General Conditions

For the purposes of these General Terms and Conditions:

• “Company”, referred to as either “the Company”, “We”, “Us”, “Our” or “Ours”, refers to Cadeira ao Norte, Lda., managing organisation of Quinta do Bom Despacho.
• “Guest” or “Gests” means any individual or group of individuals, respectively, who booked one or more rooms and therefore can access certain areas or facilities of the House and/or the Property.
• “Half-house” refers to bookings for a section of the accommodation that concern the Garden-level House (Rooms 1-3) or the Upper-level House (Rooms 4-10).
• “House” refers to the building in which the accommodation Service is offered, and a room, a floor or the entire building can be booked.
• “Promotions” refers to discounts, contests, sweepstakes, or other Promotions offered by the Company which may relate to one or more Services provided.
• “Property” refers to the grounds in which the House is inserted, accessible through the main green gate located on the southeast side or through the secondary red gate located on the northwest side.
• “Services” or “Service” refers to all or any of the Services offered by the Company such as but not limited to: the Website, accommodation, events or visits.
• “Terms” refers to these Terms and Conditions that form the entire agreement between You and the Company regarding one or more Services.
• “Third-party Booking Services” refers to platforms external to the Company such as Booking.com, Airbnb or Coliving.com through which You can book one or more rooms, Half, or the Whole House.
• “User” refers to any person accessing and navigating the Website.
• “Visitor” or “Visitors” refers to any individual or group of individuals that, despite not being a Guest, has temporary access to certain areas or facilities of the House and/or the Property.
• “Website” refers to Quinta do Bom Despacho webpage, accessible from https://www.quintadobomdespacho.com
• “Whole House” refers to bookings for the entire accommodation which concern Rooms 1-10
• “You” or “Your” refers to Yourself, as a Website User or as a former, current, and/or potential customer of the Company through the purchase of one or more of Our Services.

 

1. General Booking Terms

1.1. Bookings to stay with Us can be made directly through Our channels such as the Website, email, phone, social media, or one-on-one conversations (yes, those still exist!).

1.2. You can also book accommodation through Third-Party Booking Services which are subject to different conditions that may vary depending on the Service provider.

1.3. The General Terms and Conditions regarding bookings made through Third-Party Booking Services or any other intermediary external to the Company are under their exclusive responsibility and should be accessed by the User for informational purposes.

1.4. The Terms listed below apply exclusively to bookings made directly with Us.

1.5. Requests for any Service are considered provisional until payment, in whole or in part, is received and the Service or Services are confirmed in writing.

1.6. Other than Our live-in chickens and cats, and following Decree-Law no. 74/2007, We reserve the right to not accept any animal at the Property except assistance dogs.

1.7. We understand there may Guests and/or Visitors which can have unregistered support animals that are necessary to their wellbeing. Occasionally, such animals may be permitted but acceptance is subject to agreement in writing and no rights can be derived for any stay that may be extended nor for any new booking.

1.8. You are responsible to inform Us in a timely manner of the overall number of people included in Your booking as well as to explicitly indicate the number of children included. Booking confirmation may be subject to the availability of cots and/or extra beds as well as of space within the booked room(s).

1.9. Bookings with Us can vary in nature. Each booking is unique and carries operational differences such as but not limited to the Services offered, the costs involved and the Terms applicable to those Services. We make our best efforts to provide up-to-date and transparent information on Our Website and on Third-party Booking Services so that You can know what to expect when staying with Us.

 

2. Booking Types

2.1. We currently offer two different booking seasons:

2.1.1. Ecoliving bookings, from October through May for longer stays in which You can book a room per month;

2.1.2. Group bookings, from June through September in which You can book Half-House or the Whole-House.

2.2. Regardless of those two booking seasons, individual rooms may occasionally be available for booking with a minimum stay of 4 nights.

 

2.3. In Ecoliving season, when booking and individual room, regardless of the floor it pertains to, You can expect to:

2.3.1. Have one remote to open the main gate, a key to the entrance door of the House and at least one key to Your room (additional keys depending on the indoor/outdoor accesses to Your room).

2.3.2. Have private access to the specific room You booked which includes a bathroom, either en-suite or shared by no more than 2 rooms.

