BOOKING, CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

Last updated: August 2026
 
We understand that travel plans can sometimes change. Our payment and cancellation policy is designed to be fair to our guests while protecting the exclusive nature of Aqua Villa, a private home rented in its entirety and often booked well in advance.
 
The payment and cancellation conditions applicable to each reservation will be displayed during the booking process and confirmed in the booking confirmation.
 
By completing a direct reservation, the guest accepts this Payment, Cancellation & Refund Policy and the specific conditions applicable to the selected dates.
 
1. Villa Rental and Occupancy
Aqua Villa is rented exclusively as an entire private villa.

Each reservation includes exclusive use of the whole property (except basement), regardless of the number of guests staying, up to the maximum authorised occupancy of 14 guests.
 
The accommodation price is therefore per villa and not per person.

A reduction in the number of guests after booking does not result in a reduction of the accommodation price.

The number of guests must nevertheless be accurately stated in the reservation and all guests must complete any legally required registration procedures.

2. Booking Confirmation
Direct reservations are managed through Smoobu.
 
Payments may be securely processed through Stripe or PayPal, according to the payment options available during the booking process.
 
A reservation is considered confirmed once:
 

• The required initial payment has been successfully received; and

• The guest has received written booking confirmation.
   

The person making the reservation is responsible for ensuring that all payment deadlines are met.
 
3. Payment Schedule
The following payment schedule applies to all direct reservations, including Standard Periods and Special Event Periods.
 
- At the time of booking
A payment of 50% of the total accommodation price is required to confirm the reservation.
 
- 30 days before check-in
The remaining 50% balance must be paid no later than 30 days before the scheduled check-in date.
 
- Reservations made within 30 days of check-in
If a reservation is made 30 days or less before check-in, the full accommodation price (100%) is payable at the time of booking.
 
The reservation will not be considered fully paid until all amounts due have been received.
 
4. Failure to Make a Scheduled Payment
It is the responsibility of the person making the reservation to ensure that payments are completed by the applicable deadline.
 
If the outstanding balance is not received when due, Aqua Villa may contact the guest and request immediate payment.
 
If payment remains outstanding, Aqua Villa may cancel the reservation.
 
Any amount already paid will then be treated according to the cancellation policy applicable on the date of cancellation.
 
Failure to make the final payment does not automatically entitle the guest to a refund of amounts already paid.
 
5. Cancellation Policy
 
- Cancellation more than 30 days before check-in
100% of the accommodation amount paid will be refundable.
 
- 30 days or less before check-in
The reservation is non-refundable. The full accommodation price will be retained.
 
6. Changes to Booking Dates
Requests to change the dates of a confirmed reservation are subject to availability and prior approval by Aqua Villa.
A request to change dates does not automatically constitute an alternative to cancellation and may not be used to avoid the cancellation conditions applicable to the original reservation.
 
Where a date change is accepted:
 

• The accommodation price may be recalculated according to the new dates;

• Any increase in price must be paid by the guest;

• Any outstanding payment must comply with the payment schedule applicable to the modified reservation; and

• The cancellation policy applicable to the new dates will apply once the modification has been confirmed in writing.
   

A request to move a reservation may be treated as a cancellation of the original reservation and a new booking.
 
7. Reduction in Length of Stay
A request to reduce the number of nights after confirmation may be treated as a partial cancellation.
 
Any refund or adjustment will be calculated according to the cancellation conditions applicable on the date the request is received.
 
As Aqua Villa is rented as an entire private property and not on a per-person basis, a reduction in the number of guests does not entitle the guest to a reduction in price or refund.
 
8. Refunds
Any refund due under this Policy will be made exclusively by bank transfer to a bank account designated by the person responsible for the reservation.
 
Refunds will normally be processed within 7 to 10 business days after the cancellation and the refundable amount have been confirmed.
 
Any bank charges, transfer fees, currency conversion costs or intermediary banking fees associated with receiving the refund will be borne by the recipient, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
 
The amount ultimately received may therefore differ from the amount transferred by Aqua Villa if charges are applied by the recipient's bank, intermediary banks or currency conversion providers.
 
Aqua Villa is not responsible for processing times or delays attributable to banks or international banking systems.
 
9. No-Show, Late Arrival and Early Departure
No refund will be made for:
 

• Failure to arrive on the scheduled check-in date;

• Nights not used as a result of arriving later than the booked check-in date; or

• Voluntary departure before the scheduled check-out date.
   

This applies without prejudice to any mandatory rights under applicable law.
 
10. Security Deposit for Extended Stays
For reservations of 14 nights or longer, a refundable €1,000 security deposit will be required before check-in.
The security deposit is separate from the accommodation price and will be charged in a separated invoice.
 
It may be used, where reasonably evidenced, to cover:

• Damage to the property, furniture or equipment beyond normal wear and tear;

• Loss of keys or access devices;

• Exceptional cleaning resulting from misuse of the property;

• Missing or damaged items; or

• Other reasonable costs resulting from a breach of the House Rules or booking conditions.
   

The security deposit is not intended to cover normal wear and tear resulting from ordinary use of the property.
Guests will be informed of any proposed deduction and the reason for it.
If no deduction is required, the security deposit will be refunded by bank transfer within 5 business days following check-out.
Where deductions are necessary, the remaining balance will be refunded once the relevant amount has been assessed and communicated to the guest.
Any bank or transfer charges associated with receiving the returned security deposit will be borne by the recipient, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
 
11. Cancellation by Aqua Villa
In the exceptional event that Aqua Villa is unable to provide the confirmed accommodation for a reason attributable to us, the guest will be offered, as appropriate:
 

• A full refund of all amounts paid for the affected reservation; or

• An alternative arrangement, where available and expressly accepted by the guest.
   

Any refund due will be made without undue delay.
This does not limit any additional rights available to the guest under applicable law.

12. Extraordinary Circumstances
If the stay is affected by extraordinary circumstances outside the reasonable control of Aqua Villa, including natural disasters, serious weather events, government restrictions, interruption of essential services or measures imposed by public authorities, the situation will be handled according to the specific circumstances and applicable law.
 
Nothing in this Policy limits any mandatory consumer rights.
 
13. Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that guests purchase appropriate travel and cancellation insurance, particularly for Special Event reservations, extended stays and other high-value bookings.
 
Travel insurance may provide protection in circumstances such as illness, accident, transport disruption or other unforeseen events preventing travel.
 
A guest's inability to travel for personal, medical, transport or other reasons does not automatically override the cancellation conditions accepted when booking, subject always to mandatory rights under applicable law.
 
14. Right of Withdrawal
Accommodation services provided on a specific date or during a specific period are generally excluded from the standard 14-day right of withdrawal applicable to many online consumer contracts.
 
Accordingly, these payment and cancellation conditions are expressly accepted at the time of booking, subject always to mandatory consumer legislation.
 
15. How to Cancel
Cancellation requests must be made in writing by the person responsible for the reservation.
 
Please send cancellation requests to:
aquavillajerez@gmail.com
The effective cancellation date will be the date on which Aqua Villa receives the written request.
We will confirm the cancellation and inform the guest of any amount refundable under this Policy.