The Locals House
The Locals House is Rockaway Beach's NICEST vacation home. Owned by Locals Surf School's founder, Mike Reinhardt, this home has everything to offer to make your stay comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable.
The home has been recently renovated with high-quality craftsmanship and elegant interior designs. Guests of the Locals House enjoy it's modern, beach-inspired decor as well as a very spacious layout meant to make even large groups feel at home. The house boasts 2 floors, 5 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a large living room, open plan dining room and kitchen, back deck and back yard, all for guests to access and enjoy.
Without question, the Locals House has the BEST location of all rental homes in the Rockaway. While staying here, one can enjoy views of Jamaica bay and have the luxury of being able to walk to all points of interest. The house literally steps from all the best bars, shops and restaurants yet is still on one of the nicest, residential blocks in the area. It is also only a short 5 minute walk to 92nd St. Beach, Rockaway's best area for both surfing and relaxing.
Wherever one goes, there is no better way to experience a neighborhood than living like a local. Come discover the lifestyle of Rockaway Beach at the Locals house.
House Rules
Please be mindful of these few simple house rules that help to maintain the house's condition and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for guests.
• Check In : 3PM | Check Out: 11AM
I can be flexible with times for checking in or out upon early request; however, keep in mind that sometimes I will need enough time to clean the house and prepare for the following guests and won't be able to accommodate late check out.
• Please Remove Shoes Before Entering House
Being that this is a house by the beach with a backyard, it's very easy for sand and dirt to find it's way inside. I ask guests to kindly remove their shoes once inside so as to not track in dirt and to foster a cozy vibe.
• No Smoking
Please do not smoke inside the house. I am quite strict about this rule as I am allergic to the smoke and its residue. Please use the back deck or yard and properly dispose of butts in ashtrays. Thank you.
• Generally No Pets
In general, I don't allow pets to stay at my home; however, if you request for your furry friend to stay as well, I am happy to consider.
• Max Guests: 11
There are enough beds to sleep 11 people. I don't allow more than that many people to stay here without permission. Extra guests subject to $50 fee per person per night.
• No Large Parties
The house is quite large and can comfortably handle larger groups; however, I don't allow large parties or ragers with uninvited guests. Get togethers, hang-outs, barbecues, celebrations, drinking, merriment, are all ok and encouraged! I enjoy my fair share of fun and want you to do the same. I just don't want the house to get ruined by parties that get out of hand since I've worked so hard to make the place really nice for my guests.
• Accepted Payment Methods: Cash, Check, Venmo
To reserve the home, guests must make full payment. Once payment is received, dates will be blocked off.
• Security Deposit: $275
Guests are responsible for any and all damages done to the house while staying here so please treat my home like it was your own.
• Cleaning Fee: $60
• Cancelation Policy
Guests who cancel their reservation may receive 90% of their payment back if canceling at least 3 weeks in advanced. If canceling within 3 weeks or your scheduled booking, guests may receive 80% of their payment back if the house gets booked by another party. If the house goes unbooked after cancellation, guests will receive 50% of payment back. I am not in the business of keeping deposits, I would rather all my guest keep their reservations and enjoy the Locals House experience to the fullest. Just keep in mind that while I have your dates blocked off, I am turning away other people that could have been booking those same dates that you wish to cancel.
The Owner: Mike Reinhardt
Mike Reinhardt is the owner and co-founder of Locals Surf School in Rockaway Beach. As a life-long Rockaway beach local, Mike has always been around the ocean and has dedicated his life to it. After learning to surf at an early age, Mike always dreamed of using surfing as his vehicle to travel the world in search of amazing waves and developing a career based on his passion for the sport. He now spends the majority of his year sharing this passion with others by teaching them how to surf, getting involved in the development of his community, and chasing waves around the globe during the off-season.
Mike started his business, Locals Surf School, in 2012 and has grown it into a locally famous attraction that draws thousands of people to the Rockaways each year. Locals has built a reputation for providing high quality surf instruction in a fun and friendly environment as well as surf camps for kids that focus on mentoring the youths of the neighborhood and developing their ocean safety skills. In addition to surf lessons, Locals provide skate lessons, vacation rentals in the Rockaways and guided surf adventures to other countries like Nicaragua. Locals has also gained a reputation for hosting some of the best events the peninsula has to offer like their popular surf contests and massive parties at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club.
Through his business, Mike has also been heavily involved in community affairs and has made a strong effort to give back. In conjunction with the Surfrider and Swimstrong organizations, Mike started a program that teaches local underserved youths how to swim and surf with hopes of giving them the tools they need in order to enjoy the sports and activities of a beach community. Mike also regularly hosts beach cleanups and volunteers for other programs that take place in the neighborhood like the Wounded Warriors foundation and Life Rolls on surf events for wounded veterans and disabled surfers.
Aside from his business, Mike spends his time traveling the world in search of waves, skateboarding, swimming, stand up paddling, playing sports, and spending time with his family. After the loss of his mother at a young age and enduring the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, family and community values have become more important than ever to Mike as he makes sure to take care of his several younger siblings and honor the family's heritage of having ties to this neighborhood for over 100 years. In this way, Mike has become a local liaison for all things Rockaway and surfing in NYC and has been featured in many related fashion and editorial campaigns.
As such, Mike is very dedicated to surfing, his entrepreneurial pursuits, and to his hometown of Rockaway Beach. Wherever he might be in the world, one thing is for sure: he is most likely in the water.