08450 264 585Booking Conditions
The following conditions apply to the contract made upon acceptance of the booking by THE BEST OF MOROCCO LIMITED (hereafter known as the company) provided the person signing the Booking Form has the full authorisation of all named individuals to enter into this contract.
A deposit of £175 per person will be required or, in the case of a late booking (i.e. within 8 weeks prior to the departure date) payment in full will be taken when the holiday is confirmed. The cost of your flights will also be taken on confirmation (dependant on flight price at the time of booking). Thereafter the balance of the holiday is due 8 weeks prior to the departure date (the due date will appear on the printed invoice and no reminders will be sent). Should the balance of the holiday not be received by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel the holiday, after due notice, and the client forfeits their initial deposit.
Bookings requests submitted through the website using the 'make a booking' buttons are not definite bookings until we have confirmed availability of the holiday at the indicated price. No money will be taken until we have done so, once availability is confirmed we will take payment automatically and these terms and conditions apply.
Credit card transaction fees
A transaction fee will be applied to any payment made by credit card. No transaction fee applies to debit cards. The fee is 1.95% of the value, except for American Express for which the fee is 2.5% of the value.
Passport, visa and health requirments
It is the clients responsibility to ensure that they meet the requirements to be permitted entry into Morocco and re-entry to the country of origin, including any passport, visa or health requirements. For UK passport holders this includes 6 months validity on the passport beyond the date of return from Morocco.. the Company cannot be held responsible for missed holiday or repatriation costs caused by the failure to meet these requirements.
Cancellation By The Client
Any cancellation of a booking after an invoice has been produced, must be made in writing to the Company by the person who signed the Booking Form. If notification of cancellation is received more than 8 weeks prior to the departure date only the deposit and Travel Insurance premium is forfeited.
Cancellations received less than 8 weeks prior to departure, the following scale of cancellation charges will apply (there will be no refund of insurance premiums and premiums are not transferable).
- Less than 8 weeks: 30% of the total invoice
- Less than 6 weeks: 40% of the total invoice
- Less than 4 weeks: 50% of the total invoice
- Less than 2 weeks: 80% of the total invoice
- Less than 1 week: 100% of the total invoice
Exception: Where a holiday booking includes a stay at Caravanserai during the Christmas period of 22 Dec - 2 Jan, a non-refundable full payment is to be made by 15 November - i.e. there is a 100% charge from that date.
If, due to unusual circumstances, the balance of the holiday has not been paid and the booking is subsequently cancelled within the 8 week period prior to departure, the client is still liable for payment to the amount as set out in the above scale of cancellation charges.
If, however, you have taken out travel insurance you may be able to recover the above charges if the reason, backed by official documentation, falls within the parameters of the insurance policy. (See Travel Insurance details).
Client Amendments
Should an amendment by a client be requested outside the 8 weeks before departure date, and provided the Company can confirm such a change, an amendment fee of £50 per booking will be imposed for itineraries of upto 3 hotels, thereafter £25 for each additional hotel. Amendments made within the 8 week period will be treated as cancellations and re-bookings. The normal cancellation charges will then apply. All amendments should be in writing, signed by the original Booking Form signatory.
Itinerary Changes Whilst In Morocco
Should you decide, whilst in Morocco, to deviate from your planned itinerary any additional expense resulting from such an action must be paid direct to those providing the service. No Refund Will Be Considered For Unused, Prebooked Accommodation, Services Or Flights.
Surcharges
The price of your holiday is based on rates as advertised in the Financial Times and is subject to surcharges on the following items: governmental action, currency, aircraft fuel, overflying charges, airport charges and increases in scheduled airfares. Even in this case, we will absorb an amount equivalent to 2% of the holiday price which excludes insurance premiums and any amendment charges. Only amounts in excess of this 2% will be surcharged. If this means paying more than 10% on the holiday price, you will be entitled to cancel your holiday with a full refund of all money paid except for any premium paid to us for holiday insurance or amendment charges. Should you decide to cancel because of this, you must exercise your right to do so within 14 days from the issue date printed on the amended invoice. Any surcharge applicable will be advised NO LATER than 35 clear days prior to the departure date.
