Vineyard Views at Karawatha Cottages McL

Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptance

These terms and conditions are accepted by you upon payment (deposit or in full).

2. Rates, Minimum Stay and Payments

Room Rates

Room rates may vary based on season, day of week and/or length of stay. Up-to-date rates can be found here.

Minimum Stay
We generally have a minimum stay of 2 nights to help us manage our intensive cleaning regime. For public holiday weekends a 3- or 4-night minimum stay may apply.

Please note: a change of guests throughout your stay/booking is not permitted and does not fulfill the minimum-stay requirement

Payment

Unless otherwise called out during the online booking process, a deposit of 50% of the total room rate is payable at the time of booking to secure the booking. The full balance must be received 14 days prior to check-in (30 days for group booking of all three cottages), otherwise Karawatha Cottages have the right to cancel the booking and attempt to re-let the cottage.

Security Bond

We generally do not charge a security bond, but reserve the right to do so if circumstances require (according to our judgement and sole discretion; for example, but not limited, to group bookings as outlined below).

You will be advised by us if a bond applies for your booking, prior to us charging or taking a credit card authorisation of the bond.

The security bond of $500 per cottage, will cover items such as additional cleaning, repairs, non-authorised use of the cottages, etc. If insufficient funds are available from the bond, you agree to accept responsibility for any costs not covered by the bond.

If charged but not required at all or in part, the security bond will be refunded / released on the day after your check-out. Please note that it may take up to 5 days until banks make these funds available to you again.

3. Number of Guests Staying

The cottages may only be occupied by the number of persons booked and shown in your confirmation letter.

Karawatha Cottages reserves the right to refuse entry to and occupation of the property, if the number of people intended to occupy exceed the booking confirmation.

Bringing additional guests (including but not limited to babies and children) will result in additional charges (if within the maximum occupancy permit of the cottage) or an immediate cancellation of your booking without refund (if total number of guests exceeds the maximum occupancy permit of the cottage).

4. Group Booking

For group bookings (defined as booking of all three cottages for one party, irrespective if made as one booking or three separate bookings) the following additional terms and conditions apply:

Time period for free cancellations is reduced as outlined under ‘cancellations and date changes’ below
A security bond of $500 per cottage applies and will be charged with your final room payment (please note: failure to provide the security bond will be treated as a cancellation from you)
Booking multiple cottages does not grant permission for gatherings or events – our no-visitor policy remains applicable
Each cottage can accommodate a maximum 4 people for dining purposes (strictly in-house guests only) and it is not possible to entertain in-house guests from all cottages in just one cottage. The only area for up to 8 in-house guests dining together is our outdoor (covered but not enclosed) BBQ patio

5. Cancellations, Date Changes and No-Shows
(note: below is applicable for bookings made directly with us; for bookings made through travel agents stricter policies apply)

We understand that circumstances may arise where you may need to cancel your reservation or change your dates. Unless a date change is only a minor change (e.g. few days earlier / later), they are for us effectively the same as a cancellation (and new booking).
Should either occur, please note that as a small establishment any cancellation can have a material impact (e.g. result in an empty cottage) and cancellation fees will be incurred.

We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance for all guests (intrastate/ interstate/ international)

All cancellations/changes must be done in writing by e-mailing Karawatha Cottages at stay@karawathacottages.com.au.

Cancellations/Changes received more than 30 days prior check-in:
deposit/all payments are fully refundable; gift voucher will be re-instated, dates changed free of charge
Cancellations/changes received between 30 days and 14 days prior check-in:
deposit / 50% of total room rate is non-refundable and cannot be credited
All cancellations/changes received 14 days or less prior check-in, as well as no-shows or unused nights:
No refund/credit available

For group bookings (defined as booking of all three cottages for one party, irrespective if made as one booking or three separate bookings) the following cancellation/change policy applies:

Cancellations/changes received more than 90 days prior check-in: deposit refundable, less $ 100 admin fee
Cancellations/changes received between 90 days and 30 days prior check-in: deposit is non-refundable
Cancellations/changes within 30 days prior check-in, as well as no-shows or unused nights:
No refund/credit available

Our Commitment to you:
In the unfortunate event that you have to cancel/change your reservation, all efforts will be made to re-sell your cottage. If successful, we will refund your reservation (less a $ 50 admin fee) or provide a full credit for a future booking - irrespective of the applicable cancellation policy.

6. Check in and Check out

We will try our best to accommodate your preferred check-in/-out times; standard check-in is available from 3pm on day of arrival, check-out no later than 10am (11am for bookings made directly with us) on day of departure.

7. Keys

Keys will be provided in a number lock key wall safe found outside each cottage. Unique access codes will be communicated one week prior arrival via e-mail and again on day of arrival via text message.

Upon check-out, keys are to be left in the respective key wall safe. A 'lost key' charge of $ 50 will be applied for all keys not returned upon check-out.

8. Visitors

For the comfort and security of all our guests (plus for operating and for insurance compliance), no visitors are allowed at any time anywhere on the property. Parties and functions are strictly prohibited.

