Is the holiday home I choose available for the dates I require?
- Check availability on the property calendar
- Complete an online booking or phone or submit an enquiry.
- Please note that your enquiry will be answered as soon as possible - usually within two-three hours.
How soon should we make a booking?
Now if you want to secure the property of your choice for the dates you require!
Do you accept school leaver bookings?
We are unable to book Leavers accommodation and cannot be booked online. Holiday homeowners reserve this period for property maintenance required just before the busy Peak season.
How do I make a booking?
Our calendar shows real time availability. If the property of your choice is available you can complete an online booking this is the quickest way to confirm a reservation. The booking is not confirmed until a deposit is received, until which time it is possible for someone else to secure the dates you were wanting.
An agents booking fee of 5% (min-$35) is applied to all bookings.
How do I pay for my accommodation?
Our preferred method is credit card (Visa card / MasterCard).
Full payment is required if the commencement date of your booking is six weeks or less away. If making your booking more than 6 weeks in advance, a deposit of 20% is required to confirm with the full balance due and payable 6 weeks prior to your holiday.
What is included?
What is included will be specified in the details of the web page for each property whether linen is included.
All houses are provided with doonas/blankets and pillows, and if linen is not included in the tariff you must provide your own bed sheets, pillowcases, bath towels, bath mat, and tea towels. At an additional charge, linen requirements can be hired. This comes under Extras during the booking process.
For all holiday homes you will need to bring your own beach towels and personal toiletries. A modest supply of toilet paper will be supplied upon your arrival, and you will need to supply your additional requirements for the rest of the stay.
Basic pantry condiments fluctuate from booking to booking and we are unable to confirm contents.
What are the arrival and departure times?
To allow sufficient time for the holiday house to be cleaned between changeovers of bookings the arrival time is from 3pm. You will need to vacate the house at 10am on the departure date. (If you feel that this will not give you sufficient time to relax and enjoy a two night stay, it may be worthwhile to consider booking an extra night beforehand or pay a surcharge to have a later departure time subject to availability and season).
Confirmation details such as key access, address of house, arrival and departure times, and general information on the house you have booked will be sent to you upon full payment and completion of Pre-Check-In form. This will be forwarded to you when your booking is submitted.
What is the minimum stay?
A 2 night minimum stay is required throughout the year, unless otherwise required by properties, and does not include the periods listed below:
Long Weekends and Special Events 3 nights
Australia Day and Easter Holidays 4 nights
Christmas / New Year 5 nights
Christmas School Holidays 2-5 nights variable
The tariff rate applied at the above period will be quoted at the full house rate, i.e. maximum number of people the house will sleep, regardless if less people will be occupying the house.
As our cleaners also enjoy Public Holidays, we may not accept check-in and checkouts on these days, as the cleaning surcharges that are applied make it unviable.
Is a security deposit (bond) required?
Guest registration is required to be completed for all bookings to be confirmed. This registration form requests details of your name (including all guests) , address, ID and credit card verification. A security bond must be settled on the day of your stay (according to the listing's requirements) in order for the full access details to be forwarded to you.
SAFE TRANSACTIONS
Special Stays uses 'Stripe' (online payment processing platform) to process payments securely. All credit card details are encrypted and safely stored in Stripe's state of the art data-center. This ensures both the security and integrity of your donors information.
If you feel uncomfortable using 'Stripe', a bank deposit for the bond is payable. Please refer to the terms and conditions of your desired stay for security deposit details. These will vary from place to place.
In the case of using Stripe for your security deposit, the hold on your credit card will be released in 1-7 days. With a bank deposit, the bond balance will be returned to you within 14 days of your departure date and after your bank details have been forwarded for payment.
Bond will be returned or released subject to the property being left in a clean condition with no damage. An increased bond may be incurred for group bookings or at our discretion.
What if I wish to cancel my booking?
Please refer to the terms and conditions of your listing in regard to refund policy.
Are pets allowed?
There is a selection of holiday homes listed on the website that are Pet-Friendly. Search under 'Accommodation', or you can enquire and we will advise if these homes are available for the time you wish to stay.
Otherwise, you will need to make alternative arrangements for your beloved pet during your absence.
Dogs and cats are not allowed in National Parks or on swimming beaches, restaurants and cafes and require constant owner supervision.
A pet surcharge of $50 applies at our Pet Friendly holiday homes and is applied during the booking process.
Where do I pick up the key?
Once you have completed and returned the Guest Registration Form, and full payment has been received, keys will be made available upon arrival at your holiday destination (according to the information details that will be emailed to you upon full payment of the accommodation and a security deposit is authorised). It is guests responsibility to ensure they have received details prior to their stay, as no responsibility is accepted if they have not been received for any reason whatsoever.
What is your best price, can I get a discount?
The best price is displayed on the website. Tariff rates are fixed and not negotiable. Specials are current for this year only. The tariff rate has carefully been determined by comparisons with other holiday homes of similar location and quality features, and competitively priced in order that a level, uniform standard of accommodation can be maintained for each guest booking. Special rates may apply with the website up to date with what is on offer for the periods specified.
We are planning to celebrate a special occasion, is this OK?
Definitely not. All houses listed on the website are purely for holiday accommodation. Whilst it is OK for occasional visitors to drop by for a few hours during the course of your stay, it is not acceptable to use the house for the purposes of holding a PARTY of any description or the house to be used as a function venue. The rights of neighbouring houses to enjoy their peace and privacy is to be respected at all times, and all music is to be turned off or down by 10.00 pm. No more people than the number confirmed on your Registration Form should be accommodated at any one time, and if complaints are lodged by outside parties regarding excessive noise or unruly behaviour, your booking will be immediately cancelled and further occupation of the property refused. No portion of unused accommodation stay will be refunded, and any fees associated will be debited from your security deposit.