General
We accept responsibility for ensuring the holiday which you book with us is supplied as described in this brochure and the services offered reach a reasonable standard. If any part is not provided as promised, we will pay you appropriate compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your holiday. We accept responsibility for the acts and/or omissions of our employees, agents and suppliers save where they lead to death, injury or illness except as provided in the following paragraph. In respect of the services provided by air or sea carriers, our liability in all cases shall be limited in the manner provided by international conventions.
We accept responsibility for death, injury or illness caused by the negligent act and/or omissions of our employees or agents together with our suppliers and sub-contractors, servants and/or agents of the same whilst acting within the scope of, or in the course of their employment (other than air and sea carriers performing any domestic, internal or international carriage of whatsoever kind). We will accordingly pay to our clients such damages as might have been claimed in respect of death, illness or injury caused by negligence, as accepted under English Law, of our employees, agents or suppliers contracted or sub-contracted by us to provide any part of the arrangements for your holiday.
If war, threat of war, civil unrest, closure of airports, industrial action, threatened or actual terrorist activities or any other event (condition are defined by the Commonwealth and Foreign Office in London, and not the State Department in Washington) outside the control of the Company, either delays or extends the holiday or compels a change in the holiday arrangements during the holiday, the Company cannot accept liability for any resulting loss, damage or expense and no refunds will be made.
If We Have To Cancel Or Alter Your Holiday
The Company guarantees that, subsequent to the date when the final balance of the tour, holiday or other travel arrangements becomes due, the Company will not effect cancellation, unless this becomes necessary as a result of force majeure or where the client defaults in payment. If prior to, or subsequent to the commencement of the holiday, a material alteration did become necessary through unforeseen circumstances or force majeure, every effort by the Company will be made to offer a suitable alternative. If this change occurs prior to departure you will be offered the choice of (a) a suitable alternative (b) another available holiday or (c) the opportunity to cancel with a full refund.
Note: Material alterations shall not include delays in departures on tours, holidays or other travel arrangements caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport, strikes, industrial action or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company.
Complaints
In the event of any dissatisfaction with the accommodation or any other service provided by the Company, the matter MUST be reported immediately to the organisation concerned (i.e. Hotel Manager, Agents etc.) so that immediate action can be taken to remedy the problem. Thereafter the matter must be referred, in writing, to the Company within 28 days subsequent to the clients return.
Misadventure
Where appropriate and subject to the Companies reasonable discretion, the Company will afford general assistance to clients who through misadventure, suffer illness, personal injury or death during the period of the holiday arising out of an activity which does not form part of the foreign inclusive holiday nor of any excursion offered through the Company. Where legal action is undertaken by the client, with the prior agreement of the Company, initial legal costs associated therewith shall be met by the Company providing a request for such assistance is received 90 days from the date of the misadventure. Total costs for any assistance shall not exceed £5,000 per booking form. In the event that there is a successful claim for such costs against a third party or there being a suitable insurance policy/ies in force, costs actually incurred by the Company shall be recoverable from the clients. Note: Claims in respect of liability and quantum fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Morocco where the contract was entered into.
Cancellation Or Delay Of Aircraft Or Other Transportation
We do not accept liability for any additional cost which you may incur as a result of delays or cancellation of international or domestic flights or any other transportation for any reason beyond our control. We regret that it is not possible to recover the cost of unused, pre-booked accommodation or service. Any additional costs involved in such a delay are to be met by the client. If delay is caused by technical problems, the airline will normally provide airport meals and accommodation where necessary. However, if caused by bad weather, strikes, traffic control etc., the airline will seldom offer any compensation as the delay is outside their control. (See Travel insurance policy for possible recovery of these costs).
