1. General

Ember is a special place, carefully designed to offer a unique and peaceful retreat. To ensure a seamless experience for all guests, we ask that you take a moment to review our following bookings terms. By making a booking with us, you acknowledge that you have read and that you agree to be bound by these Terms. We reserve the right to vary these Terms at any time by posting an updated version on our website.

2. Bookings

Bookings for Ember can be made through our official website, email, phone, or third-party booking platform. All bookings are subject to availability. When making a booking, please ensure that all details you provide are correct. It is your responsibility to notify us of any correction to your booking details as soon as possible. A valid credit card and contact information are required to secure a booking.

3. Minimum Stay Requirements:

There is a minimum stay requirement of 2 nights for all bookings. Minimum stay requirements may vary during peak seasons, holidays, and special events.

4. Number of Guests

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate more than 4 adults staying at Ember at any one time. Unless we otherwise agree, the total number of guests at Ember during your stay must not exceed the amount agreed to at the time of the booking. If the number of guests exceed the number of guests booked, we reserve the right to charge additional fees as specified on the website.

Additional guests, tents, or mobile accommodations (e.g., campervans) are not permitted. If additional guests are found to have stayed overnight at Ember, a fee of $200 per night will apply and charged to the nominated credit card used at the time of booking.

Visitors are welcome, but please advise us in writing in advance. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted at Ember. Parking is limited and available in designated areas only.

Noise should be kept to a respectful level to preserve the tranquility of Ember.

5. Payment Policy

A payment of 50% of the total booking amount is required to confirm a reservation.  The remaining balance will be automatically charged to the same card 7 days prior to check-in. For bookings made within 7 days of check-in, full payment is required at the time of booking. Payments are securely processed via Stripe.

For information about cancellations and when you will be entitled to a refund of your Booking Fees, please refer to section 8 below.

Bookings made through third party sites will be subject to any terms and conditions of the relevant booking site.

6. Booking Rates

The ‘per night’ rates for Ember as listed on our website from time to time are expressed in Australian Dollars and are inclusive of any applicable GST (unless otherwise stated). Please note that the total Booking Fees for your stay at Ember are not confirmed until payment of the required deposit has been made. We reserve the right to require a minimum length of stay for all Peak Holiday Period bookings. The details of any minimum stay requirements will be as specified on the bookings page of our website.

7. Security Deposit

A security deposit of $300 will be held as a pre-authorisation on your nominated credit card used at the time of booking on the day of your arrival. We reserve the right to hold your credit card details via our authorised payment system Stripe, which will be charged in the event of any additional charges and any damage which occurs to Ember during your stay. We reserve the right to ask for a larger security deposit (at our discretion) where bookings are made for particular events. The security deposit (less any additional charges or damage costs) will be refunded to your nominated account within 48 hours following your departure. Where we have agreed with you in writing to do, we may accept details of a nominated credit card in lieu of a security deposit. If we agree to accept credit card details instead of holding a security deposit, you authorise us to deduct any additional fees, charges or reimbursements as set out in these terms where appropriate.

8. Cancellations and making changes to your booking

If you are no longer able to stay at Ember on the dates that you have booked, please let us know as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate an amendment to your booking. Please note that rescheduling of bookings is at our discretion, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to reschedule your stay to a date of your choosing. Our refund policy in respect of cancellations is set out in the section below.

9. Cancellation Policy

If your booking is cancelled within 24 hours of booking, 90% of your booking fee will be refunded. 10% is kept for transaction fees if booked via website or paid via Stripe.

Any cancellations made after 24 hours of booking and before 7 days prior to your scheduled date of arrive will forfeit the 50% booking fee made at the time of booking.

If your booking is cancelled less than 7 full days prior to your scheduled date of arrival, your entire Booking Fee will be forfeited and will not be refunded.

If you booked through Airbnb or another platform, their cancellation policies will apply.

No-shows or early check-outs are non-refundable.

