GTC

General terms & conditions

For the bilateral guarantee of the accommodation agreement.

Definitions

„Accommodation provider“: Das Walchsee Hotel GmbH, FN 479809 b.
„Guest“: is an indiviual that uses accommodation. The guest usually also is the contracting party. Guests are also those persons that are accommodated togher with the contracting party (e.g. family members, friends etc.).
„Contracting party“: is a domestic or foreign individual or legal person that concludes an accommodation agreement as guest or for a guest.
„Consumer“ and „entrepreneur“: these terms shall be construed as defined by the 1979 Consumer Protection Act (Konsumentenschutzgesetz) as amended.
„Accommodation agreement“: means the agreement made between the accommodation provider and the contracting party, the contents of which are specified below.

Conclusion of the agreement – down payment

The accommodation agreement shall be deemed entered into upon the acceptance of the contracting party’s order by the accommodation provider. Electronic declarations shall be deemed received when they can be collected by the contracting party to which they are addressed under normal circumstances provided that they are received during the published business hours of the accommodation provider.

The accommodation provider shall be entitled to enter into the accommodation agreement under the condition that the contracting party makes a down payment. In such event, the accommodation provider shall be obliged to inform the contracting party of the required down payment before accepting the written or oral order of the contracting party. If the contracting party agrees to the down payment (in writing or orally), the accommodation agreement shall be deemed entered into upon the receipt of the contracting party’s declaration of consent on the down payment by the accommodation provider.

The contracting party shall be obliged to make the down payment no later than 15 days after requested by the accommodation provider (receipt) before the accommodation. The costs for the financial transaction (e.g. remittance fee) shall be paid by the contracting party. Credit and debit cards shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the issuing company. If the contracting party fails to make the down payment, the accommodation provider can continue to insist on the execution of his claim or withdraw from the agreement by setting a reasonable grace period.

The down payment shall be deemed an instalment of the agreed remuneration.

An advance payment of 20% is required for certain travel periods.

If the statutory VAT rate changes, the accommodation provider reserves the right to pass on the change in the tax rate to the guest by adjusting the price to the same extent as the change.

Conclusion of the agreement

Start and end of accommodation

Unless the accommodation provider offers any other time of occupancy, the contracting party shall be entitled to move into the rented rooms from 3.00 p.m. on the agreed date (“date of arrival”).

If a room is occupied for the first time before 6.00 a.m., the preceding night shall be deemed the first night of accommodation.

The rented rooms shall be vacated by the contracting party by 10 am on the date of departure. The accommodation provider shall be entitled to charge another day if the rented rooms are not vacated in time.

Rescission of the accommodation agreement – cancellation fee

1. Rescission by the accommodation provider

If the accommodation agreement provides for a down payment and such down payment has not been made by the contracting party in time, the accommodation provider may rescind the accommodation agreement without granting any grace period.

If the Guest fails to arrive by 6.00 p.m. on the agreed date of arrival, the accommodation provider shall not be obliged to accommodate them unless a later time of arrival has been agreed upon.

If the contracting party has made a down payment, the rooms shall be deemed reserved until 12.00 noon on the day following the date of arrival at the latest. If a down payment to the amount of more than four days has been made, the obligation to accommodate the guest shall end on 6.00 p.m. on the fourth day, the date of arrival being deemed the first day, unless the guest informs the accommodation provider of a later date of arrival.

Unless otherwise agreed upon, the accommodation provider may rescind the accommodation agreement for objectively justified reasons by means of a unilateral declaration by 3 months before the agreed date of arrival of the contracting party.

2. Withdrawal by the contracting party

a) Individual contractual agreements that take precedence over these GTC in the event of a deviation can be found in the hotel's booking or reservation confirmation.

b) For events and for group trips of 10 rooms or more or 15 people, separate cancellation conditions for events, group trips & MICE apply. These can be found in the event or group confirmation.

c) Cancellation conditions and no-show for individual travelers (reservations up to 9 rooms or 14 persons)

Cancellations must always be submitted to the hotel in writing. Cancellations must be confirmed in writing by the hotel. The following cancellation fees apply:

Up to 22 days before arrival free of charge
From 21 days before arrival 90% of the booking amount
In case of no-show or no-arrival 100% of the booking amount

The cancellation fee will be charged to the contract partner immediately after the cancellation and is due for payment without delay. In case of deposit (disclosure) of the credit card data by the contract partner, the hotel is entitled to charge the credit card with an incurred cancellation fee. A deposit paid can be credited by the hotel against a cancellation fee incurred.

d) Rooms with special rates

Rooms booked at non-refundable rates, savings rates, deals or % promotions cannot be cancelled or rebooked at any time without charge or upon payment of a cancellation fee and will be charged 100% of the special rate in all cases. This may also be charged by the hotel to a credit card disclosed as collateral and a deposit may be applied to the special rate.

