy either before or at check-in.

How do I find a list of activities?

A weekly schedule of activities is available at the Activities Office and at the Front Desk. Call the Activities Office at 218-678-2885, ext. 2215, for more information.

See Activities at Ruttger's

Is there daily housekeeping?

Due to Covid, we have suspended daily housekeeping during the 2022 season. If you would like daily housekeeping, please let the front desk know upon check-in.

CHECKOUT

When you are ready to check out, please stop by the front desk or call the front desk by dialing 0 from your room phone or 218.678.2885 if you are calling from a cell phone to let them know you are leaving. They will check out out to the credit card on file.

GARBAGE

If you would like to have the garbage picked up from your room during your stay, please leave it out between 8am and 6pm by the nearest garbage container or by your front door and our housekeeping staff with pick it up.

TOWEL EXCHANGE

If you would like to exchange your used towels for new ones, please call the front desk. Please put your used towels into the clear bags found in the room and set outside your front door and our housekeeping staff will pick up and deliver clean towels.

Is there a dress code?

In Ruby’s we recommend resort attire and ask that gentlemen remove their hats.

Where can I find an ATM?

An ATM is located in the stairway lobby in the main lodge and at the Golf Shop.