Where does our booking stand with regards to COVID-19 outbreak?
As with all holiday bookings, we strongly advise that you take out a holiday insurance policy that provides you with suitable cover. This should include provision for cancellation due to COVID-19. If your holiday falls within dates of a Government national restriction (where no one is permitted to stay overnight anywhere other than their home) you will be entitled to one of the following; relocate your booking to alternative dates, receive a voucher for the amount paid to be used on a future stay (valid for 12 months) or receive a full refund.
Please refer to our terms and conditions for any queries regarding the refunding of your payment.
Regarding the announcement on the 8th September, from Monday 14th September social gatherings of more than six people in England will not be allowed. If your booking is affected by this announcement this unfortunately does not entitle yourselves to the options mentioned above, as it is your personal situation that is preventing yourselves from staying, not a Government restriction on travel. In this instance we would refer you to your travel insurance and will do as much as we can to support your claim, alternatively we are more than happy to ask the homeowner if they would allow yourselves to move your booking, however this is at their discretion.
Following the Government announcement and the introduction of the Tier System, if you are required to cancel your booking should your address fall into a Tier 2 or Tier 3 restriction, this will follow our typical cancellation terms. We would do our utmost to resell your holiday dates and should we be successful, you would be entitled to a refund of the amount paid less a £30 administration fee. In the unfortunate event that we were unable to resell your holiday dates, no refund would be offered and we would refer yourselves to your travel insurance and we can provide any additional information to support your claim. We can enquire with the homeowner if they would be willing to allow yourselves to relocate your booking to alternative dates, however this is at their discretion.
Following the Government’s announcement on Saturday 31st October, if your confirmed booking is due to take place between Thursday 5th November and Wednesday 2nd December, please see the information above in bold which clarifies your position with your booking and your options regarding a National lockdown (where you are not permitted to stay overnight anywhere other than your home). Please note that we will also be in contact with all bookings that are affected, working through those that were due to arrive first.
What happens if the Government restrict households staying together?
If the Government unfortunately advise that different households are not to stay in the same premises, this unfortunately does not entitle yourselves to the options mentioned above, as it is your personal situation that is preventing yourselves from staying, not a Government restriction on holiday homes. In this instance we would refer you to your travel insurance and will do as much as we can to support your claim, alternatively we are more than happy to ask the homeowner if they would allow yourselves to move your booking, however this is at their discretion. Please note that the current guidance is that no more than two households are permitted.
What happens if I need to cancel my holiday?
As always, we would look to make your dates available and resell. If successful in this, we will be able to refund the amount paid, less a £30 administration fee. While completely at an owners discretion, we may be able to ask to move your holiday to a more suitable date. If your holiday falls within dates of the Government’s restriction you will be entitled to the options mentioned above.
What are we doing to reduce the risk to guests?
Barefoot Retreats has adopted several company-wide policies in an effort to the reduce risks that are posed to guests and our staff. This can be seen in the application of stringent codes of ‘best practise’ that complies with the NHS guidance. At this time we have not had any confirmed cases, these measures are precautionary in nature and we are looking to be pro-active, ahead of any instances of COVID-19. Other measures include; professional chemical washing of all white linens, comprehensive cleaning procedure for changeovers, extra resources for staff so that they can carry out tasks in a safe manner.
Please note that following the COVID outbreak, we have had to alter the check in times as follows;
Friday – 6pm
Saturday – 5pm
Monday – 6pm
Tuesday – 4pm
The guest’s responsibilities?
To help us with the challenges posed, we are asking for good communication between ourselves and our guests. Should you become symptomatic prior to a stay (see NHS guidelines for specific details), we ask that you do not travel and update us with your situation. If you are already in a property or, following a recent stay, and have started to show symptoms, we ask that you let us know so that we can take the appropriate to deep clean the property and you return home immediately. The most recent guidance can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ & https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Helpful Information
We have put together a list of the pubs and restaurants that were offering takeaway services throughout the lockdown period, however some may have stopped this service with them reopening from the 4th July.
Please click here to view the full list.