Care of Property: We ask that you please treat the property with the same care and respect as you do to your own home. If you are aware of any damages during your stay, please tell us immediately so that repairs can be made. You are responsible for ensuring that, upon departure, the property is left in the same condition of cleanliness and repair as found upon arrival. The condition of the property is reviewed by the caretaker at the end of your stay. Any damage and repairs deemed necessary will be deducted from your security deposit. Should the damages exceed the security deposit amount, you agree to pay the additional charges on demand. The balance of your security deposit will be refunded to you within 4 weeks of your departure.
Trip Insurance: We strongly recommend cancellation and accident insurance to prevent any losses in case of illness, accident or otherwise. It is your responsibility to apply directly to the insurance company. We hope you understand that we must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy.
Guest Responsibility: Guests are responsible for selecting the property based on the number of guests, age restrictions and location:
- La Casetta is set on a small piazza in our village. You may park in front of our building, or just across the street under the trees. You’ll likely see some neighbors out in the driveways or up in the village—feel free to greet them with a “Buongiorno” or “Ciao”. Our Farmhouse property and the Agri Segretum Winery are about 10 minutes away by car-you are welcome to stop by the winery to see us at work, or to schedule a wine tasting with us. La Casetta only accommodates children age 10 and up. There are many stairs in the house and outside on the terraces. Only persons listed on the reservation form may use the property. We reserve the right to decline or withhold service to any person.
- The Farmhouse is located on a 70 acre farm. Our neighbors have sheep, there are a few outdoor cats and two gentle Italian sheepdogs that roam between all our properties. If necessary, our caretaker will tie up the dogs. We harvest grapes, make wine and harvest olives. Our caretaker, maids and vineyard manager are present and working in the vineyard, gardens and olive grove. They are always around and happy to help with questions, recommendations or a visit to our cantina.
La Segreta is not responsible for the actions of our contracted service providers. We are not responsible for cancellations, amendments, or additional fees incurred by clients due to acts of nature, civil unrest, terrorism, criminal acts, force majeure, strikes, work stoppage, or inclement weather. We cannot accept responsibility for the breakdown of the water, gas or electricity, telephone, television or internet access, quality of roads, the failure of swimming pool filter systems, etc. (Although we will make every effort to rectify any problems as soon as possible.) Such an inconvenience does not entitle you to a refund.
If you have any questions or problems during your stay, please phone our local caretaker who will address your concerns immediately. Complaints lodged at the end of the rental period cannot be taken into consideration. We have no legal responsibility to compensate you for any personal injury, death, loss or damage of whatever nature suffered by you or by any member of your party.
Payments
Confirmation
Your reservation is confirmed once we receive your deposit and we have sent you our initial confirmation materials.
Balance Due
Balance is due 90 days prior to your rental date.
La Segreta accepts personal checks, Visa, MasterCard and American Express for both deposit and balance due.
If we do not receive your balance due on time, your reservation will be cancelled and the date offered to guests on our waiting list. For reservations made in less than 90 days of rental, payment in full is due at time of booking.
Security Deposit
The security deposit of $1,200 covers the cost of any damage or breakages during your stay at the property and its contents, inside and outside, excluding normal wear. The security deposit must be paid with the balance due. It may be paid by check or by a guarantee to your credit card. Judgment as to damages, breakages and the condition of the property is at the sole discretion of La Segreta.
Transfers
If an alternative date is available, we will be happy to transfer your deposit to another rental date, providing you contact us at least 90 days prior to your original rental date. Transfers must be applied to a date in the same calendar year. Transfers between 90 and 70 days incur a $250 administrative fee. Transfers are not accepted for any rental date beginning in less than 70 days. There are no exceptions to our transfer policy.
Cancellation of Extra Services
Any additional services (such as car rentals, transfers, cooking) are subject to the fees imposed by the service provider.
Cancellation Policy
We must receive written notification of your cancellation within the number of days listed here. If you rent for more than 1 week, our cancellation policy applies per week. For example, if you cancel a 2 week reservation, our cancellation fee is $250 x 2 or $500
Up to 120 Days prior to Rental: Refund, less a $250 administrative fee
Between 120-90 Days: Loss of Deposit
Between 90-60 Days: 50% of the Rental Fee
Less than 60 Days: No Refund.
No exceptions are made to our cancellation policy, including weather and personal emergencies. Please purchase trip insurance to cover you in case an illness forces you to cancel your reservation. There is no refund for arriving late or departing early from your stay, nor for any services not used while at La Segreta. La Segreta is not responsible for cancellations, amendments, or additional fees incurred by clients due to acts of nature, civil unrest, terrorism, strikes, work stoppage, criminal activity, force majeure or inclement weather. La Segreta Trading Company, Inc. reserves the right to cancel a reservation. If for any reason beyond our control we are unable to provide you with the property you have booked, we reserve the right to transfer you to a similar property. If an alternative property is not available or you do not wish to be transferred, we will cancel the booking and refund the full amount paid. In the event of cancellation, a full refund will be sent to the client and constitutes full settlement. We do not recommend the purchase of non- refundable airline tickets or mileage credits and we are not responsible for expenses incurred such as pre-paid hotel reservations, airline tickets or mileage credits. Neglect to vacate the rental property within its leased term will automatically result in a daily fine of $1,000 in addition to the pro-rated rent for occupying the rental property without a contract.
Release + Assumption of Risk
- Risks and Dangers in Travel and Related Matters
I recognize that the rental property offered by La Segreta Trading Company, Inc. will involve travel activities which are, or may be, inherently dangerous to participants; and may result in illness, injury or death which may be caused by, or result from, my own negligence, actions or failure to act of others, including employees or agents of La Segreta Trading Company, by physical exertion for which I am not prepared, consumption of alcohol, medications or drugs, natural events or other causes. I voluntarily accept all such risks.
I further agree that I have read all the safety and other rules, regulations and instructions or other material given to me either orally or in writing by La Segreta Trading Company and I will abide by them and all generally accepted rules of safety and behavior. I agree to rent the property with the number of guests listed here. I agree to no smoking inside any properties. If I rent a bicycle for use while at the rental property, I agree to wear a bicycle helmet.
- Waiver of Claims against La Segreta Trading Company, Inc./La Segreta and Others
In consideration of La Segreta permitting myself and/or my family members to rent said property, and persons associated with it, I hereby release La Segreta Trading Company/La Segreta, its owners, agents, servants, employees and independent contractors from any and all claims, demands and liabilities which I now have or in the future may have against it or them which may result from my (or my families) rental of the property, or related to, this agreement. This release and waiver shall be binding on my, my heirs, executors and administrators and all persons claiming under me. I voluntarily accept all such, and all related, risks.
- Insurance
I am aware that medical services or facilities may not be readily available or accessible during some of the time. I am also aware that trip cancellation and medical insurance is commonly available and that La Segreta Trading Company strongly recommends that I purchase this coverage or obtain such insurance from some independent agency of my own choice.
- Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by, and interpreted according to, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and any disputes or claims made under it shall be determined by arbitration as provided by the laws of the Commonwealth.
- General
I also acknowledge that I have carefully read La Segreta’s Terms & Conditions including its policy on cancelled reservations, refunds and insurance and agree to all stated conditions set forth by La Segreta. I have carefully read this agreement and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and La Segreta Trading Company and/or its affiliated organizations and I sign it of my own free will and in its entirety.