2.3.3. Have free outdoor parking subject to availability.

2.3.4. Share the dining and meeting room as a coworking space with other ecolivers.

2.3.5. Share all common indoor areas of the House and outdoor areas of the Property with other ecolivers, Visitors, and staff.

2.3.6. Have access to the Office according to its opening hours.

2.3.7. Share the BBQ Area and the Garden-level kitchen with staff.

2.3.8. Occasionally have limited access and/or share areas and facilities throughout the Property with the members of our Community Wellbeing program such as the Green House, the Compost Toilet, the Community Porch and South Parking. To know when this may happen, You can find up-to-date information and schedules on Our Community Wellbeing program page.

 

2.4. When booking and individual room, regardless of the floor it pertains to, You can expect to:

2.4.1. Have one remote to open the main gate, a key to the entrance door of the House and at least one key to Your room (additional keys depending on the indoor/outdoor accesses to Your room).

2.4.2. Have private access to the specific room You booked which includes a bathroom, either en-suite or shared by no more than 2 rooms.

2.4.3. Have free outdoor parking subject to availability.

2.4.4. Share all common indoor areas of the House and outdoor areas of the Property with other Guests, Visitors, and staff.

2.4.5. Have access to the Office according to its opening hours.

2.4.6. Share the BBQ Area and the Garden-level kitchen with staff.

2.4.7. Occasionally have limited access and/or share areas and facilities throughout the Property with the members of our Community Wellbeing program such as the Green House, the Compost Toilet, the Community Porch and South Parking. To know when this may happen, You can find up-to-date information and schedules on Our Community Wellbeing program page.

 

2.5. When booking Half-house You are guaranteed to not have any other Guests or Visitors accessing the booked floor and can expect to:

2.5.1. Have, per room, one remote to open the main gate, a key to the entrance door of the House and at least one room key (additional keys depending on the indoor/outdoor accesses to Your room).

2.5.2. Have private access to one floor of the House which includes access to areas and facilities pertaining to that floor i.e. individual rooms, kitchen and living room.

2.5.3. Have private access to indoor areas of the House pertaining to the floor You booked.

2.5.4. Have free outdoor parking subject to availability.

2.5.5. Share outdoor areas of the Property with other Guests, Visitors, and staff.

2.5.6. Have other Guests using the same House although not the spaces allocated to Your private access.

2.5.7. Have access to the Office according to its opening hours.

2.5.8. Share the BBQ Area and the Garden-level kitchen with staff.

2.5.9. Occasionally have limited access and/or share areas and facilities throughout the Property with the members of our Community Wellbeing program such as the Green House, the Compost Toilet, the Community Porch and South Parking. To know when this may happen, You can find up-to-date information and schedules on Our Community Wellbeing program page.

 

2.6. When booking the Whole House, You are guaranteed to not have any other Guests or Visitors accessing the House and can expect to:

2.6.1. Have, per room, one remote to open the main gate, a key to the entrance door of the House and at least one room key (additional keys depending on the indoor/outdoor accesses to Your room).

2.6.2. Have private access to the House which includes access to areas and facilities pertaining to it i.e. individual rooms, kitchens and living rooms.

2.6.3. Have free outdoor parking subject to availability.

2.6.4. Have access to the Office according to its opening hours.

2.6.5. Share the BBQ Area and the Garden-level kitchen with staff.

2.6.6. Occasionally have limited access and/or share areas and facilities throughout the Property with the members of our Community Wellbeing program such as the Green House, the Compost Toilet, the Community Porch and South Parking. To know when this may happen, You can find up-to-date information and schedules on Our Community Wellbeing program page.

 

3. Check-in, Check-out and Office Hours

3.1. Check-in is from 3:00 pm.

3.2. Check-out is until 11:00 am.

3.3. Standard office hours are from 9:00am until 4:00pm.

3.4. Exceptions to these times may occur and are analysed at Our own discretion provided there is no interference either with other check-ins or check-outs or with cleaning Services.

3.5. Should adjustments be made to any check-in and/or check-out times, that should be considered an occasional event. Owing to this, no rights can be derived for any stay that may be extended nor for any new booking.

3.6. During standard office hours, a staff member will be available to assist You with Your check-in and/or check-out process.

3.7. In case You arrive before standard office hours and subject to availability, We offer the possibility for an early check-in. With an early check-in, You can book the night before Your arrival at a 50% discount. This ensures Your room, floor or the Whole House is ready as soon as You arrive from Your red-eye flight.

