Terms & cancellation policy

01Who these terms cover

These terms apply to every stay booked directly with Haus of Shizu, whether by WhatsApp, phone, Instagram or email. Haus of Shizu is a private villa at Kasar Devi Ridge, Kasar Devi, Almora, Uttarakhand 263601. In these terms, "we" and "us" means Haus of Shizu, and "you" means the guest who makes the booking and everyone staying with them.

By paying for a booking, you agree to these terms on behalf of your whole group. Stays booked on Airbnb or any other platform follow that platform's own terms and cancellation policy instead.

02Booking & payment

• Send us your dates, number of guests and whether a pet is coming. We'll confirm availability and the total price for your stay.
• Full payment in advance confirms your booking. Your dates are only held for you once we've received the full amount.
• Pay using the payment details we share with you on WhatsApp, such as UPI or bank transfer. Please only pay to details sent from our number, +91 88027 42143. We will never ask for your card number, PIN or OTP.
• Once payment is received, we'll send you a confirmation with your dates, number of guests and the amount paid. Please keep it.
• The booking must be made by an adult (18 or over) who will be staying at the villa.

03Prices & taxes

• ₹1,500 per person per night, with a minimum of ₹3,000 a night (covers one or two guests). Each extra guest is ₹1,500 a night, up to 5 guests.
• Haus of Shizu is not registered for GST, so no GST is charged. The price we confirm is the final price for your stay.
• The only extra cost is parking, ₹150 a day, paid at the nearby parking lot. Pets stay free.
• Long-stay rates (28 nights or more) are agreed with you in writing on WhatsApp before you pay.
• Adding a guest after booking costs ₹1,500 per night for that guest, subject to the 5-guest limit. Please tell us before you arrive.

04Cancellation & refunds

Your refund depends on how many days before your check-in date we receive your cancellation:

• How to cancel: send us a WhatsApp message or email. Days are counted from the date we receive your message to your check-in date.
• Refunds are paid back to the account you paid from, within 7 working days of your cancellation.
• Leaving early: nights you don't use after you've checked in are not refunded.
• Changing dates: message us before cancelling. We'll try to move your booking to new dates if the villa is free.
• If we have to cancel your booking for any reason, you get a 100% refund.

05Check-in & check-out

• Check-in is from 1:00 PM. Check-out is by 11:00 AM.
• Arriving early after an overnight train, or need a late check-out? Ask us in advance. We'll fit it in whenever the villa is free.
• Please share your arrival time. We welcome every booking in person and walk you through the villa.

06ID at check-in

• Every guest must show a valid government-issued photo ID at check-in, such as an Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence or voter ID. This applies to everyone staying, not only the person who booked.
• Foreign nationals must show their passport and a valid Indian visa. We are required by law to report the stay of foreign guests to the authorities (Form C).
• If a guest cannot show valid ID, we may refuse check-in for that guest or the booking. This is treated as a late cancellation, so no refund applies.

07House rules

• A maximum of 5 guests. Only guests registered on the booking may stay overnight.
• Visitors need our approval first.
• Quiet hours start at 10 PM. Kasar Devi is a quiet residential area, so please be considerate of neighbours.
• Smoking is allowed outdoors only. No candles or open flames indoors.
• Never leave the fire pit unattended, and put it out fully before you go to bed.
• No illegal substances or illegal activities at the villa.

We may ask guests who seriously or repeatedly break these rules to leave, without a refund.

08Pets

• Pets are welcome and stay free. Please tell us about your pet when you book.
• Keep your pet supervised, clean up after them, and bring their own towels, bedding and bowls.
• You are responsible for any damage caused by your pet.

09Damage

Please treat the villa like a home. You are responsible for any damage or loss caused by you, your group, your visitors or your pet, beyond normal wear and tear. If something is damaged, we'll show you the damage and the repair or replacement cost, and ask you to pay it.

10Good to know before you book

• The private washroom is not attached to the bedrooms. It is on the lower level, which matters if you're travelling with elderly parents or very young children.
• This is a mountain location. Short power cuts and Wi-Fi drops can happen, so bring a mobile hotspot if you're working.
• Roads to Kasar Devi are narrow and winding, and the weather can change quickly, especially in the monsoon (July to August).

11Our responsibility

We do our best to make sure the villa is clean, safe and as described. As far as the law allows:

• We aren't responsible for loss of or damage to your personal belongings. Please keep valuables with you.
• We aren't responsible for delays, missed nights or extra costs caused by events outside our control, such as weather, landslides, road closures, strikes or government orders.
• Please use the hammock, fire pit, kitchen and outdoor areas with care. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Nothing in these terms limits your rights under Indian consumer law.

12Changes & governing law

We may update these terms from time to time. The version on this page when you paid for your booking applies to that booking.

These terms are governed by the laws of India. Any dispute will be handled by the courts in Almora, Uttarakhand.

How we handle your personal details is explained in our Privacy Policy.

13Contact & complaints

Questions, or something not right during your stay? Tell us straight away so we can fix it. We aim to reply to every complaint within 48 hours.