Terms and Conditions
1. Interpretation
1.1 The company consists of: (i) Goswell House Limited; and any other entity which from time to time is a group company or affiliated company of the above entity (including any subsidiary or holding company of that entity or any subsidiary of any direct or indirect holding company of that entity), each being a "Group Company" and collectively being referred to as the "Group" for the purposes of these terms and conditions, as updated from time to time by the Group (the "Terms"). Where a Reservation is accepted by a Group Company, that Reservation together with these Terms (together a “Contract”) will constitute a separate binding and enforceable contract between the Customer and the relevant Group Company accepting the Reservation. These Terms are automatically deemed incorporated into each and every Contract, subject to any permitted variation provided for under these Terms and shall accordingly govern the same. Where there is any manifest inconsistency between the provisions of these Terms and any Reservation, the provisions of the Reservation will apply.
1.2 In these General Terms of Business, the following words shall mean:-
Associate Hotel(s) - a hotel independently owned by a third party but marketed by the Company;
Client - the person, firm or company making a booking or staying at the Hotel;
Company - the relevant Group Company accepting the Reservation;
“Goswell House” - trading name of business operated by Goswell House Limited;
“Hotel(s)” - hotels operated by Goswell House Limited and its subsidiaries with which the Client makes a booking;
2. Application of Terms
2.1 These terms apply to all bookings to the exclusion of all other terms and conditions except to the extent that specific terms apply for a particular booking and have been signed in writing by an Authorised Representative of the Company.
2.2 Confirmation of a booking by the Client is deemed acceptance of these terms.
2.3 The term Client and Guest shall be used interchangeably in the Terms of Business and reference to any one of them shall be deemed to include reference to the other.
3. Prices
3.1 All published rates will exclude Vat until the new company exceeds the threshold for registering for Vat.
3.2 The Hotel reserves the right to alter prices for any reason up to the date of booking or up to 12 weeks prior to arrival, whichever is the later.
3.3 After such dates, prices may only be altered to reflect a change in the rate of VAT or for any other reason outside of the control of the Hotel, in which case the changes will be notified to the Client. In the latter event, the Client may cancel the booking without cost.
4. Availability
4.1 All rooms and rates offered by the Hotel are subject to availability and the discretion of the Hotel Staff or Manager.
4.2 Limited numbers of suitable rooms may be allocated to individual rates, packages, or promotions and, when these allocations are taken up, remaining available rooms may be offered to the Client at a higher price where the Client requires such rooms.
5. Bookings
5.1 Bookings must be guaranteed by a major credit or debit card by payment of a 30% deposit or by agreement in writing with a company, travel agent or hotel booking agency. Booking deposits are non-refundable. The balance of the booking payment is due 2 days before arrival and is charged to the supplied credit or debit card automatically where one has been supplied.
5.2 At the discretion of the Hotel, full prepayment may be required especially when booking via a third party or OTA
6. Arrival and Departure
6.1 Bedrooms are usually available from 1pm local time on the day of arrival. However, the Hotel is not in any way obliged to make bedrooms available to Clients at this time, however they will endeavour to do so.
6.2 Departure is by 10am local time. Failure to check out by 10am local time will entitle the Hotel to charge an additional fee.
6.3 Where possible, at times of high demand when bedrooms are not available at the check in time, Clients may Check in to the hotel and use all the Hotel facilities, subject to any rules and restrictions in place at the Hotel in respect of the use of such facilities, including but not limited to opening times, supervision of children and infants etc. whilst the accommodation is being prepared.
6.4 Clients who are aware that they will be arriving at the Hotel before 1pm local time should inform the Hotel by email or telephone prior to arrival; however, the Hotel cannot guarantee that bedrooms will be available at the time of arrival before 1pm unless booked from the previous day.
7. Car Parking
7.1 There is no parking available at the Hotel. You may drop luggage by approaching the hotel from the service road but must not leave a vehicle on the pedestrian street outside the Hotel at any time. Instead you can unload luggage by stopping at the top of Goswell Hill. Vehicles stopping here do so at their own risk.
7.2 Where Hotels have limited or no on-site parking, Clients should confirm with the Hotel prior to arrival whether off-site parking is available and whether there is a charge for such off-site parking.
7.3 The Hotel does not guarantee that a car park space will be available to Clients either at the Hotel or off-site.
7.4 The Hotel does not accept responsibility for damage to, or theft from, or theft of vehicles parked anywhere near the Hotel or in a private or public car park.
8. Cancellations, Amendments and Non-arrivals
8.1 Deposits for reservations are non-refundable. If you booked direct with us then the booking can be cancelled 48 hours or more before noon local time on the day that the Client is due to arrive at the Hotel. The deposit is still payable but any balancing payment will be refundable if already paid. In some circumstances we may offer a voucher for a future stay in place of a refund.