Important Note
This brochure(Web site) is issued on the sole responsibility of the Tour Operator. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit the Airline(s) mentioned therein, or any Airline whose services are used in the course of the holiday(s). Passages are booked and/or tickets issued subject to the terms and conditions of the carriers and/or principals concerned and not otherwise.
Travel Insurance
It is a requirement that you must be insured during your holiday. We do not arrange insurance - plase see our Insurance page for a suitable insurer.
Other information that is relevant to your holiday
Included in the holiday price
- Return scheduled flights in economy class. Supplements may be payable to travel with a specific airline, airport (Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester) or to upgrade to Club Class. We will arrange holidays without flights, for stays of 7 or more nights - please contact us for prices.
- Airport/Hotel/Airport transfers (unless car hire has been arranged or otherwise stated)
- Accommodation as described
- Meals as indicated
- Hotel service charges and local taxes
- All airport charges and taxes
Not included in holiday cost
- Transport to/from UK airports.
- Any surcharges (Fuel, currency or Government action) levied as a result of any increase in costs outside our control.
- Travel insurance which is optional but recommended (Insurance premiums).
Child Reductions
Infants under 2 years of age on the date of travel will be charged a nominal fee (about £40) for the air fare (no seat will be allocated). Most hotels make no charge for cots and food should be paid direct to the hotels in question. Children aged 2-12 years may qualify for a reduction when sharing a room with 2 adults. Children not sharing with 2 adults are not eligible for any hotel reduction but will get a reduction on the air-fare if they are under 12 on the date of travel.
Hotel Classification
The grading of hotels in Morocco can be confusing. Moroccan standards or ratings should not be compared with those of other countries. Hotel classification is the sole responsibility of the Moroccan authorities and bears no relation to the prices we have negotiated individually with hotels. The authorities can change a hotel grading without prior notice. There are differences between the standards of different hotels of the same grade.
Hotel Accommodation
It is very important to remember that descriptions of hotel rooms in this brochure apply to standard twin-bedded rooms. Single rooms are usually a standard twin room for sole occupancy. The allocation of rooms is at the discretion of the hotel. Requests for specific rooms or positions within an hotel cannot be guaranteed although every effort will be made by the hotel to comply with your specific requests and every effort is made by The Best of Morocco in passing on your specific requests.
If you have ANY complaints about ANY of the hotels in which you stay, you should bring these to the attention of the hotel management immediately so that the problem can be resolved during your stay. If you encounter a problem and mention it to the Reception or Manager and nothing is done about it, then we suggest you put it in writing to them and send a copy to us on your return which will enable us to deal with it on your behalf. Dress in almost all hotels is informal.
Suites
Many hotels offer suites at a variety of supplements. It should be noted, however, that the term "suite" is often used quite loosely in Morocco and does not necessarily denote what is conventionally accepted as a suite with separate bedroom and sitting room. The terms "Royal", "Ambassador" or "Pasha" are often used and should not necessarily lead you to think that these suites will have 2 rooms, a sitting room, terrace and butler - they may simply be larger than the standard rooms.
Hotel Facilities
The layout of a Riad is unlike that of a hotel, in that they are not purpose built, soundproofed modern buildings with dedicated designed facilities. They are heritage buildings designed originally to provide wealthy families with privacy and comfort with all rooms facing in towards a central courtyard, the heart of the building - the modern adaption and conversion of these allows for guest to experience the unique accommodation, whilst the former utility areas are now used as service areas. This formula is generic now amongst almost all the hundreds of converted Riads and "Dars" in Morocco. The rooms may not always provide for intimate privacy and some noise may be heard due to the general occupation and workings of the building.
Most hotels list air-conditioning as a feature, but Morocco has an energy conservation programme, so you may find this facility only functions at certain times of the day/night and on rare occasions, is shut off completely - this is more likely in the south of Morocco where power cuts occur from time to time.