Disability of arrival

If the contracting party is prevented from arriving at the accommodating establishment on the date of arrival since this is impossible due to unforeseeable extraordinary events (e.g. extreme snowfall, floods etc.), the contracting party shall not be obliged to pay the agreed remuneration for the date of arrival.

The obligation to pay the remuneration for the booked stay shall revive as soon as the arrival becomes possible again provided that it becomes possible within three days.

Provision of substitute accommodation

The accommodation provider may provide the contracting party or the guests with adequate substitute accommodation (of the same quality) provided that this is reasonable for the contracting party, particularly if the difference is insignificant and objectively justified.

An objective justification shall, for example, be deemed given if the room(s) has (have) become unusable, guests that have already been accommodated prolong their stay, the establishment is overbooked or this becomes necessary due to other important operational activities.

Any extra expenses arising from such substitute accommodation shall be paid by the accommodation provider.

Rights of the contracting party

By entering into an accommodation agreement, the contracting party shall acquire the right to make normal use of the rented rooms and the facilities of the accommodating establishment that are usually accessible to the guests for use without any special conditions and of the usual service. The contracting party shall exercise their rights in accordance with any applicable hotel and/or guest regulations (rules of the house).

Obligations of the contracting party

The contracting party shall be obliged to pay the agreed remuneration plus any extra amounts that have arisen from the use of special services by the contracting party and/or the accompanying guests plus any applicable VAT by the date of departure at the latest.

The accommodation provider shall not be obliged to accept foreign currencies. If the accommodation provider accepts foreign currencies, such shall be accepted at the current price if possible. If the accommodation provider accepts foreign currencies or cashless means of payment, the contracting party shall pay any associated costs, e.g. for inquiries with credit card companies, telegrams etc.

The contracting party shall be liable towards the accommodation provider for any damage caused by themselves or the guest or any other persons that receive services of the accommodation provider with the knowledge or in accordance with the intention of the contracting party.

Obligations of the accommodation provider

The accommodation provider shall be obliged to provide the agreed services to an extent that complies with its standards.

Extra services of the accommodation provider that must be indicated accordingly since they are not included in the accommodation remuneration shall, by way of example, include: extra accommodation services that may be invoiced separately.

Rights of the accommodation provider

1. If the contracting party refuses to pay or is in arrears with the agreed remuneration, the accommodation provider shall be entitled to make use of the legal right of retention in accordance with § 970c of ABGB [Austrian Civil Code] and the legal right of lien in accordance with § 1101 of ABGB with respect to the items brought along by the contracting party or the guest. Furthermore, the accommodation provider shall be entitled to make use of this right of retention or lien in order to secure its claims under the accommodation agreement, particularly for catering, other expenses made for the contracting party and for any kind of damage claims.

2. If services are requested in the room of the contracting party or during unusual times of the day, the accommodation provider shall be entitled to charge an extra remuneration. The accommodation provider may also refuse such services for operational reasons.

3. The accommodation provider shall be entitled to issue invoices or interim invoices for its services at any time.

Liability of the accommodation provider for damage to items of guests

The accommodatin provider shall be liable for the items brought along by the contracting party in accordance with §§ 970 ss of ABGB. The accommodation provider shall only be liable if the items have been handed over to the accommodation provider or the persons authorised by the accommodation provider or deposited in a place assigned by such or intended for such purpose. Unless the accommodation provider provides other evidence, the accommodation provider shall be liable for its own fault or the fault of its vicarious agents and visitors. In accordance with § 970 sec. 1 of ABGB, the accommodation provider shall only be liable up to the amount specified in the Austrian law on the liability of landlords and other entrepreneurs of 16 November 1921 as amended. If the contracting party or the guest fails to immediately comply with the accommodation provider’s request to deposit their items in a special deposit, the accommodation provider shall be released from any liability. The amount of any liability of the accommodation provider shall be limited to a maximum of the sum insured under the third-party liability insurance of such accommodation provider. Any fault of the contracting party or guest shall be taken into account.

