Terms & Conditions

Please note: DARK SKY COLLECTION acts as an agent taking holiday bookings on behalf of the Owners of the property. The contract is therefore made between you (the hirer) and the Owner of the property for which the booking is made using the Terms and Conditions set below.

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY

After receipt of your deposit, you will be sent confirmation of your booking. From this point a contract is formed between you and the Owner of the property. When you receive your confirmation, please check all the information carefully and if anything is incorrect, please inform DARK SKY COLLECTION immediately.

You are then legally responsible for the balance due on the holiday. This balance will be due 8 weeks prior to the date of arrival.

DARK SKY COLLECTION has the right to refuse any booking at any time. If DARK SKY COLLECTION needs to do this, we will inform you in writing and promptly refund any money paid to it. In this case, neither DARK SKY COLLECTION nor the Owner will have any legal responsibility to you.

GUEST OCCUPANCY

The person booking the property must be over 18 years of age and can certify the booking conditions on behalf of the whole party. The property is available to only the stated number of persons in the description.

The Owner has the right to terminate the booking if over occupied with no refund or compensation. You must allow DARK SKY COLLECTION or the Owner access for any maintenance issues or emergencies during your stay.

Guests are agreeing to not use the property for any commercial, illegal, or sub-letting activities.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

Entry into the property will be from 4pm on the day the booking commences, and departure must be made before 10am to enable timely changeovers. If there are any issues with the property, DARK SKY COLLECTION must be notified immediately by phone or email. We expect you to leave the property in the same good order as you found it. We ask that all crockery, pots, pans etc are washed and with all food and refuse removed from the property.

We have an on-call phone for any issues for late arrivals up to 8pm, but if you are arriving after this time, DARK SKY COLLECTION cannot accept any responsibility for any issues. If you are going to be arriving late (after 8pm) please speak to a member of staff at the time of booking.

After office hours the on-call number is to be used for maintenance emergencies only. We will always try and get hold of contractors if a situation arises.

PAYMENTS

A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total cost of the holiday will be due on booking. We advise you to make sure that you have sufficient holiday insurance as this amount is non-refundable. Full payment of the total cost is due no later than 30 days before the start of your holiday and you are legally responsible to make a timely balance payment. If you are booking within 30 days of the start of your let, payment in full is required with your booking form.

SECURITY DEPOSITS

Some properties require a security deposit and this is clearly stated on the website description. This amount is held to your card a week before your holiday. When booking any properties with a security deposit you are agreeing for your card to be pre-authorised with the sum advertised.

DARK SKY COLLECTION housekeepers or the property Owners will inspect the condition of the property after your departure and if for any reason we feel we need to hold any deposit you will be contacted in writing as soon as possible. Examples of deposits being held back could be to cover the cost of any damage to furniture, goods or extra cleaning needed. You will be emailed with a written report before the deduction of any monies. The pre-authorisation will be held for up to 10 days after your departure.

DAMAGE, BREAKAGES AND LOSS

If any damages or breakages occur to the properties, either inside or outside, you must advise DARK SKY COLLECTION immediately. You may be asked to reimburse once we have contacted the owner of the property. The Owner of the property’s decision will be final on reimbursements.

NON-AVAILABILITY

If for any reason beyond the agents control the property booked becomes unavailable to let or has been deemed unsuitable for holiday letting on the date booked, all monies will be refunded in full. Where alternative accommodation cannot be offered you shall have no further claims on the Owner or DARK SKY COLLECTION.

LOST PROPERTY

Lost property should be reported as soon as possible to DARK SKY COLLECTION and will be kept at our office for 14 days only. A charge of £10 plus P&P can be paid by BACS transfer for the return of your property.

DARK SKY COLLECTION does not take responsibility for returning any items. Food and drink will not be kept.

BED ARRANGEMENTS

All beds are made up as standard as per our website descriptions. If you wish to request for any bed alterations, you must email info@darkskycollection.co.uk two weeks before your stay with your booking number. We will not be able to change beds after arrival without email correspondence.

