Frequently Asked Questions
Being well informed before booking helps give real peace of mind. Please see below for all your questions about booking a Beside The Sea Holidays property, and for further help don’t hesitate to contact us.
Beside The Sea Holidays information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As a customer-focused business, it is our priority to alleviate concern from guests and homeowners during uncertain times. The situation regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) changes daily and we continue to follow advice from the government and NHS.
As the desire for travel returns, Beside The Sea Holidays very much look forward to welcoming you to enjoy a much-anticipated break. To put your mind at ease we have provided additional guidance for your upcoming stay, and are delighted to confirm we are part of the ‘We’re Good to Go’ Industry Standard awarded for adhering to Government and public health guidance.
What to expect on arrival?
We want your stay to be a fantastic experience! To ensure this, in advance of your stay we will be sharing a house book for your property. This online guide contains personal recommendations from us for places to eat and visit, as well as important information to ensure you make the most of your stay. On arrival and departure from the property, please ensure that you and each of your party scan the NHS track and trace QR code using the NHS COVID-19 app.
If you need assistance during your stay, please do not hesitate to contact us.
How can I be sure the home I am due to stay at will be clean?
Each home continues to undergo a thorough covid clean as part of the changeover between bookings. In light of current events, we have advised all housekeepers to make extra provisions, conducting risk assessments and following the most up to date guidance from the Department for Health & Social Care.
What should I do when I leave?
Beside The Sea Holidays are working towards reducing the potential risk for the housekeeping teams, therefore we kindly request that you depart the property in a timely manner to allow housekeepers to access the property and conduct an undisturbed deep clean.
To further aid this, we request that you strip bedding and linen before you leave, as well as open windows to air the property where possible and being considerate of the weather conditions.
Up to date information and advice regarding COVID-19 can be found on the GOV.UK and NHS websites.
Why don’t you provide a brochure?
Here at Beside The Sea Holidays we pride ourselves on being as eco-friendly as possible which is why our office is paperless and why we present all literature online. The property portfolio is constantly evolving and, because all of our literature is solely digital, web visitors can have peace of mind that the information they are viewing is completely accurate and up-to-date at all times.
How do I know a property is right for me?
We ensure that we personally visit every property in the Beside The Sea Holidays portfolio in order that we can assure our discerning clients that the homes will meet the high standards they expect. We pride ourselves on the transparent and accurate representations of our properties, their gardens and their locations via the written descriptions and photographic depictions of each property on the Beside The Sea Holidays website. If, after viewing the site you still have questions please feel free to contact us to speak to us.
Can I have an early check-in and later departure?
Arrival and departure times are set so that housekeepers have ample time to ready the house to a high standard for the arrival of each guest. There are occasions when it may be possible for arrival and departure times to be adapted such as during quieter times of the year but each request is at the discretion of Beside The Sea Holidays and taken on a case-by-case basis. Any such request must be raised and confirmed in advance.
Why are shorter stays not available during certain times of the year?
During peak times there is a minimum stay of seven nights at the majority of our properties. Short breaks are available across most of our portfolio outside of these times.
For self-catered properties, what can I expect as a standard inclusion of the rental?
Rest assured that each Beside The Sea Holidays property should have the following basic supplies to make your stay more comfortable: bed linen, towels, tea, coffee, store cupboard essentials (such as cooking oil, sugar, salt, pepper), toilet roll, cleaning products, refuse bags, dishwasher tablets, tea towels. Some properties offer additional items, please check with us for specifics.
Can I request additional services for my stay?
Of course! We are happy to assist with the provision of extras at your chosen property, such as mid-week cleaning, delivery of groceries and such from external suppliers for you. Please note that we will generally require you to contact us with at least 7 days notice to investigate additional services for you and we cannot guarantee that a service will be available.
What happens if I cancel a booking?
Cancellation of a booking is a termination of your contract with the property owner; because of this, we have to treat your instructions to cancel your accommodation as your final decision. Following receipt of your cancellation we will immediately make the dates available for re-sale. For more information refer to the client Ts&Cs.
What happens if the property I have booked becomes unavailable?
Firstly, please rest assured that it is extremely unusual that we will need to change your accommodation booking once we have accepted it. If however your booking is changed for any reason, we will tell you as soon as we are able. On very rare occasions, circumstances outside of our control may mean that we have to move you to an alternative property, but if we are unable to provide an acceptable alternative accommodation you will be entitled to cancel your booking with us and receive a refund.
What is SUPERHOG
SUPERHOG is the digital trust platform that enables hosts, operators and guests to confidently transact in the short-term rentals space. As well as utilising AI, predictive analysis and machine learning, the SUPERHOG platform uses a number of screening and verification tools to provide owners, guests, property managers and rental platforms with the information and means to verify each other so there are no surprises on check-in or check-out. Dramatically reducing the overall risk to all parties.
What is the cautionary deposit?
Beside The Sea Holidays properties are much-loved private homes and our owners have lavished much time, effort and investment in creating beautiful spaces for their guests to enjoy. It is therefore the reason your payment card has been pre-charged a £200 cautionary deposit which protects the owners, their personal belongings, and the beautiful homes they share with guests. The cautionary deposit is your acceptance that you understand that you are responsible for the property during your stay and that if damage does occur, you will be accountable for covering the cost of repair. Our owners do understand that accidents happen, therefore usually do not seek recompense for minor damage (which as a guide we define as breakages to glasses, plates etc). We do ask that that you notify us should any damage happen so that it can be remedied in time for the next guests. The cautionary deposit is only taken if there has been damage or if the property has been left in an unsatisfactory state.