The accommodation provider may not be held liable for slight negligence. If the contracting party is an entrepreneur, the accommodation provider may neither be held liable for gross negligence. In such event, the burden of proof to show the fault shall lie with the contracting party. No consequential or indirect damage and no loss of profit shall be reimbursed.

The accommodation provider shall only be liable for valuables, money and securities up to an amount of currently € 550.--. The accommodation provider shall only be liable for any exceeding damage in the event it has accepted such items for deposition knowing their quality or in the event the damage has been caused by itself or its vicarious agents. The limitation of liability in accordance with 1.) and 2.) shall apply accordingly.

The accommodation provider may refuse to deposit valuables, money and securities if the items are significantly more valuable than those usually handed over for deposition by the guests of the accommodating establishment.

In each event of deposition, liability shall be excluded if the contracting party and/or guest fails to immediately notify the accommodation provider of the occurred damage. Furthermore, such claims shall be asserted in court within three years from their knowledge or possible knowledge to the contracting party and/or guest; otherwise, the right shall become extinct

Limitations of liability

If the contracting party is a consumer, the accommodation provider may not be held liable for slight negligence, except for bodily injury.

If the contracting party is an entrepreneur, the accommodation provider may not be held liable for slight or gross negligence. In such event, the burden of proof to show the fault shall lie with the contracting party. No consequential, non-material or indirect damage and no loss of profit shall be reimbursed. The damage to be reimbursed shall at any case be limited to the amount of the damage incurred because the contracting party has relied on the validity of the agreement (Vertrauensinteresse).

Animals

Animals may only be brought to the accommodating establishment with the prior consent of the accommodation provider and against extra remuneration.

The contracting party bringing along an animal shall be obliged to properly keep and/or supervise such animal during their stay or to have it kept and/or supervised by a qualified third party at their own expense.

The contrcting party and/or guest bringing along an animal shall have an according animal liability insurance and/or personal liability insurance that covers any potential damage caused by animals. Evidence of such insurance shall be provided to the accommodation provider upon request.

The contracting party and/or their insurance company shall be jointly and severally liable towards the accommodation provider for any damage caused by the animals brought along. Such damage shall particularly also include any compensation to be paid by the accommodation provider to third parties.

Animals shall not be permitted to enter the lounges, salons, restaurants and wellness areas.

Prolongation of the accommodation

The contracting party may not claim for a prolongation of their stay. If the contracting party informs the accommodation provider in time that they intend to prolong their stay, the accommodation provider may consent to a renewal of the accommodation agreement. However, the accommodation provider shall not be obliged to do so.

If the contracting party is prevented from leaving the accommodating establishment on the date of departure since all ways of travel are blocked or unusable due to unforeseeable extraordinary events (e.g. extreme snowfall, floods etc.), the accommodation agreement shall automatically be renewed for the duration of such prevention from departure. The remuneration to be paid for this period may only be reduced if the contracting party is unable to fully use the offered services of the accommodating establishment due to the extraordinary weather conditions. The accommodation provider shall be entitled to charge as a minimum the remuneration corresponding to the price usually charged in the low season.

Termination of the accommodation agreement – early termination

If the accommodation agreement has been made for a definite term, it shall end upon the expiry of such term.

If the contracting party leaves prematurely, the accommodation provider shall be entitled to charge the total agreed remuneration. The accommodation provider shall deduct anything saved due to the failure to use its scope of services or maintained by letting the booked rooms to other guests. Such savings shall only be deemed to exist if the capacities of the accommodating establishment are fully used upon the guest’s failure to use the booked rooms and the room can be let to other guests due to the cancellation by the contracting party. The burden of proof to show that savings have been made shall lie with the contracting party.

Upon the death of a guest, the agreement with the accommodation provider shall become extinct.

If the accommodation agreement has been made for an indefinite term, the parties may terminate the agreement by 10.00 a.m. of the third day preceding the intended end of the agreement.

The accommodation provider shall be entitled to terminate the accommodation agreement with immediate effect for important reasons, particularly if the contracting party and/or the guest

makes significantly adverse use of the rooms or makes their stay intolerable for the other guests, the owner, its vicarious agents or the third parties staying at the accommodating establishment due to ruthless, offensive or otherwise highly improper conduct or commits an act against property, morality or physical safety towards these persons that is subject to penalty;
suffers of a contagious disease or a disease the duration of which exceeds the term of accommodation or otherwise is in need of care;
fails to settle the presented invoices when they become payable within a reasonably set period (3 days).

