Policies & Information

Cancellation & Booking Policy

Last updated: April 2026

These policies apply to bookings made directly with The Old Alma — by phone, email, or through our website. If you have booked through a third-party platform, their own cancellation and booking terms will apply instead.

Booking Confirmation

All bookings require a 30% non-refundable deposit at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due on arrival. We accept card payments, bank transfer, and cash.

Cancellation by Guests

• More than 14 days before check-in: Full refund minus the 30% deposit.
• 7–14 days before check-in: 50% of the total booking cost is charged.
• Less than 7 days before check-in: The full booking cost is charged.
• No-shows: The full booking cost is charged with no refund.

Amendments

Date changes are accommodated where possible, subject to availability. Please contact us at least 48 hours before your original check-in date. Amendments to shorten a stay within 7 days of arrival are treated as a partial cancellation.

Early Departure

If you check out earlier than planned, we are unable to offer a refund for unused nights.

Cancellation by The Old Alma

In the unlikely event we need to cancel your booking (e.g. due to unforeseen circumstances), we will offer a full refund including your deposit, or alternative dates at no extra cost.

Force Majeure

In cases of events beyond our control (severe weather, government restrictions, etc.), we will work with you to reschedule or provide a credit note valid for 12 months.

Terms & Conditions

Last updated: April 2026

These terms apply to all direct bookings made with The Old Alma. By booking with us directly, you agree to the following conditions.

1. Check-in & Check-out

Check-in is from 2:00 PM. Check-out is by 10:30 AM. Early check-in or late check-out may be available on request — please ask when booking. A charge may apply for late check-out.

2. Payment

A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the total booking value is required to secure your reservation. The remaining balance is payable on arrival by credit or debit card, or cash. We do not charge your card in advance beyond the deposit.

3. Room Rates

Rates shown on our website are per room per night, including a full cooked breakfast for all guests in the room. Weekend rates (Friday & Saturday nights) may differ from midweek rates. Special event periods may have minimum-stay requirements.

4. Breakfast

A full English breakfast is included in your room rate and served between 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM in our dining room. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

5. Smoking

The Old Alma is entirely non-smoking indoors. Smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas only. A deep-cleaning charge of £150 will apply if evidence of smoking is found in rooms.

6. Pets & Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome free of charge. Dogs must not be left unattended in rooms and must be kept on a lead in communal areas. Please bring your own bedding and bowls.

7. Children

Children of all ages are welcome. We have a Family Room (Room 4) that accommodates families with children. Cots may be available on request. Children remain the responsibility of their parents/guardians at all times.

8. Damage & Liability

Guests are responsible for any damage caused to the property or its contents during their stay. The Old Alma is not liable for any loss, damage, or theft of guests' personal belongings.

9. Noise & Behaviour

We ask all guests to be considerate of others. Quiet hours are from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM. The Old Alma reserves the right to ask guests to leave without refund if behaviour is unacceptable.

10. Parking

Free on-site parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Vehicles are parked at the owner's risk. We are not responsible for any damage to vehicles whilst on our premises.

11. WiFi

Complimentary WiFi is provided throughout the property. Connection speeds may vary and cannot be guaranteed. Use of our WiFi for illegal activities is strictly prohibited.

12. Right of Admission

The Old Alma reserves the right to refuse admission or service at its discretion, and to ask guests to leave if terms are breached.

Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026

Who We Are

The Old Alma is a bed & breakfast located at Canterbury Road, Chilham, Kent CT4 8DX. When you make a booking, enquiry, or browse our website, we may collect and process personal data as described below.

What Data We Collect

• Booking information: Name, email, phone number, arrival/departure dates, number of guests, and any special requests.
• Payment details: Handled securely — we do not store card numbers.
• Contact form submissions: Name, email, and your message content.
• Website usage: Basic analytics (pages visited, device type) — no individual tracking.

How We Use Your Data

• To confirm and manage your booking
• To respond to enquiries and messages
• To process payments securely
• To communicate essential information about your stay
• To improve our website and services

Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored securely and only retained for as long as necessary. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes.

Third Parties

We may share limited data with:

• Our payment processor — for secure payment handling
• Our contact form system — for delivering your enquiry to us (email only)
• Google Fonts — for website typography (no personal data transferred)

Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Withdraw consent for marketing communications
• Lodge a complaint with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office)

Cookies

Our website uses only essential cookies required for the site to function (e.g. session management). We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. No cookie consent banner is required as we only use strictly necessary cookies.

Contact

For any privacy-related queries, contact us at [email protected] or write to: The Old Alma, Canterbury Road, Chilham, Kent CT4 8DX.

House Rules

To ensure all guests enjoy a comfortable stay