1. Booking a Holiday
a) A holiday booking is made between Harwood Enterprises UK Limited (“Harwood”) and the booker of your holiday (‘you”) who must be over 18 years of age.
b) In order to book your holiday you must follow this procedure:
i) Email your enquiry to ops@frenchmountainescapes.com
ii) On receipt of an enquiry, Harwood will respond with availability and price.
iii) A deposit of 25% of the full amount due quoted by Harwood will confirm the booking (we will send payment details):
iv) On receipt of the amount into the Harwood Account, Harwood will deem you holiday reservation to be confirmed and will email you to confirm your booking.
v) The balance is payable by you in full by 56 days before the start date of your holiday
c) The contract between you and Harwood is in all circumstances to be governed by these terms and conditions.
2. Amendments by You
a) Amendments must be confirmed by email. They will come into effect on the day they are received. You agree to indemnify for any reasonable expenses incurred in making an amendment whether or not Harwood succeeds in confirming your request.
b) Subject to availability, any change of dates which you make within the same winter season more than 56 days prior to departure will be accepted by Harwood without charge. A change in dates to a future winter season will be deemed a full cancellation.
3. Amendments by Harwood
a) We reserve the right to advise you of a change to your holiday both before and after you make a reservation. An amendment made prior to departure, that is deemed to be significant by Harwood, (for example a chance in dates or a change in accommodation standards) gives you the right to cancel the holiday if you choose. Should you cancel in such circumstances you will receive a full refund of monies paid to Harwood. In all significant cases we will pay you compensation as follows:
Days before departure Compensation per chalet booking
More than 56 days £100
56-15 days £200
14-0 days £400
b) Once your holiday has started, Harwood will pay a pro-rata refund for any part of your holiday that, due to an amendment made by Harwood, cannot be taken.
c) Please note that Harwood cannot pay expenses, costs or losses incurred by you as a result of any change or cancellation and shall not be liable for any refund should Harwood be forced to cancel or change your holiday due to circumstance amounting to Force Majeure. Such circumstances shall include, but are not limited to; war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorism, industrial disruption, natural disasters, fire, technical problems, adverse weather, government action and similar events beyond our control.
4. Cancellation by You
a) Any cancellation by you will come into effect the day written notice is received by Harwood and will be refunded as shown in the table below. Recorded delivery is strongly recommended.
Days before departure % of booking price refunded
More than 56 days 75% OR offer of another holiday for alternative dates (although please note that additional costs which may be incurred in providing a holiday at alternative dates will be payable in full by you).
56-29 days 50% OR offer of another holiday for alternative dates (although please note that additional costs which may be incurred in providing a holiday at alternative dates will be payable in full by you).
28-15 days 20%
14-0 days 0%
b) Depending on the reason for your cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these charges under the terms of your insurance policy.
c) Please note that Harwood is not responsible for your flight refund and this will be dependent on your flight ticket type. Insurance premiums are also non-refundable by Harwood.
5. Cancellation by Harwood
a) In all cases, Harwood reserves the right to cancel your holiday for the dates you have reserved. This is extremely unlikely, but should this event occur you will be fully refunded and compensated as set out in clause 4a.
b) If you fail to pay the balance of the booking price or other costs before the due dates, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation with no refund to you.
6. Your Responsibilities
a) As part of this contract you hereby agree to guarantee payment for any chargeable services requested by any member of your group before, during or after your holiday.
b) It is your responsibility to ensure that each member of your group carries adequate winter sports insurance. For your safety and convenience please provide Harwood with policy details before you travel.
c) Please treat the chalet and all Harwood property with care and respect. Harwood will be entitled to recover the cost of any damage caused by any member of your group before departure from the chalet. Please ensure that your insurance policy covers accidental damage to the chalet and its contents. Behaviour deemed unacceptable by Harwood will result in the termination of your holiday and you shall have no right to a refund for your holiday or any expenses incurred as a result of the termination.
d) It is your responsibility to provide written details of any allergies suffered by any member of your group.
