Thank you for choosing Cape Town Vacationer.
We want your booking and stay to be as smooth and enjoyable as possible. These terms explain the payment process, cancellation conditions, security deposit requirements and the few important house rules that apply to your reservation.
Your quotation, invoice and any property-specific conditions provided with your booking also form part of your booking agreement. If a property has a special condition, it will be clearly communicated to you before payment.
Reservation and Payment Terms
Provisional Reservations
Where possible, we may place a property on provisional hold while you finalise your plans or arrange payment.
Provisional holds are generally valid for between 24 and 48 hours. The applicable timeframe will be confirmed in writing.
A provisional hold does not constitute a confirmed reservation and may expire if payment is not received within the agreed period.
Confirming Your Booking
To secure your reservation, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the accommodation total is required within 24 hours of receiving your booking invoice, unless otherwise specified in your quotation.
Your reservation is confirmed once the required payment has been received and we have sent you written confirmation.
Balance Payment
The remaining balance is payable as follows:
- Regular season: 30 days before arrival.
- Peak season — 15 December to 15 February: 60 days before arrival.
For reservations made after the applicable balance-payment deadline, full payment is required to secure the booking.
Your quotation and invoice will confirm your payment schedule. If payment is not received by the due date, the reservation may be cancelled.
Rates and Guest Numbers
Your accommodation rate is based on the property, dates and number of guests confirmed in your booking.
Please let us know before arrival if your guest numbers or travel arrangements change.
The property’s maximum occupancy may not be exceeded, and only the guests included in the confirmed reservation may stay overnight.
Any applicable booking fee, payment fee, optional service or property-specific charge will be clearly shown on your quotation, invoice or payment request.
Guest Verification and Security Deposits
Most bookings require either a refundable security deposit or a non-refundable damage waiver.
This is separate from the accommodation deposit used to secure your reservation.
The applicable option, amount and payment method will be confirmed with your booking.
Properties Using Truvi
Many of our properties use Truvi, previously known as Superhog, to complete guest verification and arrange damage protection.
You will normally receive a secure Truvi link approximately seven days before arrival. Please complete the required steps before check-in.
Depending on the property, you may be offered:
- A non-refundable damage waiver: A smaller payment providing protection for eligible accidental damage, subject to Truvi’s limits, conditions and exclusions.
- A refundable security deposit: A refundable deposit held against possible damage. A separate non-refundable administration or processing fee may apply.
Truvi charges are quoted and collected in US dollars (USD). The applicable amount and any separate fee will be displayed before payment.
Your card provider may apply its own exchange rate or international transaction charges.
More information is available on our Security Deposits and Guest Verification page.
Properties Not Using Truvi
Where Truvi is not used, a refundable security deposit will be arranged directly with you before arrival.
The amount is specific to the property, generally R10,000 or more, and is often equivalent to one night’s rental. Higher deposits may apply to certain properties.
Depending on the booking, payment may be arranged by bank transfer, PayPal, credit-card payment or a card hold.
For international guests, PayPal may be used where appropriate.
Your booking information will confirm the amount, currency, deadline and payment method.
Returning Your Security Deposit
The property will be checked after departure.
Provided that no damage, loss, excessive cleaning, missing items or other charges are identified, the refundable security deposit will be released or returned according to the payment method used.
Bank, card and payment-platform processing times may affect when the funds become available in your account.
Non-refundable damage waivers and administration or processing fees are not returned after your stay.
Ways to Pay
Accommodation payments can be made using the payment instructions supplied with your booking:
- Local bank transfer within South Africa.
- International wire transfer.
- Credit or debit card: A 3% processing fee applies per transaction.
- Cash deposit into our bank account: An R800 fee applies.
Security deposits may use a different payment method from the accommodation payment.
Your bank or payment provider may apply its own transfer or currency-conversion charges.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that travel plans can sometimes change. However, once a property has been reserved, the dates are held exclusively for your group and may no longer be offered to other guests.
The following cancellation conditions therefore apply.
Standard Bookings
- Cancellation 31 days or more before arrival: The initial booking deposit is forfeited, equivalent to 50% of the total booking value.