What is (and when will you apply) an auto-payment?
To offer valued clients a simple and stress-free experience when booking with us we have introduced an auto-payment service. This facility enables guests to choose whether or not to instruct us to automatically take a payment when it becomes due. We will only take an auto-payment when specifically requested, and on the due date; of course, your payment details will remain secure at all times. Provided that funds are available when we request payment, auto-payments do not incur administration fees.
Is the price of my booking fixed?
Yes. Unless there are any changes or amendments to your booking, the price of your accommodation will not be subject to any surcharges once you have paid the deposit and we have accepted the booking. Credit card surcharges are excluded from this guarantee but we do provide other ways to pay.
Do you offer holiday insurance?
Beside The Sea Holidays does not offer holiday insurance, however we strongly advise you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellation costs and your stay in the Property. A good travel insurance policy is likely to cover cancellation of your booking due to most reasons genuinely beyond your control; some insurances even cover cancellation due to adverse travel and road conditions. This is an attractive feature as neither Beside The Sea Holidays nor the Owner will be liable for events outside our control that prevent you accessing the property. We also strongly recommend that your insurance policy covers you for personal liability claims just in case accidental damage is caused during your stay.
Here are some suggestions as to where you may find travel insurance, we are not allowed to recommend any particular policy, so please check these out for yourselves.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance/
https://www.which.co.uk/money/insurance/travel-insurance
www.trailfinders.com/insurance.
Do you accept dogs at your properties and what constitutes a pet-friendly property?
We understand that you might not want to leave your four-legged friend at home when you’re looking for the perfect escape, and we encourage our owners to accommodate pets at their properties wherever possible. Our owner’s homes are not standard rental properties and for this very reason the pet accommodation charge reflects this. The number of dogs that can be accommodated will vary dependent on the property size and owner preferences, so please check the details on your preferred property page where you’ll also find additional accommodation charges detailed. If you have a pet other than a dog you’d like to accommodate, just let us know and we’ll do our very best to cater for your requirements. We welcome responsible pet owners at the properties that we market, and request that you take good care of the home in which you holiday, our pet Ts&Cs detail all the need-to-knows in this respect. Whilst the majority of properties within the portfolio have outside space for your dog to enjoy, we cannot guarantee that dogs won’t be able to escape from those with enclosed gardens.
Why do you ask for feedback following our stay?
We’re confident in the quality of the properties that we market, but it is very important to us that you provide us with honest feedback at the end of your stay. This ensures that both Beside The Sea Holidays and our property owners are maintaining the quality of the properties that we market, and implementing any suggestions that might serve to improve the property and facilities on offer.
Would I receive a discount if I booked well in advance or if I wait until the last minute?
Neither. Our properties are very popular year-round, and although booking in advance will not mean that you receive a concession on the standard tariff, you will at least have the pick of the dates available at the property of your choice.
Why is it necessary for you to know the ages and occupation of my group?
Aside from it being an insurance and health and safety requirement that we know who is staying at a property in the instance of fire, Beside The Sea Holidays properties are private homes and owners do like to have an idea of the breakdown of your group. Due to the nature of certain properties, some might have specific property restrictions in place. Any such restrictions will be listed on individual property pages.
Am I permitted to have guests visit me at the property?
Friends are able to visit you in the property with prior written agreement from Beside The Sea Holidays. However, friends are not allowed to stay overnight unless they have been pre-notified to us on the property Booking Form as members of your party. This is an insurance and health & safety issue and is non-negotiable; clients will be asked to vacate a property if they do not adhere to this condition of their stay.
What age is an infant in order to be classed as a ‘babe-in-arms’?
We class ‘babes-in-arms’ as very young children who cannot toddle or walk and have to be carried. Since it is generally acknowledged that children begin to stand and take their first steps from about 9 months, we describe any infant under the age of 12 months as a ‘babe-in-arms’.
What do you mean when you describe a property as ‘baby-friendly’?
We describe a property as being baby-friendly when an owner has indicated that they are willing to provide facilities such as a high chair, cot, stair-gate or similar facilities. A child-friendly property does not mean that the property has been otherwise adapted in any special way and you will still need to exercise sound parental judgement in taking care of your little ones! Please contact us if you have any questions relating to the provision or use of equipment at your chosen property.
Will there be Wi-Fi/broadband at the property?
All of our properties offer broadband. However, broadband speed and service is variable and can vary, especially in remote or rural areas where it may not operate at speeds to which you are accustomed. Where a property page does state that broadband is available, neither the property owner nor Beside The Sea Holidays warrant that the service will be available constantly. It is provided for recreational and not for business use. We are unlikely to accept a booking that is wholly reliant on the uninterrupted provision of Wi-Fi; if this is likely to cause an issue for you, then please contact us before confirming your booking.
What do I do if something doesn’t seem quite right at the property?
We work closely with our property owners to ensure that they make every effort to ensure flawless, perfect stays at their properties but very occasionally, things may not meet our own exacting standards. If this is the case we want you to let us know as soon as possible and ideally within 24 hours. This will enable Beside The Sea Holidays to investigate the issue and to do our very best to take any remedial action necessary. If you do not tell us (or the owner or housekeeping team) the issue cannot be addressed and we will assume that everything is perfect for you.