What is the booking process & payment schedule?
To secure a booking with us, we ask for a 50% deposit at the time of booking, with the remaining 50% being due by two weeks prior to the stay.
How does the “from price” work?
The price displayed on the property webpage is a “from” price, which reflects the lowest available rate for that property. As our prices vary depending on the dates and number of nights you choose, so the total cost for your selected stay may be higher. To view the most accurate price, simply enter your preferred dates into the booking calendar.
Can I cancel my booking?
If you choose to cancel your booking, our standard cancellation terms and conditions (see Section 11) will apply. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds outside of these terms, so we strongly recommend that all guests take out suitable travel insurance to cover unexpected changes to their plans. If we need to cancel your booking, you will be offered the choice of transferring your booking to alternative dates, receiving booking credit, or receiving a full refund.
Do you offer early check-in or late check-out?
Early check-in and late check-out may be available, subject to availability and approval by the property owner or manager. Requests can usually only be accommodated where there are no arrivals or departures on the same day and will depend on the housekeeper’s schedule. Some properties may also charge an additional fee. Where there are bookings immediately before your arrival or after your departure, we are unfortunately unable to offer this service to allow sufficient time to prepare the property.
Can I bring my dog?
We know holidays are better when your four-legged friend can come too, so we encourage our property owners to welcome pets wherever possible. As each home is privately owned, the number of dogs allowed and any pet charges vary by property. You’ll find these details on the individual property page. We simply ask that dogs are not left unattended, are kept under control, and stay off the furniture. At most properties, dogs are also not permitted upstairs or in bedrooms. While most properties have outdoor space for dogs to enjoy, enclosed gardens cannot be guaranteed to be completely escape-proof.
Can I bring my children?
A property is described as child-friendly when the owner is able to provide facilities such as a high chair, travel cot, stair gate or similar equipment. Please note that this does not mean the property has been specially adapted or childproofed, so we kindly ask that children are supervised at all times. If you have any questions about the equipment available at your chosen property, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Are there accessible properties?
As every home in our collection is unique, accessibility features vary from property to property. If you have any mobility, sensory or other accessibility requirements, we’d be delighted to help you find a property that’s the right fit for your stay.
Where is the property and is there parking?
Take a look at our Local Area section for our location map and more details about where to eat & drink in the area, along with if the property has private parking.
Do any of the escapes offer one-night stays?
As standard, we don’t offer one-night stays, as single-night gaps are usually kept free to allow for property maintenance and upkeep. However, at a small number of properties, one-night stays may occasionally become available if there’s a gap in the calendar and the owner is happy to accept a booking. When this happens, the dates will be available to book directly through our website.
Do any escapes allow hen-dos and parties?
This varies depending on the specific property and the owner’s preferences, so please get in touch with our team for more information. For a relaxed girls’ getaway, take a look at our “Wholesome Hen-Dos” collection, featuring homes that are perfect for celebrating together.
Will the escapes be decorated for Christmas?
Yes! As standard, we ask our property owners to provide at least a Christmas Tree and festive wreath on the door.
Do the escapes provide the essentials? What’s included in the welcome hamper?
All of our properties are stocked with everyday essentials to help you settle in, including bath products, toilet roll, washing-up liquid and basic kitchen provisions such as tea, coffee, salt and pepper. You’ll also find a locally sourced welcome hamper with treats such as bread, milk, butter and a bottle of wine or fizz. As each home is unique, hamper contents may vary slightly, so please check the individual property page for full details.
Are there any additional costs, such as cleaning fees, etc.?
Your booking price includes your accommodation and end-of-stay cleaning. We ask that you leave the property tidy, with rubbish and food removed, and refer to your house manual before departure for any property-specific instructions.If additional cleaning is required beyond what would normally be expected, we reserve the right to deduct the cost from your security deposit.
Any additional extras, such as dog fees or EV charger use, can be added at the time of booking or before your stay. These charges are outlined on the property webpage and in your pre-arrival information.
What is the security deposit and when will it be released?
As our properties are privately owned homes, we take a refundable security deposit before your stay. This helps protect the homes and their contents in the unlikely event of significant damage or additional cleaning being required. Thankfully, deposits are rarely retained. If an accident does happen, please let us or the owner know as soon as possible so it can be resolved before the next guests arrive. Provided no issues are reported, your deposit will be released from our system 5 days after your departure. Please note that once released, it can take up to 7 working days for the funds to appear back in your account, depending on your bank.
Do you offer travel insurance?
Sand & Stone Escapes does not offer travel insurance, but we do recommend taking out a policy before you travel. It can provide valuable cover if you need to cancel your booking due to unforeseen circumstances, and some policies also cover travel disruption caused by adverse weather or road conditions. We also recommend choosing a policy that includes personal liability cover, just in case accidental damage occurs during your stay.
Are guests allowed to visit me at the property?
In most of our properties, you’re welcome to have friends visit during your stay, provided this has been agreed with the owner in advance. Any overnight guests must be included within the property’s maximum occupancy. Please always check with us before inviting additional guests, as individual property rules may apply.
What age is considered a ‘babe-in-arms’?
A babe-in-arms is an infant who is not yet crawling or walking. Once a child becomes mobile, they are no longer considered a babe-in-arms, as some of our properties may not be suitable for young children due to features such as open-tread staircases, or open mezzanine railings. For safety reasons, we recommend checking the individual property details or contacting our team if you’re unsure whether a property is suitable for your family’s needs.
When do I receive the key information about my stay?
We will send you an email 7 days before your arrival with all the key information for your stay, along with your House Manual and Local Area Guide. If you haven’t received it the week before your trip, please check your junk folder, as emails can sometimes end up there.
Do all properties have parking?
While most of our properties have designated parking, some may require on-street parking or use of a nearby local car park. Full parking details and directions will be provided in your Arrival Email.
Where is the nearest EV charger?
With the growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the road, we understand that access to charging points is important. Some of our properties have their own EV chargers, which can be added as a chargeable extra at the time of booking. For properties without an EV charger, we recommend planning your route in advance using websites such as Zap Map. Please note that these online resources may not include all available networks or show live availability, so we always recommend double-checking before you travel. For safety and insurance reasons, charging an electric vehicle at the property is not permitted unless agreed in advance.
Do all properties provide bed linen and towels?
Yes, all of our properties provide bed linen and towels for your stay, so there’s no need to bring your own. The only exception is bedding for travel cots, which is not provided. If you’re bringing a baby and using a travel cot, please bring your own cot bedding.