- Cancellation 30 days or less before arrival: 100% of the total booking cost is forfeited.
Festive-Season Bookings — 15 December to 10 January
For any booking falling within this period:
- Cancellation 61 days or more before arrival: The initial booking deposit is forfeited, equivalent to 50% of the total booking value.
- Cancellation 60 days or less before arrival: 100% of the total booking cost is forfeited.
If different cancellation conditions apply to a particular property, they will be confirmed with your quotation.
We strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, illness, travel disruption and other unforeseen circumstances.
Check-In and Check-Out
- Check-in: From 2:00 PM on the day of arrival.
- Check-out: By 10:00 AM on the day of departure.
These times allow the property to be properly prepared between stays.
A guaranteed early check-in or late check-out is subject to availability and generally charged at a half-day rental rate.
Where the schedule permits, a smaller adjustment may occasionally be accommodated. Please wait for written confirmation before making travel arrangements based on an early arrival or late departure.
During Your Stay
Every property is unique, and included services and amenities may differ.
Please review your quotation and booking information carefully and let us know before booking if your stay depends on a particular feature, service or facility.
If you experience a problem during your stay, please contact us as soon as possible. Reporting an issue promptly gives us the best opportunity to assist.
We kindly ask that the property and its contents be treated with care and left in a reasonably tidy condition at departure.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside any of our properties.
A violation may result in a minimum charge of R5,000, together with any additional cleaning, deodorising, sanitising, repair or replacement costs.
Where permitted, smoking must be limited to designated outdoor areas.
Functions, Events and Visitors
Our properties are offered primarily for private accommodation.
Parties, functions, events and gatherings involving visitors are not permitted unless the property expressly allows them and prior written approval has been obtained from Cape Town Vacationer.
Visitors are not automatically included in a reservation and must be approved in advance.
Where a gathering is approved, additional conditions, staffing, security or charges may apply.
Please read our Function and Event Policy before making any arrangements.
Noise and Neighbours
Many of our properties are situated in peaceful residential neighbourhoods. We ask all guests to be considerate of neighbours and keep noise at a reasonable level throughout their stay.
Music and amplified sound must cease by:
- 10:00 PM on weekdays.
- 11:00 PM on weekends.
Some properties, estates or apartment buildings may have stricter rules, which will take precedence.
Excessive noise, disruptive conduct or repeated complaints may result in additional charges or the stay being brought to an end without a refund.
Any fines or call-out charges arising from guest conduct will be charged to the guest.
Children and Visitors
The lead guest is responsible for all members of the group and any approved visitors.
Children must be appropriately supervised, particularly around swimming pools, balconies, stairs, fireplaces and other potentially hazardous areas.
Guests are responsible for any damage, disturbance or additional costs caused by members of their group or visitors.
Damage, Breakages and Additional Cleaning
We understand that accidental breakages can happen. Please report any damage, breakage or maintenance concern as soon as possible so that we can assist.
Additional charges may apply for:
- Damage or breakages.
- Missing items.
- Lost keys, remotes or access devices.
- Excessive cleaning.
- Damage to linen, towels, furniture or finishes.
- Call-outs resulting from guest misuse.
- Unauthorised guests, visitors, functions or events.
- Fines or penalties resulting from guest conduct.
Where the cost exceeds the security deposit or applicable damage-protection limit, the guest remains responsible for the outstanding amount.
Personal Belongings
Please take reasonable care of your personal belongings and use the property’s available doors, alarms and safes appropriately.
Cape Town Vacationer cannot accept responsibility for the loss, theft or damage of personal belongings except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
Respecting These Terms
These terms are intended to protect the property, our guests and the surrounding community.
A serious breach—such as an unauthorised party, excessive disturbance, deliberate damage or exceeding the permitted occupancy—may result in the stay being brought to an end without a refund.
Any resulting damage, fines, security charges or additional costs will remain the guest’s responsibility.
By booking with Cape Town Vacationer and paying the booking deposit, you confirm that you have read and accepted these terms and any property-specific conditions supplied with your reservation.