If the performance of the agreement becomes impossible due to circumstances to be deemed events of force majeure (e.g. acts of God, strike, lockout, official orders etc.), the accommodation provider may terminate the accommodation agreement at any time without giving prior notice unless the agreement is already deemed terminated under the law or the accommodation provider is released of its obligation to accommodate the contracting party. Any claims for damages etc. by the contracting party shall be excluded.

Sickness or death of the guest

If a guest gets sick during their stay at the accommodating establishment, the accommodation provider shall arrange for medical care at the request of the guest. In the event of imminent danger, the accommodation provider shall arrange for medical care even without the special request of the guest, particularly if this is necessary and the guest is unable to do so himself.

As long as the guest is unable to make decisions or it is not possible to contact the family of the guest, the accommodation provider shall arrange for medical care at the expense of the guest. However, the extent of such care shall end as soon as the guest is able to make decisions or their family has been informed about the sickness.

The accommodation provider shall particularly be entitled to damages from the contracting party or the guest or, in the event of their death, their successors for the following expenses:

unsettled medical costs, costs for ambulance transports, drugs and medical aids
room disinfections that have become necessary,
linen, bed sheets and bed furnishing that have become unusable, or otherwise the disinfection of thorough cleaning of all of these items,
restoration of walls, furniture, carpets etc. if such have been contaminated or damaged in relation with the sickness or death,
rent for the room, provided that it has been occupied by the guest, plus any days during which the rooms are unusable due to disinfection, clearance etc.,
any other damage incurred by the accommodation provider

Place of performance, place of jurisdiction and applicable law

The place of performance shall be the place where the accommodating establishment is situated.

These terms and conditions shall be governed by Austrian adjective and substantial law under exclusion of the provisions of international private law (particularly IPRG [Austrian act on international private law] and the Rome Convention of 1980) and the UN Sales Convention.

If the contracting party is an entrepreneur, the exclusive place of jurisdiction shall be the domicile of the accommodation provider; however, the accommodation provider shall also be entitled to assert its rights before any other court that is competent for the location and matter.

If the accommodation agreement has been made with a contracting party that is a consumer who has their domicile or ordinary residence in Austria, actions against the consumer may exclusively be filed at the domicile, ordinary residence or place of work of such consumer.

If the accommodation agreement has been made with a contracting party that is a consumer who has their domicile in a member state of the European Union (except for Austria), Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, the court that is competent for the domicile of the consumer in the event of actions against the consumer in the relevant matter shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

Miscellaneous

Unless otherwise specified in the above provisions, any time limits shall start upon the document by which such time limit is instructed being delivered to the contracting party that must comply with the time limit. When calculating a time limit based on days, the day of the moment or event to which the start of the time limit refers shall not be included in the calculation. Time limits based on weeks or months shall refer to the day of the week or month that corresponds to the day starting from which the time limit is to be counted according to its name or number. If the relevant month lacks such day, it shall be replaced with the last day of such month.

Any declarations shall be received by the other party by the last day of the time limit (12:00 midnight).

The accommodation provider shall be entitled to offset any of its claims against claims of the contracting party. The contracting party shall not be entitled to offset any of its claims against claims of the accommodation provider unless the accommodation provider is insolvent or the contracting party’s claim has been established by a court or acknowledged by the accommodation provider.

If any gaps arise in relation with the agreement, the applicable legal provisions shall apply.

Conclusion of contract

The accommodation provider’s accommodation contract comes into effect upon the acceptance of the order by the contract partner. Electronic declarations shall be deemed received when they can be collected by the party to which they are addressed under normal circumstances provided that they are received during the stated business hours of the accommodation provider.

Rights of the accommodation provider

1. If the contract partner refuses to pay the specified amount or is in arrears, the accommodation provider is entitled to withhold the guest’s belongings as per § 970c Austrian Civil Code and the statutory right of lien as per §1101 Austrian Civil Code. The accommodation provider has the right of lien

on the objects handed-in to the accommodation by the guest, in particular to cover costs arising from food and other outlays made by the contract partner and for claims of compensation of any kind.

2. If service is requested either in the contract partner’s room or at unusual times, the accommodation provider is entitled to charge a special supplement for this service. The accommodation provider can also refuse these services for operational reasons.

3. The accommodation provider has the right to ask for payment or interim payment at any time for services provided.