Terms & Conditions
Terms and conditions are unfortunately necessary in this modern world to protect both our interests. We are sorry that this stuff is all a bit formal but it is important. Please read on…
bookings
Our prime concern is that you have a safe, relaxing and enjoyable stay here at Groomes but as a condition of confirming your reservation you must agree with and accept the following terms and conditions (T’s and C’s) in full. In making a booking, your contract will be with Groomes (Peter Dale). Full name and address is supplied in the contact us section.
Individual accommodation
Bookings may be made by telephone or e-mail or in person. When booking, no deposit is taken, however credit card/debit card details will be required to secure your booking. Guests may be e-mailed a confirmation letter on request. Guests are advised to check that the details are correct. We are unable to confirm exact room allocation; unless you have specific requirements (such as a triple or twin room, or our ground floor room) of course we will do our best if you have a particular preference. Please note that only guests who have a formal reservation and are paying for our services will be allowed to use our facilities. Fire regulations and insurance restrictions prevent us from allowing visitors into our guest rooms without prior arrangement.
Group booking
Bookings may be made by telephone or e-mail or in person. When making a multiple room booking or Groomes as a whole, a non-refundable deposit of £250.00 is required to secure your booking. Deposits are required at the time of confirming a reservation. Guests may be e-mailed a confirmation letter on request, please check that the details are correct. Room allocation requests can be made in advance and we will do our best to oblige.
Wedding and event bookings
Bookings may be made by telephone or e-mail or in person. When making a wedding or event booking at Groomes, a non-refundable deposit of £600.00 is required to secure your booking and date. Deposits are required at the time of confirming a reservation. A second deposit of approximately half the total predicted value is required a minimum of 1 month prior to the event. The balance is then paid on arrival. Guests will be e-mailed a confirmation letter with full costs and itinerary, please check that the details are correct. It will be assumed that you accept all the details in this letter unless you advise us to the contrary.
Payment
Payment may be made by cash, credit/debit card (all major cards accepted). Please note there will be an additional charge of 2% for American Express. You may also pay by bank transfer. Invoices are available on request. Groomes Country House is VAT registered.
Cancellation
Deposits are refundable if the booking is cancelled by ourselves. Force majeure, sickness or death in the family would be the only reason we would cancel, and all efforts would be made to cover or offer an alternative. Due to the nature of our business we take every care not to double book and reserve the right to check before we make a mistake. We like to talk to our guests from the earliest possible time to try and ensure that we get it right which is why we will always resist joining an online booking program.
The full cost of individual accommodation bookings is payable for cancellations with less than 7 days notice.
Where bookings have been made for weddings or for two rooms or more the full cost of the accommodation is payable for cancellations with less than 30 days notice. With less than 60 days notice, half the full balance is required.
Please note that once a reservation has been made, any changes (such as a reduction of days) is deemed a cancellation of the original reservation – the application of the deposit to the altered booking is entirely at our discretion. Changes such as additional days are not deemed cancellations and therefore if the accommodation is available the deposit is carried forward.
Arrival and departure
Guests are requested to vacate their rooms by 11.00 on the day of departure. Bags and vehicles may be left at Groomes on departure day by arrangement. Guests are requested to arrive from 4pm and we would greatly appreciate an estimate of your arrival time to ensure someone is here to greet you. Guests wishing to arrive either early or late are requested to make arrangements so that keys can be left if there is no-one available to greet them. Rooms are not generally available for occupancy before 4pm but guests may leave vehicles and bags if they arrive early. If guests have not arrived by 10pm, and have not phoned ahead to warn of their late arrival, it will be assumed that they are not coming and it may not be possible to gain access to the house. Guests failing to arrive will be charged for the accommodation for that night.
Should you need an early check in or a late arrival we will do our best to assist by arrangement.
access
Groomes is a 16th Century grade 2 listed building and we have done our best to reasonably ensure accessibility to all. Its age makes Groomes quaint and quirky, but also means there are steps into and between some of our rooms. We have eleven different floor levels!
Our hotel is set in peaceful countryside and is located at the end of a country lane or metaled quarry hall road. Please advise us of your anticipated arrival/return time so that we can be sure we are here to welcome you. Parking is on a level drive in front of the main door, and we are happy to assist you with your luggage. There are no steps from the car park into our main entrance and the front door is 107 cm wide, providing easy access for all. The hallway is a flagstone floor leading into the dining room and main stair case, it is 120 cm at its narrowest part. There are steps from the dining room in the guest sitting room and half cellars.
We offer six large bedrooms all of which are en-suite and a ground floor bedroom with a wet room and toilet facilities suitable for wheel chair access. There are some period features which might make access to certain areas difficult for people with limited mobility, If you have any particular requirements or disabilities please let us know and we will do all we can to accommodate you.
Stairs to the first and second floors are fully carpeted and not only lead you upstairs but also back down to another hallway were the garden, lounge and garden rooms may be accessed. These are also accessible from around the side of the house and there are no steps to gain access. The communal toilet facilities may be found beneath the garden room at cellar level and can be accessed from inside via the spiral staircase or from the games room, alternatively from the outside staircase. Both staircases are well lit, have hand rails and there is a solid stone floor.
The hotel is centrally heated throughout from a remote biomass boiler and temperatures can be adjusted in each room to suit individual requirements. The lounge has two large sofa’s and several high back chairs as well as a wood burning stove. The dining room has flexible furnishing possibilities and an oak floor. Access to the games room is down flagstone stairs from the snug.
general
Keys
Guests are requested not to entertain non-residents anywhere within the house and gardens without prior arrangement.
Guests are required to specify if they wish to have an evening meal prior to arrival and to acknowledge any dietary requirements in advance. All our food is cooked fresh on the premises and you may request to know any ingredients at any time.
Guests can request keys to the front door and their room so that they may come and go at their convenience for the duration of their stay. There is no curfew.
Alcohol and smoking
Groomes is an alcohol-licensed premise and we will stringently uphold the licensing objectives. The owners, Groomes team, fellow guests and visitors have the right to feel safe and unthreatened whilst here. Noisy, unruly and drunken behavior especially that which may be considered dangerous to life or property cannot be tolerated. This includes drug taking and consumption of your own alcohol in the licensed area. The proprietor, license holder and designated premises supervisor (DPS) reserves the right to evict guests for anti social behavior.
Groomes is strictly no smoking. Guests found smoking in their rooms will be asked to settle their bill and leave immediately regardless of the time. Guests may smoke outside in the grounds and are asked to dispose of their butts in the receptacle provided.
Fireplaces and burning candles
On occasion we use burning candles and a wood burning stove in the communal areas only, by definition therefore naked flames exist. You agree NEVER to interfere with these including any associates materials that go with them.
Pets
Dogs are permitted by prior arrangement and accommodation is provided for them outside.
Mishaps
Accidents can and do happen. If you are unfortunate enough to have a mishap of any sort whilst you are staying here please notify us immediately, please do not try to cover it up. In most circumstances, with the benefit of time, we can rectify personal whoopsies and spillages etc. Damages caused to Groomes property by guests that require professional cleaning or replacement will be charged for.
CCTV is in operation on the house and gardens 24/7 for all our security.