We trust that you will thoroughly enjoy your holiday
and sincerely hope that the experience will ensure that
you will book with us again. The basis of a good
holiday is the careful selection by you of your
resort/hotel/itinerary.
ACCOMMODATION
– Unless otherwise stated,
accommodation is in standard twin/double rooms,
although twin or double beds cannot be guaranteed.
Specific room requirements cannot be guaranteed as
the allocation of rooms is at the discretion of the hotel
proprietor. Rooms are generally available between
noon and 3pm, and are to be vacated between 10am
and noon, irrespective of your arrival or departure
times. Dayrooms, subject to availability and extra cost,
may be available. A triple room is usually a twin/double
room, with an additional bed of a folding, pull-out
design, hence conditions may be cramped. The
standard and location of single rooms is not always as
good as twin/double rooms (even if a twin/double
room is booked for sole occupancy). A supplement is
usually payable whether the room allocated is a single
or a twin room. Superior and deluxe rooms (or similar)
may have the same facilities and be the same size, it
may only be the view or position of the room that is
different. In the tropics, be prepared to encounter
insects (e.g. cockroaches, mosquitoes, ants, etc.) in
your hotel room, especially at beach resorts where they
are a natural occurrence and do not reflect the
standard of hygiene and cleanliness. The term 'sea
view' or similar means the sea can be seen from your
room but may be at an angle or partially obscured due
to foliage. Please note that some hotels, lodges and
camps may be closed at various times during the year.
CUSTOMERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
– Less
developed destinations may lack even the simplest
facilities e.g. ramps or lifts etc. and we cannot
guarantee that the correct apparatus and necessary
modifications exist in any accommodation outlined in
our brochure. However, we do wish to provide every
possible assistance and request that you provide full
details in writing at the time of booking, so that we
may assist with the planning of your holiday.
COMPLAINTS WHILST ON HOLIDAY
– If you have
reason to lodge a complaint whilst on holiday, it must
be reported in writing to the representative, or your
driver if on safari, for action to be taken in resort.
Please retain a copy of the report lodged with the
representative. It is unreasonable to take no action
whilst on holiday and complain on return when it is too
late for us to rectify the situation.
CREDIT CARDS
– Payments made by credit cards
overseas, may be subject to a handling fee. Services paid
for by credit card will be subject to the applicable rate of
exchange at the time the voucher is presented to the
credit card company, and may differ from the rate
prevailing on the date that the service was provided.
Certain local banks may levy an additional charge.
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE
– Some countries have
restrictions on the importation and exportation of local
currency. Please check with the relevant Embassy or
High Commission. Never exchange money on the black
market. Please ensure you have sufficient monies to
cover all expenses whilst on holiday, as our local
representatives are unable to help in the eventuality of
having insufficient funds in resort.
ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLY
– At times, the
demands on the local supplies of electricity and water
may exceed the supply, with resultant power cuts,
water shortages and/or problems with plumbing and
drainage. Items usually affected include air-
conditioning, running water (hot and cold), lighting
and mini bars. Please note that occasionally these
shortages may be for extended periods and may be
distributed unevenly throughout the hotel/resort.
Power and water rationing imposed by the local
authorities may also take place at various resorts.
Whilst electrical wiring standards do always meet local
safety standards, on occasion they may be lower than
those applicable in other countries. Tented
accommodation on safari may utilise gas lighting and
have basic bathrooms.
EXCURSIONS
– Any excursions booked and paid for at
your resort are operated by the local handling company
and subject to their booking conditions/cancellation
charges. Refunds cannot be claimed from ourselves
once you have returned home, as we are not party to
the provision of the services. Local prices may vary. We
strongly advise you to only book excursions from
reputable and licensed local tour operators. Others
may not be able to offer the same level of safety and
security, and are often not adequately insured, or
licensed. It should also be noted that some types of
travel insurance do not cover claims arising from
excursions and tours purchased in resort (in particular
cancellation of such excursions and tours and losses
suffered as a result of partaking in hazardous activities
for which an additional premium was not paid).
FLIGHT DELAYS
– Whilst these are regrettable, delays
unfortunately may occur due to technical problems,
inclement weather or air-traffic control delays. Where
long flight delays result in lost holiday time, no
refunds are given by hotels/suppliers for unused
accommodation/services, as these are held for delayed
arrivals. Somak is not liable for any inconvenience
suffered, costs incurred, or loss of enjoyment suffered
as a result of any such delay. We will, however,
endeavour to assist in these circumstances. During any
flight delay, the airline concerned may, at their entire
discretion, be able to provide refreshments and other
services and, in extreme conditions, overnight hotel
accommodation. We, however, do not undertake to
make any such arrangements. Recompense for such
delays may be claimed through certain types of holiday
insurance – please check to make sure your holiday
insurance policy covers such losses.
HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY ABROAD
– Whilst we
only contract with reputable suppliers, it is important
to note that some countries and/or suppliers do not
match health and safety standards of other countries.
The applicable safety standards and regulations which
apply overseas are those of the country concerned and
as a result, general standards of safety, hygiene, fire
precautions etc. can be different to those you are used
to. You are therefore advised to take great care when
first venturing into unfamiliar buildings or
surroundings. Upset stomachs are a common
occurrence whilst abroad and can often be attributed
to, for example, the change in climate or ice-cold
drinks. Local hygiene and food preparation standards
are not to blame as a mere change in diet and water
can upset the stomach. Sensible precautions need to
be taken especially with regard to raw food, drinking
water and ice in drinks. We take your safety very
seriously. Should the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
advise that people should not visit a particular country,
we will act upon this advice as appropriate. However,
as media coverage indicates, many countries we
feature are subject to political and economic instability.
Crime against people and property are a fact of life
throughout the world and hence it is important to be
extra vigilant when visiting strange countries. You have
the same responsibility for your personal safety and
possessions abroad as you do at home. Avoid drawing
attention to yourself by wearing expensive jewellery,
carrying expensive camera equipment, publicly
displaying large amounts of money etc. Do not leave
valuables unattended and where possible store them in
a safe. Always respect local customs, standards and
sensibilities especially in areas of cultural and religious
importance, as failure to do so may offend local
inhabitants.
HOTEL FACILITIES
– Please note that charges may be
made for the use of hotel facilities such as golf, tennis,
spa, water sports, children’s clubs, etc. Please contact
us prior to booking if you have specific queries
regarding facilities.
MAINTENANCE WORK
– Necessary renovation and
maintenance work may be carried out at any time,
although this work is kept away from guests as far as
possible, to minimise any disturbance or
inconvenience. (Also see ‘resort development’).
MEDICAL INFORMATION
– You should ALWAYS
consult your doctor before travelling for confirmation
of inoculations and or medication recommended for
travel in your chosen destination.
MEALS
– The standard of meals and services varies
immensely, usually in line with the standard of
accommodation booked. Meals that are included in
your meal plan are usually taken in the main restaurant
and will be a buffet or set menu. ‘A la carte’ meals and
speciality restaurants are at additional cost. Breakfast is
usually simple English or continental style. ‘Half Board’
Please read the Holiday Guide carefully.
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Holiday Guide