It must be noted that some hotel facilities, as described in this brochure, may, at certain times not function fully. This may be due to many reasons e.g. a pool being emptied and cleaned. These decisions are part of normal hotel running and are at the discretion of the hotel management. If, however, we are made aware of any closure or of any other alterations to the hotel description, we will pass this on to you as soon as we can, though it is rare for hotels to give tour operators advance notice of works or changes within the hotels. Neither the hotels used nor The Best of Morocco accept responsibility for anything outside their private grounds e.g. noise or construction work near to the hotel.
All rooms at all hotels featured in this brochure have private bathrooms with shower and or bath, w.c. and many also have a bidet.
Heated swimming pools
Some hotels claim to heat their pools during the winter months. However, what they call "heated" and what we call "heated" may not be commensurate and Best of Morocco accepts no responsibility for the definition of "heated" nor the distinction of Winter months.
Agents / Representatives
Unlike large mass tour operators, our clients are not pestered by daily visits from reps selling excursions, car hire etc. We have our own office in Marrakech which can be contacted for help and advice and in case of a problem by clients who are not staying in Marrakech. Their phone number will be supplied with your tickets. In some other places, we have appointed local agents who will look after your needs. Otherwise, your contact is through the hotel who may also provide pre-arranged transfers. Most of the small places, especially in remoter areas and in the south do not have local agents.
Travel Documents
About two weeks prior to your departure, we will send you complete travel documentation i.e. flight tickets, transfer and hotel vouchers, itinerary with hotel and Agents fax and phone numbers, luggage labels etc and our comprehensive Travel Information booklet.
Alterations / Cancellations to Holidays
If you need to alter your reservation after it has been confirmed and invoiced, an amendment fee of £50 per booking will be charged for itineraries of up to 3 hotels, thereafter £25 per additional hotel. If, for any reason, you have to cancel your holiday (see our Booking Conditions for cancellation scale of charges) travel insurance, under certain conditions, will protect your deposit or charges levied as a result.
Itinerary Changes Whilst in Morocco
Should you decide to deviate from your planned itinerary after your arrival in Morocco for whatever reason, any resulting costs must be paid direct to those providing the additional or alternative services prior to your departure from Morocco. Our office in Marrakech is not able nor authorised to make refunds. Any claims or requests for refunds must be made through our office in England on your return.
ANY UNUSED PRE-BOOKED ACCOMMODATION, SERVICES OR FLIGHTS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE irrespective of what any receptionist at hotels may tell you.
Passport / Visa / Health Requirements
A full British / E.E.C. 10 year passport with a minimum of 6 months validity is necessary. At the time of printing, no visas or vaccinations are required for entry into Morocco. Non British nationals should contact the Moroccan Consulates Visa section in London 0207-581-5001.
Call to Prayer and Ramadan
It should be noted that the first call to prayer occurs in the early hours of the morning. Since this is often a loud siren or amplified singing it may awaken light sleepers or those in riads close to a mosque. As one of our clients mentions, "The magical sound of the natural voice singing the call to prayer from the Minaret is entirely lost because of the crude amplification!"
For more information about visiting Morocco during Ramadan, see our page about Ramadan.
Remember
Whenever you travel abroad, the way of life and the local customs are naturally different and, for many people, this is all part of the excitement. So please do not be too hasty in condemning a little slow service or the occasional cool meal in restaurants. Take people as you find them not as you would like them to be. In Morocco especially, spare a thought for the religious customs e.g. the call to prayer five times a day commencing at sunrise.
Website / Brochure Accuracy
We have taken great care to ensure that the information contained on this website and in our brochure is correct. However, we must point out that sometimes, particularly early or late in the season, some hotel and resort facilities may not operate. Unfortunately such events are beyond our control.
All holidays are subject to the terms and conditions as set out in our Booking Conditions whether you have signed the booking form or not.
Your Security
THE BEST OF MOROCCO LTD. is fully bonded and holds an Air Travel Organisers Licence. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2640 (verify). ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. Click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more (opens a new window).
Special Offers
Free nights, upgrades, hammam & massage and honeymoon special offers.
Morocco Special Offers
to prevent and cure NOMA