10. Check In & Check Out

Check-in is available from 3:00pm on the date of your arrival. You must check-out by 10:00am on the date of your departure. Requests for an early check-in or a late check-out must be made prior to the date of your arrival. Whilst we will make every effort to accommodate your needs, early check-in or late check-out times are subject to availability and our cleaning schedule, and will be agreed at our discretion, and may incur extra charges.

Please respect the 11 AM check-out time. If cleaners are waiting, an additional fee will apply for late check-out.

11. Cleaning & Damage

We’ve put great care into creating these spaces, and we appreciate your help in looking after them:

You agree to leave Ember in a clean and tidy state upon your departure. In the event that you fail to do so, additional cleaning fees may apply. These additional charges will be charged to your nominated credit card or deducted from the security deposit you have paid.

On departure, you must make sure that you:

• Turn off all air conditioning systems;
• Stack all used dishes into the dishwasher and turn on the dishwasher;

• Shut all doors and windows;

• Leave all dirty/used towels in bathroom;

• Leave all linens and sheets on the beds;

• Take all rubbish outside and place it in the bins provided; and

• Lock the front door and back door.

Additional things to consider regarding Ember to help us maintain the house:

• Sliding doors are large and heavy—please use with care.

• Open fires require careful handling and constant supervision.

• Please keep indoor and outdoor furniture in its designated place.

• We are on a septic tank system, which is sensitive to what is put into it. Please only flush toilet paper and do not pour any oil or bleach down any drain throughout the house.

• A professional clean is included in your stay, however if extra cleaning is required beyond standard service, a minimum $200 fee may apply.

• Ember retains the right to access the property for maintenance and repairs during a guest's stay.

• Guests are responsible for any damage caused to Ember’s property, facilities, or amenities during their stay.

• If a guest refuses to settle damage-related charges, Ember reserves the right to forward the outstanding amount to a debt collection agency. Any additional fees or legal costs associated with the collection process will be charged to the guest.

19. Breakages and Damage.

In the event that any part of Ember, including external areas, as well as any furniture, furnishings, appliances or household items are damaged or broken during your stay, an amount equal to the repair or replacement cost for the damaged goods will be charged to your nominated credit card or deducted from the security deposit you have paid. You must notify us immediately as soon as you become aware of any damage to Ember or its furniture and furnishings.

You must not remove any item from Ember that does not form part of your own personal belongings. If any items are missing from Ember after your departure, the cost of replacement will be charged to your nominated credit card or deducted from the security deposit you have paid. You must not alter, move or rearrange any furniture, fixtures or fittings in Ember without our prior consent.

12. Smoking

Smoking inside or on the property at Ember is strictly prohibited. Although we maintain a bushfire protection zone, and we request that our guests adhere to this rule to minimize any chances of potential fire starting in the paddock. In the event that you or your Guests smoke inside Ember, an additional fee of $500 for a specialised deep cleaning will be charged to your nominated credit card or deducted from the security deposit you have paid. A $50 fee will apply for cigarette butt disposal on the property should any be found.

13. Pets and Animals at Ember

Unfortunately, pets are not permitted at Ember. Should any damage be found following a guest’s stay due to non-permitted pet stays, an additional $500 deep clean and potential damage repair fee will be deducted from the credit card provided at the time of booking.

14. Personal Belongings

Please be aware, unless otherwise required by law, we will not be liable for any loss or damage to your (or your Guests’) personal property during your stay at Ember. We recommend that you (and all of your Guests) purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover any loss or damage to personal belongings during your stay at Ember.

15. Liability

Nothing in these Terms will have the effect of excluding or limiting any of our liability at law, including under the Australian Consumer Law, nor is to be interpreted as having the effect of excluding, restricting or modifying the application of any State or Federal legislation applicable to the sale of goods and services which cannot be excluded, restricted or modified.

Ember is sited in a natural environment, and we ask all guests to take care.

We cannot take responsibility for:

Any injury, loss, or damage during your stay.

Any incidents involving wildlife on the property.

