Lodge Terms & Conditions
INDEMNITY
I agree that I enter or the premises and/or use the facilities at my own risk. I undertake to indemnify and hold harmless and free, St Ives, its members, all affiliates, employees, directors, agents, representatives and shareholders from any and all claims of whatsoever cause or nature which may be made by myself, my spouse, my partner, children, heirs, executors of my estate and/or any other dependent of mine who may suffer any damages, including but not limited to personal injury, death, loss of support or any other loss, arising from any cause whatsoever (including but not limited to any act of commission or omission and/or from the negligence on the part of St Ives, its members, all affiliates, employees, directors, agents, representatives and shareholders.
I understand that I am responsible for the safety of my children or minors in my custody and control and shall ensure they adhere to all the rules of St Ives. I further agree that should I fail to ensure that my children or persons in my custody and control fail to adhere to the rules of St Ives that we may be requested to leave St Ives and will forfeit any amounts already pre-paid by me.
Without derogating from the generality of the foregoing, I acknowledge that St Ives, its members, all affiliates, employees, directors, agents, representatives and shareholders shall not be liable to me or any of my spouse, my partner, children, heirs, executors of my estate and/or any other dependents for any injury, illness, death, harm, loss, loss of support, consequential loss, damage, medical costs or damages of whatsoever nature from any cause whatsoever, that may be sustained as a result of visiting, utilising the accommodation facilities and other facilities, entering, being present, staying over, dining at St Ives or as a result of or any other cause whatsoever including negligence.
Should I be required to remain on the Estate I undertake and agree to pay St Ives for the entire time of my stay, regardless of the reasons for me having to remain at St Ives longer that what I initially planned for. All payments in such an instance shall be required to be made daily. Where events arise that does not allow for me to stay for the entire duration of my booking or prevents me from checking – in or I merely cancel my booking and I have made payment in advance for my stay at St Ives, the cancellation policy below will apply to refunds, and I agree to the refund policy set out below.
Payment of the deposit constitutes your acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. By paying the deposit, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to the Terms and Conditions of St Ives Lodge.
BOOKING, PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY
1. Confirmation of Booking – Individual Bookings
A booking is only considered confirmed once a 50% deposit has been received. The remaining 50% balance is payable one calendar month prior to the arrival date.
If the required deposit is not received by the stated deadline, St Ives Lodge reserves the right to release the accommodation without further notice.
2. Confirmation of Booking – Group Bookings
Bookings of three or more rooms are classified as group bookings and are subject to the group booking terms below.
A 50% deposit is required to confirm the booking, with the full balance payable two calendar months prior to the arrival date.
If the required deposit is not received by the stated deadline, St Ives Lodge reserves the right to release the accommodation without further notice.
3. Cancellation – Individual Bookings
Cancellation more than 30 days prior to arrival:
50% of the booking amount will be refunded.
Cancellation within 30 days of arrival:
No refund will be issued.
Cancellation charges are intended to reflect the reasonable costs and potential loss incurred by St Ives Lodge as a result of the cancellation. All refunds are subject to a 10% administration fee.
4. Cancellation – Group Bookings
Cancellation more than 60 days prior to arrival:
Cancellation will be considered in accordance with the applicable cancellation terms and any reasonable cancellation charge applicable at the time.
Cancellation within 60 days of arrival:
The booking becomes non-refundable. No refunds will be provided for cancellations, reductions in the number of rooms or guests, amendments resulting in a reduction in the booking value, or no-shows.
St Ives Lodge reserves the right to apply the group booking terms where three or more rooms are booked together or for the same party, event or occasion, including where reservations are made separately.
All refunds are subject to a 10% administration fee.
5. Force Majeure & Circumstances Beyond Our Control
We recommend taking out travel insurance where this is a concern. St Ives Lodge will not be liable for any failure, delay, interruption or inability to provide accommodation or services where this results from circumstances beyond the reasonable control of St Ives Lodge, including but not limited to natural disasters, severe weather events, fire, flood, disease outbreaks or pandemics, government restrictions or regulations, civil unrest, war, terrorism, strikes, industrial action, interruption of utilities or essential services, infrastructure failure, or other events which could not reasonably have been prevented or anticipated by St Ives Lodge.
Where a Force Majeure event materially prevents St Ives Lodge from providing the accommodation or services booked, St Ives Lodge may cancel, postpone, relocate or otherwise modify the booking where reasonably necessary.
Where St Ives Lodge is unable to provide the accommodation and no reasonable alternative arrangement can be agreed, any refund will be dealt with in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, as amended, and other applicable South African law.
Nothing in this clause excludes or limits any consumer right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under South African law.
6. Payment, Damages & Legal Costs
In the event that the account is not settled in full, or there are any breakages, damages, losses or excessive cleaning requirements relating to the rooms or property, I/We accept responsibility for the reasonable costs incurred in connection with my/our accommodation and extras at St Ives Lodge.
Where legally recoverable, I/We agree to pay reasonable costs incurred by St Ives Lodge in recovering any outstanding amounts.
