covid booking guarantee

As the UK Government and the Scottish Government continue to adjust COVID-restrictions, we have temporarily updated our booking terms. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to book here at Hillhouse Farm Escapes without worrying about all the “what ifs” of Coronavirus. We know that it’s very unlikely that travel insurance will cover cancellations for Covid reasons, and we don’t want this to stop you from booking a business trip or a holiday at Hillhouse Farm Escapes. Please note that you should have travel insurance in place for all other eventualities (illness, severe weather etc). Please refer to our full terms & conditions for all of the details.

covid booking guarantee terms

The following terms apply under our Covid Booking Guarantee. These terms apply to our cottages (Berry Hill, House on the Hill, Little House on the Hill). You will need to agree to these terms before you confirm your booking. This policy supersedes our standard cancellation policy which is usually in place. All other Terms and Conditions of a stay at Hillhouse Farm Escapes are unchanged. The Covid Booking Guarantee Terms will be in place as long as COVID-19 continues to result in restrictions which might prevent you being able to travel. Once the UK Government and Scottish Government lift restrictions entirely, our normal Ts and Cs will apply to your booking.

30% flexible deposit

As part of our guarantee, we require a 30% deposit at the time of booking. This deposit is flexible in that if your stay cannot go ahead for COVID-19 reasons, we are happy to transfer it to a new date or give you a refund. This means you will not lose out should the UK or Scottish Government guidance prevent you from coming to stay with us.

balance payment 14 days before holiday or business trip

A balance payment for the full amount will be due 14 days before your holiday or business trip starts while the Coronavirus continues to disrupt travel and cause uncertainty. If the situation is still not clear at that point (e.g. the UK or Scottish Government or your home country government is due to make a new announcement), we will be happy to defer this payment for a few more days, including right up to the date of arrival if needed. None of our guests will have to pay a balance for a holiday which is not guaranteed to go ahead. For a business trip, we don’t expect businesses to pay for accommodation where the government prevents travel to our area. We will refer to UK Government and Scottish Government guidance in making decisions about whether stays can go ahead.

We guarantee that all bookings in 2021 will be based on a 14 day balance payment policy. In 2022, we will continue with the 14 day balance payment policy until the UK and Scotland have reached a point that COVID-19 is no longer a threat to travel plans for our guests. At this point, the standard balance payment policy of 60 days will resume. For guests staying from 2022 onwards, therefore, please anticipate that your balance will be due 60 days before your stay.

flexible re-booking policy

In the event of cancellation due to the UK Government’s or Scottish Government’s Covid restrictions, or if you are self-isolating, you will have the flexibility to move the booking to alternative available dates within 18 months of the start date of your planned stay. There will be no additional charges, but if there is a difference in price (e.g. you move from an off-peak booking time to a peak booking time) the difference will obviously still be payable. This is our “Flexible Rebooking Policy”. The Flexible Rebooking Policy is only available for cancellations related to genuine Covid restrictions. Flexible rebooking is not available for cancellations related to weather, change of mind, change of personal circumstances or other reasons.

cancellations

Please note that if you cancel for any reason other than COVID, we will not refund your deposit or balance (if paid). If you fail to pay your balance 14 days prior to the holiday or business trip start date, and you didn’t get in touch with us to discuss the situation, the deposit may be deemed to be forfeited by us and the booking cancelled. In such an event the flexible rebooking policy will no longer apply.

insurance

We recommend additional cancellation insurance to cover in the event of cancellations other than COVID-19 restrictions. Please remember that you need holiday insurance even for domestic holidays and you need business travel insurance for business trips.