8.2 In the event of non-arrival or cancellation after 48 hours before noon local time on the day that the Client is due to arrive at the Hotel, a charge equivalent to the full booking up to a maximum of seven nights accommodation at the package rate at which the reservation was made will be levied. Normal terms of payment apply to these charges.
8.3 The Hotel reserves the right to offset any amount payable for such cancellation against the Client's credit or debit card without prior notice or the approval of the Client, where applicable.
8.4 If the Hotel cancels on or before the scheduled day of arrival, the Hotel's liability to the Client will be no greater than the amount paid by the Client in respect of the booking.
8.5 If the Hotel cancels the booking after noon local time on the scheduled day of arrival, the Hotel's liability will be limited to the charge for one night's accommodation at the Hotel’s rate which applies at the time that the booking was made.
8.6 In the unlikely event that the Hotel does not, for any reason, have the required number and types of rooms available as per the booking, the Company reserves the right to relocate the Client to an alternative hotel of a similar standard in the same locality. The extra and reasonable accommodation expenses incurred for equivalent accommodation (for the first night only) shall at the Company's discretion be paid by the Company. The acceptance of this alternative accommodation by the Client (which does not release the Client from its obligation to make payment to the Hotel in respect of the booking) shall be in lieu of all other liabilities or obligations which are hereby expressly excluded. The Client acknowledges that neither the Company nor the Hotel accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered by or caused to the Client in consequence of the relocation of the Client.
8.7 A cancellation number will be provided at the time of cancellation and this should be retained for future reference.
9. Payment
9.1 Settlement of the bill in full, less any advance payments, must be made 48 hours prior to arrival at the Hotel.
9.2 Upon arrival the Hotel reserves the right to request pre-authorisation of the Client’s credit or debit card. Cash payments are not accepted.
9.3 All major credit and debit cards are accepted. Personal cheques are not accepted. Company cheques are not accepted without prior clearance. Accounts may only be forwarded for payment on completion by the Client and formal acceptance by the Hotel of an application for credit facilities, which may be withdrawn at any time. Credit facilities are not offered to private individuals.
9.4 All sums are due for payment on presentation of the invoice. In the event of any query relating to the invoice, the Client must notify the Hotel within 7 days of the invoice date and the Client's obligation to pay all outstanding balances immediately will not be affected.
9.5 The Hotel may charge interest at a rate of 4 percentage points per year above the Lloyds Bank Limited base rate on any outstanding balance before and after judgement.
9.6 By agreeing to the terms of this Agreement you hereby expressly authorise Goswell House or it’s affiliates to debit such sums, as are owing to it under this Agreement from your Credit/Debit card account(s). This express authorisation extends to the terms of Clauses 8, 12, 13, 16 and 19.
10. Children
10.1 Children aged 17 years and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult Client at all times to ensure that the children's behaviour is appropriate for other guests within the Hotel.
10.2 Subject to the availability of suitable accommodation, children are deemed to be aged 17 or under and may not be left in their own rooms without a suitable adult.
10.3 At the discretion of the Hotel, children may be excluded from certain events or promotions where deemed unsuitable or inappropriate.
11. Rooms for Disabled Guests
11.1 As Goswell House is accessed via stairs only to the rooms, disabled access may not be possible unless able to climb stairs. There is no elevator at the property.
12. Dogs and other Pets
12.1 Normal domestic pets are not accepted at the Hotel, with the exception of guide and hearing dogs. Clients and Guests with guide and hearing dogs are asked to advise the Hotel prior to arrival.
12.2 The Client is responsible for controlling guide dogs and hearing dogs and will be liable for any damage, soilage or injury however caused by the pet.
13. Behaviour
13.1 The Hotel reserves the right to judge acceptable levels of noise or behaviour of Clients, Guests or representatives, who must take all steps for corrective action as requested by the Hotel.
13.2 In the event of failure to comply with management requests, the Hotel may terminate the booking, stop any event immediately and / or ask the Client to vacate the Hotel premises immediately. No refunds or compensation will be given in these circumstances and we reserve the right not to accept any future bookings from you or any member of your party.
13.3 We operate a non-smoking policy in all bedrooms. As all bedrooms at this Hotel have been designated non-smoking - should you choose to smoke in your room the Hotel reserves the right charge you £200.00 to cover the cost of cleaning, airing and painting the room where necessary and for the disruption caused.