By staying at Ember, you acknowledge that you do so at your own risk.

16. Functions/Events

You must not host any function, party or event, including weddings, at Ember without our prior written consent. This will include any gatherings of more than 4 people or visitors (i.e. people who are not listed Guests) at Ember, at any time during your stay. This consent is at our discretion and may be subject to additional booking fees and the payment of an additional security deposit. If we provide our consent to any function, party or event at Ember, our consent is subject to your (and your guests’) compliance with the guest behaviour standards as set out in these Terms.

17. Guest Behaviour

You agree that you are responsible for the behaviour of all Guests or visitors at Ember during your stay. If we consent to you holding a function or event at Ember, you must ensure that all noise in relation to the function will not cause disturbance to neighbouring properties. All noise which is audible from outside Ember (including any music) must be turned off by 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 9pm every other day of the week. Excessive noise, including but not limited to loud music and any other disturbance to our neighbours is strictly prohibited at all times. Subject to our discretion, a first warning will be given in the event that a noise complaint is received from our neighbours. If a second complaint is received, you will be asked to leave Ember as soon as possible and will not be entitled to a refund for the Bookings Fees that you have paid.

18. Commercial use of Ember - Photoshoots

Unless we otherwise agree, commercial use of Ember is strictly prohibited. While we are more than happy for guests to take photographs and videos for their own personal purposes, any commercial photoshoots at Ember are prohibited unless we have provided our prior written approval. All filming and photography requests must be sent to us prior to the date of your arrival and will be subject to our discretion (and any additional fees specified by us from time to time). Failure to obtain our prior consent in relation to commercial photography or videography at Ember will amount to a breach of these Terms. If you would like to enquire or make a booking for commercial use of Ember, please contact us at [email protected].

20. No Tenancy

You agree that regardless of the length of your stay at Ember, you are not a tenant of Ember and will have no rights in relation to tenancy.

21. Breach of Terms and Conditions

In the event that you or one of your Guests breaches any of these Terms, the total loss or damage that we suffer as a result of that breach will be charged to your nominated credit card or deducted from the security deposit you have paid. In the event of breach, we reserve the right remove you and your Guests from Ember or to refuse future entry onto Ember.

Ember reserves the right to cancel or refuse bookings at our discretion if they are deemed unsuitable for the property.

22. Force Majeure/Changes beyond our Control

To the full extent permitted by law, you agree that we are not liable for any injury, damage, loss, additional expenses or disruptions including cancellations and rescheduling of bookings to the extent that they are beyond our reasonable control.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, such as natural disasters, government restrictions, or other extraordinary events, Ember reserves the right to adjust bookings or offer alternative arrangements.

We recommend taking out travel insurance to protect against any unforeseen changes to your plans.

Ember acknowledges that unforeseen circumstances may arise that are beyond our control, such as natural disasters, acts of terrorism, political unrest, pandemic outbreaks, and other events classified as "force majeure." In such cases, Ember may need to modify or cancel bookings. We will make every effort to communicate changes promptly and work towards finding suitable solutions. Please note that force majeure events are not subject to our regular cancellation policy.

24. Definitions

In these Terms:

Booking Fee means the total cost for your stay at Ember and includes any applicable GST.

Guests means any person who accompanies you during your stay at Ember.

Peak Holiday Periods includes the Easter, Christmas, New Year’s holiday periods and School Holidays, as well as any other peak times specified by us from time to time.

Terms means these Terms and Conditions, as updated from time to time.

Ember means the property located at 195 Lowes Peak Road, St Fillans, NSW 2850.

We, us and our means Derek Scholes and Alyssa Saltzgaber.

You and your means the person named in the booking information provided to us.

By confirming a reservation with Ember, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the booking policy and terms and conditions outlined above.

Ember is a place of care and craftsmanship, designed to offer a peaceful and inspiring retreat. We ask that you treat it with the same respect as you would your own home.

We’re so grateful to share this space with you and hope you have a truly restorative stay.