"A Hidden Paradise" Terms and Conditions

Please print these Terms and Conditions for your records.

Check in time is no earlier than 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time and premises must be vacated no later than 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on the ending date of the lease. Housekeeping must be able to enter by 10:00 AM. Housekeeping has a 5 hour cleaning period to get the cabin ready for the next guest (the staff often has more than one cabin to clean during this period). Due to this tight time frame for cleaning, please do not arrive early to check in or leave after check out time. For each 30 minutes you are late leaving, you will be charged $50. In some cases (if there are not back to back bookings), the cabin may be available for early check-in. Please e-mail to find out if that is a possibility.

Damage Deposit: We do not require a separate deposit for damages. Instead, your credit card number is kept on file in case there are damages during your stay. If there are any damages during your stay, you will be notified and an itemized statement will be sent to you via email. Your credit card will be charged for the damages. By accepting the terms of this lease, you are agreeing for your credit card to be charged for the damages.

Deposit: A deposit of $200 is due at the time the cabin is booked if your stay is more than 30 days away. You will be asked to pay the deposit by credit card at the end of the online booking process. This $200 is applied to your rental balance and the balance is due 30 days before your arrival date. (45 days before for the Christmas holidays between December 19-January 2) An email will be sent as a reminder when the final balance is due. If your arrival is within less than 30 days, the entire balance is due when you reserve.

Payment: We accept payment for balance of rent with personal check, money order, Mastercard, Visa, or Discover. If a personal check is returned for non-sufficient funds, fees will be added in the amount charged by the bank. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Payment for the balance of rent must be received 30 days before the arrival date. If you are booking less than 30 days from arrival date, balance of rent is due immediately. Once your full payment is received, you will receive an e-mail with directions, door code, and cabin information.

Cabin Set Up: When you arrive, the cabin should be clean and set up with linens and supplies itemized below. If the cabin has not been cleaned when you arrive or if there are any cleaning issues, please call 205-625-6516 (our home); 205-446-8702 (Neil's cell) or 205-274-9531(Neil's parents- they can get in touch with Neil) immediately. We will do our best to correct any problems, but we must be made aware of the problem when you arrive. Any damage noticed upon arrival should also be reported. If damage is not reported, your credit card may be charged for the cost of the repair. In order to not have your card charged, the following must occur:

• No damage is done to the property, cabin, or contents including linens;
• No items are missing or damaged upon inventory check;
• Dishes are put in the dishwasher and the dishwasher is started;
• Cabin is not left excessively dirty and all trash is put in the outside garbage can;
• No evidence of smoking inside the cabin;
• No evidence of pets on premises;
• Adhere to check in/check out policy times.
• No damage to the hot tub or hot tub cover.

Check Out Procedure: Please leave the cabin neat and orderly to avoid additional charges. If the cleaning crew finds the home has been left excessively dirty or has to spend extra time getting the cabin ready for the next guests, you will be billed for the additional cleaning at a rate of $30 per hour. The bed may be left unmade with sheets and pillowcases left on. Used towels/washcloths from both bathrooms should be placed in the downstairs shower. All trash should be put in the outside garbage can. Before leaving, set the thermostat to 65 degrees in cooler months and 75 degrees in warmer months. Close and lock all windows. Make sure the door is locked before you leave.

Supplied Items: linens for king bed, linens for queen sleeper sofa, 3 blankets, pillows,12 bath towels, 6 wash cloths, 4 hand towels, 2 dish towels, 2 dish cloths, laundry detergent, dish detergent, automatic dishwasher detergent, bath soap, 1 roll paper towels, 1 roll toilet paper per bathroom, and trash can liners. You may need to replenish these start up supplies during your stay.

Extras: We can't guarantee the following items, but we also try to provide coffee (regular and decaf), coffee filters, creamer, spices, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, ziplock bags, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, detergent for the washing machine, and dryer sheets. These items are re-stocked as needed and are for your use during your stay. (Please use them during your stay, but leave what is left for the next guests.)

Hot Tub: If there is a probem with the hot tub, call Christy Cole at 865-774-0878. Bromine is used to maintain water quality. Please note all safety warnings posted by the hot tub before using it. Use of hot tub is at your own risk. Pregnant women and those with pre-existing health conditions are advised against using the hot tub.

Gas Fireplaces: The cabin has 2 gas fireplaces. The indoor fireplace is operable October 1 through March 31. The outdoor fireplace will be operational year round. Please read all instructions for operating fireplaces.

Severe Weather: We do not refund rents or deposits due to cancelled or shortened stays because of weather, including snow/ice. Departures, cancelled stays, or late arrivals due to inclement weather do not warrant refund of rent or deposit. We highly recommend getting travel insurance for your trip- it is up to the guest to purchase this coverage. It is offered when you reserve the cabin online for 7% of the total cost of your stay or can be purchased through another online source.