7. Security Deposit – Group Bookings
For group bookings of three or more rooms, a R3,000 security deposit is required.
The security deposit will be processed as a pre-authorisation on a credit card on the day of arrival. The pre-authorisation will be released by the bank after check-out, provided there are no outstanding charges arising from damage, loss, breakages or excessive cleaning.
Where any such costs are incurred, St Ives Lodge reserves the right to recover the reasonable cost from the guest, subject to applicable South African law.
8. Our Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) are maintained as a digital document, which allows us to update or amend them as necessary to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or other business considerations. By using our services, you agree that we may modify our T&Cs at any time, and we will notify you of any substantial changes via the email address you provided.
If you prefer to receive a static version of our current T&Cs, please request this via email at reservations@stives.co.za. Once requested, this static version will remain in effect for you unless you later agree to updated T&Cs.
POSTPONEMENT POLICY
Postponement of Individual Bookings
Requests to postpone a confirmed booking must be made in writing and are subject to availabilityn and managements discretion..
Any request to postpone must be made within the applicable cancellation period and will be subject to the same payment and cancellation terms applicable to the original booking. A postponement may not be used to avoid or extend the applicable cancellation deadline.
A booking may be postponed once, subject to the following conditions:
The new arrival date must be within 12 months of the original arrival date.
The new dates are subject to availability and are only confirmed once agreed in writing by St Ives Lodge.
Any difference in accommodation rates, seasonal pricing or applicable charges for the new dates will be payable by the guest.
Promotional rates, special offers or discounted rates are not guaranteed to remain applicable to the new dates.
All payments already made will be transferred to the new booking, subject to these terms.
A postponed booking remains subject to the original booking's cancellation and payment conditions.
A further postponement will not be permitted.
If suitable alternative dates cannot be agreed, the booking will be treated as a cancellation and the applicable cancellation policy will apply.
Postponement of Group Bookings – Three or More Rooms
Requests to postpone a group booking must be made in writing and within the applicable cancellation period.
The group booking's existing 60-day cancellation deadline must be strictly adhered to. A postponement request made within the applicable cancellation period will be subject to the same cancellation terms and may not be used to avoid, extend or reset the cancellation deadline.
Any postponement is subject to availability and must be approved in writing by St Ives Lodge.
Where a postponement is approved:
The new arrival date must be within 12 months of the original arrival date.
The new dates are subject to availability and are not confirmed until agreed in writing by St Ives Lodge.
Any difference in accommodation rates, seasonal pricing, minimum-stay requirements or other applicable charges will be payable by the guest.
Any promotional, discounted or special rate attached to the original booking may not be transferable to the new dates.
All payments already made will be transferred to the new booking, subject to these terms.
The booking remains subject to the original cancellation and payment conditions.
A postponement may be granted once only and does not create a new cancellation period.
St Ives Lodge reserves the right to decline a postponement request where suitable alternative dates are unavailable.
All postponements are subject to applicable South African consumer protection legislation. Nothing in this policy is intended to exclude or limit any consumer right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
CHECK IN & CHECK OUT
10. Check In at front Desk is from 14:00-17:00. If for some reason you are unable to check in within those hours, please contact the reservations desk directly to arrange a late check-in.
Check Out is Strictly 10:00am. An unauthorised check out will be billed at R200 per hour. Please leave your room key in your room on the desk on your departure.
RECEPTION OPEN HOURS
11. The Reception Office is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am. to 5:00 pm., and on weekends from 9:00 am. to 4:00 pm. Please note that these hours may be adjusted from time to time to meet the operational needs of our business.
HOUSEKEEPING
12. Housekeeping is provided daily between 8:00 am. and 4:00 pm. Please note that we are unable to guarantee a specific time, as our housekeeping schedule is adjusted to meet the current demand. Housekeeping will not be available on certain Public Holidays such as Christmas Day.
YOUR ROOM KEY CARD
13. Room Keys & Key Cards
On check-in, you will be issued with a key card for your room. Rooms 16, 17 and 18 have manual key locks and are issued with a traditional key. Please do not store your key card near magnets, mobile phones or other devices that may cause it to deactivate. When entering your room, please insert the key card into the energy-saving slot, identified by the blue flashing light. This activates the electrical plug points and lights in your room. Please remember to take your key card with you whenever you leave your room, as the door will automatically lock when closed. Key cards must be returned to the Reception Desk upon check-out. If you are checking out outside of Reception hours, prior arrangements must be made with the Reception Desk for the return of your key card.
14. Lost or Locked-In Keys
Lost or unreturned key cards will incur a R100 replacement charge. If you accidentally lock your key card inside your room, please visit the Reception Desk or The BOMA during operating hours for assistance. If Reception and The BOMA are closed, please contact Security at the main gate, who will be able to assist with access to your room.
BREAKAGES / MISSING ITEMS FROM THE ROOM
15. Before your check-in date, we will require a copy of the main guest's ID or driver's license. This copy will be destroyed after Housekeeping has verified that your room is free of damages, missing items, or breakages. All amenities are thoroughly checked to be in working order prior to your arrival. Should any items be damaged or removed from the room during your stay, charges will be applied at the replacement value plus any procurement costs, as determined by St Ives management. Guests are liable for any theft or damage to items in the room until the time of check-out. If an unfortunate incident occurs and something is found broken, the above policy will apply.
16. St Ives will not be held responsible for items left on the property by guests, nor will we be responsible for posting such items to the guest. You will need to arrange and pay a courier company to collect such items.
SMOKING
17. Smoking or vaping is strictly prohibited inside the rooms. Ashtrays are provided on the veranda for your convenience. Please note that a surcharge of R1,500 will be applied to cover deep cleaning costs if smoking is detected inside the rooms.
EXTRA GUESTS
18. Should guests be found exceeding the maximum number of occupants permitted in a room, the main account holder will be charged the equivalent rate of an additional room.
CLEAN UP
19. We kindly ask that guests leave the room and amenities in the same condition in which they were found. Rooms left in a disrespectful or excessively dirty state may incur an additional cleaning fee.
NOISE LEVELS
20. At St Ives, we deeply value the tranquillity and serene atmosphere that our guests come to enjoy. The peace and quiet of our surroundings are what make our lodge a unique and special retreat, and maintaining this ambiance is of the utmost importance to us.
We kindly ask all guests to respect this calm environment by keeping noise levels to a minimum, including music, conversations, and any other disturbances, to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to relax and unwind.
In the event of excessive noise, our security team will issue one warning. If the disturbance continues thereafter, guests may be asked to leave the premises immediately without a refund. This policy is strictly enforced to protect the peaceful atmosphere for all who stay with us.
By choosing to stay at St Ives, you agree to this policy. We truly appreciate your cooperation in helping us preserve the serenity that makes St Ives a haven of peace and relaxation.
POWER SUPPLY POLICY
21. The Midlands region is well known for occasional power cuts caused by factors such as storms, falling trees, or load shedding. While we do our best to minimize these disruptions with backup solar power and batteries, please note that these systems are designed to cover only essential needs and not all amenities in your room.
In the event of extreme outages, we will provide generator backup to help ensure your comfort. However, as power cuts are beyond our control, we kindly ask for your understanding that such occurrences may happen from time to time. By staying with us, you acknowledge that St Ives cannot be held responsible for any inconvenience caused by power interruptions.
SWIMMING POOL AND BRAAI AREA
22. The swimming pool is available exclusively for Lodge guests only (not for day visitors) between 08:00 and 20:00, and is used entirely at your own risk. Children must be supervised at all times. Please remember to bring your own swimming towels.
The braai area is also available between 08:00 and 20:00. We kindly ask that guests respect the space by leaving it in the same condition in which it was found. Any excess mess may result in a cleaning fee being charged.
For safety and preservation of the grounds, parking is strictly prohibited on all grass areas around the Lodge, including near the pool.
LAPAS AND BRAAIS
23. Lapas must be reserved at reception prior to or upon check-in and are subject to availability. They may be used between 08:00 and 20:00 and must be left in a clean and tidy condition. Please make use of the dustbins provided and be mindful that wild animals live on the estate—help us protect their natural environment by not polluting their home.
For safety reasons, no lit fires may be left unattended. Guests are asked to bring their own charcoal and any braai equipment they may require.
Please note that vehicles are not permitted to park at the Lapas. Dropping off and picking up is allowed.
FISHING
24. In-house guests are welcome to enjoy fishing on the estate. Please ensure you bring your own fishing rod and equipment, as these are not provided. Kindly note that all fishing is strictly on a catch-and-release basis.
WALKING TRAILS
25. Guests are welcome to enjoy our scenic 3 km walking and trail-running route, which starts from The BOMA.
Guests are advised to wear suitable footwear and to take extra care when crossing the wooden bridges and navigating uneven or potentially slippery sections of the trail. The trails are located within a natural environment and conditions may vary. Guests use the trails entirely at their own risk. St Ives Lodge accepts no responsibility for injury, loss or damage arising from the use of the trails, except where such liability cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable South African law.
PARKING AND SPEED LIMIT
26. Safe and secure parking is available at the lodge in designated areas close to the rooms. Please note that parking on the grass is strictly prohibited under all circumstances. The maximum speed limit within the lodge grounds is 20 km/h and must not be exceeded at any time. For the safety of children and wildlife, who are frequently on the roads both day and night, we kindly ask all guests to drive with the utmost caution.
ALCOHOL
27. St Ives is a licensed establishment. Alcohol can be purchased from the BOMA.
CHILD POLICY
28. Children under 4 years of age may stay free of charge, provided that no additional bed, cot, towels or linen is required. Children 4 years of age and older are counted towards the maximum occupancy permitted for the room. Children aged 4 to 9 years who share a bed with two paying adults will be charged a supplementary rate of R 200 per child, per night. Any additional bed, towels or linen required for a child may incur an additional charge.
PET POLICY
29. Strictly No Pets allowed on the property whatsoever.