For the avoidance of doubt: a simple drop-off or pick-up (e.g. wine tours, bike or food delivery) is always possible, but the no-visitor policy does include any vendors that intend to be on the property for any period of time, e.g. hair dresser, make-up artists, photographers, etc.

9. Wedding or Bridal Parties and other wedding preparations
We cannot accommodate any wedding parties or wedding preparations of any kind.

This includes ‘traditional’ pre-wedding stays with bridesmaids or grooms-men, but also the use of external service providers like hair dressers, make-up artists, etc. (as outlined in our no-visitor policy) for anyone (see also no-visitor policy).

10. Pets

Unfortunately, no pets allowed

11. Shared BBQ Patio

Staying at one of the Cottages includes use of the common, partially covered patio with large table, gas BBQ and an open fire place.

The patio is for the benefit of all in-house guests and we ask you to be considerate when using, in particular with respect to noise (travelling far in rural setting) and smoke (when using the open fire place).

Unless when booking the entire property, the patio is not to be used after 10pm; if the entire property (all three cottages) has been booked as one group, the area may be used until midnight.

Use of the patio, in particular the open fire place, may not be available for all stays due to private functions and/or weather restrictions (see Fire Ban below).

12. Surrounding Vineyards

Karawatha Cottages is surrounded by working vineyards, with vineyard work and in particular harvest activities occurring occasionally. While limited, occasional noise or interference may occur.

For your safety, walking in the vineyards is not allowed.

13. Wild Animals

Karawatha Cottages is blessed with an abundance of bird life, from the larger yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Adelaide Rosella's to the tiny Fairy Wrens.

We are also seeing the occasional visit from kangaroos, deer or koala - but also brown / red-bellied black snakes.

Please enjoy all those from afar - no wild animal should be approached, tried to be touched or fed.

A word about Millipedes:

Portuguese millipedes have been accidentally introduced to southwestern Western Australia in the 1980's and since made their way to SA.

Although they play a useful role in breaking down organic matter in the soil and are completely harmless to humans and animals, they may be perceived as a minor nuisance when inside.

All cottages have been built to minimise access opportunities, but millipedes are attracted to light and will attempt to enter the cottages in particular if the outdoor lights are being left on and door/window fly screens haven't been properly closed.

If found inside, most effective way to remove the millipedes is to use the provided dustpan.

14. Injury, Loss and Damage

Karawatha Cottages, its owners and employees do not accept liability for injury, loss, damage or inconvenience during the guest’s stay. By acceptance of these terms, all guests hereby release the owners from any liability that may arise during or as a result of their stay.

The owners do not accept responsibility for guest’s personal property.

15. No Smoking

No smoking is allowed inside the Cottages. Smoking outdoors is only permitted outside on the individual decks of each cottage.

A fee of $ 150 for professional deodorising will be charged if smoking inside the cottage is evident.

16. Total Fire Ban Days and Fire danger

Karawatha Cottages is located in the Mount Lofty Ranges District. Fire Danger Season is generally from 1st of December until 30th of April (but may vary based on seasonal conditions).

Weather conditions during this season and the surrounding months can include high temperatures and winds resulting in declared Fire Ratings and strict total fire bans.

Fire Ratings for this district can be found on the CFS website: http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au

A Bushfire Survival Plan is provided in the information folder in each Cottage. All guests are asked to familiarise themselves during Severe/Extreme/Catastrophic Fire Danger days and must comply with all the requirements of the Bushfire Survival Plan.

Use of the open fire place on the patio is strictly forbidden on declared fire ban days.

17. Unavailability

In the unlikely event that any of the Cottages become unavailable after a successful booking (e.g. due to natural disasters, etc.), Karawatha Cottages will inform you as soon as possible either directly or through your travel agent and refund all payments in full.

18. Breakages or Malfunction

We kindly ask you to notify Karawatha Cottages of any breakages, damages or malfunction immediately once noticed, to assist with the prompt repair, maintenance or replacement and ensure your stay is enjoyable.

Karawatha Cottages reserves the right for compensation of, and you agree to pay, any replacement/repair costs associated with damage (accidental or otherwise) caused by you of the building or contents.

19. Cleaning / Servicing

We hope you enjoy your stay at Karawatha Cottages and the amenities provided. All cottages are self-catering and do not include daily servicing. For stays of 4 nights or longer fresh towels are provided mid stay.

Upon check-out we kindly ask you to leave the cottage in a clean and tidy condition, with all dishes washed and stowed away. We reserve the right to charge a cleaning fee of $50 per hour, should the cottage be left in an unreasonable state and excess cleaning is needed.

20. Following any of our Walking or Cycling Trail Recommendations

By choosing to access and using our trail maps and recommendations, you acknowledge that if you follow any of the trails/recommendations you will do so at your own risk. All trails and recommendations follow public roads and walking or cycling trails and normal road rules apply. Sections of the trails may include uneven paths, gravel, stones, sticks, pot holes and/or similar and it is your responsibility to be prepared, take appropriate care and wear appropriate foot wear and clothing.

Karawatha Cottages bears no responsibility for any risk, damage, loss or other claim which you may have as a result of embarking on any of these trails/recommendations.