3.8. In case You arrive after standard office hours, You may be subject to perform a self check-in. Detailed instructions will be provided to You in a timely manner and through the appropriate channel and, closer to Your check-in date, a reminder will be sent.

3.9. We reserve the right to surcharge 50% of the night rate of Your booking per check-in and/or check-out that exceeds stated times.

 

4. Pricing and Payment Conditions

4.1. We provide different Services through Our direct sales channels some of which may also be available through Third-party Booking Services.

4.2. Prices and payment conditions may vary according to the Services provided and the channel through which You acquire them.

4.3. In the absence of specific conditions such as but not limited to those of Third-party Booking Services, these Terms apply.

4.4. Our current prices are available on the Website and apply exclusively to Services acquired directly through Our sales channels.

4.5. All prices are in Euros (€), currency in which all payments should be made. We decline any responsibility for

4.6. We reserve the right to apply specific pricing for Services provided during events such as but not limited to national and regional bank holidays, regional events, new year, Christmas or School holidays.

4.7. Sales made through Third-party Booking Services, or any other affiliated sales channels may be subject to specific Terms and Conditions which may include different prices and payment methods. We decline any liability for such provisions which fall under the exclusive responsibility of each Service provider.

4.8. Regardless of the channel through which You book Your stay with Us, prices shown concern the capacity of the booked room(s).

4.9. Depending on Your booking season i.e. during Ecoliving season or during Group Bookings season and booking type i.e. individual room, Half-house or Whole House, We may surcharge You per additional person not included in Your initial booking.

4.10. All prices include Value Added Tax (VAT or IVA in Portuguese) at the current legal rate which may vary according to the Services provided.

4.11. Occasionally, We carry out Promotions during which one or more Services may be offered at discounted prices and/or with special conditions.

4.12. Promotions are time-bound, non-refundable and subject to particular Terms and Conditions that are communicated in a clear and timely manner through the appropriate communication channels.

4.13. No rights can be derived from the particular prices and conditions applicable to Promotions.

4.14. Our Services can be paid through one of the following:

a. Cash

b. Debit card*

c. Credit card*

d. Bank Transfer

e. PayPal

f. Wise

g. MBWay

*Accepted card include Visa, Mastercard, and others

4.15. Bookings made more than 30 days before the check-in date require a 50% deposit at the time of booking to secure the reservation, and the remainder will be due upon arrival.

4.16. Bookings made 30 days or less before the check-in date must be paid in full at the time of booking in order to secure the reservation.

4.17. We reserve the right to cancel the provision of any Service should the respective payment(s) not comply with the conditions set above. We decline any responsibility for issues connected with but not limited to payment Services and currency exchange.

4.18. Children under twelve years old may stay free of charge provided they are in the same room as their parents, tutors, or any other adult(s) responsible for them. No more than 2 children within that age are allowed in any room provided such room has space to accommodate them.

 

5. Cancellation Policy

5.1. Provisions pertaining to Our cancellation policy apply exclusively to bookings made directly with Us.

5.2. Bookings made through Third-Party Booking Services or any other intermediary external to the Company may be subject to specific cancellation policies. It is Your responsibility to consult the appropriate information and to cancel Your booking according to it.

5.3. Each Service provider is responsible for their own cancellation policy as well as for any potential claims, requests for compensation or liabilities arising from its enforcement. We decline any responsibility for the cancellation policies of Third-Party Booking Services or any other intermediary external to the Company.

5.4. For bookings directly made with Us, the following cancellation Terms apply:

5.5. Should there be more people present at check-in than those You mentioned in Your booking, We reserve the right to surcharge per additional person or, depending on occupancy rate, refuse admission of additional people. In the event You decide to cancel Your booking under this provision, You will not be entitled to any refund or compensation.

5.6. All Promotions We may carry out are non-refundable regardless of Service offered, discounted price and/or any other special conditions. Promotions are subject to particular and time-bound Terms and Conditions.

5.7. In the event You cancel Your request for Services:

5.7.1. Within 7 days of the initial request and more than 30 days before the Service’s start date, You will receive 100% refund except for any transaction charges that We might have incurred.

5.7.2. Up to 30 days before the Service’s start date, You will receive a 75% refund and the remaining 25% are due as administrative fee.