SMOKING

All our properties operate a non-smoking policy. Smoking outside the properties is allowed if smoke does not enter the property and all evidence is cleared up before vacating.

COMPLAINTS

If you wish to make a complaint, you must do so immediately to DARK SKY COLLECTION. We require complaints in writing and no action can, or will, be taken if you choose to contact us after your holiday has ended as this denies us the opportunity of rectifying issues for you during your stay.

COTS AND HIGHCHAIRS

Cots and highchairs are available either in the property or can be collected from our office at Crai Valley Eco Lodges. Please note cots are provided without linen or mattresses. Both items must be erected and checked by the guest before use. If there are any concerns with either you must phone or email DARK SKY COLLECTION immediately.

PETS

Pets are allowed at properties (if clearly stated on our website) on the condition that they are not allowed upstairs or on any furniture. It is up to you to ensure no evidence of your pet is left in the property or in the garden. Failure to do this will incur extra charges. Properties that advertise an enclosed garden may not be escape proof for your pet. No pet must be left alone in

the property or garden at any time. If you bring a pet to a non-pet property, you may be asked to leave without refund or compensation.

UTILITIES

Electricity/gas/oil/water are included in the cost of the holiday and are organised by the property owner. Fuel is not always left for open fires or wood fires, but you can contact the office to arrange a delivery before your arrival at an extra charge. Wi-Fi will be available at most properties if stated but we cannot guarantee service due to the location and third-party agreements.

Any appliance stated in the description should be working. If this is not the case we shall endeavour to fix it but no compensation will be given.

WEBSITE ACCURACY

Whilst every effort goes into the details on our website, if there is any aspect of the property that you are unsure about please contact the office for clarification. If any changes are made to the property DARK SKY COLLECTION will endeavour to contact you as soon as we become aware.

Exteriors, furniture, and fittings may differ from the photographs on the website. DARK SKY COLLECTION or the owner cannot be held responsible or liable for any inaccuracy.

GUEST LIABILITY

No liability is accepted for any loss, damage, sickness or injury however caused which may be sustained during the holiday to you, a member of the party or any invited person, or any car and its contents, or any possession of you or person defined as above.

CANCELLATIONS

While DARK SKY COLLECTION will where possible minimise the cost of your cancellation, we strongly recommend that you take out adequate holiday insurance including cancellation.

If we can re let the property you will be due back all monies paid less your non-refundable deposit.
If your holiday is longer than 8 weeks away, you will lose your non-refundable deposit.
If you have to cancel within 8 weeks, the cost of your holiday will not be refunded, except where the booking is moved to a different date (see CHANGING A BOOKING), or we are able to relet the property, less your non-refundable security deposit.

CHANGING A BOOKING

If you need to change any details of a booking you should contact DARK SKY COLLECTION to make a request. DARK SKY COLLECTION cannot guarantee that the request will be granted. We expect 8 weeks’ notice and the Owners decision is final.

The request needs to be in writing and there will be an administration cost of £40.00 payable to DARK SKY COLLECTION. If the new dates are more expensive than those already paid, the extra will be added and no refunds will be given if you are changing dates to a lower value holiday. We cannot move between properties on any occasion.

LIABILITY

Neither the Owner, nor DARK SKY COLLECTION can accept responsibility or pay any compensation where events are beyond our control with unforeseen circumstances such as natural disaster, force majeure, fire, flood, weather damage or adverse weather conditions, natural or nuclear disaster, war or threat of war, actual or threatened terrorist activity and/or similar situations. In any or all these instances we would direct you to your holiday insurance.

ACCESSIBILITY

We all know our cottages personally and are always on hand to provide you with as much information as possible to ensure the property you book meets your needs. Our descriptions

are regularly reviewed to ensure they accurately describe the accommodation but if you require more detailed information such as the number of stairs or size of the shower cubicle, please ask for a copy of the property’s Access Statement and we’ll happily send it over to you before you make your booking.