Deposit and Cancellation Policy (effective, August 11th 2000)
The initial deposit we require to confirm a reservation, while not refundable, is transferable -- subject to certain conditions. Should we be advised in writing and sufficiently in advance of your inability to occupy the reserved lodging as booked, we'll gladly apply the entire initial deposit, less a US$35 administrative fee for the time and paperwork involved, to an alternate stay within the twelve months following the date of cancellation, subject only to availability. Current rates, in effect when the new reservation is made, will apply.
To transfer the initial deposit to a new stay, and not charge the remaining balance due for the original stay, we must be notified by e-mail, fax, or letter, at least thirty-five (35) days prior to confirmed arrival for all reservations, except those with arrival or departure during high season, for which we require sixty-five (65) days prior notice.
The remaining balance is due one calendar month before scheduled arrival, or two calendar months before scheduled arrival for high season reservations, and will automatically be charged to the same credit card as the initial deposit, unless an alternate card number and expiry date are received before the due date. Once paid, the remaining balance is non-refundable and non-transferable, and the reservation is fixed and final. However, at our disgression and if we are advised early enough to re-book the accommodations during all or part of the original stay, a partial transfer may be applied to a new stay.
All reservations booked within thirty (30) days of arrival -- or within sixty (60) days of arrival during the high season -- must be fully paid upon booking, and are fixed, final, non-transferable and non-refundable.
Should, for whatever reason (i.e., credit card expired, transaction declined, etc.) the remaining balance not be paid on or before the due date indicated in the confirmation we forward, the reservation will be considered to be cancelled by the reserving party.
This policy, although perhaps less flexible than that of many large hotel chains, is essential to the survival of a modestly-sized inn operating on a Caribbean island. Unlike most hotels in the US, Canada, Europe and other metropolitain areas, ours cannot count on any "local trade", or guests arriving by car at the last minute. We depend almost exclusively on an overseas clientele arriving by air for visits invariably planned well in advance. The cancellation notice stipulated is the minimum we consider necessary to have any chance of rebooking accommodations.
We sincerely hope that you can appreciate our situation as independent innkeepers,
and we thank you for your understanding.
