Terms & Conditions US & Caribbean Houses.
The Contract
On placing a booking the client enters into a short-term holiday rental agreement with SimonEscapes. The agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. It will be entered into once the client's deposit has been processed. SimonEscapes will confirm the booking by issuing the client with a confirmation letter. The contract will be subject to the following conditions. The client should check the confirmation carefully.
Payment & Deposit
For all bookings we require the payment of a security deposit in the sum of $10,000. The security deposit is refundable in full provided that the property is left in an appropriate condition for our next client and we do not incur any costs to rectify any damage to the property or its contents that is discovered following your stay. Should any costs be incurred in returning the property to an acceptable condition in readiness for our next client’s stay we will deduct such costs from the security deposit.
Where a booking is made more than 8 weeks prior to arrival, we require a non-refundable deposit of one third of the rental fee to be paid at the time the booking is made. The balance of the rental fee and the security deposit of $10,000 are then payable 8 weeks before arrival. Failure to pay the balance of the rental on or before the due date shall be construed as a cancellation of the booking by the client. Where a booking is made within 8 weeks of arrival, the full rental fee and security deposit are payable at the time the booking is made.
Cancellation
Any cancellation made by the client for whatever reason must be made in writing and addressed to SimonEscapes, Second Floor, Shipgate House, Shipgate Street, Chester, CH1 1RT.
Where time is available, we will endeavour to re-let the property. However, should this not be possible, the full balance owing will remain payable and we will be unable to refund any deposit paid with the exception of the security deposit. Should we be able to re-let the property for part only of the period of your booking, we shall refund either part of the amount you paid proportionate to the days which we are able to re-let, or an amount equal to that which we receive for the re-let (whichever is the lesser), less an administration charge of $50. It may be necessary to discount the cancelled dates in order to re-let them; any discount given is at the discretion of SimonEscapes.
We strongly recommend our clients take out cancellation insurance should they be in any doubt as to their ability to fulfil an existing booking commitment.
Change of Dates
We may consider a request from a client to change the dates of a booking after confirmation has been issued. However, this will only be possible where the request is received in writing more than 8 weeks prior to the start of the booking and will, in any event, be subject to availability.
Period of Hire
Arrival and departure times are to be agreed with SimonEscapes prior to your booking being confirmed. Thereafter, should you wish to arrange an earlier or later arrival or departure, we may be able to accommodate this although an additional charge may apply and this will be strictly subject to availability. Please contact us directly to discuss your particular requirements.
Use of Property
The number of persons occupying a property must not exceed the maximum number stipulated on the booking form. Each property may be used for personal and domestic purposes only. The property shall not be used for any commercial purposes without the written consent of SimonEscapes. We reserve the right to refuse entry to your entire party if these conditions are not observed.
Care of Property
By making a booking, the client agrees to take full responsibility for all members of his/her party and to ensure that reasonable and proper care is taken of the property both internally and externally including the property's contents. All effects in or on the property should be left in the same state of repair and in the same clean and tidy condition at the end of the rental period as they were found at the beginning. Failure to meet this standard will result in a charge being levied against the security deposit.
Breakages or Damage
The client agrees to reimburse SimonEscapes for the cost of replacement, repair or extra cleaning associated with any unacceptable damage or breakage that takes place during the period of their stay. Any such rectification costs will be deducted from, but are not limited to, the $10,000 security deposit. Should the rectification costs exceed $10,000, we will levy an additional charge to the client. Please report any breakages to enable us time to correct / replace for next arriving guests.
Use of Appliances
When using appliances at the properties, eg cookers and BBQs, please ensure you clean after each use. Our limited time during changeover cleaning does not allow for deep cleaning of ground-on stains. If an additional deep clean is required a charge will be taken from the house security deposit.
Noise
We respectfully request that you show due consideration to the inhabitants of neighbouring properties and keep any noise to a minimum, particularly late at night or in the early morning.
Pets
Unfortunately, we do not allow pets at any SimonEscapes properties.
No Smoking Policy
We operate a total no-smoking policy in all SimonEscapes properties.
Children & Safety Advice
Clients must accept full responsibility for the safety of any children in their booking party. Cots and highchairs will be available upon request for infants but we advise clients to check the safety of any such items before use. Clients may choose to bring travel cots or other children's facilities with them for the duration of their stay. We draw your particular attention to keeping a close eye on children of all ages around pool/waterside areas and also should you choose to operate any of the BBQ equipment located at our properties. We ask that you exercise great caution when using the pool or BBQ. Please be extra vigilant with:
Balconies and railings - small children may be able to squeeze through gaps or climb and we accept no responsibility for any accidents that happen as a result
Children under the age of 16 – any such children are not permitted by law to use any sauna or steam room facilities at our properties
Glass doors and windows – these can be difficult to see in bright light
Wooden and marble floors - which can be very slippery when wet and should be avoided by those with wet feet
Staircases – which may be unguarded and/or may not have a handrail
Roof terraces and patio areas
Website and Advertisement
SimonEscapes aims to ensure all information and descriptions provided on its official website and any third-party websites or advertisements are accurate including the description of additional services that may be available to the client during their stay at a property. However, certain local amenities or attractions may become unavailable as a result of matters outside of our control. Should that be the case we will take all reasonable steps to advise the client as soon as we are able to. However, we cannot be held responsible for any changes, closures or disruptions to local area amenities and attractions mentioned on the website, advertised elsewhere or arranged through our concierge service.
Right of Entry
SimonEscapes shall be allowed the right of entry to the property at all reasonable times during a client's stay for the purpose of inspection or to carry out necessary cleaning, repairs or maintenance. However, we will seek to minimise any disruption to the client’s stay.
Pricing
We reserve the right to change the advertised prices of any SimonEscapes property without prior notification. We will confirm the price of your holiday rental and advise you of the price of any additional services you may wish to purchase at the time you place your booking. Prices for our Caribbean properties are subject to a local government tax of 10%, plus a service charge of 2.5%.
Cancellation Insurance
For the reasons mentioned above, we strongly recommend our clients take out cancellation insurance.
Short stays
Please discuss your particular requirements with a member of our team who will be able to advise you on pricing and availability for short breaks.
Complaints
Should you wish to advise us of anything that does not meet with your satisfaction during your occupation of a property please notify us promptly and in the case of a serious concern confirm the matter to us in writing.
Liability
SimonEscapes (for itself, its employees and agents) shall not be liable to any member of the client's booking party or any third parties for any accident, damage, loss or injury, expense or inconvenience, which may be suffered, incurred, arise out of or in any way be connected to the rental. No term of this agreement is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of The Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to it. If the property which the client has booked becomes unavailable for whatever reason prior to the date of the booking, then SimonEscapes' obligations will be limited to using its best endeavours to find a suitable alternative property for the client, or, should this not be possible for whatever reason, reimbursing the client for any monies paid in respect of the booking.
Warranties
SimonEscapes does not warrant and takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any verbal information given or statements made by its staff or service team.