14. Right of Refusal
14.1 The Hotel reserves the right to refuse a Client, Guest or representative entry and accommodation if, on arrival, management reasonably considers that the guest is under the influence of drink or drugs, is unsuitably dressed or is behaving in a threatening, abusive or otherwise unacceptable manner.
15. Discrimination
15.1 It is the policy of the Hotel not to discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion, sex, marital status, age, ethnic origin or disability.
15.2 Clients, their employees, guests and all sub-contractors engaged by or on behalf of the Client are expected to adhere to this policy and the Hotel may, without incurring any liability to the Client, remove from the Hotel any person or persons offending against this policy.
16. External Purchases
16.1 No wines, spirits, beers or food may be brought into the Hotel or Hotel grounds by Clients, their guests or representatives for consumption or sale on the premises without the express written consent of the Hotel and for which a charge may be made by the Hotel.
17. Comments and Complaints
17.1 Any comment or complaint regarding the Hotel should be made to the Hotel Staff at the time of visit so that the matter can be resolved immediately. Alternatively, write within 7 days to the Hotel Manager.
18. Statutory Requirements
18.1 The Hotel is subject to statutory controls, including those relating to ?re, licensing, entertainment, health, hygiene and safety. These must be strictly observed by Clients, their guests, and representatives.
19. Liability
19.1 Other than for death or personal injury caused by the negligence of the Hotel, the Hotel's liability to the Client is limited to the price of the booking.
19.2 Unless the Hotel is liable under the above condition 19.1, the Client indemnifies the Hotel from and against any and all liability and any claims, proceedings or damages resulting or arising from the booking, event or function, the Client, guests or any outside contractors of the Client.
19.3 The Hotel will not be liable for failure to perform to the extent that the failure is caused by any factor beyond its reasonable control.
19.4 The Hotel does not accept any responsibility for the Client’s personal property nor those of its guests, employees, representatives, invitees or contractors including gifts, presents, seminar, conference, exhibition, or other corporate presentation material or such other items brought by the Client, its employees, Guests, representatives, invitees or contractors to the Hotel (cumulatively referred to as the “Client’s Property”). The Hotel may, at the request of the Client, provide personnel to assist in carrying, directing, placing, installing or setting up (as the case may be) the Client’s Property. The Hotel will not assume custody or control of such articles, which remain on Hotel premises at the owners’ risk. In such an instance, the Client acknowledges and accepts that the Client shall remain responsible for the Client’s Property and shall not hold the Hotel liable in any manner whatsoever.
19.5 The Client is responsible for any damage caused to the allocated rooms, its furnishings, utensils, fixtures and fittings and equipment in such rooms by any act, omission, default or neglect of the Client, its guests, employees, representatives, invitees or contractors and shall pay to the Hotel on demand the amount required to make good or remedy any such damage.
19.6 Clients should ensure that valuables are covered by the Client's own insurance policy. The Hotel's liability is limited to the terms of the Hotel Proprietors Act 1956, a copy of which is available here
19.7 Clients must report any loss of or damage to their property immediately on discovery to the Hotel's Management or Security and shall make themselves available to assist with any reports made by the Hotel to the police.
19.8 Clients shall not enter areas of the Hotel which are indicated as being closed to the public. The Hotel shall not be responsible for death, personal injury or loss or damage to property suffered by a Client and their Guests in such areas.
19.9 Liability is limited to those Hotels operated and managed by Goswell House Limited accepting the Reservation.
20. Third Party Liability
20.1 Neither the Hotel, the Company accept any liability for services rendered by third parties to Clients notwithstanding that such services may be arranged by the Hotel or the Company.
20.2 Any claim, demand, charge, suit or damages which may be incurred by the Client or their Guests (or any person claiming thereunder) shall be made directly with such third parties and the Hotel shall render all reasonable assistance in this regard.
21. Insurance
21.1 The Client is recommended to have and is responsible for insurance to cover cancellation, curtailment, and loss of baggage, personal effects and / or money.
22. Data Protection
22.1 The information provided by the Client may be processed by the Company and or Goswell House Limited, and/or the Hotel for the purposes it has notified to the Data Protection Registrar. By confirming the booking, the Client consents to this processing of the information.
23. Dispute
23.1 These terms will be construed in accordance with English law and the Hotel and the Client submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
24. Internet Facilities
24.1 Internet facilities are provided by third party providers. Where these facilities are available in Hotels, the Client acknowledges that there may be disruption to the connection without prior notice and the Hotel shall not be liable whatsoever for such disruption. The Client further undertakes not to use the facility for any fraudulent purpose or in connection with any criminal offence and in contravention of any license and will indemnify the Hotel and the Company against any claim, demand, suit, proceeding or prosecution arising therefrom.