7. Harwood’s Responsibilities
a) Harwood accepts responsibility for ensuring that the holiday which you book with us is supplied as described in the brochure and booking information.
b) Harwood accepts responsibility for any loss, death, injury or illness caused by the negligent acts and/or omissions of Harwood’s employees, agents, suppliers, subcontractors, servants and/or agents of the same whilst acting within the scope of their employment in the provision of your holiday, except where the failure to perform or the improper performance was due to:
i) Your own acts or omissions.
ii) Acts or omissions of a third party not involved with the provision of your holiday.
iii) Circumstances which were unforeseeable or unavoidable even when exercising all due care.
c) Harwood’s liability shall in all cases be limited in accordance with international conventions concerning transportation and accommodation.
8. Price Guarantee
Once your holiday has been booked its price will be fixed, in spite of any currency fluctuations. However, we reserve the right to amend our tariffs at any time before you make your reservation and you will be notified if any such amendment has been made.
9. Health, Passports and Visas
It is your responsibility to ensure that all documentation is in proper order before you travel. Harwood accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience caused as a result of your failure to take reasonable care in this respect.
10. Transport
a) It is your responsibility to make your group’s travel arrangements to Chalet Merlo.
b) Should you wish to use the Harwood transfer service, it is your responsibility to make your group’s travel arrangements to an airport from where Harwood can arrange a resort transfer for you. Please inform Harwood of your flight arrangements at least four weeks prior to departure when requesting any transfers.
c) Harwood cannot accept responsibility for guests missing flights for any reason or mislaying or destroying travel documents, and no credit or refund will be given if you fail to take up a component of your holiday as a result.
d) Harwood is not responsible for any flight delays but wherever possible will endeavour to provide any previously booked resort transfers.
11. Any Problems
If you are ever unhappy with any aspect of your holiday, you must address your complaint immediately to the chalet manager. In the unlikely event that your problem cannot be resolved locally, you must inform Harwood in writing of your complaint within 28 days of your return.
12. End of Week Payments
a) Upon request, Harwood will, at its discretion, make purchases on your behalf both before and during your holiday. To enable us to do so, credit card details will be held as a guarantee. Please note that any such purchases must be settled in full prior to your departure from the chalet.
b) A small visitor’s tax is levied by the tourist office on a daily per head rate. This is included in the price of your holiday.
c) Your end of week bill will be shown in both the local currency and £ sterling (using the purchase exchange rate on the day).
d) Cash payment in the resort is accepted in the local currency only.
e) Cheques will be accepted in either local currency or £ sterling.
f) Visa and MasterCard payments will be processed in euros only. The vast majority of services we supply in resort are passed on to you at cost, with no handling fee. A charge of 2.5% is therefore levied on all in resort credit card payments to cover the credit card charges.
13. Skiing with Harwood
a) It is the responsibility of you and your group to judge the suitability of each area in which you ski. If you or any member of your group ski in a location on the recommendation of or are accompanied by any representative of Harwood, Harwood will not be liable for any injuries howsoever caused.
b) Unless specified by you pre-arrival, lift passes bought on your behalf will include a carte neige (where available) to ensure rapid response in the event of an accident whilst skiing. Please note that this does not replace the need for a full winter sports insurance policy.
14. Chalet Facilities
a) Guests staying in any Harwood chalet use the hot tub, sauna and other facilities at their own risk and Harwood can accept no responsibility for accidents/ injuries/loss of or damage to your property whilst using these facilities.
b) Children must be supervised whilst using chalet facilities including, but not limited to, hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas and gyms, dvds and computer games.
16. General
a) Headings within these booking conditions are for reference purposes only and all images/floor plans are intended to give a general impression only.
b) These booking conditions and any matters arising from them are subject to and governed by English law.
c) Harwood Enterprises (UK) Limited is registered in England, No. 3692153.