1. Scope of Application
These General Terms and Conditions (GTC) apply to all bookings and stays in the holiday apartment “Gaia’s Home” in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland. By making a booking and receiving a written booking confirmation from Gaia’s Home, a lodging contract is concluded and the guest accepts these GTC. Individual written agreements take precedence over these GTC.
2. Booking and Contracting Parties
Bookings can be made via the website, by e mail, by telephone or through booking platforms (e.g. Airbnb, Booking.com). A booking is deemed binding once it has been confirmed by Gaia’s Home (or by the respective platform on behalf of Gaia’s Home). The person making the booking must be at least 18 years old and fully legally competent and is liable towards Gaia’s Home for all accompanying guests.
3. Prices and Additional Charges
The prices valid at the time of booking and stated in Swiss francs (CHF), unless otherwise indicated, apply. The booking confirmation specifies which services are included in the price (e.g. final cleaning, bed linen, local tourist tax) and which additional services will be charged separately. Gaia’s Home is entitled to request a security deposit; this will be refunded after proper return of the apartment, provided that no damage, excessive cleaning effort or outstanding payments are identified. Gaia’s Home may collect local tourist taxes and similar charges on behalf of the authorities and remit them accordingly.
4. Payment
The payment terms (deposit, remaining payment, due dates) are communicated at the time of booking and set out in the booking confirmation. Gaia’s Home may require full pre payment, in particular for online bookings or short notice reservations. If payment is not received by the agreed due date, Gaia’s Home may cancel the booking and re let the apartment; any payments already made may be retained in accordance with the applicable cancellation policy.
5. Arrival and Departure
Check in and check out times are stated on the website and/or in the booking confirmation. Early check in or late check out is only possible subject to prior agreement and availability and may incur additional charges. In the event of unapproved late check out, Gaia’s Home may charge an additional daily rate.
6. Use of the Apartment
The apartment may only be occupied by the number of persons specified in the booking. Overnight stays of additional persons are only permitted with prior consent from Gaia’s Home and may be subject to an extra charge. Parties, events, loud music and any commercial or otherwise non contractual use are prohibited. Guests undertake to treat the apartment, furniture and all facilities with care and to show consideration for neighbours and the house community.
7. Duty of Care, Cleaning and Damage
Guests are required to keep the apartment clean and tidy. Final cleaning is carried out by Gaia’s Home but does not replace day to day cleaning during the stay (e.g. washing dishes, disposing of rubbish, airing the rooms). Any damage, defects or missing items must be reported to Gaia’s Home without delay. The guest is liable for all damage to the apartment, the inventory and common areas caused by the guest, accompanying persons or visitors. Costs for repairs, replacement of items or excessive cleaning may be deducted from the security deposit or invoiced afterwards. In the event of serious damage or the apartment becoming unfit for letting, Gaia’s Home may also charge demonstrable loss of rental income.
8. Cancellation, No Show and Early Departure
The cancellation conditions applicable at the time of booking form part of the booking and are communicated with the offer or booking confirmation. For bookings made via platforms (e.g. Airbnb, Booking.com), the cancellation policies of the respective platform apply in addition. In the event of a no show, Gaia’s Home is generally entitled to charge the full booking amount, unless otherwise agreed. In case of early departure, there is generally no entitlement to a refund of the rental price or unused nights.
9. Liability of Gaia’s Home
Gaia’s Home is liable only for direct damage caused by intentional or grossly negligent conduct on the part of Gaia’s Home. Any liability for slight negligence is excluded to the extent permitted by law. Gaia’s Home accepts no liability for theft, loss or damage to guests’ personal belongings. Guests use the apartment, facilities and access ways at their own risk.
10. House Rules, Smoking, Pets
The house rules form an integral part of these GTC and are provided to guests before or upon arrival. Quiet hours and the general rules of the house must be observed. Smoking is not permitted inside the apartment; where allowed, smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas. Pets are only allowed with prior written consent from Gaia’s Home and may be subject to an additional fee. The guest is liable for all damage caused by pets.
11. Data Protection
Personal data is used exclusively for processing the booking and the stay as well as for fulfilling legal obligations and is processed in accordance with the applicable data protection laws (in particular Swiss data protection law). Data is only shared with third parties where necessary for contract performance (e.g. platform operators, cleaning services) or where there is a legal obligation to do so.
12. Local Regulations (Taxes, Registration, Permits)
The guest acknowledges that, depending on the municipality, registration requirements, lodging or tourist taxes and other public law regulations may apply. Gaia’s Home is entitled to forward the necessary guest information to the competent authorities and to collect and remit any such taxes and charges.
13. Amendments to these GTC
Gaia’s Home may amend these GTC at any time. For each booking, the version that was in force at the time of the binding booking or was sent to the guest with the booking confirmation applies.
14. Applicable Law and Place of Jurisdiction
These GTC are governed by Swiss law, excluding conflict of law rules. To the extent permitted by law, the exclusive place of jurisdiction is Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland.
Status: March 2026