Smoking Policy: Absolutely no smoking is permitted inside the cabin- NO EXCEPTIONS. If you smoke on the deck, please do not throw your butts on the ground. Make sure the butt is out and place butts in the outside garbage can before departure. If housekeeping/groundskeeper has to pick up butts, $1 per butt will be charged. Evidence of smoking inside will result in a charge of $200 to deodorize the home. This policy is STRONGLY ENFORCED.

Pet/Animal Policy: Absolutely no pets/animals are permitted- NO EXCEPTIONS. If any evidence of pet(s) is found inside the cabin or on the premises, you will be asked to vacate immediately with no refund of rent and your credit card will be charged $200 for violating the lease agreement. Evidence of pets on the premises after check out will result in a $200 charge on your credit card. This policy is STRONGLY ENFORCED.

Accommodations: The cabin includes one king size bed and a queen sized sleeper sofa. There are two bathrooms with standing showers, one jacuzzi tub, one hot tub, and two gas fireplaces.

Cleaning: Rates include initial linen setup and cleaning service at the time of departure. There is no daily maid service. An initial set up of trash liners is provided- additional paper items beyond the initial supply will be the responsibility of the guest. For longer stays, trash pickup and a hot tub check will be performed on the fourth day of the stay if needed.

Maximum Number of Occupants: The cabin is to be occupied by no more than 4 persons at any time. House parties are not allowed. We will not rent to vacationing students or singles under 21 years of age unless accompanied by an adult guardian or parent. Any reservation obtained under false pretense will be subject to forfeiture of advance deposit and/or rental money and the party will not be permitted to check in.

Left or Lost Items: We are not responsible for any items left behind, lost, or stolen. If you realize you left something, call and we will see about shipping it to you.

Security System: We provide an ADT alarm system for added security and protection. You will be given information for arming and disarming the alarm system. The Smoky Mountains are not a high crime area, but there are instances when people break into cabins to attain valuables (laptops, cameras, phones, IPODs, medicine, etc.) from guests staying there. These break-ins occur when guests leave the cabin, so secure your valuables when you leave the cabin and arm the security system. Guests should arm the security system at all times when the cabin is not occupied. We are not responsible for any stolen items.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds are given with less than 30 day notice. If you cancel your reservation more than 30 days before check in (or more than 45 days for holiday stays), you will be refunded your $200 deposit less a $100 cancellation fee and any travel insurance premium paid from the initial $200 deposit.

Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. It will be offered during the reservation process and you must opt out of the coverage if you choose not to purchase the protection. If you purchase the travel insurance and cancel your reservation 31 or more days before your arrival date, the insurance premium will not be refunded since it is taken out of your initial $200 deposit and sent to Travel Guard when you pay the deposit. Travel Guard does not reimburse the premium when you cancel your reservation. It is up to you, as the purchaser, to read the policy to know the exact coverage and limitations of the policies.

Refunds/Maintenance: We do everything possible to keep all equipment in good working order. However, it is impossible to guarantee that all appliances, hot tubs, TVs, fireplaces, internet service, etc. will be in working order 100% of the time. We do guarantee to make every effort to correct all problems as soon as possible during normal business hours. Report all maintenance problems immediately to our local cleaning/maintenance person- Christy Cole at 865-774-0878. We must be made aware there is a problem in order to try to rectify it. Please limit these calls to normal business hours unless it is an emergency. We reserve the right to perform exterior and/or interior maintenance during your stay. If a service call is necessary, we will do our best to avoid any inconvenience to you. We do not offer any discounts, refunds, or credits for mechanical malfunctions.

Internet access: Access is for legal usage only.Guests will accept full and sole responsibility for enforcing legal internet activity for duration of the rental agreement. Using internet service to engage in any form of copyright infringement is expressly prohibited by our internet carrier’s “Acceptable Use” policy and we can be fined for illegal downloads. If there are illegal downloads or copyright infringements during your stay, our internet carrier will notify us with the exact dates and times of the illegal activity. Copyright infringements or violations of any other internet carrier’s policy may result in charges per violation when reported by our service provider. We reserve the right to seek additional damages in case of a law suit or any other financial penalty against the owner caused by these violations.

I have read and understand the above rules and regulations. By booking this property, I am agreeing to all terms and conditions in this document. I am at least 21 years old and I am responsible for any and all damages that occur to the property or it's contents by me or any other member of my group while I am the registered occupant of the property. I accept full responsibility for damages, fees, or extra cleaning charges should they be found during or after my departure. I understand and consent to the use of the credit card provided without original signature on the charge slip, and that this credit card authorization cannot be revoked and will not terminate until 30 days after the leased premises are vacated.