5.7.3. Less than 30 days before the Service’s start date, there will be no refunds or compensation, including any deposits or payments made in full.

5.7.4. On or after the Service’s start date, there will be no refunds or compensation, including any deposits or payments made in full.

5.8. If, for any unforeseen circumstances, We are forced to change or cancel the provision of any Service or Services and either an agreement cannot be reached between You and Us or You do not accept the changes under the provisions set out in point 5 of these Terms, You are entitled to a 100% refund of any amount(s) paid.

 

6. Additional Services

6.1. We offer accommodation on a self-catering basis, providing all necessary utensils, tools and appliances for independent cooking and meal preparation.

6.2. We do not provide cooked meals on a regular basis, but such Service can be requested and provided through one of our local preferential partners network. This may include but is not limited to a Private Chef or Catering Services. As a Third-Party Service, such requests are subject to availability and particular prices and conditions.

6.3. Breakfast is not included in any price for any Booking Type, but We can provide it upon request. Our breakfast is local, organic, and vegetarian with seasonal ingredients from the Property. The provision of breakfast Service is governed by the following:

6.3.1. Breakfast time is between 8am and 10am.

6.3.2. Adult breakfast costs 10€ per person per day.

6.3.3. Child breakfast costs 8€ Euros per child per day.

6.3.4. All prices include VAT (Value Added Tax or IVA in Portuguese) at the current legal rate.

6.4. Should You value the experience, harvest baskets can be made available to You so that You can harvest fresh fruit, vegetables and/or aromatic herbs from the gardens. Any produce You may harvest is free of charge and exclusively for Your own consumption.

6.5. We have a Laundry Service subject to a surcharge.

6.5.1. Laundry per 15Kg load costs 10€ for simple washing with or without softener.

6.5.2. Drying per 15Kg load costs 15€ and includes folding and delivering clothes to Your room.

6.5.3. Laundry and/or Drying Service is subject to availability.

6.5.4. You can request Laundry and/or Drying Service during office hours provided it takes place no later than 24h before the Service needs to be completed.

6.5.5. Upon acceptance of Laundry and/or Drying Service, You can deliver Your clothes at the location indicated and using the basket available in Your room.

6.6. We offer a Community Wellbeing programme with an array of activities and schedules that promote mental and physical wellbeing. This programme is open to Guests, Visitors and the local community and is subject to its own Terms and Conditions. Up-to-date details can be found on Our Community Wellbeing page.

 

7. Peace of Mind

7.1. For Your peace of mind, there is a 24-hour phone number available. Should You need any assistance, please call of whatsapp +351 924 702 207.

7.2. We have an on-site Community Manager to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Guests and Visitors. This staff member lives in a self-contained part of the House and is available only when needed.

7.3. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, Your accommodation unit may be replaced by another of equal or higher category. Should this take place, no surcharges will apply therefore any pricing and conditions previously agreed upon will remain valid.

7.4. Should any change regarding the provision of any Service or Services, We shall inform You in writing, which is subject to Your agreement and should be confirmed through the same communication channel.

 

8. Responsibility and Liability

8.1. For Your protection, the Property is protected by CCTV. Surveillance footage is GDPR compliant, stored locally and accessible only to staff members of the Company for safety purposes.

8.2. Throughout the Property there are several different indoor and outdoor areas and facilities, each of which represent different constructions, accesses, uses and maintenance. You are responsible for accessing and using such areas and facilities according to their intended purpose and with due diligence.

8.3. Parents, tutors and/or any adult who has children under their supervision undertakes the responsibility for their safety and their adequate use of indoor and outdoor areas and facilities.

8.4. We decline any responsibility for any damages, liabilities, claims or requests for compensation, including expenses and representation costs, claimed by the User or by third parties as a result of any negligent use and/or access to any indoor and/or outdoor areas and facilities.

8.5. You – or any person connected to the Service or Services provided to You – are responsible for damages to any areas and/or facilities of the House and the Property, including their contents such as but not limited to furniture, bedding, and appliances. This includes any costs arising from losses and/or repairs due to damages that are attributable to You – or to any person connected to the Service or Services provided to You – or from a breach of these Terms. Such costs may include but are not limited to expenses and representation costs.

8.6. We reserve the right to change these Terms to Our own discretion without previous notification.

 

Last updated in August 2023