Our COVID-19 Plans
Important: Before contacting us regarding potential bookings, please read our blog post first concerning changes to our business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the usual offering mentioned below have been suspended during the current health crisis.
It goes without saying that the tourist destination of Clonakilty and West Cork in general, have been very hard hit and many businesses will not survive. On behalf of the Clonakilty Chamber of Commerce, we are sure that when you are considering a future stay that local businesses and the Irish economy, as a whole, will appreciate “staycations”, so that as much support as possible can be provided from those at home. Please remember that whoever you book with, always book direct with your accommodation provider and do not use third party online travel agents who take significant commission from providers. This ensures that 100% of what you pay goes towards supporting the recovery of the local economy and the family businesses you are staying with. Every little bit will make a huge difference.
We look forward to the resumption of normal service for our luxury self-catering guesthouses and to welcome you back to beautiful West Cork.
Stay safe by observing hygiene and distancing protocols.
Mark & Felicity Grace
Owners, Ballynoe House
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Booking Preamble
We kindly ask all potential guests to read this summary page and the accompanying Booking Contract/Terms & Conditions before making a booking. They respectively summarise and detail what constitutes “fair use” of the luxury self-catering accommodation on offer. Importantly, they also guarantee what we provide to you, as our guests – accommodation that is fully-equipped and ready to go. When making a booking, when recommend you download a copy for your own records.
We like to ensure that everything is clear and upfront, but please contact us if you have any questions or we can assist in tailoring your stay. All reservations, bookings and payments are subject to the full Booking Terms & Conditions (T&Cs)**. If you intend to book within 48 hours of arrival, it would be highly appreciated to call us ahead of making the booking or immediately after doing so. All our accommodation is customised to meet the requirements of each set of guests. Subject to availability, we will endeavour to accommodate bookings made on the same day of arrival.
See our guesthouse accommodation in detail before you book.
Remember to Always Book Direct!
Ballynoe House supports the “Booking Direct” movement which is why you will only find us advertising on website that do not charge commission. Our dedicated FreetoBook reservation and payment system is the simplest, cheapest and most sustainable way to book your stay. We accept most bookings and pro rate stays down to a 4-night minimum. Note that Wed/Thu/Fri as start days are closed to booking in the calendar as different rates apply for luxury weekends and non-standard periods of stay. If you are looking to arrive on those days please email or call to discuss, as your dates may be available.
Kindly note that we do not accept deposits or cash payments. 100% payment is required at time of booking. For advanced bookings into the following calendar year (such as wedding planning) we are happy to defer payment until January of that year. However, you will need to book with us via email to take advantage of this offer. Ballynoe House is pleased to be associated with local leading and award-winning wedding venues Dunmore House Hotel & Fernhill House Hotel.
Discounts may be available for longer stays and there is also 10% discount for returning guests*. We also offer a standby system should a high season period of your choice be booked, in case it becomes available at short notice.
All payments are made by secure card payments link (please also refer to “Insurance” below). Rates are all-inclusive of utilities, services & amenities as advertised and 13.5% VAT. Our price list (per guesthouse per night) is fixed to Easter 2023 and can be downloaded here.
In support of families and depending on the bedroom configuration you choose, one or two children may be effectively staying free of charge.
Normal check-in time is 17:00 and check-out no later than 10:00.
We Offer a Lot More than Standard Self-Catering Accommodation
Ballynoe House is child-friendly, providing 2 acres of grounds for kids to explore. A high chair and one cot is included free of charge in each guesthouse (cot bedding not provided). For families that need to accommodate an additional child above the standard sleeping configuration, a fold-up camp bed can be supplied upon request (one additional bed available per Mews house only, suitable for a child under 10 years bringing their own sleeping bag or bedding – pillow supplied). Please mention required bedroom configurations at time of booking to ensure our accommodation meets your needs.
For logistical reasons and the low-allergen interiors, all our accommodation has a no smoking/no vaping policy. We are unable to accept pets. Registered service dogs for the blind, autistic or infirm are taken by prior agreement only**.
Ballynoe House supports Clonakilty as the first autism-friendly town in Ireland by providing tranquil indoor and outdoor spaces for those that need it. We have a degree of flexibility in our autism-friendly accommodation, so please contact us ahead of making a booking to ensure that we can support your stay. By the end of 2019, we have been delighted to host 3 families with autistic children and one adult supervised stay.
We are available to discuss special occasions and group bookings that require all three guesthouses as well as outside catering support. To preserve the special tranquil setting of our home, the rights of other guests, neighbours and the local environment, all social events or functions that exceed the contractual number of occupants in any of the guesthouses must be agreed in advance. Ballynoe House is a gated property which provides additional safety and security as required for events or those with young children or special needs.
Generous off-road parking allows us to support the annual West Cork Rally by providing competing teams, support vehicles and their families accommodation at our low season rates. The period is closed out on our calendar for direct applicants. Please contact us if you would like to be added to our rally accommodation contact list. We can accommodate four teams of four.
Insurance
Our Terms & Conditions remind guests that they are responsible for their own insurance for obtaining refunds for late booking or wedding cancellations, travel disruption or health emergencies of any kind. This includes any future virus pandemic***.
See What Our Guests are Saying About Us
We strive to provide guests with a unique experience that exceeds expectations. Many of our guests are increasingly the result of personal referrals.
2019 was our first full calendar year of business and reviews received in the 2018/2019 period are summarised below. We are highly appreciative of all our guests who not only leave with a kind word to say about how much they have enjoyed their stay with us, but also that they share this with others.
FreetoBook:
Booking.com:
Follow Ballynoe House on Facebook for news, updates and regional events. We are no longer listed with Booking.com due to their high rates of commission.
Thank you for your support of the direct booking movement. We look forward to welcoming you as guests to our special piece of beautiful West Cork.
Mark & Felicity Grace, Ballynoe House
Notes:
*Discounts are applicable in high-season only and through direct booking by email, telephone or Skype. One discount applicable per booking. Guests must have booked with us direct for their previous stay to qualify.
**Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) should be read carefully prior to making a reservation. Please retain a copy for your records. The T&Cs clearly outline the legal rights and obligations of both Ballynoe House as owners/accommodation providers and the Hirer in terms of “fair use” of the guesthouses. If any clarifications are required please contact us before making a booking. Guests are in separate accommodation in the private grounds of the owner’s home.
***It became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic that many insurers, who should have paid out according to their policies, were finding excuses not to do so. This left many customers of small business looking for refunds direct from these businesses. By their very nature, small businesses are not able to be “insurers of last resort” when big insurers do not honour their contracts. This is a matter between the customer and their insurer. Guests are advised to have full and proper cancellation & travel insurance from a reliable insurer.
If not using our booking portal (where acceptance of T&Cs is part of the booking process), you are required to download the T&Cs (link in right-hand column), sign, date and email the last page in return to validate your reservation. In any event, making payment is taken as an acceptance of all T&Cs including the cancellation polices.
