Customer FAQ's

Frequently asked questions.

Bookings

The easiest way to book is online. Either use the filters to conduct an availability search via the homepage if you know your dates, or browse the individual cottages and search their calendars individually. If you would like to speak to our friendly team to make a booking then please call us on 01624 830200 option 1.

We will take bookings 18 months in advance on a rolling basis. We are unable to take bookings any further in advance of that.

Unlike a hotel room, between guests an entire property is deep cleaned which includes all the rooms, this takes time and also a significant fixed cost. This cost is the same if a guest stays for one night or a week. We pass this cost onto our guest, but spread through the course of a few nights it is easily absorbed. If someone was to stay for one night they would need to pay more just to cover this changeover cost just to make it commercially viable. The stay would also be very short, because the property wouldn’t be ready til late afternoon, and we’d need guests to promptly check out at 10am.

Because of those reasons a one night stay would end up being very expensive for what wouldn’t even be 24 hours at the property. We’d hate customers to feel rushed and our experience shows that customers who stay for a few days enjoy it the most and settle into their holiday.

At most of our properties we have flexible check in days, not everyone wants to travel at weekends and we prefer to have all our properties checking in and out on different days of the week for logistical reasons. This means that we do not operate a Saturday - Saturday policy and welcome mid week check ins at most properties!

We can only accept bookings from those over 18. Although many properties accept children they must be accompanied by an adult.  

If you are forced to cancel your holiday you must inform Island Escapes as soon as possible.  The day we receive your notice in writing to cancel is the date on which we will cancel your booking with the owner. If you cancel your holiday within 42 days of the commencement of your holiday no refund will be made, if you cancel more than 42 days before holiday commencement, you will not be entitled to a refund but can take a credit note for a future booking with Island Escapes, the holiday must be taken within 12 months of the original booking. Island Escapes recommends you take out travel insurance to cover unexpected eventualities, you can add booking protect to your booking at checkout or we work with a local insurance broker Cherry Godfrey Insurance Services who can provide this for you. Please follow this link for a quote. If your ferry or flight is cancelled to the Island you will still be liable for the full cost of accommodation.

Check in is typically from 16:00. If the property is available to check in earlier, we will let you know by phone or text on the day of your arrival. Check out is strictly by 10:00 on the day of your departure unless otherwise advised due to the logistical processes involved between bookings. We are sorry that we are unable to facilitate late check outs, but if you are visiting the island you may be able to leave your luggage at either the property or our office should you have a late flight or ferry, please contact us to arrange.

General

Travel insurance can be purchased online quickly and easily through many providers. Island Escapes has partnered up with local insurance broker Cherry Godfrey Insurance Services who can offer our customers a quote for insurance .Find out more.

We are committed to protecting our properties so collect a £35 fee from each booking to cover any accidental damage carried out at the property. It prevents an awkward conversation, a spoilt holiday and reassures you that you are covered for up to £500 worth of damage should any damage or breakages occur. 

Yes, we offer Gift Vouchers in a range of denominations. Please visit our Gift Voucher page to order one online.

We understand that some visitors have special requirements in terms of access to a property or the facilities needed within it. When searching for properties on our website, you can use the filter section to select only properties that are mobility friendly. If you need further advice or help, please contact us and we will be pleased to help.

Many of our holiday properties will welcome a dog and some are happy to accept more than one dog. Please see the property description on our website for details. There is often a small additional charge for your dog(s) which will be made clear to you as you book. If you’d like to bring any other kind of pet, just get in touch with us and we’ll check whether the property owner is happy for you to do this.

Registered assistance dogs are allowed in all properties, however, you must notify us of the intended presence of any assistance dogs, with evidence of registration, prior to making a booking. 

Please note pets should not be left unattended in properties and that they must remain downstairs and off furniture at all times. You, as a pet owner, will be responsible for removing any evidence left by your pet and reimbursing the owner if any damage is caused. Please note that if a property is shown to have an ‘enclosed’ garden, this does not necessarily mean that it is secure for your pet as it may be enclosed by hedging or open style fencing.

Some of our properties have their own cots and high chairs, at other properties you can hire them from us and add them to your booking, we'll then ensure they are delivered to the property. At some properties it is not possible to provide baby equipment. Please check the individual property page for more information. Stair gates are generally not available unless advertised on the individual property listing. Please note bedding for the cots is not provided, you will need to bring your own.

Prices fluctuate with demand and supply. Our booking software is linked to live market data which means our nightly prices will vary throughout the year across all our properties.

