Terms & Conditions

Booking Agreement

A reservation is confirmed once we receive the required deposit and send you a written
booking confirmation via email. By making a reservation, the primary guest (the person
whose name appears on the booking) agrees to these Terms & Conditions on behalf of
all members of their party.

The primary guest must be at least 30 years of age at the time of check-in. All stays
are limited to families and responsible adult groups only. No sororities, fraternities,
or non-chaperoned groups are permitted.

The maximum occupancy for Woodland Chalet is 20 guests. The number of guests staying
overnight must not exceed the number stated on your reservation. Unregistered guests
are not permitted to stay overnight.

Payment Terms

Deposit & Balance

If your check-in date is more than 14 days away, a deposit of 30% of the booking
total is charged at the time of booking, and the remaining balance is due before
your arrival; we will send payment instructions for the balance. If your check-in
date is 14 days away or less, the full booking total is charged at the time of
booking. If a balance remains unpaid at check-in, we may cancel the reservation
and retain the deposit.

Accepted Payment Methods

We accept major credit and debit cards, processed securely by Stripe, a
PCI-compliant payment processor. We never see or store your full card number.

Taxes & Fees

Every quote is itemized before you pay. Your total includes:

• Nightly rental rate for your dates
• One-time cleaning fee
• Maryland sales and use tax (6%)
• Garrett County hotel rental tax (8%)

Cancellation Policy

We understand that plans can change. The following cancellation policy applies to
all reservations:

More Than 30 Days Before Check-In

Cancel more than 30 days before check-in and we refund everything you have paid,
less non-recoverable payment-processing costs (approximately 3%).

14–30 Days Before Check-In

Cancel 14 to 30 days before check-in and we refund 50% of the total amount paid.
The remainder is retained as a cancellation fee.

Less Than 14 Days Before Check-In

Cancellations fewer than 14 days before check-in, no-shows, and early departures
are non-refundable.

Re-Booking Credit

If we are able to re-book nights you cancelled, we may, at our discretion, refund
the rental value of the re-booked nights (less processing costs and any rate
difference).

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your vacation investment.
Travel insurance can cover unexpected cancellations due to illness, weather, or other
unforeseen circumstances. We can provide a travel insurance referral upon request.

Check-In & Check-Out

Check-In

Check-in time is 4:00 PM. Check-in instructions, door codes, WiFi
details, and your guest-app link are sent before arrival; the guest app goes live at
check-in. Early check-in is not guaranteed but may be available on request.

Check-Out

Check-out time is 10:00 AM. Late check-out is not guaranteed, may be
available on request, and may incur an additional fee.

Check-Out Responsibilities

Guests are expected to leave the property in a reasonable condition at check-out:

• Remove all personal belongings
• Place all trash in the designated garbage area
• Load and start the dishwasher
• Turn off all lights, fans, and electronics
• Close and lock all windows and doors
• Set thermostat to 65°F in winter / 78°F in summer
• Return any moved furniture to its original position

Minimum Stay Requirements

Minimum stays vary by season:

• Peak summer weeks: 7-night minimum, Sunday to Sunday
• Spring, fall & winter: 2-night minimum
• Select holiday dates: 3-night minimum

The booking calendar reflects the exact minimum stay and
permitted check-in days for any date and controls in case of any discrepancy.

Property Damage

No refundable security deposit is collected for direct bookings — your quote
is what you pay.

Damage Responsibility

Guests are responsible for any damage to the property, furnishings, fixtures,
appliances, or equipment caused during their stay beyond normal wear and tear.
The primary guest authorizes charges for such damage to the payment method on
file, or will be invoiced for the cost of repair or replacement.

Reporting Damage

If you notice pre-existing damage on arrival, or if accidental damage occurs during
your stay, notify us promptly at woodlandchaletdcl@gmail.com.
You will not be charged for pre-existing damage that is promptly reported.

Liability Limitations

Guests use the property and all amenities — including but not limited to the
indoor pool, hot tubs, fireplaces, game room, deck areas, dock slip, and lake access
— at their own risk. Almost Heaven Escapes, its owners, agents, and
representatives shall not be held liable for:

• Personal injury, illness, or death of any guest or visitor
• Loss, theft, or damage to personal property
• Interruptions to utilities, internet, cable, or water service
• Malfunctions of appliances, hot tubs, pool equipment, or HVAC systems
• Acts of nature, wildlife encounters, or weather-related issues
• Conditions at the lake access area or dock slip, which are community-maintained
  and not owned by the property owner

There is no lifeguard on duty at the pool or hot tubs; all swimming
and hot tub use is at your own risk. Guests assume all risk associated with use of
the property, including the steep driveway and the walk to the lake, and are
responsible for the supervision of all members of their party, including children.

The limitations above apply to the maximum extent permitted by law and do not apply
to the extent any loss is caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Nothing in these terms limits rights that cannot be limited under Maryland law.

Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for failure to perform obligations under this agreement
due to events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to: natural disasters,
severe weather, government actions, travel bans, pandemics, utility failures, or
other acts of God.

In a force majeure event we will work with you in good faith; remedies may include
rescheduling, a credit for a future stay, or a partial or full refund, evaluated
case by case.

House Rules

All guests must comply with our House Rules
during their stay. Violation of house rules may result in immediate termination
of the rental without refund. Key rules include:

• No pets
• No smoking (inside or outside the property)
• No parties or events
• Primary guest must be at least 30 years old
• Families and responsible adult groups only
• Maximum occupancy: 20 guests

Please review the full House Rules page before
your arrival.

Nature of Your Stay

Your booking is a license to occupy the property for a short-term vacation stay.
It is not a lease and does not create a tenancy, and no landlord–tenant
relationship is formed. Guests acquire no rights of occupancy beyond the booked
dates, and the booking may not be assigned, transferred, or sublet.

Right of Entry

We (or our service providers) may enter the property during your stay for
emergencies at any time, and for necessary repairs, maintenance, or safety
inspections with reasonable notice.

Indemnification

The primary guest agrees to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims, damages,
and reasonable costs arising from their party’s use of the property in
violation of these terms or applicable law, except to the extent caused by our
gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Severability & Entire Agreement

If any provision of these terms is found unenforceable, the remainder stays in
effect. These Terms & Conditions, together with the House Rules and your
booking confirmation, form the entire agreement for your stay.

Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Maryland, United States of America, without regard to
its conflict of law provisions.

Dispute Resolution

In the event of any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms & Conditions
or your stay at the property, both parties agree to first attempt to resolve the
matter through good-faith negotiation by contacting
woodlandchaletdcl@gmail.com.

If the dispute cannot be resolved through direct negotiation within 30 days, either
party may pursue mediation through a mutually agreed-upon mediator in Garrett County,
Maryland. If mediation is unsuccessful, either party may pursue legal remedies in the
courts of Garrett County, Maryland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the property owner reserves the right to pursue
immediate legal action for property damage, unpaid balances, or violations of these
Terms & Conditions.

Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms & Conditions at any time. Changes
will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.
Terms in effect at the time of your booking will apply to your reservation.

Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms & Conditions, please contact us:

• Email: woodlandchaletdcl@gmail.com
• Mailing address: available on request for formal notices

For more information, please visit our Contact page.