Terms and Conditions for Staying at The Helmsley Retreat, Holiday Cottage
Please read carefully before making payment.
Acceptance of Terms
By paying the deposit or balance, guests acknowledge and agree to abide by the following terms and conditions for their stay at The Helmsley Retreat holiday cottage.
1. Booking and Payment
- A deposit is required to secure your booking, and the full balance must be paid 6 weeks prior to your arrival.
- Refunds: Refunds are not permitted for cancellations.
- Date Changes: Date change requests must be made at least 6 weeks before the arrival date and are subject to availability and the owners' approval.
2. Check-In and Check-Out
- Check-in is from 4:00 PM onwards.
- Check-out is strictly by 10:00 AM.
- Late check-outs may incur additional charges.
- Guests must vacate the premises by the specified check-out time.
3. Damage and Liability
- Guests are responsible for any damages incurred during their stay and agree to cover the costs for repairs or replacements.
- If small items such as glasses or cups are broken, please notify us. We understand accidents happen. If you’d like to leave a small amount to cover this, it is appreciated but not required.
- For significant damage, we recommend all guests have appropriate travel insurance to cover such events.
4. Cleanliness
- Guests must leave the cottage in a clean and tidy condition as it was upon arrival.
- Failure to do so may result in additional cleaning fees.
5. Hot Tub Usage
- The hot tub is for private use and is thoroughly cleaned and refilled before each stay. Please note it may not reach full temperature until the evening of your arrival.
- Guests are kindly asked not to use the hot tub after 10:00 PM, out of respect for neighbors and to maintain a peaceful environment.
- Hot tub rules and maintenance guidelines will be provided prior to your stay and must be followed.
- If misuse of the hot tub results in the need to drain and refill it, a non-negotiable fee of £80 will apply, and the hot tub will be unavailable for at least 12 hours while the water returns to the correct temperature.
6. Pet Policy
- The Helmsley Retreat is dog-friendly, welcoming one small to medium, well-behaved dog.
- Dogs must remain downstairs and off the furniture.
- Please do not leave dogs unattended in the cottage. If needed, we can recommend dog-sitting services.
- Guests are required to bring towels and blankets for their dog. An additional refundable £100 cleaning/damage deposit will be taken for guests bringing pets.
7. Smoking
- Smoking is strictly prohibited inside and outside the premises.
8. Respect for the Neighborhood
- The cottage is located in a quiet residential cul-de-sac with both permanent residents and other holiday lets.
- Guests are kindly asked to keep noise to a minimum, particularly between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
- Please be considerate when using outdoor spaces, including the hot tub and garden.
9. Parking and Vehicles
- One private parking space is available for guest use.
- The management is not responsible for any damage to guests’ vehicles while on the property.
10. Liability Waiver
- The Helmsley Retreat is not responsible for any accidents, injuries, or loss of personal belongings during your stay.
- Guests are strongly encouraged to take out travel insurance to cover unexpected events.
11. Garden and Outdoor Areas
- The enclosed garden is accessible via a side gate for added convenience.
- Guests are welcome to enjoy the garden but are asked to keep it tidy and respect the neighbors’ peace.
12. Right of Entry
- The management reserves the right to enter the property for maintenance, inspection, or emergency reasons. Prior notice will be given whenever possible.
13. Compliance with Local Regulations
- Guests must comply with all local laws and regulations during their stay, including health and safety guidelines.
14. Feedback and Reviews
- Guests are encouraged to leave positive feedback after their stay, as it is invaluable for the future of The Helmsley Retreat and for future guests. The owners are committed to constantly improving the guest experience and maintaining the highest standards.
- If guests find anything that is not right or are unhappy with any aspect of their stay, they are kindly asked to share their concerns directly with the owners, either personally or by leaving a comment in the Suggestion Book provided in the cottage. This ensures that any issues can be addressed promptly and appropriately, without impacting the overall guest experience.
Cancellations and Refunds
At The Helmsley Retreat, we do not offer refunds for cancellations. We understand that this may feel unusual in today’s world, where many things are refundable, but holiday cottages operate differently for several reasons:
- Preparation and Planning: A significant amount of time and effort goes into preparing the cottage for each stay. From cleaning and maintenance to managing bookings, these costs are incurred regardless of whether a guest stays or cancels.
- Limited Availability: As a single holiday let, The Helmsley Retreat has limited availability. When a booking is secured, it often means turning away other potential guests. If a cancellation occurs close to the arrival date, it can be challenging to rebook the property at such short notice.
- Fairness to All Guests: Our pricing structure is based on ensuring that every guest receives the best experience. Offering refunds for last-minute cancellations would mean increasing prices overall to cover potential losses, which we feel would be unfair to our other guests.
For these reasons, once the full balance has been paid (6 weeks prior to arrival), cancellations are non-refundable. We strongly recommend that all guests take out sufficient travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances, including cancellations.
By proceeding with your booking and staying at The Helmsley Retreat, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions.