El Galeon | Holiday Villa Rental in Orgiva, Las Alpujarras, Spain

Very important information, please make sure you read and understand these terms and conditions before making a booking

It is your responsibility to take out travel and health insurance for the duration of your holiday. This will cover you for cancellation, sickness, losses and usual risks.

We also recommend that you obtain form E111 (available from Post Offices and your local medical practice) to cover you for medical emergencies, and form E112 if you have any pre-existing conditions that require blood tests or other routine checks. Photocopies of these forms are advisable.

Please note that E111 forms need to be the new versions until the more formal EU ID cards come into force.

The initial deposit of 20% will be payable upon booking your holiday. The balance plus a £100 refundable breakage and key deposit is payable 6 weeks before the start date.

Please check availability first with us and make cheques payable to M & D Rumsey.

On receipt of your balancing payment we will forward a set of keys for the Villa with directions on how to get there. (Note: Bank Holiday bookings are payable at the full rate)

Confirmation of Booking

We can only confirm your booking on receipt of the deposit and completed booking form.

Cancellations

We will require notice of cancellation in writing/fax or e.mail to us directly. Cancellations received up to four weeks prior to your arrival date will forfeit the deposit. Cancellations after that date will forfeit the full amount unless we can fill your allotted dates. Unfortunately we must reserve the right to cancel your holiday accommodation if the balance due is not paid. If unforeseen circumstances prevail, which preclude travel then you should seek redress through your holiday insurance. In the unlikely event that the Villa becomes unavailable full refunds will be payable.

Breakage Deposit

The £100 breakage deposit is to ensure that we have full accommodation and household wares available for every new arrival. Our agents on completion of your holiday will clean and prepare the Villa for new arrivals and do an inventory. On receipt of that inventory report and return of the Villa keys to us the deposit will be returned to you less any breakage costs incurred.

Pool Safety

We have provided melamine and plastic drinking utensils for the pool area. For your own safety please do not take any glass or crockery near the pool. If glass is broken and gets into the pool, it cannot be seen and therefore we will have to drain and refill the pool in accordance with the UK Health & Safety regulations (these are more robust than Spanish Rules). This will take a week before the pool is usable again, which could impact on your holiday and those following.

To help us keep the pool to the highest standards it will help enormously if all guests use the shower facility to wash off excess lotions before swimming. – Remember to re-apply lotions after!!

Access

The lower terraces and pump house area are strictly out of bounds. Only authorised personnel have access to all the water control valves, pumps and pool filtration systems. This is sensitive equipment and can be easily damaged. Please be aware that our agents are instructed to report any incidents of interference and costs incurred.

Exclusions

All information was correct at the time of printing. We cannot accept liability for any events beyond our control, loss or damage to your personal property, or any accidents during your stay. If you have children they must be fully supervised near the pool.

Bookings are best made in advance as there are limits on the numbers permitted, therefore it is not possible to guarantee that you will be able to get tickets during your stay. It is necessary to book using Credit Card facility therefore if you wish us to book for you please enter your card details for your authorisation. The tickets and receipts will be available when you arrive in Spain .

Note:If you prefer not to disclose credit card details we can make the booking for you using our local account and deduct the cost from your deposit. Full details will be provided.

Cleaning - The Villa will be cleaned and prepared for the next guests on changeover days. Your flight times help us to plan the changeovers. On the day of departure please vacate the Villa by 1000hrs. It will be available for new arrivals from 1430hrs. Guests who are staying for two or more weeks can liase with our agents Louise and Andy, to arrange a mutually convenient time when the cleaners can come in to change the bed linen, towels and any other cleaning necessary for your benefit. You only need to bring your own Beach Towels.

Occupancy - Only those guests whose names appear on your booking form may occupy the Villa. Occasionally visitors of guests may wish to stay. Additional guests up to the sleeping capacity of the Villa will be charged locally at the rate of £40 per day (UK Sterling) to cover expenses. Please make cheques/cash payments to Louise or Andy in favour of David & Marianne Rumsey.

Pool & Garden Maintenance - The whole of El Galeon when booked is for your exclusive use, note that the lower terraces and pump house area are for authorised personnel only. Our agents will need to visit three to four times per week for essential maintenance. Please permit them access to do their jobs. You can do some watering of the plants if you wish!

Pool – Be mindful of pool safety at all times. The pool is available all the time and will be regularly cleaned and inspected for water purity. You will get the odd insect learning to swim and some debris on the surface. There is a water skimmer to clean the surface available – simple to use and quite therapeutic. Depth signs are posted and we advise “No Diving” into the pool. To help the water purity please use the shower facility before entering the pool to wash off excess sun-tan lotions and oils.

Pergolas/Shade – We have created a lot of shade around the villa and pool area, please, be very aware of the strength of the sun, especially children and fair skinned.

Roof Terrace – great for Yoga, meditation and star-gazing but be mindful of the sun!

Barbecue - A top quality gas fired Barbeque is provided for your usage. Please leave it, as you would expect to find it. It is easy to clean and there is plenty of aluminium foil for the drip tray.

Water Supply - Water is a scarce resource in the area and in periods of very hot months the local Water Company may ration mains water supplies to a few hours per day. The message is to be very considerate and take showers instead of baths. If there are water shortages the pressure will be reduced however we have installed a large 1000 litre water tank with a powerful pump so any disruption should be minimal.

We would suggest that you use bottled water for drinking and the mains water for the kettle and cooking. The whole water system is balanced, please do not alter any of the water control valves. Be understanding of local conditions.

Toilets and Sewerage - Do not flush any toilet paper down the toilets, please use the bins provided. The bathrooms are not connected to the local systems, blockages can be difficult to shift and if it is very hot and there is a water restriction your imagination can realise the result!

Rubbish Disposal - Always keep your plastic bags and make a point of taking rubbish out with you each day. The rubbish collection is different in Spain , although there are numerous “wheelie bins” none are attached to a specific property. So, when you see a bin-“pop it in”. There are plenty around especially on the road into Orgiva. The Spanish are beginning to re-cycle and there is a bottle bank and collection point for plastics, cardboard and cartons next to the BP Garage.

Washing Machine - Do use the machine, it is a cold fill only, and probably slower than you are used to, again water pressure may be reduced. There will be washing powder in the utility room and always put a calgon capsule in the wash. The instruction manual is in the chest of drawers in the kitchen.

Water Heater/Cooker and Hob - The four-burner hob runs on Propane (bottle in utility room). If you do run out of gas there will be a spare bottle under the large chimney, changeover is easy. If you are not sure, call Louise and Andy. The oven is electric and the function control is on the timer switch top left. The gas water heater is very efficient, please do not interfere with the boiler controls. Microwave; Fridge Freezer; Toaster; Iron; Dishwasher - These are standard appliances. (Plenty of dishwasher tablets in the utility room).

Driving Tips - Always have your passports to hand if stopped and driving licence. If you wear glasses carry a spare pair with you. Take your time, the mountain roads are safe until you forget they are dangerous! Fuel is half the price! Zero tolerance for drink-driving.

Credit Cards - Most large outlets will take credit cards, but check first, and there are some that will require your pin number! You will also need your passport for ID. There are loads of cash machines in Orgiva. The daily limits for withdrawals on your card can sometimes exceed the amount that the cash machine will advance so you may have to do a number of transactions. Also the exchange rate at the time can create a default and refuse payment if it would take you over the limit by 1p. “La Caixa” bank in Orgiva is very helpful; The Manager Pablo speaks good English, let them know you are staying in El Galeon.

Health - There are no particular health requirements when visiting Spain . Please be aware of the strength of the sun. El Galeon is 2000 feet above sea level, with mountain breezes and the cleanest air in Europe . It can get very hot, factor 20+ sun-cream and drink plenty of water.

Get into the habit of applying the cream before you go out in the sun and top-up during the day. Rinse off before entering the pool!! The medical provision, doctors and dentists are excellent.

Should you need medical attention please call Shelley who will be able to escort and interpret for you. These are private clinics and there will be a charge but not excessive. (Around Eu 30).

Safety-Fire – Smoke Alarms are fitted in each bedroom and dining area. These are regularly checked for efficiency. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen. First Aid Kit on the bookcase in the lounge. The rejas (Iron fixtures to all the windows) are a traditional feature of all buildings. For fire safety the rejas in each bedroom have been modified to open. You will note that there is a key on a long chain adjacent to each window, which can be used to open the rejas from the inside or outside. A key is also on the master key ring. Please familiarise your party with these safety features. Fly screens have been placed on all bedroom windows, where the rejas are fitted these screens are easily pushed out. There are also Blinds on all windows and a cleat for securing – do not secure to any opening Rejas!

Creepy Crawlies - None to worry about, you will see the odd “gheko” which is small lizard. They feed on insects so are more of a help. In hot climates they are seen as good luck charms if they live in your house – Chit Chat is the Malaysian name, similar to the noise they make. If you try to catch them they will shed their tails! We also have a family of Sand Martins in the porch at various times, so please co-habit!

Note: There are a couple of CATS that have adopted El Galeon – please do not encourage or feed them - a zap with the hose discourages!

Telephones & Mobiles - We have not connected the villa to the telephone exchange. There are numerous call boxes around which take cards or coins. Mobile phones can easily be set-up to work in Spain by contacting your network supplier. Once in Spain the mobile will access the local networks (moviestar/airtel). Do be aware that calls back to the UK can be expensive so check the tariffs with your network.