Each of our properties is fully registered by Visit Isle of Man each year. Registration of all visitor accommodation is a legal requirement on the Isle of Man under the Tourist Act 1975. As part of this it means that the owners have agreed to comply with the standards set by the Isle of Man Government. In addition Island Escapes ensures each of our owners complete a regular Health and Safety assessment for their property and our own team conduct regular spot checks.

Where properties have dedicated EV charging points they will be advertised. The property details may also include any relevant information such as power levels provided and additional charges if applicable. 

Vehicles should NOT be charged at properties without dedicated EV charging points. Most cottages will have standard domestic supplies which do not support vehicle charging.

All of our properties should have at least one hairdryer in either the bathroom or bedroom. If on arrival one is missing please contact us and we will be happy to supply. 

The house or apartment will be fully equipped with everything you might need for when you arrive, for example one or two toilet rolls are initially provided together with handwash and washing up liquid but as its a self catering property you'll need to stock up on the essentials for your trip.

At most of our properties we like to provide a small welcome pack of local produce to get you started after your journey. We do not guarantee the contents of the welcome pack as this may vary across our property range.

In no circumstances may more than the maximum number of persons as stated on the website occupy a property. Only those listed on the booking may occupy the premises. The person who completes the booking, i.e. the lead name, certifies that he or she is authorised to agree to the Booking Conditions on behalf of all members of the party, including any changes. The lead name agrees to take responsibility for all members of the party who must be named on the booking. Visitors to the property during the daytime are generally permitted.

Usually not, however certain properties are more suited for events. In all cases please contact Island Escapes to discuss your requirements and we will see what options are available.

We aim to provide a high level of customer service and want all of our guests to be completely happy with their holiday. However, things can be missed and if this is the case please do contact us on the number provided on your booking confirmation as soon as possible. Please do not leave it until your last day or till you have returned home to bring matters to our attention. By then it is too late for us to be able to help you and sort out any issues you may have.

If your ferry or flight is cancelled to the Island you will still be liable for the full cost of accommodation. It is therefore advisable to take out Travel insurance to cover any unexpected eventualities.

If adverse weather affects your booking, for example if a housekeeper is unable to reach the property prior to your arrival, or adverse weather causes damage to the property, we will let you know as soon as possible about any changes that need to be made to your booking. In events such as these, we will do our best to avoid any inconvenience even though your holiday may have to start a little later than expected or at a suitable alternative property. Please be assured our support team will be on hand to assist as required and answer your questions.

All of your private property must be taken with you when vacating the holiday rental. Whilst Island Escapes cannot guarantee the return of lost property following departure, if you do contact us we'll try and get it back to you if we can! Please contact us as soon as possible if you think you have left something behind. It will be free to collect from our office in Castletown in person, but if you do wish us to post it back to you there will be a minimum charge of £30 applied. We will post back using standard postage. We have had to apply this charge due to the sheer volume of lost property left behind and to go part of the way to covering some of the costs and time incurred with trying to reunite it with its owner.

Yes, all properties have bath towels, hand towels and bed linen. It is a good idea to bring beach towels with you if you would like them.

To help visitors understand the healthcare choices available to support you during their stay on the Island, Manx Care have produced a useful link that highlights the breadth of places that people can get support from, including the Minor Illnesses and Injuries Unit (MIU) at Ramsey Cottage Hospital, the Manx Emergency Doctor Service (MEDS), GPs and the network of Community Pharmacies. This can be accessed via this URL: https://www.gov.im/signposting. The signposting of services brochure also includes information on access to medical services for both UK residents and visitor from overseas.

As part of a reciprocal healthcare agreement, UK residents visiting the Isle of Man will receive free NHS treatment if they become ill whilst in the Isle of Man, apart from statutory charges which Isle of Man residents have to pay, such as prescription charges. Please note that repatriation costs to the UK would not be covered, and we recommend guests take out travel insurance.

If there are no legal restrictions preventing you from travelling to the island then this will be treated as any other illness or cancellation and any amends will not be possible due to last minute cancellation. We always recommend customers have relevant travel insurance in place.

In the event of travel restrictions imposed by the Government we will be happy to move your booking to alternative dates, offer you a credit note (to be used within 12 months of original booking) or take a full refund less a £40 booking fee to cover administration costs. If you choose to cancel your booking, and there are no travel restrictions then you will not be entitled to a refund, but can claim a credit note up to 42 days before travelling.

Thinking of coming and staying with us? Have a few questions? We have provided a list of some of our frequently asked questions.

Join our mailing list for all our latest news, special offers and more...